Master´s Degree Programme in Public Procurement (Social Sciences, Business and Administration)

Specific admission requirements

A bachelor’s degree or equivalent in the corresponding field of education is required, e.g. Bachelor of Business Administration or a related bachelor’s degree containing/combined with 40 cr (ECTS) of higher education studies in business field. In addition, the applicant must have the minimum of two years of relevant work experience, gained after the required degree.

Specific arrangements for recognition of prior learning

According to the Degree Regulations of Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences students may apply for identification and accreditation of prior learning as part of their compulsory or optional studies, provided they have prior learning corresponding to the curriculum before the course in question begins.

Qualification requirements and regulations

Qualification requirements and regulations are defined in the degree regulations of Metropolia University of Applied Sciences: https://www.metropolia.fi/sites/default/files/images/tietoa%20opiskelusta/degree-regulations-of-metropolia-uas_-01012022.pdf

Profile of the programme

The main target is to provide graduates strategic procurement and sourcing competences needed in tasks and positions of expert and managerial level both in public and private organizations. The Master's degree generates so-called change agents, who can analyze and develop procurement and sourcing processes and plan and implement development projects considering the targets and requirements of the operational environment.

Key learning outcomes

The key learning outcomes of the Master’s degree programme are defined together with the public procurement professionals and are the following:

1. Analytical and Methodological Competences
2. Procurement Management Competences
3. Sustainable Procurement Competences
4. Innovative Procurement Competence
5. Advanced Business Management Competences

Each module of the curriculum produces and enhances the Master’s student’s competence in these areas. Please see the course descriptions of the modules in the curriculum.

In addition, generic competences as described in the EQF7/NQF7, will be met with. These are: Learning Competence, Ethical Competence, Working Community Competence, Innovation Competence, Multicultural Competence as well as Technological Competence.

Occupational profiles of graduates with examples

The Master´s degree provides knowledge, skills, and competences to lead public procurement and actively manage the supplier interface of the organization/enterprise as well as conduct procurement and purchasing activities.

After completing the Master´s degree in Public Procurement it is possible to work for example as Head of Procurement or Sourcing or lead demanding procurement development projects or work as a Purchasing Manager or Specialist of materials, components, machinery, and equipment, supplies and services and acquisition of competencies.

Access to further studies

After obtaining the Master’s degree (the level EQF 7) it is possible to apply to the post-graduate path of the university sector.

Examination regulations, assessment and grading

According to the Degree Regulations of Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences course assessment criteria are specified in the course implementation plan. The teacher in charge of the course will be responsible for the assessment. Students must be informed at the beginning of the course on the assessment principles, which must be based on the course objectives. Assessment takes primarily place for each course and applies to the students who have registered and been accepted on the course. If necessary, different components of a course may be assessed individually. If the course consists of several components, the teacher may point this out in the assessment principles contained in the implementation plan.
The assessment scale is as follows: excellent (5), very good (4), good (3), very satisfactory (2), satisfactory (1), fail (0) and pass (P). Any deviations of this scale will be decided by the President.

Graduation requirements

All studies indicated in the curriculum of the Master’s Degree Programme Public Procurement must be successfully completed.

Mode of study

The degree programme is carried out as part-time and is intended to be completed alongside work. The blended learning approach includes both online learning and contact sessions. The contact sessions are organized approximately every other week on Fridays (9am-5pm) and occasionally on Saturdays. Some optional studies may be organized midweek during evenings. Optionality, combined with an intensive thesis work also allows full-time study. The duration of the studies is 2 years.

Programme director

Kaija Haapasalo
Head of Master’s Degree Programme in Supply Chain Management
Tel. +358 40 098 8529
E-mail: kaija,haapasalo@metropolia.fi
PO Box 4071, FI-00079 Metropolia, Finland

Level of qualification

Master of Business Administration, (Second Cycle), 90 credits (ECTS) to be completed according to the curriculum.

Workplacement(s) and Work-based Learning

Students in this degree programme are working alongside their studies.

Obligatory or Optional Mobility

The network of international partner universities offers opportunities for short term and semester exchange.