Business Informatics, Master's Degree

Apply now!

  • Application on the Basis of Metropolia’s Open UAS Studies 01.11.2024 - 30.04.2025
Applying
Degree
Master of Business Administration / Master of Engineering
Extent
60 - 90 ECTS
Duration
1 - 1.5 years
Mode of studies
Language
English
Price
Tuition fees might apply

Studies

Become an Expert in Digital Business Transformation

Business Informatics is a Master’s degree programme for business and engineering professionals who want to deepen their strategic and managerial skills via better use of business information systems.

The Programme equips participants to address the challenges of digitalization and digital transformation in business and work life. The student will become an analyzer and a competent user of business information for decision-making, business operations, and business development.

The student will apply his/her knowledge in business modelling, will learn how to collect, interpret and analyze data, and craft answers to business critical questions. The students will also learn how to apply business development methods to drive business growth and innovation.

Via either face-to-face or online studies, you choose

Our Programme has 2 concurrent study groups: online and face-to-face, and you can choose your mode of studies. Our students enjoy a multi-cultural, multi-disciplinary, tied-to-business environment and sharing expertise by the participants who are full-time working professionals.

Classes take various forms. The courses are implemented via both online and contact teaching, class discussions, team work, self-study, business simulations, workshops, and seminars. Students are instructed by staff and experts with business and academic experience.

Enjoy a Multi-Disciplinary Approach

The study group includes the students from two backgrounds studying together: from Business and Engineering. Business students will study toward a degree of Master of Business Administration (90 credits, for 2 years), while engineers will study toward a Master of Engineering degree (60 credits, for 1.5 year).

The difference is due to the length of eligible Bachelor degrees of the applicants which are 210 ECTS for business professionals and 240 ECTS for engineering professionals.

We take students with business and similar previous education to the Business stream; and engineering and technology previous education to the Engineering stream. Both streams study together, just make sure you apply correctly.

Gain a New Expertise via a Master’s Project

You will plan and implement a Master’s thesis (an R&D project for a real company), typically your own place of work. A Master’s Thesis will combine your innovative development work with academic research (30 ECTS).

Research focus for Master's theses (final projects) in this Programme typically concentrate on: digital transformation, business transformation; use of data analytics and business information systems for business purposes; doing and modelling businesses for the digital age; digitization and improvement of operations and internal organizational processes; digitization and improvement of customer experience, services and product designs, and channels; use of business intelligence and marketing research, and other related topics.

For completing a Master’s thesis, the students get support and guidance form the school in the form of

  • a practical, easy-to-follow 7-GATE approach to doing a Master’s thesis
  • starting from first weeks in the Programme, working in a guided Master’s thesis process
  • individual support from instructors; instruction on the R&D methods and problem-solving skills for excelling in your project
  • participants’ own education, motivation and hard work make the necessary element of success.

Scholarships and tuition fees

Annual tuition fee for non-EU/EEA applicants

  • 11 000 for those, whose right of study starts before 1 August 2024
  • 11 500 € for those, whose right of study starts after 31 July 2024.

This fee applies only to non-EU/EEA degree students.

Read more on tuition fees and scholarships

Student's and Alumni's experiences

See how Javier Salcedo and Kristina Uluturhan tell about their experiences in Business Informatics programme.

Campus

For the time being, business studies are held at Metropolia's Myyrmäki campus, but it is likely that the reorganization of the premises, which will start in 2026, will lead to the possibility of moving the studies to the Myllypuro campus.

Ask Head of Degree Programme about the content of studies

Ask Study Coordinator about study plan or Master's level studies

Send your question to Nea Kivekäs mbsmasters [at] metropolia.fi (mbsmasters[at]metropolia[dot]fi).

Master's programmes at Metropolia - Subscribe to our newsletter

You will receive information 1–3 times a year about our Master's degree programmes, application schedules, and studying with us.

Applying

  • Application period
    -
    Start of studies
    autumn 2025
    • Business
    • Technology

    Instructions for applying

    In the spring 2025 Joint Application to higher education, you can apply to degree programmes that start in the autumn of 2025. The application period starts on the 8 January 2025 at 8 am and ends on the 22 January 2025 at 3 pm (local time in Finland).

