Master's Programme in Business Administration

Study programme code MASTØKAD

ECTS credits 120

Admission requirements The programme builds on a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, 180 ECTS credits. See admission requriements for more information.

Recommended previous knowledge A thorough knowledge of English is recommended, as several of the courses are taught in English.

General description and profile of the programme

The Master´s programme in Business Administration aims at educating candidates with a high level of theoretical competence. Candidates graduating from this programme are attractive to a wide range of positions within private businesses, organisations and public sector.

The programme builds on Bachelor´s studies in Business Administration or similar education covering the admission requirements. Further, the programme provides the foundation for further studies at PhD. - level, at the University of Agder and other institutions in Norway and abroad.

In this programme the students choose one of three alternative specialisations. These are Financial Economics, Performance Analysis and Project Management, and International Management and Strategy. Within each of these specialisations the first and second semester consists of compulsory courses, whereas in the third semester the students choose their electives. In the last semester the students write a Master´s thesis (30 ECTS credits). The three specialisations are further presented below.

During the two years of study the student may choose to take a semester abroad at one of our many cooperating institutions, usually in the third semester. Studying abroad makes it possible to study themes and courses beyond what is offered at UiA. An additional benefit of studying abroad is meeting languages and cultures in an educational context, an experience highly valued by many employers. International students also come to UiA to take parts of their degree in Business Administration. In addition, degree students are admitted to the specialisation International Management and Strategy. This contributes to an international studying environment where most of the students during their studies will meet foreign students and so have the opportunity to practice their English skills.

Specific arrangements for recognition of prior learning (formal, non-formal and informal) Arrangements for the recognition of prior learning are described in the information on the institution under "General arrangements for the recognition of prior learning (formal, informal and non-formal)".

Examination regulations and grading For a description of the examination regulations, see the Examination Regulations of the University of Agder.

For information about the Norwegian grading system, see ECTS credits and grades. Specific information on grading for each course is found in the individual course descriptions.

Graduation requirements The Examination Regulations of the University of Agder regulate the graduation requirements for each programme of study.

The programme consist of twelve 7, 5 ECTS credit courses and a 30 ECTS credit Master´s Thesis. The students choose one of three offered specialisations: Financial Economics, Performance Analysis and Project Management, or International Management and Strategy. In the third semester the students take four electives or they may choose go on exchange.

Financial Economics
Students choosing to specialise in Financial Economics will be offered an exciting selection of courses covering the use and workings of modern financial markets. The selection of courses offered covers the use of financial markets for speculation, risk- and investment management (financial investments), how the market functions in relation to business financing and ownership (corporate finance), and the relationship between financial markets, the market economy and the governments use of markets in the practise of economic policy (macroeconomics). This wide disciplinary approach is an obvious consequence of the comprehensive changes in national and international financial markets, and the behaviour of investors, businesses and governments. Well-known characteristics are deregulation and international integration of financial markets, increased financial savings, privatization of businesses and weighing of finance and ownership through the market, and an increased use of financial markets as source of information and as a tool in economic policy.

Performance Analysis and Project Management
This specialisation will give students knowledge of how best to measure, analyse and control value creation, both in enterprises and projects. Analysis constitutes the grounds on which decisions can be made, whether in regard to major investments, product- and customer portfolios, prize level, production management or logistics. The financial account is the main tool of communication towards external partners, like investors and lenders. The courses offered belong to four subject areas: profitability analysis, project management, Supply Chain Management and reporting, and analysis of financial information.

International Management and Strategy
Students taking the specialisation in International Management will acquire analytical and practical skills that are essential in an increasingly global labour market. The main focus is on how multinational companies operate. However, importance is also attached to how small and medium-sized enterprises meet the many challenges arising when entering the global arena. The International Management concentration provides insight into what kind of strategic and operational challenges enterprises are faced with, and how they handle these challenges. Emphasis is on analysis of external and internal relations, framework conditions, and strategic choices in connection with for example forming alliances and establishing strategy for internationalisation and international marketing. This specialisation is also offered to International students as it is in its entirety taught in English.

Electives

Electives offered autumn 2011:
BE-408 International Finance*
BE-409 The Economics of Real Estate
JU-402 Real Estate Development
JU-405 Contract Law
MF-400 Strategic Marketing Management*
ORG412 Conflict Resolution and Negotiation Theory**
ORG419 Judgement and Decision Making*
ORG433 Project Organisation and Administration
ORG444 International Laboratory*
SE-405 History of Economic Crisis
SE-406 History of Economic Thought and Ethics*
SE-502 Personnel Economics*
SE-503 Shipping Economics*
SE-506 Advanced Econometrics for Finance*

ADDITIONAL ELECTIVES (NOT TAUGHT IN THE AUTUMN OF 2011):

BE-505 Portfolio Management (requires BE-415 and SE-409)
ORG414 Corporate Governance*
SE-407 International Economics in the 20th Century in a Maritime Perspective
SE-500 European Economic Integration*

Students may also choose compulsory courses from the other two possible specialisations as electives.

In addition, students may apply to have the European Integration Summer School (30 ECTS credits) approved as electives. Please note that you have to contact the Student Adviser in advance, and that you have to apply for admission by 15. April.

European Integration Summer School courses:
ST-401 History, Institutions and Policies of European Integration (15 ECTS credits)*
ST-402 Current Issues in the European Union (15 ECTS credits)*

Students may also apply to have courses from other Master´s programmes approved. Contact the Student Adviser for further information.

* Courses taught in English

** Limited admission

Important information concerning electives

Please note that schedule conflicts may occur with regard to timetables as well as dates of examination. Moreover, the courses on offer may be subject to modification as electives rely on sufficient student enrolment and available teaching resources.

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of this programme the graduate should be able to demonstrate:

• a thorough knowledge of business and management subjects, as well as possess the capability of evaluating economic and strategic opportunities and limitations in various situations
• a high level of basic competency within business administration, economics, marketing strategy and methodology
• experience in scientific work and acquired an understanding for various scientific research methods and ethical dilemmas through the completion of a Master´s thesis
• the ability to analyse problems and actively enter into projects requiring general administration, budgeting and financial analysis, revision and control
• English skills, as well as international experience based on the study programme´s international profile, instruction in English, and (in certain cases) participation in student exchange programmes abroad

Teaching methods

The Master Programme in Business Administration is a full-time programme. There will be a variation of ordinary lectures, group work and written assignments. ICT and library databases will be used in several courses. See each course description for more details. All compulsory courses in the spesialisation International Management are taught in English, and also some electives. The remaining courses are taught in Norwegian.

Assessment methods Several of the courses require the students to submit written assignments (individually or in groups) in order to take the final examination. Some courses might also include oral presentations. See each course description for details. Most courses have individual written examinations with graded marks.

Student exchange

The Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences has established student exchange agreements with several universities in Europe, USA, South Africa, Australia and Asia. It is possible to spend the third semester at one of these institutions.

Occupational profiles of graduates and access to further studies The programme provides solid knowledge in Business Administration, an so a solid foundation for executive level positions in both private and public sector. Successful completion of the programme also qualifies the graduate for admission to doctoral programmes both in Norway and abroad.

Qualification awarded Successful completion of the programme awards Master of Science Degree in Business Administration - "Siviløkonom".