Study Guide

Descriptions

The Master’s Degree Programme in Sustainable Business Design at Novia University of Applied Sciences in Turku, Finland, is a postgraduate degree in business administration. It is designed for individuals holding at least a Bachelor’s degree and two years of relevant work experience.

This MBA programme emphasises sustainable business design, a critical component in shaping a greener future. Sustainability is a megatrend, and this programme equips students with the skills to develop circular business models and practices. They are vital at both the micro level for businesses and organisations and the macro level affecting society. Sustainable businesses promote environmental and corporate social responsibility alongside economic growth. They aim to reduce carbon footprints, minimise waste and pollution, and conserve natural resources, thereby building a positive reputation, cultivating customer loyalty, and attracting skilled professionals. The programme also addresses global challenges such as climate change, inequality, and poverty.

The curriculum offers Finnish and international students valuable studies in environmental design thinking, circular business design and models, ecopreneurship and innovation, sustainable business operations, growth, digital transformation, responsible leadership, foresight, and applied research and development design. The education enhances personal and professional growth and employability both in Finland and abroad, fostering an entrepreneurial mindset.

The pedagogical approach is flipped learning. In this environment, students engage with digitised or online lectures as pre-class homework. During contact lessons, they participate in active learning experiences such as discussions, peer teaching, presentations, projects, problem-solving, computations, and group work. This method flips the traditional content delivery model, promoting deeper learning and empowerment. According to constructivist theory, active learning enables students to build upon pre-existing cognitive frameworks, resulting in a deeper level of understanding. Flipped learning allows students to internalise theoretical foundations before class, reducing cognitive load during lessons and facilitating co-learning.

Development

All studies are work-related, with students undertaking projects in their own businesses, organizations, or with commissioners. Ten credit points can be earned through work in their own company or organisation, involving concept of work-based development. This includes planning and executing development projects, design sprints, and reflections under the supervision of university faculty.

Objective

The degree programme delivers both generic and programme-specific competences, encompassing knowledge, skills, and attitudes. Upon completing the MBA programme in Sustainable Business Design, students will be able to:

• Implement environmental design thinking business
• Start and run a circular business
• Innovate and recognise green business opportunities
• Develop personal and professional strengths and an ecopreneurial mindset
• Understand the eco-friendly business environment and its regulations and reporting
• Drive digital business transformation
• Manage sustainable business operations
• Achieve growth
• Apply research, development, and foresight methods
• Lead themselves, teams, and organisations in a responsible way
• Develop strategic initiatives