    All the information needed to apply can be found on the national Studyinfo.fi portal. At Studyinfo.fi you can find descriptions of degree programmes, application criteria, application instructions, application forms and much more.

    Application fee

    From January 2025 onwards there is going to be an application fee of 100 euros. The application fee is collected for applicants from countries outside EU/EEA seeking education leading to a degree in higher education. The Finnish National Agency of Education will collect the application fee in connection with filling in the Studyinfo application form. The application fees are introduced for applications starting 1 January 2025 and onwards, when applying for degree programmes beginning on or after 1 August 2025. There is no application fee for Finnish or EU citizens.

    More about application fee in Studyinfo.fi.
    Questions about application fees? Contact applicationfee [at] oph.fi (applicationfee[at]oph[dot]fi)

    The application fee does not guarantee that you will be offered admission to studies.

  • Application period
    -
    Start of studies
    spring 2025
    Apply now!
    • Business
    • Technology

    The Application on the Basis of Metropolia’s Open UAS Studies is aimed at those who have completed open UAS studies at Metropolia University of Applied Sciences. Studies are considered to be Metropolia's if they are entered in the Metropolia's study register, and open studies if they have not been completed with the right to study for the degree-leading education.

    Application period: 1 November 2024 at 8:00 am - 30 April 2025, all times refer to local time in Finland https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/finland/helsinki.

    Application instructions: published at Studyinfo.fi

  • Application period
    -
    Start of studies
    autumn 2025
    • Business
    • Technology

    The transfer application is aimed at all students enrolled in studies leading to a Finnish higher education degree and:

    • who wish to transfer their study rights from one Finnish higher education institution to Metropolia so that the degree title remains the same or changes

      OR
    • who wish to transfer their study rights within Metropolia from one degree programme to another, so that the degree title changes.

    Students transferring within Metropolia in such a way that the degree title remains the same, are not considered as "transfer students" and have their own separate application procedure available on Metropolia intranet (OMA). Please note that it is not possible to transfer from abroad.

    Students applying for a transfer should note that their maximum study period or the period for which they are entitled to receive student financial aid will not be extended due to the transfer. The maximum study period is calculated from the date on which the student accepted the study place in the previous higher education institution.

    All the information needed to apply can be found on the national Studyinfo.fi portal. At Studyinfo.fi you can find descriptions of degree programmes, application criteria, application instructions, application forms and much more.

    Application fee

    From January 2025 onwards there is an application fee of 100 euros. The application fee is collected for applicants from countries outside EU/EEA seeking education leading to a degree in higher education. The Finnish National Agency of Education will collect the application fee in connection with filling in the Studyinfo application form. The application fees are introduced for applications starting 1 January 2025 and onwards, when applying for degree programmes beginning on or after 1 August 2025. There is no application fee for Finnish or EU citizens.

    More about application fee in Studyinfo.fi.
    Questions about application fees? Contact applicationfee [at] oph.fi (applicationfee[at]oph[dot]fi)

    The application fee does not guarantee that you will be offered admission to studies.

  • Application period
    -
    Start of studies
    autumn 2025
    • Business
    • Technology

    The Application on the Basis of Metropolia’s Open UAS Studies is aimed at those who have completed open UAS studies at Metropolia University of Applied Sciences. Studies are considered to be Metropolia's if they are entered in the Metropolia's study register, and open studies if they have not been completed with the right to study for the degree-leading education.

    Application period: 1 May 2025 8:00 am - 31 October 2025, all times refer to local time in Finland.

    In flexible admission (i.e. rolling admission) the study places are filled in the order in which applications are received, so that all applicants who meet all the student selection requirements are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until the application ends or the study places are filled.

    All the information needed to apply can be found on the national Studyinfo.fi portal. At Studyinfo.fi you can find descriptions of degree programmes, application criteria, application instructions, application forms and much more.

    Application fee

    From January 2025 onwards there is an application fee of 100 euros. The application fee is collected for applicants from countries outside EU/EEA seeking education leading to a degree in higher education. The Finnish National Agency of Education will collect the application fee in connection with filling in the Studyinfo application form. The application fees are introduced for applications starting 1 January 2025 and onwards, when applying for degree programmes beginning on or after 1 August 2025. There is no application fee for Finnish or EU citizens.

