Business and Technology – (M.Sc.)

Contents

The academic year starts at the end of August and concludes at the end of May. New international students participate in an orientation week in August prior to starting their studies at TUT. On the orientation week students get familiarized to the facilities and practicalities related to academic studies in Finland and TUT. For the very beginning of the studies there is an intensive two-week period of studies which introduces the basics of industrial management. This intensive course forms the ground for the future studies.

The programme starts with more basic courses on business management and the courses become more demanding as the students’ competencies evolve towards the second year. The content of the courses in each semester builds on top of the courses of previous one, emphasizing the pedagogical approach to management studies.

Our internationally experienced teaching staff emphasizes group work, case studies and problem solving. An international study environment is obtained not only by admitting talented students from all around the world, but also by inviting international guest professors and speakers to TUT. Company projects also form part of the learning process.

Studying in a Finnish university is somewhat different to many other countries. Students are responsible for the progress of their studies, but they also have more freedom and possibilities regarding how to organize their studies. In addition to the courses included in the programme, students are able to take courses from other faculties and from the University of Tampere. Furthermore, students are offered individual study counseling by the faculty, if needed.

Personal consultation with the faculty is an essential part of the studies and students get personal feedback on their performance. Also, if needed, faculty members are easy to access to discuss, for example, future career plans. We have a relaxed and informal atmosphere at the university, which makes it easy for students to get help with their possible questions and doubts.

Structure

The International Master's Programme in Business and Technology focuses on management of customer-supplier relationships in global, technology-driven industries. In the programme students with B. Sc. in engineering or technology will achieve the skills and competencies needed for management and development of global sales and sourcing practices.

The content of the programme is divided to study modules with different kinds of competences offered to students.

Common Studies, 21 cr

Common Programme and Subject Related Studies
The module trains students to international business environment and academic work. In this module the students learn business communication and they learn to identify and explain business concepts and terminology in practice. Furthermore, an important part of the common studies is that the students learn academic, conceptual thinking and scientific research methods.

• Introduction to business and business English
• Communication and negotiation skills
• Academic writing and research methodologies

Complementary Studies, 24 cr

Introduction to Management Studies or technical studies

• A personal study plan will be designed for each student depending on the student's background (previous degree and studies).
• Students who have included business studies in their B. Sc. will strengthen their technical competences further. (Study modules offered by other departments at TUT) or
• Students with technical studies in their B. Sc. will study "Introduction to Management Studies" to learn how basic management concepts and tools are applied in different organizational functions. Thus complementary studies work as prerequisites for the major studies.

Major Studies, 37 cr

Managing Technology-Driven Businesses in Global Markets
The students learn to apply management concepts and tools in a systematic way, to analyze and evaluate business environment and to develop new customer solutions and business processes. In addition, the students will learn how to apply various management concepts in practical business development.

• Managing long-term customer-supplier relationships in an international b2b environment
• Global sourcing strategies
• Technology and innovation management in global business networks
• Business information management
• Business competence and leadership skills in multi-cultural context

Optional Studies, 8 cr

• The student can freely select courses (s)he wants to study. Courses from the Faculty of Business and Technology Management are recommended.

Master’s Thesis, 30 cr

• Demonstration of both practical and theoretical business understanding
• Problem solving in a real-life business context
• Usually done in close collaboration with Finnish industry

Accreditation

the TUT is accredited by the Ministry of Education and Culture in Finland