The double degree programme for students of the Bachelor of International Business between the Häme University of Applied Sciences in Finland (HAMK) and the Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences (FHV) was designed last spring and signed a few days ago, in Dornbirn, by representatives of both universities.

These collaborations give students the chance to earn two academic degrees at two universities in parallel. To do so, the required ECTS credits must be earned in two semesters at the host university.

‘By spending the entire year abroad, the participants immerse themselves even more deeply in university life, in the language and culture of the partner country, and get to know their own field of study from a geographically and socially different perspective,’ says Martin Hebertinger, Programme Director International Business at the FHV.

Merja Helin, Head of the Bachelor Programme in International Business at HAMK, says, ‘Holding a double degree means without a doubt differentiation when the students start their professional career. It allows the students to develop a more comprehensive skill set than they would get from one degree on its own and gives the students the flexibility to take advantage of different opportunities that come their way’.

This is the third RUN-EU contract for a double degree programme.
The first agreement was signed at the IPCA Campus, in Portugal, in September, between the Polytechnic of Cávado and Ave (IPCA) and the Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences (FHV), for the master’s courses of the two institutions in Electronic and Mechatronics Engineering.

‘Internationalisation and the skills required for it are becoming increasingly important for young professionals. RUN-EU is the ideal platform for this. Both degree programmes already have double degree partnerships and were able to expand their offerings with RUN-EU,’ emphasises FHV Managing Director Stefan Fitz-Rankl.

The second agreement between the Polytechnic of Leiria (IPLeiria) and the University of Győr – Széchenyi István (SZE) for a Double Degree in Tourism, was also signed at the IPCA Campus.

Starting in fall 2023, students from the participating universities will be able to enrol in these international programmes and complete their studies with two degrees.

Further transnational study programmes are being planned or already in preparation and will be announced soon.