    More about application fee in Studyinfo.fi.
    Questions about application fees? Contact applicationfee [at] oph.fi (applicationfee[at]oph[dot]fi)

    The application fee does not guarantee that you will be offered admission to studies.

  • Application period
    -
    Start of studies
    autumn 2025
    • Business
    • Technology

    The Application on the Basis of Finnish Higher Education Studies is aimed at those who have completed higher education studies in Finland. Studies are taken into account regardless of whether they have been completed as open studies or in education leading to a degree, or whether the right to study is valid or has expired.

    Application period: 1 May 2025 8:00 am - 15 May 2025, all times refer to local time in Finland.

    In flexible admission (i.e. rolling admission) the study places are filled in the order in which applications are received, so that all applicants who meet all the student selection requirements are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until the application ends or the study places are filled.

    All the information needed to apply can be found on the national Studyinfo.fi portal. At Studyinfo.fi you can find descriptions of degree programmes, application criteria, application instructions, application forms and much more.

    Application fee

    From January 2025 onwards there is an application fee of 100 euros. The application fee is collected for applicants from countries outside EU/EEA seeking education leading to a degree in higher education. The Finnish National Agency of Education will collect the application fee in connection with filling in the Studyinfo application form. The application fees are introduced for applications starting 1 January 2025 and onwards, when applying for degree programmes beginning on or after 1 August 2025. There is no application fee for Finnish or EU citizens.

    More about application fee in Studyinfo.fi.
    Questions about application fees? Contact applicationfee [at] oph.fi (applicationfee[at]oph[dot]fi)

    The application fee does not guarantee that you will be offered admission to studies.

More information

For more information on the application process please contact

Metropolia's Student and Admission Services:
+358 40 712 5100
admissions [at] metropolia.fi (admissions[at]metropolia[dot]fi)

Starting studies

How to start your studies in Metropolia

Welcome to study for a degree at Metropolia!

Congratulations! You have been admitted to Metropolia University of Applied Sciences and we are delighted to have you as a new member of our vibrant community of more than 16 000 students!

You have made an excellent choice - Metropolia offers you unique multidisciplinary opportunities throughout your studies with its strong connections to working life and active role in innovations built around socially significant phenomena.

We are happy to have you with us and help you with any questions you might have. Welcome to Metropolia!

The below information applies to students who have been accepted to study for a full degree at Metropolia. Make sure to complete all the steps in order to secure your study place.

Welcome to study Master’s Programme in Business Informatics

(Updated on 14th April, 2025)

Dear Master’s student in Business Informatics,

Welcome to study! Please read this letter carefully & keep it close at hand. It informs you how you will study in your 1st semester at the Master´s Programme in Business Informatics at Metropolia University of Applies Sciences, and about your summer assignments and recommended readings. It also asks you to make a few registrations.

Online & face-to-face groups (please confirm your registration) and BI Opening Days

BI Master´s Programme has 2 concurrent groups, one online and one face-to-face. You will be registered to one or the other group for your 1st year. (We will try to accommodate your wishes, but we need to keep the groups even, so in some cases the BI Programme will make the final decision). The Schedule is organized in such a way that a face-to-face class will always come first, followed by the online class. Please plan your autumn time carefully! If you want to change the mode of your studies, you can do it before the new semester starts (for the whole semester).

In both groups, attendance is mandatory on the minimum level of 80% of all classes in each course. If you attend less, you will fail the course and will need to do this course again. When studying, in those rare cases when you are not able to join some particular class, we recommend you to join the other group (exceptionally, as a guest), rather than miss a class. But this should not interfere with the studies of other students, nor instructors, nor staff, so that your personal schedule will never affect nor cause any inconvenience to others. In simple words, act responsibly, plan, be independent, care for others. You will learn more about “The BI Code of Conduct” at the Opening day.

