Last modified 15.3.2011 at 13:14

2 degrees and 2 countries in 3.5 years

Text: Niko Peltokangas Photo: Pekka Kallasaari

Studying business information technologies in the Oulu University of Applied Sciences may take you to Germany for a year and give you two Bachelor's degrees in two fields of education.

According to head of the degree programme Ilkka Mikkonen international experience and growth of the contact network in Europe are important benefits.

This spring the students of two degree programmes may apply for a double degree programme, which is arranged in cooperation between the Oulu UAS and the Neu-Ulm University in Germany.

Five study places are available for the students in Finnish and English degree programmes in business information technologies. It is required that they have completed their second year of study, says the head of the degree programme, Mr Ilkka Mikkonen.

- Basic requirements are fluent English, enough credits and sufficient study success, Ilkka lists.

- The Neu-Ulm University offers all the studies included in the double degree in English. German language skills are not required.

A year abroad

The double degree can be obtained during the normal course of studies. During the year in Germany, a student completes 60 credits, and the credits will be fully integrated into the degree. The scope of both degrees is 210 credits.

In Oulu UAS, students graduate as Bachelors of Business Administration. The degree programme in the Neu-Ulm University is Information Management and Corporate Communication, and the degree is Bachelor of Arts.

This means that in Germany, there are different opportunities to specialize the degree.

- In Germany, you get a bit deeper knowledge about information management and electronic communication. Our focus is on developing information systems and programming. The contents of courses are not that different, though, Ilkka describes.

- Of course, international experience and growth of the contact network in Europe are important benefits.

An international Master's degree programme in a few years?

The double degree is not the only cooperative venture between these two universities. The Oulu UAS and the Neu-Ulm University are planning a Master's degree programme in Applied Knowledge and Information Management as partners with the Bratislava City University. The degree programme would give the students an opportunity to spend a part of their study time in all three universities.

The head of the degree programme in international business, Mr Jyrki Holappa says that negotiations are going on regarding a bachelor double degree for business students. Decisions will be made this spring.