International Cooperation and
Double Degrees
Business School
Marjo Arola, International Coordinator
Päivö Laine, Head of Degree Programme
Double Degrees – An Opportunity for Students
Interested in an International Career?
STUDY TO GAIN
AN INTERNATIONAL
DOUBLE DEGREE!
Learning, Networking, and
Doing Business Internationally
Double Degrees – An Opportunity for HEIs
An Opportunity to
DEVELOP MORE PROFOUND
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
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_november201
1.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
Head of Programme
paivo.laine@seamk.fi
Marjo Arola
International Coordinator
marjo.arola@seamk.fi
www.seamk.fi/ddbusiness