You will start your Master’s studies on 21st August (f2f group) and 28th August (online group), Thursday (exceptionally) immediately followed by your first study days on 22.8 (f2f in Myyrmäki campus, Vantaa) and 29.8 (online) Fridays, 9-16 pm. Note, Thursdays 21.8 & 28.8 are the Opening days of the Programme. After that, your studies will (almost) always happen on every second Friday, 9-16 pm (8 times in autumn 2025). Exceptionally, you will also have 1 Saturday, on 7-8 November, at 9-16 pm on campus for both groups in the autumn. Please book these days in advance.

In spring 2026, you will also have several Wednesday evenings at 17-20 pm (either on campus or online) for thesis seminars and Power BI course. You will learn about your schedule-2026 as soon as you get your Metropolia's access code in August.

Your Summer assignments and Recommended readings

Notice that, even before starting the school, we encourage our students to begin their Master’s studies immediately after their acceptance. Feedback from our previous students clearly advises to start your studies right away, so that to make your academic journey smooth and rewarding. Our graduates also confirm that it is necessary to use the summer months for getting into the right mindset.

What are our objectives for your summer learning? There are two of them:

  1. We need you to be good at absorbing knowledge effectively from articles and books. This is why you are advised on how to read extensively and pick up key messages (read clever). Therefore, as your summer task, you will have several books and a few articles to read and absorb. Notice that asking questions (why?) is often more important than getting quick-fix answers to questions. Use your summer time to absorb the readings at own pace.
  2. We also need your time to think about and negotiate a good topic for your Master’s Thesis. This is why we ask you to think about possible options and discuss with your colleagues and manager(s). You will find this task under Summer task 5, below.

Use your summer time to absorb the articles and books at own pace, and - importantly - discuss your possible Master’s thesis topic. We are sure that accomplishing these tasks will help you to advance in your Master’s studies in the autumn!

Online courses that you can complete in the summer time (and thus start and finish your Master's studies earlier!)

Importantly, our students often ask if there is any online course in the summer time to speed up their studies. This year we can recommend 1-2 options for you, especially targeted at the MBA students, studying towards a Master of Business Administration degree (they have a longer study period and more courses to do).

Business students, start by considering this mandatory course! This course is mandatory for MBA students in autumn 2025. The course is part of BI Curriculum (business students will need to complete it):

  • MANDATORY COURSE for all MBA students: ”Quantitative Research Methods”, 5 ECTS (relevant to the MBA students only). Enrolment starts immediately in April-May and the course ends by 31 July (you should finish it before you can become a regular student on 1st August). The course is an online automated course that can be done at own pace, even before you officially became a Metropolia´s student. Note, you need to finish by 31 July. If you do not complete the course over the summer time by 31 July, you can do the course later, along your other Master´s studies.
  • Option 1: ”Strategy, Management and Leadership”, 5 ECTS (relevant to the MBA students especially). Enrolment ends on 10th August, 23.45 pm latest. This is an elective course for MBA students. The course is an online intensive 3-week course in August (on 5 afternoons, 13.8, 15.8, 18.8, 25.8 and 1.9, from 5 pm to 8 pm). The course is focused on a deep dive into the three cornerstone topics for business leaders: strategy, management and leadership.
    • Note especially Option 1! This is a course that was previously part of the mandatory BI Curriculum, and now it has “retired” to electives. Many of your pointed to your wish to study this subject in your applications to BI programme. We warmly recommend to choose it as your elective course in preparation for your mandatory and more specialized “Digital Strategy” course,especially if you lack it as previous knowledge.
  • Option 2: ”Corporate Social Responsibility L000CF93-3013”, 5 ECTS (relevant to the MBA students especially). Enrolment ends on 10th August, 23.45 pm latest. This is an elective course for MBA students in case you are interested in Corporate sustainability topics. The course is an online intensive 2-week course completed in August (on 5 afternoons, on 18-20.8 and 25-26.8, from 5 pm to 8 pm). The course includes lectures and group discussions, and is conducted by an industry practitioner.
  • Additionally, Option 3: “Systemic Leadership and Coaching Competencies for Future Leaders”, 5 ECTS (relevant to the MBA students especially). Enrolment ends on 10th August, 23.45 pm latest. This is an elective course for MBA students in case you are interested in Leadership topics. The course is an online intensive 2-week course (on 28.8 and 30.8, Saturday and 11.9 and 12.9, from 5 pm to 8 pm). The course includes lectures, group discussions and reflective sessions. The course is focused on combining systemic leadership theories to practice and learning how to use different tools in organizations.

