Goal

At Novia UAS the Degree Programme in Sustainable Coastal Management is offered in English. The programme is 2 years and comprises 240 ECTS*. The programme is meant for students who have already completed at least 2 years of university level studies in a related field (120 ECTS, for details see general eligibility). These earlier studies will be accredited and included in your degree. The studies are completed as full-time studies in Raasepori. The programme is suitable for students who would like to change the field of studies or supplement their existing university degree with a Bachelor Degree in Natural Resources.

* Eligibility criteria: 120 ECTS of previous university level studies in Natural Resources or the Environment, Business and Economics, Technology or Biology. 

Study Objectives

The degree programme in Sustainable Coastal Management, that is one of the few Bachelor Programmes in Europe focusing on Coastal issues, prepares students for working with issues that actually matters. After completing the programme the students will in particular be able to:

  • Analyse environmental challenges and find constructive solutions to multifaceted environmental problems.
  • Understand human-nature interactions in the context of natural resource management.
  • Conduct planning with the help of Geographic Information Systems.
  • Recognise the potential of the Bioeconomy sector, with particular focus on how new innovation can both contribute to solve environmental challenges and enhance the economy.

The curriculum is multidisciplinary and explores the links between coastal problems and other challenges that our planet is facing currently such as marine pollution, deforestation, waste water management etc.

Active learning and practical training are seen as keys to success for developing self-reflecting and able professionals that can interact in truly multi-cultural teams. The students are responsible for their own learning and in that way they develop entrepreneurial skills and pro-activeness which enables them to easier place themselves on the work market.

BachelorofNaturalResources SustainableCoastalManagement

Study Contents

Special focus is put on the coastal area and on the Baltic Sea as a case study, but the programme gives a wide environmental understanding that is useful in a broad spectrum of environmental careers. The curriculum consists of courses, such as Coastal Ecology, Geographic Information Systems, Environmental Impact Assessment, and Fisheries Resource Management.

Some courses are project based, such as Sustainable Coastal Management, Bioeconomy Innovation, and GIS project. In several courses students visit real companies, NGOs and other organisations and they also complete practical training in a relevant organisation of their own choice.

Structure of Studies

The eligibility criteria is 120 ECTS (two years) of previous higher education studies in a related field (Natural Resources or the Environment, Business and Economics, Technology or Biology). ). If studies in Swedish is an option for you, you can begin your studies at one of the two bioeconomy degree programmes in Novia taught in Swedish, see either Skogsbruksingenjör (YH) or Agrolog (YH). You need to separately apply for these programmes at studyinfo.fi. After completing 120 credits in either of these programmes you are eligible to apply for the Bachelor of Natural Resources, Sustainable Coastal Management Programme.

The studies consist of:

  • Core studies, 120 ECTS (2 years of previous higher education studies will be accredited)
  • Professional studies, 75 ECTS
  • Practical training, 30 ECTS (equaling 5 months)
  • Thesis, 15 ECTS

Bachelor of Natural Resources, Sustainable Coastal Management

  • Field of study: Natural Resources
  • Extent: 2 years 240 Credits
  • Form: Bachelor's Degree - daytime studies
  • Location: Raasepori
  • Application period: 8-22.1.2025

Previous Knowledge

You can apply for Bachelor of Natural Resources, Sustainable Coastal Management if you have completed

  • Senior secondary school degree and/or university degree
  • 120 ECTS credits at university level in the field of Natural Resources or the Environment, Business and Economics, Technology or Biology.

 

Scholarships and Tuition Fees

The studies are free for EU citizens.

Tuition fee-paying (non EU/EEA) students can apply for a scholarship. Read more about tuition fees and scholarships on the Admissions Services pages.

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Thesis

In the final year of the studies, students undertake an independent thesis work, which consists of 15 ECTS. 

Usually students do some kind of research study, an experiment, survey or similar as the basis for their thesis. Students can work with an external client, who acts as a second supervisor.

A student is free to choose a particular topic within coastal management and/or natural resource management to focus on. However, the student is recommended to have a discussion with the faculty members before embarking on the thesis.

Examples of thesis topics:

  • Geographic Information System (GIS) as a Decision Support Tool for Selecting Potential Landfill Sites
  • Wind Power Acceptance among young People
  • Assessing the Water Footprint of Tofu Produced from Organically Cultivated Crops
  • Marine Resource Planning in Finland

The thesis is evaluated based on the written text and on a presentation of the work for an open audience. Another student acts as an opponent at the presentation.

Continuing Education Opportunities

After a University of Applied Sciences degree (Bachelor's Degree), you can apply for further education at a master's degree level at either a university of applied sciences or a university, both in Finland and abroad. 

 

Career Opportunities

During the first year our students make a career plan for themselves that serves as the basis for designing the individual curriculum and preparing them for their career ventures.

The market for future professionals is growing with increasing career opportunities for coastal planners, consultants, project leaders, GIS-planners, sustainability or environmental coordinators in the private sector, environmental officers or environmental inspectors in the public sector, both in Finland and internationally.

Internationalisation

Students conduct their studies in a team of students from several different countries. A natural part of the studies is to enhance multicultural working skills. The programme enables the students to create an international network that is useful throughout their career. Many of our students also choose to go on long or short exchange periods, to study or for practical placement.

We have partners in Netherlands, Germany, France, Iceland, Norway, Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Italy, China etc.

Language of Instruction

The entire programme is taught in English.

Cooperation With Other Actors

Parts of the studies are implemented as projects, often in cooperation with local actors or companies. The external company or NGOs serves as a client in the projects conducted by our students.

The programme has the following core partners, public partners: the Natural Resource Institute of Finland and the Forestry Administration; Companies: Ramboll, Fiskars and FinnEcosolutions; NGOs: Natur och Miljö and Keep the Archipelago Tidy.

Postgraduate Study Opportunities

Quite many of our graduates choose to pursue a Master's degree. Our graduates are studying at Natural Resource or Environmental Master Programmes at our own university of applied sciences (read more here about Master of Natural Resources), Helsinki University, University of Jyväskylä, University of Eastern Finland and at various Erasmus Mundus, Master Programmes. There are several Coastal Management Master Programmes in Europe, we are for example cooperating with University Centre of Westfjords in Iceland that gives a Master Programme in Coastal and Marine Management.

Research Focus

The research focus area of Campus Raseborg is Bioeconomy. At the Campus we have our own research team focusing on Bioeconomy, Natural Resource Management, Marine Ecology and Behavioral Ecology. The students can do their practical training together with our researchers if there is a suitable project.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply?

Head of Programme
Stefan Heinänen_contact

Stefan Heinänen

Senior Lecturer

Raseborgsvägen 9
10600 EKENÄS

Apply 

Apply to the education at studyinfo.fi.

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Novia University of Applied Sciences participates in several different student fairs and events. Our own students who are trained PR tutors visit secondary education schools across Finland. If you want to book a visit to your school or high school please contact Julia Mård, julia.mard@novia.fi and we will help you!

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