*** Required previous degree: a Bachelor of Business Administration or a Bachelor of Hospitality Management
The required certificate must be attached to the enrolment form.
Please note: You can only upload one attachment to the enrolment system. If you have multiple certificates, please combine them into a single file.
Time: 23 January – 31 December 2026. The path starts on 23 January at 09:00 and students must be present on campus. Participation in the orientation days is mandatory for all students.
Place of Study: South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences (Xamk), Kouvola campus, Paraatikenttä 7, Kouvola
Scope: 30 ECTS credits
Target group: All who are interested in these studies. The students must be fluent in English and have basic computer and Internet skills.
Required previous degree: To enroll on this path, you need to have a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or in Hospitality Management. Attach the degree certificate to enrolment form.
Credited in degree: Master of Business Administration, International Business Management
Enrolment period: 18 November – 27 November 2025. The enrolment is binding. The enrolment form will open on 18 November at 9 am Finnish time (UTC+3).
Number of study places: 5
Fee: Semester fee EUR 250, or EUR 500 for the whole academic year. The customers pay the fee for the first semester when confirming their study place. The fees for the following semesters will be charged each semester. You can read more about our payment policy here.
Please notice that only students with a Finnish social security number (i.e. a personal identity code) can start their studies on Xamk Pulse courses. You can read more here.
Xamk degree students who are present or absent cannot enrol for open path studies. Enrolments by Xamk degree students will be removed without separate notification.
Learning outcomes:
The goal of the path studies is to complete 30 credits of core competence included in the education in one academic year. By completing at least 30 ECTS credits, you have the right to apply a study place as a degree student.
The International Business Management (IBM) studies focus on the aspects of international business which are of vital importance for the international strategic management and growth of companies. We offer students the possibility to exchange studies with our numerous partner institutions.
Contents and methods:
The contents of these studies are in accordance with Xamk University of Applied Sciences Master of Business Administration, International Business Management degree programme, and the language of instruction is English. Studies use blended-learning methods including lectures, online studies, and project-based learning.
The learning outcomes and requirements of open path studies correspond to those of programmes leading to a Master’s degree. Before the beginning of your studies or soon after starting, you can make a personal study plan (PSP) together with your Studies Coordinator, considering your previous studies and your own and goals.
Studies are carried out as part-time studies in the group of degree students. There are on average three contact days per month on campus, normally held during weekdays, typically Thursdays and Fridays at 9:00–16:15. Most of the studies will be completed online individually or in small teams. Your progress is supported by face-to-face and online study counseling.
Core competence courses aim to provide you with knowledge and skills to utilize and integrate different kinds of business information to plan, implement and develop managerial interventions for the organization. The theoretical models and methods of international business management are essential part of the core competences. Each course is worth 5 ECTS credits.
Core competence courses are the following:
Spring 2026
- Business process development 30.1.2026 – 24.4.2026
- Sustainable growth 29.1.2026 – 24.4.2026
- Marketing management 29.1.2026 – 9.4.2026
Autumn 2026
- Cross-border management 28.08.2026 – 15.12.2026
- Supply chain management and smart logistics 28.08.2026 – 15.12.2026
- Innovation management in business 28.08.2026 – 15.12.2026
Spring 2027
- Research methods and RDI competences for business
- Customer intelligence
- Strategic business game
Complementary competence studies enable you to deepen your studies according to your own interests and needs. Courses are usually completed in the second year of studies. MBA degree includes 15 credits of optional Master School studies. The studies are categorized under the following themes:
- Digitality and technology in society
- International operating environments and communication
- Management, leadership, and entrepreneurship
- Research and development
- Master School: Language Studies
For further information on the studies, please contact:
Degree Programme Coordinator Jagat Kunwar, jagat.kunwar@xamk.fi, tel. +358 44 702 8250
For further information on degree studies, see:
https://www.xamk.fi/en/degree-programmes/master-of-business-administration-international-business-management/
Link to the curriculum:
https://opinto-opas.xamk.fi/2676/en/50/6799/2070
Student selection is based on the course ‘Motivation and readiness for higher education studies’
After enrolling for open path studies, you must complete an online course on Motivation and readiness for higher education studies, aiming to assess your study-related motivation, knowledge and skills. The course’s scope is 1 ECTS credit, equivalent to approximately 27 hours of work for the student. The course is completed online independently, and studying is independent of time and place. Instructions for completing the motivation course will be sent by email by 1 December 2025. The course must be completed within one week, i.e. between 2 December and 8 December 2025.
Students are selected based on the points they receive from the Motivation and readiness for higher education studies course. In the event of similar scores, the students will be chosen by lottery. The course will be scored automatically. An approved completion requires that at least 30% of your answers are correct and all sections must be completed. If possible, the course can be credited towards optional studies of the degree.
After completing the Motivation and readiness for higher education studies course, all who have enrolled for the open path studies are notified of the selection results by email by 10 December 2025.
Those who are selected must confirm their study place by 15 December 2025 at 3 pm by following the instructions they receive by email. The study place can only be confirmed by paying the first semester fee. The fee is not refunded even if you do not start your studies or discontinue your studies. The fees for the following semesters will be charged at the beginning of each semester. If you cancel your study place or discontinue your studies, always notify us at openstudies@xamk.fi.
If all who are selected do not confirm their study place by the deadline, some of those on the waiting list can receive a place. They will be notified of this by email.
Xamk Pulse does not provide information about the applicant’s reserve position or the score with which he/she completed the course. The applicant can check his/her own score until the last day of the course. Instructions can be found on the course platform Learn.
The emails we send may end up in spam!
BYOD – Bring your own device
The BYOD policy demands students to use their own laptops. Read more here.
Study grants
Studying at the Open UAS does not entitle you to a study grant or other student benefits or discounts. In case you intend to study unemployed, please contact your local employment office before you begin your studies.
From path studies to degree studies
In open path studies, there is no credit transfer for previous studies. However, if you are admitted as a degree student, the studies you have completed earlier may be accepted as part of the degree.
1. You can apply to be a degree student in the Bachelor of Business Administration degree programme in the joint application time during your path studies if you meet the admissions criteria. More information here.
2. It is also possible to apply to be a degree student without a formal qualification in a separate application procedure organised by Xamk. This is possible after you have completed 30 ECTS credits at Xamk. More information is available here. The credits you have completed will be recognised as a part of your degree. Path studies do not automatically guarantee a place in a degree programme, since students are selected through an application process. The application process focuses on the number of credits completed and the average grade.
Please note that if you are admitted as a degree student, the tuition fee for students outside of the EU/EEA is EUR 10,700 per academic year for bachelor’s degrees. More information on tuition fees is available here.
Additional information about the enrolment
Xamk Pulse Open University of Applied Sciences, email openstudies@xamk.fi.
Information regarding the start of studies will be provided via email before the studies begin.
Xamk Pulse OUAS reserves the right to make changes.
South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences is audited by the Finnish Education Evaluation Centre (FINEEC).