Goal

This programme equips you with insights and tools needed to capitalize on future business challenges. Additionally it equips you to create corporate financial value for shareholders and other constituencies linked to leadership, decision-making, artificial intelligence and analytics.

The extent of the study program is 60 ECTS. The degree programme is located in Vaasa.

The programme enhances, strengthens, and fosters the students' ability and readiness to lead business companies mainly within the industrial sector but also the public sector, both nationally and internationally.

Structure of Studies and Research Focus

The Industrial Management and Engineering programme consists of 60 ECTS. The studies are accomplished over a period of two years, scheduled for two days a month, always Thursday & Friday, from September to May. The first year we focus on theory building, earlier research, models, teamwork and collaboration confirming and strengthening the student's frame of reference. The second year is focused on the thesis work, explicitly on your work-related development project.

The faculty lectures are mainly given at Campus Vaasa but some parts of the studies are located out of the classroom, in the region's active business companies.

The Industrial Management and Engineering programme consists of professional studies in leadership, corporate structuring, business development and management of processes as well as people (20 ECTS).

Additionally there are degree specific advanced studies in scientific methodology, decision theory, decision support systems and analytics (10 ECTS).

The thesis work (30 ECTS) is a research and development project in conjunction with a company or an organization.

The learning theory is an immersive pedagogy, a mix of experiential, deep and collaborative learning linked to solving real working-life problems. The students in this programme have experience from various business fields within industry. Understanding customer centricity and demand driven flow are expected to be familiar concepts to the entering students.

Degree Project

The Master's thesis requires 30 ECTS. The thesis process often combines the student's own plans with the development needs of the employer within the field of organization and leadership.

The Master's thesis is carried out in the student's organisation, applying the general scientific method or sometimes more case-specific action-based research. In the Master's thesis the student completes their own research project, thus enhancing their mastery of modern business theories.

Additionally, alternatives to a thesis can be, for example:

• reports (e.g. investigations, surveys, analyses and/or evaluations)
• development work (e.g. development of working methods or activities)
• product development (e.g. a prototype or a model)
• a plan, a product or an artistic work (e.g. an event, a collection, an artistic production, a course, design of material such as guides/manuals or handbooks)
• a portfolio

Constructing a thesis subject and the potential collaboration with an organisation is at the responsibility of the student.

Career Opportunities

The degree program in Industrial Management and Engineering offers its students a solid basis for a broad, cross-disciplinary career.

After completing the program, the graduates are qualified to work in both middle management and upper management in business firms and the public sector.

They are equipped to head positions in sales, marketing, and project management or as CEOs. The program may also offer a basis for careers in research and academic professions.

Internationalisation

The study programme attracts international students with a broad range of experience. Thus the classroom becomes a melting-pot both culturally and competence-wise. Many students are already active in international business. The network of Novia's international partners offers a wide range of international opportunities.

Language of Instruction

The language of instruction is English.

Collaboration With Other Actors

Novia UAS has ongoing collaborations with both small, medium-size and large companies in both leadership research and the implementing of good leadership practices. The education program has systematic cooperation, collaboration and bench-learning with research societies in leadership and management. This deep interaction also includes Universities and Universities of Applied Sciences, both nationally and internationally.

Continuing Education Opportunities

With a master’s degree, students are able to continue on to university post-graduate (licentiate/doctoral) studies. However, universities may, at their own discretion, have specific admission requirements for post-graduate studies that must be met in addition to a completed master’s degree.