Find a good elective course and complete it even before the Opening of your studies. Note, you need to select only 1 such course. See our recommendations below and the full info also here: https://opinto-opas.metropolia.fi/offerings/16/71955?lang=en.

  • Finally, Option 4: A set of three virtual courses, “Elements of AI” (2 cr, virtual, non-stop), “Building AI” (2 cr, virtual, non-stop) and “Ethics of AI” (2 cr, virtual, non-stop) provided by the University of Helsinki and Reactor. This offering is relevant to the MBA students mostly. Enrolment is round-the-year and non-stop, via the home page of the course: https://www.elementsofai.com/ This is a set of short & easy online courses (2 credits each) that can become part of your Master´s studies, or they can be studied optionally, for widening your professional horizons. Upon completion of the course, obtain a course certificate with 2 cr for each course and inform the Programme about your completion. Note, it makes sense to complete all three courses together, so that to earn 6 ECTS in place of one elective course (min. 5 ECTS) in the BI Programme.
  • For engineers, we recommend to take “Digital Strategy” as elective in autumn 2025. Dear BI engineers, you can wait for the Opening day for more information.

Master's Degree Programme in Business Informatics, schedule for autumn 2025

NB! Changes are possible, dates will be confirmed in August.

Face-to-Face group:

  • Orientation to Business Informatics studies, 21.8, Thursday at 12:00-17(18):00, followed by the first study day on Friday 22.8 at 9:00-16:00
  • Tutoring session: Personal Study Plan, course enrollments, Master's Thesis Process, 31.10 at 13:00-16:00
  • Digital Strategy, 22.8 at 9-12.00, 19.9 at 9:00-16:00, and 7-8.11 at 9:00-16:00 (notice 1 Saturday)
  • Business Modelling and Competitive Environment in the Digital Era 5.9, 3.10 at 9:00-12:00, and 24.10 at 13-16.00 (online!)and 31.10 and 21.11 at 9:00-12:00
  • Research Methods and Skills, 22.8, 5.9, 3.10, and the 1st thesis seminar on 22.11 at 13:00-16:00, and 5.12 at 9:00-16:00 (exceptionally, on campus for both groups)

Online group:

  • Orientation to Business Informatics studies, 28.8 at 12:00-17:00, followed by the first study day on Friday 30.8 at 9:00-16:00
  • Tutoring session: Personal Study Plan, course enrollments, Master's Thesis Process, 14.11 at 13:00-16:00
  • Digital Strategy, 29.8 at 9-12.00, 26.9 at 9:00-16:00, and 7-8.11 at 9:00-16:00 (notice 1 Saturday)
  • Business Modelling and Competitive Environment in the Digital Era, 12.9, 10.10 at 9.00-12:00, and on 24.10 at 13-16.00, and 14.11 and 28.11 at 9:00-12:00
  • Research Methods and Skills, 29.8, 12.9, 10.10, and 1st thesis seminar on 28.11 at 13:00-16:00, and 12.12 at 9:00-12:00, followed by a Q&As session at 13-16 pm (optional)

Summer Task 1


Summer reading (mandatory)

Course: “Digital Strategy”, 5 cr

Start by reading and absorbing three mandatory books and one article for your course in autumn 2024:

BOOK 1: “The digital transformation canvas: develop and implement your digital strategy”, by Peter M.K. (Pearson 2024; appx. 170 pages). Metropolia library has 2 paper copies and access to e-book from here (since 1st August): https://metropolia.finna.fi/Record/3amk.307656?sid=4722285435

BOOK 2: “The digital transformation roadmap: rebuild your organization for continuous change”, by Rogers D.L. (Columbia University Press 2023; appx. 280 pages). Metropolia library has 4 paper copies and access to e-book from here (since 1st August): https://metropolia.finna.fi/Record/3amk.306496?sid=4725147747

BOOK 3: “Optimizing digital strategy”, by Bones C., Hammerslay J., and Shaw J. (Kogan Page 2018; appx. 200 pages). Metropolia library has 2 paper copies and access to e-book from here (since 1st August): https://metropolia.finna.fi/Record/nelli15.4100000007164052?sid=4761073595

ARTICLES (RECOMMENDED):

PwC (in partnership with Microsoft) (2017). How Finland is Embracing Digital Transformation – Digital Challenges and Successes Showcased. (48 pages). Available here as a pdf-file.

