Master`s degree programme in Business Administration

Cathrine Strømø

Master's degree programme in Business Administration,
120 credits, full time study, taught in Norwegian. Contact: Dept. of Economics and Resource Management (IØR): www.umb.no/ior

Master`s degree programme in Business Administration Foto: Håkon Sparre

Establishing one's own business or working with economic management requires good knowledge of economics and administration. Knowledge of economics and of organisations, and leadership of production processes is demanded by employers. This gives graduates from the Master's programme in Business Administration an edge in decision making processes in organisations, businesses and in public management.

You can apply for a position in economic management and administration, and leadership in public and private businesses. Risk analysts, consultants, customer service in banks or insurance companies are also potential positions for graduates. Other possibilities include trainee positions in industrial businesses or marketing leaders within trading organisations or consultants in public areas. The degree also qualifies students for PhD studies in Economics and Administration.

Admission requirements
Admission to the programme requires a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or equivalent education with at least 80-90 credits in business economics, macroeconomics, administration and methods, plus 30 credits specialisation within one or more of these areas. Weighting of the different areas will decide which profile the student can choose within the Master's degree programme.

Internationalisation, study abroad and cooperation
The programme has a strong international profile, both through the Socrates exchange programme (cooperative agreements to organise student exchanges and other forms of international contact), and through the teacher’s research. This affects the contents of the teaching and assignments that focus on issues of international nature. There are many international students at the department. Some courses are taught in English.
It is possible to take one semester abroad at a foreign university. This can be done by either taking different courses in the Master's programme or by taking electives abroad. A study abroad is best suited for students who take both the Bachelor's and Master's programmes at UMB.
The department cooperates with universities in Kiel, Aberdeen, Wageningen, Reenes and Siena. Half a year at these universities qualifies students for European Master-level certification in addition to the master degree from UMB. This exchange occurs within the framework of Socrates. UMB also has exchange agreements with the USA, Australia and New Zealand.
By putting obligatory “green credits” into the study programme, the department utilises the competencies of UMB and prepares students for special niches in the workforce. At the same time, the department cooperates with other economic environments nationally and internationally within the areas that UMB has weaker coverage, by offering students a study abroad period in Norway or abroad.


Related studies
The programme satisfies the scientific requirements of civil economy education and has much in common with such study programmes at other schools in Norway and abroad. The Master's degree programme has many courses in common with the department’s two programmes in Economics and Resource Management and Development and Resource Economics.

Learning goals
Graduates from the programme will have a competency that is acknowledged as equally high and relevant as graduates from other Norwegian and international institutions that offer a Master's degree in Business Administration. In addition the department aims for graduates from UMB to have a special profile focused towards natural sciences and technology, which will make them especially attractive on the job market.
Students can specialise in Business Economy Analysis and Administration that builds on the courses from the Bachelor's degree. They can also choose courses in Logistics, Industry Development and International Economy.


Teaching and evaluation methods
A combination of lectures, study groups, seminars, independent study, group work, excursions, assignments, presentations, computer-based learning and other learning methods are utilised throughout the programme. Both continuous and final exams are used in the programme and these can include the evaluation of projects, presentations, term papers and speeches as well as regular exams and take-home exams.


Programme contents and structure
120 credits must be completed, including:

1. At least 45 credits at the 300 level, from courses:
- AOS330 Organisation Leadership and
- BUS330 / 300 Business Economics
are obligatory.

2. ECN211 Microeconomy II – Institutions, games and market failures (if this, or the equivalent, is not taken in the Bachelor's degree)

3. At least two of the following Methods courses:
- AOS240 Research in Social Sciences,
- BUS230 Management Science - Principles, and
- ECN200 Econometrics
(if these or the equivalents are not taken in the bachelor degree)

4. At least 15 credits of natural sciences or technology (Students who have at least 45 credits of such courses from their Bachelor's degree can be excused from this requirement.)

5. Master's thesis - 30 credits.

Specialisation requirement
The requirement for obligatory courses is satisfied by the degree's regulation of 80 credits of specialisation for the Master's degree. Specific prerequisites must be satisfied to take various 300 level courses.

Study advising
The programme has its own study advisor. The course teachers give continuous oral, written or internet-based supervision throughout the entire programme. Email: studieveileder-okonomi@umb.no

Self-evaluation and student evaluation of the study programme
The departments and teachers handle the student’s feedback from UMB's web-based course evaluation and use this information actively in the improvement of courses. Several mid-semester evaluations and evaluation meetings with students are also organised.
Self-evaluation occurs through regular pedagogical and scientific discussion with staff members based on the student’s written and oral feedback, exam results and comparison of course structure, syllabus and results with competing institutions etc.

Updated: 14.07.05
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