Vocational Qualification in Business for Adults

Content of the degree

Business skills are needed in all sectors of the working life. Tredu´s Vocational Qualification in Business (180 competence points) provides broad basic skills for Customer Service and Sales and Marketing communications in an international context. During the studies you will develop a wide range of professional skills centered around entrepreneurship and sustainable business. The language studies include Finnish, Swedish, English and an additional foreign language. International exchanges and on-the-job learning periods abroad are an optional part of the studies.

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

Check out Finnish National Agency for Education´s requirements for this qualification

The qualification title received after completing Vocational Qualification in Business is “merkonomi”.

Business studies in English, in the multicultural environment, will prepare you for the international tasks in labour market or contribute to the higher education studies. In the beginning of studies, the focus is gaining skills needed in the business field, by completing the three compulsory units: Customer Service and Operating in Business Environment.

As optional studies you may focus, for example, on Marketing Communications, Planning a Business and International Business Operations. You can also have a tailor-made personal skills development plan, typically a work-intensive path to gain skills needed e.g. in retail trade.

Explore different job opportunities and build future contacts by taking part in international student exchanges, projects and tutoring. There are many opportunities for you during the studies. The language studies include Finnish, Swedish, English and an additional foreign language.

The teaching language is English.

Business graduate is a customer-oriented business expert with good communication and interaction skills as well as language skills. Other important things to do in this field are:

• number precision
• initiative
• good IT capabilities
• entrepreneurial attitude
• teamwork skills
• developing one’s own skills
• self-leadership
• good social media and digital skills

Requirements for student selection

• Qualification equivalent to Finnish general upper secondary education (high school diploma) or a vocational degree / university degree abroad. All certificates must be translated into Finnish or English by a certified translator. Please note, that you are not qualified to apply if you have a vocational education or bachelor’s degree in Finland.
• Citizenship or residence permit in Finland or in EU/ETA/Schengen countries, valid until 30th June 2025 or longer. Please attach a photo of your residence permit (both sides) on the application form.
• Fluent in English language. Language skills (both written and spoken) will be tested in the admission interview (for those who are invited).
• Basic level of Finnish language is required. If the applicant is of compulsory school age, Finnish is not required. Language skills (both written and spoken) will be tested in the admission interview (for those who are invited).

No exceptions will be made, and we don’t ask for supplements. The application will be automatically cancelled if you have not attached the required supplements on your application, or if you don’t meet the requirements listed. Please note, that the applications are handled daily during the admission period.

Foreign applicants under 18 years must have a legal guardian (parent, grandparent, close relative, sports coach etc.) living in Finland. We will check the eligibility and guardian’s information before inviting the applicant to an interview.

Motivation and Finnish and English language skills are tested in an admission interview. Interviews will be held in Tampere, Finland in 24th of April, 2025 (online interview is not possible). Invitations are sent via email.

Total amount of 50 persons will be invited to the admission interview. Priority is given to applicants already living in Finland. If you don’t attend the interview, your application will be cancelled automatically. If there are more than 50 eligible applicants, we will use random selection to determine who we interview.

Check out our video about Sports and Business studies:

How to apply

Fill out the application form in Opintopolku.

Admission procedure:

• Admission period is February 17th – March19 th, 2025.
• The admission interview will be held on 24.4.2025 Tredu Pyynikki campus (Santalahdentie 10) Tampere. The invitations to the admission interviews are sent by email at the latest a week before.
• Note! If you have applied for several English study programs, your interview date is 17 April 2025.
• The results of student selection will be announced on weeks 23-24, on June 12th at the latest.
• The deadline for accepting the study place is in one week after the student selection announcements.
• The studies begin on the 11th August.

The length of studies is one to two years according your personal skills development plan.
Study language: English.
Location of studies: Tredu Santalahdentie 10, Tampere, Finland (not online)

Certificate of European Business Behaviour and Democracy (EBBD)

At Tredu it is possible to acquire EBBD certificate (European Business Behaviour and Democracy) while studying in Vocational Qualification in Business. The certificate is issued for excellence in business competence in international environment. The certificate increases opportunities particularly in international job market. Read more: European Business Behaviour and Democracy.

Contact person in Tredu: Business lecturer Marika Malmström: marika.malmstrom@tampere.fi

Further Information

Guidance Councelor, Merja Helin
e-mail: Merja.Helin@tampere.fi
tel +358 40 825 7240

TreduNavi Admission Services
e-mail: tredu.haku@tampere.fi
tel +358 40 170 5649