Programme description for Bachelor's Programme in Business Administration (2024–2027)

A candidate who has successfully completed this programme should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of general competence, knowledge and skills.

GENERAL COMPETENCE (PROGRAMME GOALS)

The candidate should:

• be familiar with important international dimensions related to central topics in the program
• be able to identify and understand how new ideas, concepts, or products are developed within relevant fields
• be able to identify ethical challenges and understand how organizations and businesses can act responsibly
• be able to think independently and critically

KNOWLEDGE

The candidate should have:

• broad knowledge of how businesses are financed, how investments are assessed, how management tools are applied, and how financial statements are prepared, analyzed, and communicated
• broad knowledge of how business strategies are developed and implemented, how organizations are organized, developed, and led, and how products and services are marketed
• broad knowledge of how consumers and producers make their choices and how these choices are influenced by economic policy and international frameworks
• good familiarity with scientific methods used in the field, allowing them to apply these to relevant issues
• broad knowledge of entrepreneurship and innovation processes
• broad knowledge of ethical aspects of organizational decisions
• broad knowledge of theoretical development within the field

SKILLS

The candidate should:

• be able to apply theoretical knowledge and results from research and development work to address specific issues in businesses
• be able to plan and conduct group projects
• be able to apply relevant theoretical knowledge and analytical skills in problem-solving and decision-making processes
• be able to assess the social consequences of organizational decisions and be able to act within given legal and ethical frameworks
• be able to maintain and further develop a knowledge base in a lifelong learning perspective
• have developed good oral and written communication skills
• have developed problem-solving abilities

The Bachelor’s programme in Business Administration is a three‑year integrated programme designed to educate candidates with a high level of analytical, theoretical, and practical competence. This competence provides a solid foundation for the students’ professional careers and further studies.

The content of the programme is based on a national framework that enables graduates to pursue further studies at the master’s level, for example the Master of Science in Business (siviløkonom) at the School of Business and Law at the University of Agder or at other institutions. Due to this national collaboration, the first two years consist of compulsory courses in the following five subject areas: (1) business economics, (2) administrative subjects, (3) economics, (4) methodology, and (5) ethics, corporate social responsibility, and sustainability.

In the fifth semester, students may either go on exchange to one of our partner institutions or choose one of the specializations in addition to a course in communication, an internship, or the entrepreneurial lab. In the final semester, students write their bachelor’s thesis, in addition to taking a course in strategic management and either international economics or international business. Students also have the option to replace the entire final year with the one‑year programme in “HR and Management” (60 ECTS).

Students are exposed to international dimensions and issues in teaching as well as in the curriculum. Many faculty members have an international background and are active in international research networks. A number of courses are taught in English for incoming exchange students. This contributes to an international study environment, and students use English actively during their studies.

In fifth semester student may go on exchange. Studying abroad provides an opportunity to take courses and subjects beyond what is offered at the School of Business and Law at UiA. Additional benefits of studying abroad are improved language skills and cross-cultural communication skills, both highly valued by many employers.

The School of Business and Law at UiA is internationally accredited by AACSB (the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business), and the accreditation opens the doors for collaboration with good institutions worldwide. For further information on exchange opportunities, see the International Office's website.

The Bachelor Programme in Business Administration is a vocational, interdisciplinary undergraduate degree that provides the foundation for a number of positions in both the private and private sector. The study also provides the basis for starting your own business.

Students who have completed the bachelor degree in Business Administration are qualified to apply for admission to several graduate programmes, such as the Master Programmes in Business Administration and in Accounting and Auditing at the University of Agder.

The Bachelor programme also provides a good foundation for further studies at other institutions nationally or internationally. Please note that other institutions may have additional requirements for admission to their graduate programmes.