Study Guide

Descriptions

The Master's Degree Programme in Service Design is a joint degree between Turku University of Applied Sciences and Novia University of Applied Sciences. It is a university of applied sciences post-graduate degree for persons with a Bachelor’s degree and two years’ work experience.

The programme answers the constantly growing competence requirements and needs in society, businesses and working life. The profile of the programme is on the combination of design thinking, business and society and the focus is on the area of service design. To learn to design and develop services in collaboration with the customers and stakeholders are the main objectives of this programme. The programme also gives students an insight in starting or developing their own business. The different professional and cultural backgrounds of the students will enable a dynamic and interactive learning environment. It gives the students a great chance to create new networks with other experts beyond fields, both in Finland and globally.

The courses are implemented together with Turku UAS, and therefore the students from both universities have the same lectures, tasks and projects. Teachers and students from both organisations have different national or international backgrounds and work experiences, which enables a multi professional and international study environment.

The Master's thesis is a working life based development project and an important part of the Master’s degree. The Master’s thesis is a demanding development project or research work combining theory, praxis and creation of new knowledge. The thesis subject and aims are based on requirements and needs of working life. The thesis is an applied study research and it emphasizes development of the work, the organisation or the working community. Conducting the Master’s thesis project requires independent and demanding expertise. The student gives proof of mastering the methods of retrieving information, research and development as well as the skills of adapting research information in an analytical and critical manner.

Objective

The degree programme delivers generic competences and programme specific competences. The competence includes knowledge, skills and attitudes. With the programme specific competences the student will be able to:

- Implement Design Thinking principles
- Create ideas and solutions with the help of Service Design approach
- Analyse and develop services through critical thinking
- Develop team work skills and manage different projects in national and international context
- Understand the aspects of cultural, social, economic and sustainable activities in Service Design
- Implement ethical and working community competences