CANVAS 1. Marc K Peter (2024). The Digital Transformation Canvas: Develop and implement your digital strategy. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/380638002_The_workshop_canvas_for_digital_transformation_2024_edition_Develop_and_implement_your_digital_strategy

CANVAS 2. Gianluca E., Gianluca S., Larro A., F.Pigni and C.L. Tucci (2024).The digital transformation canvas: A conceptual framework for leading the digital transformation process.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/379422763_The_digital_transformation_canvas_A_conceptual_framework_for_leading_the_digital_transformation_process

CANVAS 3. Silvi R., Nielsen C., Pia A. (2023). From Insights to Business Model Innovation and Results: Using the Digital Transformation Canvas. Journal of Business Models (2023), Vol. 11, No. 3, pp. 30-45. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://journals.aau.dk/index.php/JOBM/article/download/8120/6563/27161&ved=2ahUKEwihloLo1dWMAxUxRfEDHV9hC8AQFnoECBQQAQ&usg=AOvVaw0zo_n3A3Tt9ZrPFzlEdTLt

The general teaching approach on the course will be to blend up-to-date digital transformation aspects and digital strategy via lectures, discussions and team work, with the final big event on 7-8 November 2025, focused on real-life practices in your organizations.

Students will benefit from reading materials from other courses, especially the “Business Modelling” course.

HOW TO GET ACCESS to e-books from Metropolia library (requires a user account!):

For getting access to e-books from Metropolia library, students will need to activate their student´s user accounts first. If you have Finnish online banking credentials, you can do it independently starting from 1st August, see instructions here: https://wiki.metropolia.fi/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=262079002

International students have a choice (1) to either come physically to the Student Services in Myyrmäki campus (Leiritie 1, Vantaa, open since 11.8 every Monday-Wednesday at 10-12 am, and additionally on the Opening Day 21.8, Thursday, at 10-12 am), or (2) ask for sending the activation info via secure email from studentservices [at] metropolia.fi (studentservices[at]metropolia[dot]fi).

For getting access to e-books after you have activated your user account, open your user account first (for example, via https://oma.metropolia.fi/) and then you can reach out to the book.

Nea, Tasks 2-3 are the same (just check the dates from 2024 - to 2025)

Summer Task 4 (mandatory)

Master’s Thesis: Search for a topic
Course: ‘Research Methods and Skills’, 5 ECTS (in September-November 2025)

Think about and discuss at work your possible Master’s thesis topic

This task is done individually. Due date for initial ideas by October 3rd / October 10th Friday.

For an example of a Master’s topic, you can take a brief look at the thesis example below:

This early discussion at work will help you to identify an interesting and relevant Master’s topic. We wish you a nice and rewarding summer learning 2025!

We look forward to an intellectually inspiring year with you! Our address is Leiritie 1, Vantaa, 00160, Myyrmäki campus (a 10-min. walk from Myyrmäki railway station).

A warm welcome to study in the Master’s Programme in Business Informatics! You will get another letter from us before the Opening day in mid-August. We look forward to meeting you at the Opening day!

Kind regards,

Zinaida Grabovskaia, PhL, Senior Lecturer
Head of BI Master’s Programme
+358 40 198 4008 (sms)
zinaida.grabovskaia [at] metropolia.fi (zinaida[dot]grabovskaia[at]metropolia[dot]fi)

Nea Kivekäs, Study Coordinator
mbsmasters [at] metropolia.fi (mbsmasters[at]metropolia[dot]fi)

Please note that owing to summer holidays there will be no answering to your emails between 27th June and 4th August.