Business School

Marjo Arola, International Coordinator

Päivö Laine, Head of Degree Programme

International Cooperation and

Double Degrees

Interested in an International Career?

STUDY TO GAIN

AN INTERNATIONAL

DOUBLE DEGREE!

Learning, Networking, and

Doing Business Internationally

Double Degrees – An Opportunity for Students

An Opportunity to

DEVELOP MORE PROFOUND

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

Double Degrees – An Opportunity for HEIs

Terminology

• Joint degree refers to a degree programme jointly developed and provided by more than one higher education institution, which confers one or more degree certificates (http://oph.fi/download/137549_Joint_and_double_degrees_november2011.pdf)

• The Finnish Ministry of Education Recommendation uses the term ‘joint degree’ to cover what are known as ‘double degrees’, i.e. programmes conferring two or more degree certificates.

• A ‘joint degree’ may also be used in international contexts to refer both to a double degree and to a joint degree conferring a single certificate

• Other terms that may occur: dual degree, combined degree, conjoint degree

What provides a good basis for the development of a double degree?

• Functional mutual cooperation between the partners especially in the field of student mobility

• A clear idea of the structure and content of the degree structure of the partner institution

• Adequate offering of courses taught in English (in principle courses corresponding to one academic year of study)

• An overall picture of interest in a double degree in the particular institution and country among the students

How to proceed in a double degree scheme? (1/2)

• Discussion to establish the willingness of both parties to develop a double degree

• Ensuring the sufficient comparability/compatibility of the

degrees (learning outcomes, extent, level, content)

• Comparison of the curriculum structure (producing tables of equivalence)

• Commitment to ECTS principles (credit transfer, workload, grading, etc.)

How to proceed in a double degree scheme? (2/2)

• Agreement of the mobility study programme and the implementation of practical training/internship and thesis

• Agreement on the application and admission processes

• Agreement on tuition fees (basically, fees are only paid to the home institution, not to the host institution)

• Agreement of the number of students and timetables

• Agreement on quality assurance and feedback system

• Signing the contract

Aspects to be considered in negotiations

• Possible language skill requirements that vary in different countries and institutions

• Guaranteeing the sufficient knowledge of English of the participating students

• Including teaching of the language and culture of the host country in the double degree programme

• Checking that the requirements of the degree and its essential parts (such as thesis and internship) will be met in both countries

• Arranging the necessary orientation and student counselling for the participating students

Basic structure of a double degree (at SeAMK)

• Double degree studies are conducted within the existing degree structure in both institutions

• The double degree includes studies of one academic year in the host institution (thesis may be included in this) and a one-semester (30 ECTS) internship either in an international operational environment

• The thesis is written in English and it has supervisors from both the home and host institutions

• Both partners design a basic double degree curriculum but a personal curriculum can be used for tailor-made solutions

• Studies at the home institution will be mutually recognised

What are the benefits of a double degree for the student?

The double degree gives the student an opportunity to

•complete two degree programmes in two countries•spend a well-organised study period abroad•gain valuable practical experience abroad•learn about international business from two different viewpoints •become familiar with the language and culture of the host country•develop your skills in Business English. 

All this leads to two Bachelor’s degree certificates

from two different countries!

 

Current Double Degree Agreements of Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences, Business School

•Mendel University, Brno, Czech Republic

•Hochschule Aschaffenburg, Germany

•Hochsschule Hannover, Germany

•Hochschule Rosenheim, Germany

•University of West-Hungary, Hungary

•Vilnius Cooperative University of Applied Sciences, Lithuania

Double Degree Agreements being negotiated by Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences, Business School

•St Petersburg State Polytechnic University, Russia

•University of Leon, Spain

•Skoda Auto University, Czech Republic

•Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague

More information from

Business School of Seinäjoki UAS

Frami F, Kampusranta 11, Seinäjoki, Finland

Päivö Laine Marjo Arola

Head of Programme International Coordinator

paivo.laine@seamk.fi marjo.arola@seamk.fi

www.seamk.fi/ddbusiness