Technology

International career in sustainable solutions

Join the forefront of innovation with our Sustainable Solutions Engineering degree programme!

By studying in the degree programme, you will gain hands-on experience and become a part of a community dedicated to making a global impact. The studies equip you with the skills to tackle the world’s most pressing challenges, including climate change and sustainability crises. 

LAB University of Applied Sciences is a leader in environmental technology and the circular economy in Finland. The degree programme is built upon a strong knowledge and the need to address the major future challenges of our time. Studying at LAB University of Applied Sciences is very flexible but challenging.

Where can graduates work?

The graduates of the Sustainable Solutions Engineering degree programme can work in Finland and globally as technological experts, project managers, quality and security developers, and sales engineers. Entrepreneurship is also a career alternative. 

One of the main learning outcomes of the studies is the development of entrepreneurial and teamwork skills. This will enhance your ability to solve business and development challenges, advancing your career opportunities and working life. 

We have excellent international and national networks with other universities and the working life, which will promote your career development in many ways.

What do the studies include?

The scope of the studies is 240 ECTS credits.

• Core studies 15 ECTS
• Professional and complementary studies 180 ECTS
• Practical training 30 ECTS
• Thesis 15 ECTS

At the beginning of your studies, you will become familiar with the principles of natural and physical sciences, environmental technology, circular economy, and sustainable development, as well as their interaction with climate change and biological and technological cycles. These form the foundation for deepening your competence during your further studies.

The professional studies include topics such as resource and material efficiency, digital tools, quality and project management, built environment, product design, and responsible business from the perspective of sustainable solutions and the circular economy.

A flexible curriculum enables versatile learning methods

We encourage you to complete your studies using various learning methods, as our curriculum structure is flexible. 

You will study and learn individually and collaboratively through lectures, laboratory work, exercises, work-life projects, company visits, teamwork, and by utilizing digital tools and software in many different ways. Our renewed circular economy and material laboratories, along with projects in close cooperation with the working life, also allow you to test ideas in practice.

During your studies, you will have the opportunity to deepen your knowledge in selected topics during your internship and while working on your final thesis, as well as in various applied development projects and possible online studies.

International career in the field of IT

This international engineering degree programme offers excellent opportunities to work in Finland, Europe, and around the world.

The Industrial Information Technology degree programme equips engineering students for global careers in industrial IT, focusing on software production, networks, embedded systems, IoT, and research and development.

During their studies, students learn how to design and develop digital solutions in industrial environments using new IT technologies and methods.

Where can Industrial Information Technology graduates work?

As a graduate of the Industrial Information Technology degree programme, you can work in designing and developing digital solutions in industrial environments. 

Graduates can pursue roles as technological experts, managers, designers, developers, and sales engineers in various industries and the information technology sector. As an IT engineer, you can find work in Finland, Europe, and around the world.

In your work, you will utilize new IT technologies and methods, and can build a career focusing on software production, networks, embedded systems, IoT, and research and development.

What do the studies consist of?

The structure of the studies includes:

• Core studies 15 ECTS credits
• Professional and complementary studies 180 ECTS credits
• Practical training 30 ECTS credits
• Thesis 15 ECTS credits

Industrial Information Technology students learn how to design and develop digital solutions in industrial environments using new IT technologies and methods. Students will study, train, and learn through work-based projects in close cooperation with local partners.

During their studies, students act as project managers or leaders of individuals and larger teams, communicating, working, and negotiating with people from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

All the studies will be conducted in English. Students may choose a few courses conducted in Finnish. 

For designers, technology engineers, and graduates of business or hospitality – study circular economy solutions interdisciplinary

The multidisciplinary online master's degree programme in Circular Economy Solutions prepares students from design, business, hospitality, and technology to address global challenges related to sustainable development and to promote societal change. Graduates will master circular economy strategies and business models.

Applicants are required to possess at least two years of prior work experience in a related field (working full-time) and a desire to develop their professional skills in circular economy-related areas. The Circular Economy Solutions master's degree studies offer an excellent opportunity for networking and sharing expertise with your fellow students. 

Both Finnish and international students are strongly encouraged to apply. Also, applicants currently in a stage of career transition can avail of this opportunity to invest in their future skillset to help them re-enter the employment sector.

Duration and the scope of studies vary

Engineering and design students will complete a total of 60 ECTS credits of master’s-level studies in the degree programme, and MBA students a total of 90 ECTS.

As well as the core competence courses students will plan a personalised learning path through complementary competence studies (15 ECTS) for the engineering and design students and (30 ECTS) for the MBA students, in order to shape and customise their learning to better fit with the set learning objectives.

 In complementary studies, you can focus, for example, on 

• new technologies
• bio-based materials and solutions,
• the business potential of the circular economy.

The degree programme is conducted online and as a part-time learning opportunity. The courses are mainly executed by the LAB University of Applied Sciences' fields in Technology, Business and the Institute of Design and Fine Arts, in collaboration with the schools of LUT University.

The education is carried out under the guidance of experts from technology, design and business fields, and the studies include interdisciplinary teamwork. The students themselves represent diverse areas of expertise.

A construction engineer with expertise in sustainability

The programme integrates theoretical and practical aspects, equipping students for a wide range of roles within the construction field. Additionally, you will acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to pursue further studies towards a master's degree.

As a result, you will develop into an international construction engineer with expertise in sustainability.

The degree programme in Sustainable Construction Technology prepares students for international careers in construction engineering across various fields within the construction industry.

Where can graduates work?

The degree programme in Sustainable Construction Technology prepares students for international careers in construction engineering across various fields within the construction industry, including management, commercial roles, product manufacturing, and research and development.

