Goal

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 Vaasa. The programme is suitable for students who would like to change the field of studies or supplement their existing university degree with a bachelor’s degree in information technology.

* Eligibility criteria: 120 ECTS of previous university level studies in the field of technology or engineering.

Study Content

Studies in Information Technology lead to a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering. The studies comprises of 120 ECTS and the typical length of studies is two years.

The programme in Information Technology is designed to provide the students with a comprehensive competence to master the IT industry’s newest and most important technologies. During the studies the students develop a professional way of understanding information technology and how technology is used today.

The studies aim at building the student’s competence and to create a professional identity. The advanced professional studies focus on programming and the concept of DevOps. DevOps is a method that combines programming and software development into a continuous process.

The students immerse themselves in topics that are central for information technology, such as:

• Cyber Security
• Graphic Programming and Basic Game Programming
• Cloud-Based Solutions
• Internet of Things (IoT)
• Big Data
• AI-Based Systems

During their studies, students learn to master IT concepts, as well as conduct requirements analyses, and design new and innovative solutions originating from industry needs. By combining theory and practice, students get to work on their problem-solving skills by planning and constructing IT solutions to problems, either by themselves or in groups.

The focus is on web and mobile applications, but the programme also provides qualifications to create solutions for embedded systems and workstations. The first two years are completed as basic studies and professional studies. Specialisation takes place in the third and fourth years.

Practical training can be performed in companies and/or in research and development project groups. The practical training periods give the student the opportunities to get acquainted with working life, to get valuable contacts and not least to be able to test his or her abilities. The final thesis project is mostly carried out in cooperation with companies.

These studies consist of:

• Previous University Level Studies, 120 ECTS
• Professional Studies, 75 ECTS
• Practical Training, 30 ECTS
• Thesis, 15 ECTS

Degree Project

The bachelor´s thesis consists of 15 ECTS. It often acts as a link between studies and career and provides students with an opportunity to apply theoretical models to practical problems. The thesis becomes part of the student’s competence profile. The thesis can consist of internal and/or external commissions, joint projects, or other projects related to the working life.

These can be, for example:

• Investigation (e.g. an examination, mapping, analysis and/or evaluation)
• Development Work (e.g. the development of working methods or activities)
• Product Development (e.g. a prototype or model)
• Plan, Production, or Artwork (e.g. an event, a collection, an artistic production, a course, designing material, such as a guidebook/manual or handbook)
• Portfolio

Career Opportunities

Information technology is used almost everywhere in today’s technological society. Future tasks will consist of problem-solving and logical thinking. An engineering degree in information technology will open doors to the position of a Programmer, Project Manager, or System Planner, with tasks connected to cloud-based services and the development of web and mobile applications. Future employers consist of larger businesses that need experts with broad information technology proficiency. Small and medium-sized businesses that are in need of planning and implementation experts.

Language of Instruction

The programme is offered in English.

Collaboration With Other Actors

Practical training can be performed in companies and/or in research and development project groups.

The practical training periods give the student the opportunities to get acquainted with working life, to get valuable contacts and not least to be able to test his or her abilities.

Close contacts and co-operation with major companies and organisations in the field continues in the courses and development of the programme.

The final thesis project is mostly carried out in cooperation with companies.

Continuing Education Opportunities

After completing the bachelor’s degree, students can pursue their studies in order to complete a master’s degree. For instance, a master’s degree, in the field of technology, can be completed at a university of applied sciences in Finland, such as Novia UAS, or abroad.