Business Management, Enterprise Resource Planning, especially by SAP software solutions

Our new innovative Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) study programme concentrates on enterprise resource planning (ERP), primarily by the use of industry-leading SAP software solutions. ERP refers to the integrated management of core business processes in real-time and mediated by software, for instance, SAP, which is an integrated business solution software and used by close to 90% of the largest companies in the world. All departments and functions across a company are integrated into a single system. Our one-of-a-kind business management programme aims at providing specialised ERP expertise together with the know-how in modern business management.  The programme has an international scope, and with its exclusive content, it aims to educate professionals with high-demand expertise for the future labour markets and business needs. And, the demand for ERP skilled employees is rising all the time.


The programme starts by basic studies that build a strong foundation, and provide an excellent basic understanding of business functions and processes, including management, accounting, marketing, logistics, etc. After this, the focus turns into the ERP/SAP studies, which form the strong professional specialisation of the programme. The ERP/SAP studies provide the students with a specialised competitive edge in the labour markets by their unique content. The studies also include optional business studies, which further help the students to build their personal, professional profiles, as well as language studies and intercultural studies. In addition to the strong professional know-how, a particular attention is paid to the development of social skills, interpersonal skills, self-management skills, innovativeness, and other crucial generic business skills.

The enterprise resource planning lecturers at Centria are SAP certified, and we also offer the students a chance to develop the knowledge and skills required for an SAP certification (TERP10). After that, the students are also able to build their knowledge and skills further in a specialised SAP area. As a member of the SAP University Alliance, Centria can provide its students with access to the SAP Business Suite family of software solutions. This enables to put classroom theory into practice through demonstrations, exercises, case studies, and research. Centria uses special case studies to support practical learning and continuously develops its ERP learning environments.

A vital element of the programme is the close collaboration with industries, also aiming to fulfil their growing need for ERP, and especially SAP, skilled specialists.  The aim is that companies share their experience with Centria students, and provide them hands-on experience, e.g. by interesting internships, work placements, thesis opportunities and company projects. Centria is continuously building and developing cooperation with companies, businesses and other organisations.

The Degree Programme in Business Management, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), provides skills and expertise in a large body of business fields. Students can start, manage and maintain their firms or develop their professions further in any local or international company, either in Finland or abroad. They are also capable of adapting and managing ongoing changes in the working life environments, which keeps them in the top expertise level.

Your future

The Degree Programme in Business Management, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) provides skills and expertise in a large body of business and technology fields. Students can start, manage and maintain their own firms or develop their professions further in any local or international company, either in Finland or abroad. Graduates have the abilities to work in different fields in business and technology. They are capable of adapting and managing changes in the working life environments.

The programme provides added value to the BBA degree, meaning that graduates are skilled in managing SAP ERP solutions and may apply to positions requiring knowledge about SAP.

Centria works in close collaboration with many small & medium size and large companies, which are sharing their experience in using SAP and thus providing hands-on experience to the students, as well as offering work placements and thesis projects to Centria’s students.

About the area

There are more small and medium-sized international companies located around Centria, than in any other area in Finland. For example, the boat industry is globally known for the world-class yachts which are built here. Even Rolls Royce are manufacturing in Kokkola! Also, various sectors in the coastline around Kokkola are vital for the local economy. Throughout the studies, students examine the growth of business enterprises from the business concept to a fully operational company in the international market, especially from the ERP/SAP point of view. Local companies and industries, as well as national corporations, are collaborating with Centria to support the student path in Business Management Programme. Centria is located on the west coast of Finland. The campus is situated just a few minutes away from the seaside. The campus is surrounded by beautiful nature, which offers many possibilities for outdoor activities.

Postgraduate studies

Kokkola University Consortium Chydenius offers several Bachelor level business studies by Vaasa Open University. You may apply directly to Vaasa University’s Master’s Programme in Business Studies after completing a Bachelor’s degree in a university of applied sciences.

After three years of work experience you can pursue your studies and apply for Centria’s MBA programme.