Bachelor of Business Administration, Digital International Business, full-time studies

The degree programme, completely taught in English, is organised as daytime studies, taking approximately 3.5 years to complete. With hard work and determination, many of our students have managed to complete the degree in under 3 years. In addition, previous university-level studies can be recognised, which enables you to fast-track your graduation.

Our Digital International Business programme provides you with a strong foundation in international business operations.  

Structure of Digital International Business Degree Programme: 

• Core competence 150 ECTS credits, including core competence studies, practical training and bachelor's thesis; 
• Complementary competence 60 ECTS credits, which includes advanced studies in digital business (45 ECTS credits) and free-choice studies (15 ECTS credits). 

After completing your core studies: 

• you know the various functions of the company and can make informed decisions 
• you can analyse changes in the business environment and its impact on the company's international digital operations 
• you know how to use information technology as a tool for decision-making 
• you know how to do research and use it to support your business. 

After completing complementary studies: 

• you know how to manage the various processes of digital marketing and sales in international business 
• you know the different digital business models of your business 
• you can analyse the impact of blockchain technology and platform economy on company development 
• you can lead the product development and innovation activities of an international company 
• you know how to manage strategic and innovation processes in international business. 

Cooperation with the working world is an important part of our studies. Learning takes place in practical projects, and an entrepreneurial approach is included in the teaching methods and course content. Projects with companies and other organisations allow you to work with various organisational representatives and teachers. 

Optional studies offer you a good opportunity to study an advanced field of your choice. Optional language studies, as well as managerial and leadership studies, support and complement your compulsory studies well.

Practical training during studies gives you hands-on experience in the real business world. The great thing about practical training is that you can complete it anywhere in the world. 

Read more in the Study guide.

Complementary competence at Xamk 

Complementary competence comprises students’ optional studies. Complementary competence deepens or expands the core competence of the degree programme and allows you to specialise in a particular area. For professional optional studies, you can choose from individual courses or study modules in accordance with your personal study plan. The complementary competence selection includes Xamk-level multidisciplinary online studies, field-specific studies, and degree programme specific studies. 

Other optional studies included in complementary competence are higher education courses that students can freely choose. You can choose up to 15 ECTS credits of other optional studies. You may also complete complementary competence study modules or courses from the selection of other higher education institutions, where applicable. The scope of complementary competence is, depending on the scope of core competence studies, 45–120 ECTS credits in degrees comprising 210 credits and 60–120 ECTS credits in degrees comprising 240 credits. 

Learning environments

You will study mostly on campus – where the modern premises are designed especially for learning – and sometimes online, or outside the campus in different companies and organisations where students, teachers and company representatives cooperate.  

The studies are implemented in a practical way, and you will already acquire work experience during your studies. You become familiar with different companies through projects, various events, practical training periods and your thesis. At the same time, you create networks that will be useful for you after graduation.  
 
International weeks and various fairs and seminars organised on and off campus also help to create an inspiring learning environment. These events, student activities (tutoring and student club activity), and working groups (to develop the campus environment, etc.) offer a wide range of ways to develop your competence 
 
All courses – irrespective of their implementation method – use the Ecampus systems (e.g., virtual learning environment Learn), which enables smooth group work and document sharing. In addition, various special systems and digital environments such as e-books, databases, office tools, financial management systems, ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) and CRM (Customer Relationship Management) systems, business games and research work programs required by different courses are widely available. Network tools, student intranet and social media channels offer a wide range of quick ways of communication and cooperation. 

Study guidance

At the beginning of your studies, you begin your personal study planning (PSP), which helps you make choices related to your studies, practical training, master's thesis, and international activities. Your Studies Coordinator will support you in preparing your personal study plan.  Studying at Master School allows you to build the career path of your choice in line with your own objectives. 

Student wellbeing 

Student wellbeing is a top priority for us, and we support students in various ways in all matters related to their studies. Our entire staff, including the Studies Coordinators, Student Wellbeing Advisors, Study Psychologists, student healthcare personnel, and University Chaplain, is committed to ensuring your wellbeing. 

Read more about student wellbeing.

Flexible study opportunities

At the beginning of the studies, you prepare your personal study plan (PSP) which helps you make choices related to the studies, practical training, bachelor’s thesis and international activities.  We make every effort to ensure that you can plan your studies in the best way possible, according to your own life situation.

