Bachelor of Engineering, Industrial Management

Next application period: 4 Jan 2023 to 18 Jan 2023

• Degree program: Industrial Management
• Degree title: Bachelor of Engineering
• Duration: 240 ECTS, 4 years
• Study mode: Full-time studies, on Campus
• Study place: Varkaus Campus, Varkaus, Finland
• Language: English
• Annual intake: 30

The Bachelor of Engineering, Industrial Management program develops highly skilled technology industry experts who also focus on service-oriented business and production in an industrial framework.

The duties of an industrial management graduate fall within the fields of industrial engineering and business management. For example, supply chain management, project management, business operations, sales engineering, and other industrial-related activities. Graduates understand product-orientated and service-oriented business models and have the knowledge and skill to design new products and services, based on the customers’ needs.

Besides traditional engineering skills, Industrial Management students study the Internet of Things (IoT). IoT studies give students an understanding of how to produce, store and analyze data and how to implement data to new products and business models. Data also gives an understanding of products’ life cycle. Graduating engineers are also familiar with environmental issues and Circular Economy (CE) and are able to consider these issues in decision-making.

In addition to acquiring industrial engineering know-how, an important part of the program is developing leadership skills and international competence, learning how to operate effectively in a variety of interpersonal networks, and cultivating communication, social, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. The goal is to educate high-quality team players instead of individual autonomous workers.

Thanks to their excellent management and project management skills, graduated Industrial Management engineers can raise their business to the next level!

This program has strong roots in the North Savo region. Engineers have been educated here since 1886. This means that the program is highly networked with local businesses.

Program Highlights

• Double degree program
  Mechanical Engineering students have the opportunity to complete a double degree at Windesheim University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands.
• Internships
  The program includes 30 ECTS of practical training. During this time, students get to apply all of their acquired skills and knowledge in a specific firm.
• Thesis
  An opportunity to explore on a deeper level a topic of your interest. The thesis is also the last project to complete before graduation!
• Multi-Disciplinary Projects
  Mechanical Engineering students participate in multi-disciplinary projects along with students from the design and business fields in order to develop an innovative solution for a specific project.
• 3D printing laboratory
  The Energy Research Centre is used for basic and continued training in energy technology and can serve as a learning environment for tailored corporate training. The Centre is located next to Varkaus Campus.
• Cooperation with companies
  Students get the chance to work closely with local businesses in different courses throughout their studies.

Focus areas

The Bachelor of Engineering, Industrial Management program focuses especially on customer value in industrial framework, procurement management, and Internet of Things.

Students will develop their professional skills also in project management, production management, maintenance planning, leadership, supply chain management, and industrial service system.

Internationality

Our Bachelor of Engineering groups are multinational and multicultural by nature, so you will get accustomed to an international work environment from day one. In addition, the Bachelor of Engineering program itself is designed for internationalization. Close cooperation with our international partners brings you in contact with people and organizations outside Finland, making it possible for you to compare views, share knowledge and work side by side on projects by using technology-based communication tools as well as meeting in person.

Student exchange is also a natural and recommended part of your studies, and internships (basic and/or professional) may take you anywhere in the world.

Multicultural study groups provide a good basis for your personal experiences in all aspects of internationality. For students outside Finland, learning Finnish has a key role in entering the Finnish community and maximizing opportunities in working life.

Cooperation

The technology industry is the most important business in the North Savonia region with its 1.7 billion euros revenue and about 800 million euros of exports each year. In the region, there are 9000 directly employed employees and 13500 employees who are employed indirectly in the technology industry.

Many of the region’s businesses operate in international markets at the leading edge of their field of operation. Their core know-how is concentrated around commercial vehicles, such as state-of-the-art forestry equipment, mining and pile-driving machines, and furnace and boiler technology in the field of energy technology.

The Industrial Management program cooperates with the region’s industrial enterprises supporting their research, development, and innovation work.

The internships, thesis, and other project works conducted as part of the education represent the foundation for cooperation with these companies.

Research

Savonia’s research and development work is shown to students in everyday life via the project and thesis work. Research is important to Industrial Management and is undertaken in collaboration with enterprises and other organizations.

Language of instruction

The Industrial Management program is fully conducted in English.

Please note that you are not expected to be perfect in English when you start your engineering studies as long as you are willing to learn more. Studying in English and in a multicultural learning environment is the best way to prepare for the challenges and opportunities that work-life in engineering provides.

Content of studies

During their studies, students gather knowledge and skill on how to transform customers’ requirements into products and services. This is done by studying the product-service system, Internet of Things, and procurement management.

In addition, engineers need good basic skills and knowledge in mathematics, natural sciences, product design, product development, and manufacturing technology. That is why these areas have a big role in the program during the first and second years of studies. These areas provide a strong basis for professional competencies in Industrial Management.

Project management and project working skills are emphasized in the program each academic year. Students learn the principles and methods of managing processes, projects, and change. A typical study method in the Industrial Management program is project work. In projects, students learn both engineering skills and real-life working life skills. They include e.g. good interpersonal and communication skills required when working on global projects with people representing a wide range of nationalities and cultures. Simultaneously, students acquire skills how to manage different types of networks which is also an essential skill for a future technology industry expert.

Program structure

The degree consists of 240 ECTS. According to the curriculum, one academic year corresponds to 60 ECTS, which is equivalent to 1600 hours of a student’s workload. The study methods include, among others, contact lessons, distance and independent learning, e-learning, project work, and practical training (internships). Research and development activities can be some part of your studies.

The studies include basic, professional, and specialization studies. The internship is 30 ECTS and the Thesis is 15 ECTS. You can choose 15 ECTS of elective studies based on your own individual interests.

The full Industrial Management curriculum is available in early October 2022.

Thesis

The thesis at Savonia is always work-related. This gives you a good opportunity to network with professionals in your field already during your studies, and often the thesis turns out to be a starting point for your career.

The thesis includes the cooperation between you, your working life, and the Savonia University of Applied Sciences – from choosing the topic to set the goals and actually doing it. During the process, you show that you can work independently in recognizing, evaluating, and solving developmental challenges in working life. Professional reporting and communication skills are required as well.

Your work-related thesis can be:

• A developmental project, which you or your team plan and implement based on the requirements of your client. Examples of such a project include product or service development, workflow development, and information material development such as a guide or manual.
• A research-oriented project, where you or your team will perform appropriate research activities in to shed light on the developmental or problem-solving needs of your client.
• A compiled thesis, where projects, research, or scientific articles done during the studies are gathered together and reported as a synthesis.

Your thesis process will be supported by business research studies, thesis seminars, and methodology workshops. You can do your thesis independently or in a group.

Possibilities to continue studies after graduation

A Bachelor of Engineering degree is an internationally recognized and approved qualification. A Bachelor of Engineering graduate is eligible to apply to continue theoretical studies at most universities across the world. Often the following Master’s degree can be completed in 2 years, depending on the field of study and the student.

However, should you wish to continue your studies to the Master's level at the Savonia University of Applied Sciences, you will be directed to start your working career to gather two years of work experience before entering a Master’s program.

The degree program qualifies engineers to work in high technology companies leading and managing international technology projects. The duties of an industrial management graduate fall within the fields of mechanical engineering and business management.

Possible job titles are:

• Project Engineer, Project Manager, Project Director
• Quality Engineer, Quality Coordinator, Quality Manager
• Purchasing Engineer, Purchasing Manager, Warehouse Manager
• Production Planner, Production Manager
• Development Engineer, RD Engineer
• Business Advisor, Consultant, Trainer, CEO
• Sales Engineer, Sales Manager, Marketing Manager