Bachelor of Business Administration , International Business

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Satakunta University of Applied Sciences

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Business Administration in International Business at Satakunta University of Applied Sciences (SAMK) equips you with practical skills to thrive in global markets, perfect for ambitious students passionate about international trade, multicultural teamwork, and innovative business solutions. You'll dive into real-world projects on campus in Rauma, building expertise in supply chains, service design, and global networks over 3.5 years of full-time English-taught studies, earning a 210-credit degree that's hands-on and career-focused.

Curriculum Structure
Year 1 lays a strong foundation in core business principles, where you'll master essentials like Business Mathematics, Introduction to International Business, and Financial Accounting to understand financial flows and basic operations in global contexts. Through interactive projects, you'll start collaborating in multicultural teams, honing problem-solving skills right from the start while getting comfortable with international supply chain basics. This year sets you up to think like a business pro from day one.

Year 2 ramps up with specialized options, letting you choose paths like Supply Chain Management or Service Design, alongside courses such as Marketing in International Business and eCommerce Fundamentals. You'll tackle real-life cases in teams, designing creative services for global enterprises and deepening your ability to navigate multicultural networks. It's here that your personal study plan takes shape, aligning studies with your career dreams through SAMK's partner networks.

Year 3-4 focuses on advanced application and your chosen specialization—whether Maritime Business, Supply Chain Management, Service Design, or eCommerce—with modules like Global Project Management and strategic innovation courses. You'll refine communication and problem-solving in complex global scenarios, often via exchange programs or collaborations with partner universities, culminating in a thesis that showcases your expertise. By graduation, you're ready to lead in international business.

Focus areas: Supply Chain Management, Maritime Business, Service Design, eCommerce—tailored to your interests with flexible options through SAMK partnerships and global exchanges.

Learning outcomes: Handle international supply chains, innovate services for global businesses, excel in multicultural teams, and solve problems with strong communication tools.

Professional alignment (accreditation): This Finnish Bachelor of Business Administration meets EU standards for applied sciences degrees, with Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for seamless credit transfer, and opportunities for double degrees with partners like Ludwigshafen University.

Reputation (employability rankings): SAMK boasts record-breaking graduates—1,084 bachelor's in 2024—with over half staying in the region, top student feedback on teaching, high on-time completion rates, and strong employment outcomes amid a 30%+ increase in degree targets.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Satakunta University of Applied Sciences (SAMK), our Bachelor of Business Administration in International Business at the Rauma campus emphasizes experiential learning through hands-on, real-world projects that build practical skills right from day one. You'll dive into international teams tackling actual business cases in areas like Supply Chain Management, Maritime Business, Service Design, and eCommerce, sharpening your problem-solving, communication, and multicultural teamwork abilities in a full-time, on-campus environment at Satamakatu 26. The Rauma campus, as an international learning center for logistics, maritime technology, international trade, and logistics, provides specialized facilities that make this "learn by doing" approach come alive, blending classroom work with cutting-edge tools and global exposure.

Here are some key ways you'll gain those real-world skills:
- Work in multicultural teams on real-life business cases, with 40-60% of students from around the world plus exchange students, preparing you for global careers—plus opportunities for study or work abroad via SAMK's partner networks.
- Access shared maritime simulators (bridge and engine room) at the Rauma campus, ideal for specializations in Maritime Business or Supply Chain Management, letting you simulate real industry scenarios.
- Benefit from the Rauma Maritime Training Center, a joint SAMK-WinNova unit focused on practical training in maritime technology and logistics.
- Engage with research centers like the Maritime Logistics Research Center (shipping, logistics, supply security) and WANDER (water, materials, indoor hygiene), supporting project-based learning tied to industry needs.
- Use adaptable classrooms equipped with touchscreens and hybrid tech for equal online/in-person participation, plus small-group spaces for collaborative projects.
- Tap into the SAMK Library on the Rauma campus for resources, open to all, alongside campus services like student restaurant Fregatti to keep you fueled for group work.
- Develop personalized study plans in your second year, including potential internships or exchanges through SAMK's global partnerships like Erasmus+.

Progression & Future Opportunities

At Satakunta University of Applied Sciences (SAMK), our Bachelor of Business Administration in International Business at the Rauma campus puts experiential learning front and center, so you'll build real-world skills right from day one through hands-on teamwork on actual business cases. You'll dive into multicultural teams, tackling projects that sharpen your problem-solving, communication, and global networking abilities—all while studying full-time on campus at Satamakatu 26. With the Rauma campus designed as an international hub for business-related fields like logistics and trade, you'll have access to cutting-edge facilities that bring theory to life, preparing you to thrive as a global professional.

Here are some standout ways our program delivers practical experience:
- Work in international teams on real-life cases: Collaborate with students from 40-60% diverse global backgrounds, plus exchange students, to solve authentic business challenges and develop multicultural skills—guaranteed exposure without leaving campus.
- Maritime simulators for business specializations: Use shared bridge and engine room simulators at the Rauma Maritime Training Center (joint with WinNova) to explore maritime business and supply chain scenarios hands-on.
- Research centers tied to your studies: Tap into the Maritime Logistics Research Center for shipping, logistics, and supply security projects, or WANDER for water, materials, and hygiene innovations—perfect for specializations like Supply Chain Management or Maritime Business.
- Group projects and specializations: From year two, choose group-based professional studies in areas like eCommerce, Service Design, or broader options via SAMK partnerships and global exchanges, all customized in your personal study plan.
- Campus tech for collaborative learning: Flexible classrooms with touchscreens, hybrid tech for equal online/in-person participation, and modern tools to support team projects and presentations.
- SAMK Library and services: Full access to the library for research, plus on-campus restaurant Fregatti—ideal for group study sessions and networking.