Bachelor of Business Administration in International Business, Lappeenranta LAB University of Applied Sciences

The Bachelor’s Degree Program in International Business introduces you to the world of contemporary business in a modern, international learning environment. The program combines theory and practice, and you will develop into an international business professional with strong business management skills, communication skills, and the ability to work in multicultural environments.

Future experts, leaders, and entrepreneurs need good leadership skills but also ethical thinking and sustainable business enterprise knowledge. Designing services for international businesses requires creativity and innovativeness.

The content of the studies is continuously updated together with potential employers to meet the skill requirements for future professionals. The studies are carried out entirely in English in an international environment, and they include an exchange period or work placement abroad. The Faculty of Business has over 100 partner institutions and universities around the world, e.g. in Germany, France, Russia, and China.

We believe in innovative ways to develop the surrounding business world. Based on this, we have created the International Business program in close cooperation with businesses and other partners. Our goal is to ensure that you will be well prepared to work in different international business settings and roles around the world.

During the first year, you will develop a solid foundation for different areas of business know-how. You will learn what every Bachelor of Business Administration needs to learn, i.e. the basics of international business, international marketing, supply chain networks, financial management, etc.

From the second year onwards, you have the opportunity to start personalizing your study path by carrying out complementary competence studies and deepening your expertise. You will get answers e.g. to the following practical questions: How to create sustainable business models and digital value networks? How to leverage the latest analytics methods and tools in business? How to lead an innovative growth company in the competitive global market? The LAB University of Applied Sciences offers the keys to success in working life and in your own business.

Study contents

We believe in innovative ways to develop the surrounding business world. Based on this, we have created the International Business program in close cooperation with businesses and other partners. Our goal is to ensure that you will be well prepared to work in different international business settings and roles around the world.

Personalized study paths

During the first year, you will develop a solid foundation for different areas of business know-how. You will learn what every Bachelor of Business Administration needs to learn, i.e. the basics of international business, international marketing, supply chain networks, financial management, etc.

From the second year onwards, you have the opportunity to start personalizing your study path by carrying out complementary competence studies and deepening your expertise. You will get answers e.g. to the following practical questions: How to create sustainable business models and digital value networks? How to leverage the latest analytics methods and tools in business? How to lead an innovative growth company in the competitive global market? The LAB University of Applied Sciences offers the keys to success in working life and in your own business.

Emphasis on Internationalization

We emphasize internationalization. The program offers you a chance to become an international business expert. Our courses are delivered in a multicultural and international environment, and your studies include a student exchange or work placement period abroad. We have an extensive network of international study exchange partners and some of them even offer the possibility for a double degree diploma. All our degree programs include elective studies that allow you to broaden and personalize your expertise.

Structure of studies

The program is divided into common core competence and complementary competence studies. The core competence studies equip you for a range of professional roles. The complementary competence studies allow you to extend your skills and specialize in an area of your interest. The complementary competence studies may consist of studies in your own field, multidisciplinary studies, or other skills supporting professional growth. Your personal tutor will support and assist you throughout your studies.

Core Competence 90 ECTS

• Common Core Competence 15 ECTS
• Professional Core Competence 75 ECTS

Complementary Competence 75 ECTS

• Professional complementary courses and elective studies 75 ECTS
• Practical Training 30 ECTS
• Thesis 15 ECTS

Qualification

The earned qualification is an undergraduate degree (a bachelor’s degree). After earning the degree, you can apply for work in private sector businesses as well as public sector organizations that require an applicable university degree.

More about the language of instruction

The program is taught in English. In addition, we offer you an excellent opportunity to study foreign languages extensively. If your mother tongue is other than Finnish, you have a good opportunity to study Finnish in different ways with us.

Thesis

The bachelor’s degree program includes a 15-ECTS thesis. This can either be a research-based project or a so-called functional thesis project. The thesis project aims to broaden and deepen your professional expertise and knowledge and provide you with the expertise needed to operate in development tasks in your field. The thesis project improves information retrieval and problem-solving skills.

The thesis can be conducted as a project commissioned by an external organization or as part of a development project. The thesis project can be carried out individually, in pairs, or in a group, including a written report. At its best, the thesis project can serve as a pathway to your future career.

Internationalization

LAB University of Applied Science is one of the most international higher education institutions in Finland. International activities are an essential development area at the LAB, and the range of foreign partners is wide and well-established.

The Faculty of Business and Hospitality Management has over 100 partner institutions and universities around the world, e.g. in Germany, France, England, the USA, Canada, Russia, South Korea, and China.

We offer you excellent opportunities to gain valuable international expertise and language skills for your future career. Future workplaces and positions require multicultural skills, language skills, and international understanding. Learning takes place in an international, multicultural environment. Our degree students come from all over the world.

Go international!

You can complete part of your studies at our partner institutions in different countries around the world or do your practical training abroad. Every year, we welcome a large number of students from different countries, so the program is genuinely international.

Co-operation with other parties

Your studies will be closely connected with the development of working-life practices, together with businesses and work communities. Multidisciplinary working-life projects and different learning environments, such as student cooperatives, will strengthen your connections with authentic working-life interactions throughout the program.

We also offer a possibility to do a double degree with our selected partner universities.

Research focus

At the LAB University of Applied Sciences, our goal is to renew the working life and ways of working. Together with our partners, we test new innovations and ways of doing things.

Our focus areas are sustainability, design, innovations, and health.

Postgraduate study opportunities

After earning a bachelor’s degree in international business and having two years of professional work experience, you are eligible to apply to the university of applied sciences (UAS) master’s degree programs. You are also eligible to apply to master’s degree programs offered by universities.

Objectives

The Bachelor’s Degree Programme in International Business introduces you to the world of contemporary business in a modern, international learning environment.

The program combines theory and practice and equips you for a range of roles in international businesses and organizations. You will also gain skills and knowledge to continue your studies further towards a master’s degree.

You will develop into an international business professional with strong business management skills, communication skills, and the ability to manage in multicultural workplace environments. We will also give you the expertise needed to work as an entrepreneur.

The degree program prepares the student for the diverse aspects of business operations including studies of management, marketing, finance, and logistics. It prepares the student for the international business world that needs innovative multicultural experts for companies and various foreign trade positions to run operations and implement projects around the world.

International Business students may choose whether they want to deepen their expertise in leadership, international marketing, or supply chain management.

Possible job titles are marketing manager, marketing planner, marketing assistant, sales manager, sales assistant, supply chain manager, logistics coordinator, export assistant, buyer, procurement specialist, etc.