The studies are implemented using various methods:

• lectures
• independent assignments
• teamwork
• online studies
• projects with companies and other organisations
• projects carried out at South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences
• examinations
• practical training

You can study flexibly in different ways that best suit your life situation. 

Digital environments and BYOD – Bring Your Own Device

Digital learning environments are a part of daily student life. The environments offer tools for studying regardless of time and place and enable individual, flexible learning paths. 

You can, for example, use Microsoft Office free of charge. 

According to Xamk’s BYOD policy, students must bring and use their own devices on campus. 

More information is available on Xamk website.

The challenges and opportunities in the global marketplace have never been so exciting. Our tech-savvy BBA graduates with an entrepreneurial approach qualify for expert and managerial positions requiring competence in international business. The programme also provides knowledge and skills for becoming an entrepreneur. 

Our graduates have found their careers in the following positions: 

• Accounting Assistant 
• Area Export Manager 
• Business Controller 
• Digital Business Expert 
• Digital and Social Media Influencer 
• Digital Key Account Manager
• Digital Marketer 
• Entrepreneur 
• Marketing Assistant 
• Marketing Planner
• Market Supervisor
• Product Manager 
• Regional Manager 
• Sales Coordinator

The bachelor’s thesis (15 ECTS credits) is a development task driven by the needs of the working world. Your thesis process demonstrates your knowledge and skills in problem-solving relevant to the professional field and your competence to work in expert positions in the field.

Your thesis is part of a wider professional context, also including 10 ECTS credits of research and methodology studies. Xamk offers a digital thesis process that utilises the Wihi system to guide and manage thesis projects.

The bachelor’s thesis is an ongoing process which starts at the beginning of your studies and finishes when you graduate. The process includes:

• building the knowledge-base and skills needed in thesis writing
• selecting the topic
• planning the thesis
• implementation
• reporting
• presentation
• assessment
• participating in seminars.

Examples of the Digital International Business theses are available in the Theseus database at https://www.theseus.fi/

With its extensive cooperation network including partners from dozens of countries, Xamk has wide-ranging experience in international education cooperation.  

At Xamk, you can add international elements to your studies in many ways. You can, for example, complete your whole degree or parts of it in English. The groups taught in English and courses implemented during the summer term bring together students from various parts of the world. 

You can also take courses or complete your practical training abroad at one of our partner institutions or organisations as part of the Erasmus or Nordplus programmes or through bilateral exchange agreements. 

Studying abroad not only offers exciting studies but also brings new experiences and friends and improves your language skills and confidence. 

The European University INGENIUM offers students the opportunity to participate in the Junior and Senior Schools of the 10 Days of INGENIUM events held twice a year. In these schools, multidisciplinary teams tackle various societal challenges, learn about the cultures of different countries, and network. INGENIUM institutions are also continuously developing new study offerings for students to choose as part of their studies 

Read more about internationalisation at Xamk.

Xamk has strong cooperation networks with businesses, the public sector and third sector actors. 

The Degree Programme in Digital International Business has been designed in cooperation with local companies and Xamk alumni. 

At Xamk, learning takes place within initiatives that are firmly based on the world of work. The aim is to provide students with relevant experience in the working world, enabling them to gain competences through interactive work. You have the possibility of promoting internationalisation and tourism in the Kymenlaakso region. In addition, you have wide-ranging possibilities to work in marketing, sales, and trade. 

RDI projects (research, development and innovation) are large projects that also include external financing. It is possible for you to participate in them through a course, as a trainee or as a project assistant writing a thesis. These projects can focus on topics such as large-scale customer research, development work for the local area or national education development. 
 

After completing the bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and acquiring work experience, you are eligible to study in a master’s degree programme. 

• Master of Business Administration, Degree Programme in International Business Management.

Master School

At Xamk, master’s degrees are carried out within the framework of Master School, which is a student and learning community that offers you the choice of building your own career path and professional network. You can apply for a master’s degree programme if you have completed a suitable bachelor’s degree. In some cases, an equivalent degree obtained in other post-secondary level education also gives the eligibility to apply. Additionally, a minimum of two years of work experience is required.  

Read more about Master School