Bachelor's Degree Programme in Information and Communications Technology

Key learning outcomes

Information and Communications Technology is in high demand everywhere! As an ICT engineer, you can work in specialist positions in an ever-changing and internationalising society. The Degree Programme in Information and Communications Technology gives you the opportunity to build your competence just the way you would like to. During the studies, you can specialise in software engineering (developer), cybersecurity (security), system maintenance (operations) or AI and data analytics (AIDA).

After graduating, you are able to apply the basic laws of natural sciences to solving problems in your field. You will also learn the skills for ICT construction in a digitalising and automated society. In addition, you will be able to ethically plan solutions that meet the IT needs of business and industry.

After completing your Information and Communications Technology studies, you have a good foundation for continuous professional development, effective and productive communication and information discovery. You also have excellent capabilities to act as an entrepreneur who is even able to operate in an international work environment. You are able to identify and assess the environmental impacts of ICT solutions and choose sustainable options.

Education content and professional growth and know-how

Engineering studies usually last 4 years (240 cr), but in some situations, such as summer studies or traineeship, you can speed up your studies.
- Common Basic Studies 62 cr
- Professional Studies for the Degree 123 cr
- Practical Training 30 cr
- Bachelor’s Thesis 20 cr
- Elective Studies 10 cr

Common Basic Studies 62 cr

In basic professional studies, the focus is on studying at a university of applied sciences and on the objectives and content of education. You will also be familiar with project operations, entrepreneurship and business, learn the basics of foreign languages, and develop your communication skills. Basic studies provide you with the necessary skills in natural sciences to take vocational studies related to your degree.

Professional Studies for the Degree 123 cr

The Professional Studies of the Degree (78 cr) consists of common studies in the specialisation option and advanced vocational studies you select (45 cr, DevSecOps AIDA).

The common professional studies will provide you with the basic skills required in your profession in digitalisation, programming, databases, Internet technologies, web technologies, cybersecurity, and operating systems. You will learn to apply the learned skills in practical projects.

In the Advanced Professional Studies (45 cr), you specialise in one ICT competence: software engineering (developer), cybersecurity (security), system maintenance (operations) or AI and data analytics (AIDA).

These studies enable you to develop into a specialist in the area of your choice and demonstrate your ability to work as an engineer after graduating.

Practical Training 30 cr

The scope of the practical training is at least 30 credits. In practical training, you will develop your vocational skills under guidance and familiarise yourself with key practical tasks and the application of knowledge and skills at work.

Thesis 20 credits

The thesis enables you to develop and demonstrate your readiness to apply your knowledge and skills in practical tasks related to the field. The thesis includes the Development and Research course, 5 cr.

Elective studies 10 cr

Elective studies support the development of your expertise and are oriented according to your personal interest. You can also choose offered studies in your field of expertise.

Flexible studies

The full-time studies follow a weekly schedule and include plenty of classroom and laboratory teaching. In addition to this, the students have exercises and assignments to be completed independently (individually or in groups).

Part-time studies mainly consist of online studies, but some courses may require attendance. In-person classes are held approximately once a month (Fri-Sat). Online classes are usually offered during working hours, but the aim is to make recordings available of these classes. Part-time studies are suitable for students who have previous competence in the field or, due to their life situation, want more flexibility with regard to the time or place of completing the studies.

You can choose your alternative or elective studies from EduJyväskylä partner institutions (University of Jyväskylä and Gradia) and international studies from European EUDRES higher education institutions. You can also choose from Finnish and foreign partner universities, such as other universities of applied sciences and universities. You can apply for accreditation of higher education studies that you have completed elsewhere.

Working life oriented learning

Working life-orientated learning is included throughout the UAS studies such as practical training promoting professional skills, the thesis and various professional projects. At Jamk, the operating model for working life-orientated and student-orientated learning is JAMK Future Factory®. It brings together business actors, students, Jamk specialists and working life-orientated LAB and other learning environments. In addition to transdisciplinary and working life-orientated project studies, it offers you the opportunity to develop your future employment skills, career paths and professional networks.

We collaborate with ICT companies constantly, which opens up opportunities for you to create networks in the world of work already during your studies. Company representatives give guest lectures during courses and offer practical training, jobs and thesis topics.

Studification of work is an opportunity for working life-orientated learning, which means combining work, project studies, Future Factory or similar activity with studies. As agreed with the teacher, you will draw up and document a plan for studification.

If you are dreaming about entrepreneurship, you can direct your studies towards the development of your business idea and receive coaching to enhance your business endeavours.

Career opportunities and employment

ICT engineers work in areas such as software development, cyber security, system maintenance and network technologies. There is good employment potential, and students have often found employment that matches their competence area even before completing their studies or soon after graduation. The degree includes compulsory practical training, which is arguably of great importance for employment.

- IT Engineer, System Engineer
- Software Designer, Database Designer, User Interface Designer,
- Programmer, Web Designer, Web Developer, Software Developer
- Project Manager, Security Manager, IT Manager
- Security Consultant, Software Test Engineer, System Specialist
- Data Analyst

Qualifications

There are no specific degree-related or statutory qualification requirements in the field.

Further studies

You may, after graduating and gaining at least two years of work experience, apply for a master's degree level education. You can continue your studies by applying for e.g. Master's degree programmes in universities, vocational teacher education or Master's degree programmes abroad. The university of applied sciences offers opportunities for competence development in various institutes, such as the open university of applied sciences, specialisation training and work-oriented continuing education.

Education planning

Planning also included comments from Advisory Board of the IT Institute. Some of the advisory board members are Jamk alumni. Diverse feedback on studies is collected from students, and the education programme is continuously developed on the basis of the feedback.

Contact Information

Jarmo Nevala
Senior Lecturer, Institute of Information Technology
+358 50 463 4720
firstname.lastname@jamk.fi