During your studies, you will also cultivate communication skills and the ability to thrive in multicultural workplace environments. Therefore, this international degree programme provides excellent opportunities to work globally within the construction industry and with companies associated with the construction business.

What do the studies include?

As a student in the Sustainable Construction Technology degree programme, you will engage in a diverse range of studies within the field of civil and construction engineering. You will acquire a strong foundation in construction technologies by learning about various building materials and construction techniques. 

Structure of the studies

The scope of the studies is 240 ECTS credits. 

• Basic of Engineering 60 ECTS
• Construction Engineering 60 ECTS
• Specialization 60 ECTS
• Advanced Engineering 15 ECTS
• Practical Training 30 ECTS
• Thesis 15 ECTS

By enrolling in specialization modules, you can further develop your expertise in timber technology, timber hybrid construction management, and sustainability. You also have the opportunity to select modules from various European universities.

Unique learning experience with Open Engineering

The degree programme in Industrial Mechanical Engineering will be conducted using Open Engineering methods. The learning process is unique and supports engineering students in trying new ways of working instead of standardised tools and processes.

In the Open Engineering approach, the students can explore any area of engineering, not just mechanics, and can choose their own learning methods. Students will create and follow their individual learning path, and coaches will help and support students to learn their own way. Self-learning is a very important area of the programme. 

The degree programme prepares students for international engineering careers, especially in the fields of machine and automation design, product innovations, and research and development. 

Where can graduates find work?

This international degree programme provides engineering graduates with good opportunities to work in Finland, Europe, and all around the world. 

Graduates can find work, especially in the fields of machine and automation design, product innovations, and research and development. Graduates may work in the metal and forest industries, automation, and information technology. 

The self-learning process also helps students prepare to work as freelancers.

What do the studies include?

The degree programme in Industrial Mechanical Engineering is 240 ECTS credits. While the core curriculum includes compulsory modules that ensure essential degree-level competence, students can personalise their learning paths with themed modules, which offer flexibility and guided choices to support individual progression.

This degree programme is also a good option for Finnish students. Previously completed higher education studies in any field can be flexibly accredited as part of the degree. All information in the degree programme will be conducted in English, and students will carry out documents in English.

Tailor your engineering studies

Industrial Mechanical Engineering students can tailor their studies by selecting courses that align with their professional interests and goals. Students engage in self-learning to deepen their understanding of key engineering objectives, such as:

• designing, developing, and manufacturing products and mechatronic equipment
• designing and dimensioning machine elements
• developing modern automation, control, and information systems.

In addition, students learn to take on roles as project managers or team leaders, and to communicate, collaborate, and negotiate with people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

Examples of self-directed learning

Example 1: A student dreams of developing a sustainable robot for new applications. They begin by researching and building the necessary skills for such a project, such as calculation, 3D modelling, and programming. These skills are not taught in traditional lessons but are acquired “just in time” through self-learning. Naturally, engineering students also have access to open course offerings to support their development.

Example 2: A student working in a factory identifies a need for a new tool design. They carry out the project independently and, following a reflection meeting, receive credits for the competence demonstrated through an individual learning module.

Master's studies for engineering and social and health care professionals

The interdisciplinary degree programme in Technological Transformation Leadership aims to develop strategic leaders capable of integrating technology with business processes and with organisational processes in social and health care.

The programme emphasises ethical leadership and the societal impacts of technology, including considerations specific to IoT and AI, such as data privacy, security, and ethical AI deployment for engineering students, and data privacy, security, and ethical AI deployment in social and health care for social and health care students.

These studies also provide an excellent opportunity to improve spoken and written English skills and network with students from across different business sectors and nationalities.

Work experience requirements

Applicants must, in addition to the required educational background, have gained at least two years (24 months) of subsequent work experience in a relevant field after the completion of the bachelor's degree, in order to meet the eligibility criteria.

Leading roles in technology and social and health care

Upon completion, graduates will be able to lead technology initiatives, execute strategic plans, manage projects and innovations, and address ethical considerations in technology transformation, including those related to AI, and, in addition, for engineering graduates, IoT as well.

Gaining skills and capabilities for developing a technological transformation leadership approach to the working environment helps our graduates expand their professional opportunities and bridge gained knowledge and know-how with the future operational environment. 

Students in the programme can immediately apply their attained skills and know-how in their workplace. Many of the graduates capitalise on new opportunities either within their current organisation or in new professional careers.

What do the studies include?

The studies contain challenging independent work, online group work, and online studies to accommodate students’ professional and personal lives. The studies are rigorously intensive but manageable.

Teaching days for core studies are usually limited to 2 to 4 online days per month. The study days for complementary competence studies depend on the courses you choose to study. Students can also choose elective master’s level courses from other universities.

For engineering students, the scope of the studies is 60 ECTS credits, and the duration of the programme is 1 year. For social and health care students, the scope of the studies is 90 ECTS credits, and the duration of the programme is 2 years. 

For engineering students:

• core competence 15 ECTS
• complementary competence 15 ECTS
• master's thesis 30 ECTS

Engineering students can construct their degrees focusing either on technological transformation leadership or IoT through AI. Topics covered can include, for example, leadership and change management, technology strategy, and data-driven decision making. Additionally, the programme addresses emerging issues in the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI), preparing students to navigate and leverage these technologies effectively.

For social and health care students:

• core competence 35 ECTS
• complementary competence 25 ECTS
• master's thesis 30 ECTS

Topics covered in the studies can include, for example, leadership and change management, health and wellbeing technologies, and knowledge management.