Bachelor’s Degree Programme in Sustainable and Social Entrepreneurship
Do you want to help organisations become more sustainable? Study to become a leader with an entrepreneurial mindset skilled in driving positive social, environmental, and economic impact.
The Bachelor's Degree Programme in Sustainable and Social Entrepreneurship educates the next generation of managers, entrepreneurs, and experts committed to creating both sustainable development and economic well-being.
The programme combines business understanding with in-depth entrepreneurship studies and versatile multidisciplinary studies in sustainability and social issues. It goes beyond the classroom, offering hands-on experience through our Entrepreneurs-in-Residence programme and active connections with the business community. You will also be able to take courses in Finnish and other languages.
With its motto ‘TSE for sustainable futures’, the Turku School of Economics provides a strong basis for becoming an expert in building positive future developments. TSE is an internationally recognized institution, ranked among the top 1% of business schools globally and accredited by AACSB. All of its activities are based on quality research in business and economics. You'll be part of a collaborative, research-based learning community where students contribute to the creation of new knowledge.
In your future career, you will work as a (social) entrepreneur, as a manager in a company based on regenerative business principles, or as an expert in a third sector organisation (NGO, association, foundation) working towards addressing the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. This programme is a particularly interesting opportunity for students from regions where economic activity has been based on traditional industry and new economic opportunities are arising.
Entry requirements
General admission requirements will be published here in August 2024.
Programme-specific admission requirements will be published here in August 2024.
Admission quota for the programme is 20. More information about application evaluation will be published here in August 2024.
Programme in brief
The extent of the programme is 180 ECTS credits and the degree is designed to be completed in three years. In addition to basic studies, students take major studies in entrepreneurship, specialisation studies (sustainable and social business), and minor and elective studies (based on their choice). In addition, they will take language studies and optional studies. Students should note that this is a full-time programme and most courses have compulsory attendance.
During the 1st year, the students will build a strong grounding for their studies through basic studies (business studies, sustainability studies and languages) by learning basic concepts, theories and topics. During the 2nd year the students will focus on their major studies in entrepreneurship. Specialisation studies are taken during the 2nd and 3rd year (depending on the course requirements). Students write their B.Sc. thesis during the 3rd year.
The programme builds on theoretical, research-based knowledge and educates students to apply analytical tools to examine business and social problems. Learning takes place frequently in teams and involves working with real-life cases (businesses) interactively. The students will learn to develop arguments and communicate them (presentations). The graduates understand the role of social and sustainable businesses for individuals, organisations, and society. They can identify challenges of changing environment and possess the knowledge of relevant theories and practices to meet them.
Entrepreneurship is a well-established research area at the Turku School of Economics (TSE). Research on entrepreneurship is conducted in close collaboration with different disciplines. Entrepreneurship research is conducted at the individual, organisational and societal levels. At the individual level our research is focused on entrepreneurial identity, gender and entrepreneurship education, for example. Organisational level research focuses on entrepreneurial behaviour and intrapreneurship in different organisations. The role of entrepreneurship in changing societies is studied in different economic, social and cultural contexts.
Studies are offered in close collaboration with other disciplines and faculties, including the sustainable business researchers at the Management and Organisation Studies, and with Futures Research Centre. We also rely on expertise on sustainability and social issues at the University of Turku broadly as well as in other collaborating universities (Åbo Akademi, Turku University of Applied Sciences).
During the 3rd year, the students will write a B.Sc. thesis on an entrepreneurship topic based on their choice. It is also an opportunity for the student to develop their expertise in an area relevant for them. The thesis work will include group meetings (opportunity to give and receive peer feedback) facilitated by a thesis supervisor.
The specialisation studies in Sustainable and Social Business will equip the students with the knowledge and skills necessary to develop and manage businesses and organisations in a regenerative manner. After the studies the students can lead and innovate in ways that contribute and create positive social, environmental and economic impact.
The students are encouraged to take an internship to enhance their academic learning, to gain a competitive edge in the job market, and to be more prepared for their future careers.
Career prospects
After completing this programme, you will be able to:
Apply analytical tools to examine societal, environmental and economic problems
Develop well-justified arguments and communicate them effectively
Work interactively in teams
Understand the social responsibility of your profession in the long term
Understand the role of social and sustainable business for individuals, organisations and society
Identify challenges in their environment and possess knowlegde of relevant theories and practices to meet them.
In your future career you will work as a (social) entrepreneur, as a manager in a company based on regenerative business principles or as an expert in a third sector organisation (NGO, association, foundation) working towards addressing the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
The programme gives you eligibility to apply to Master’s studies. At the University of Turku, interesting programmes for a graduate might be, for example, the Global Innovation Management programme or Futures Studies at Turku School of Economics, and East Asian Studies in the Faculty of Social Sciences.
