Vocational Qualification in Business (QB)

The Qualification in Business helps you to reach your future dreams. Our compact program prepares you for international jobs and is a stepping stone for higher education. We educate you to become a competent professional. Your study environment is multicultural and your classmates come from diverse backgrounds.

Want to know more about this program? Please join our Applicant’s Info (Teams) on Thursday Sep 28th 6-7 pm (Finnish time). Link to Teams

Study business and improve English skills

Qualification in Business is secondary level vocational education and we follow the official Finnish national curriculum.

QB is a compact and practical program and that lasts 1,5 years on average. The studies concentrate in business which includes working life and financial skills, customer service, entrepreneurship and marketing. Additionally, you will learn the latest skills in business IT.

Your English language skills are improved every day. Foreign students learn basics of Finnish. We give special importance to developing your soft skills, team working, problem solving and time management, to succeed in business life.

Learn business by doing

In addition to studying in the classroom you will have access to e-learning platform. You will use the latest technology in your studies and the college provides the laptops with necessary software preinstalled during your studies.

The methods of studying include learning by doing, teamwork and projects such as student parties, sales fairs and events. One third of studies include training in real companies. Practical training is a vital part of the studies. Students will apply and demonstrate their learned skills at the practical training. Practical training always takes place in real life workplace.  Students are responsible for searching the practical training position themselves. 

You can also have an international certificate in business administration in addition to the Qualification in Business. EBBD, European Business Behaviour and Democracy Certificate, is granted to students who demonstrate excellent skills in international business administration.

The teachers have extensive and specialized experience. They support you in your studies as well as developing your English language skills.

On top of everything you will have the opportunity to study and work with people from many different countries and cultures.

Interesting studies

The scope of the Vocational Qualification in Business is 180 competence points (cp). The qualification is composed of vocational units (145 cp) and common units (35 cp).

The qualification includes three compulsory units, total 55 cp:

• Customer service 20 cp
• Profitable operation 20 cp
• Acting in a work community 15 cp

Business College Helsinki optional units, total 90 cp:

• Marketing communications and content production 30 cp
• Planning a business 15 cp
• Working in an enterprise 15 cp
• EBBD International studies 15 cp, (unit based on local competence requirements)
• Logistics services 15 cp or Service Design 15 cp

The rest of the competence points (common units, 35cp) is composed of basic skills and know how needed in working life, academic studies, and lifelong learning. These studies include, for example, Finnish language and Mathematics. If you have completed upper secondary education in Finland, your prior learning can be recognized for as much of these studies as possible.

If you have not completed upper secondary education in Finland, you must independently study the online courses we provide for the common units 35 cp. Please note, that these studies include Finnish language studies which you must complete successfully.

Full time day studies  

This program requires full time attendance from Monday to Friday. The lessons are held between 9 AM and 3/4.30 PM. Attendance on all lessons is compulsory. Please take note of this when you apply and ensure that your work does not interfere with your studies. For this study program we do not offer distance study option.

Graduate in 1,5 years or even faster

The duration of your studies 1,5 years (18 months = three semesters) however you may graduate in a shorter time because some of the studies may be accredited based on your prior work experience and education; in this case you need to present certificates. One possibility to study longer is if your work place training lasts more than one semester.

Plenty of opportunities after graduation

Vocational Qualification in Business study program provides a wide range of opportunities for business career and further studies.

Graduates have been employed for example in sales and office work as well as private entrepreneurs. Many have continued studies in for example, at Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences and some in Aalto University.

Our QB study program can provide a wide range of business career and learning opportunities.

Who can apply?*

The program is meant for adults, who have completed either upper secondary education or vocational upper secondary education, and people over the age of 18, who are in the process of changing careers and have enough work experience.

Applicants must enclose a copy of Finnish passport or identity card, or a residence permit granted by the Finnish authorities to their application. If the applicant’s residence permit is in process, they must enclose a document of a pending permit application to their application.