Bachelor of Digital Business
Bachelor of Digital Business
The Bachelor Programmes are three-year full-time studies, each of which comprises 60 credits. In total, a Bachelor's degree program comprises 180 credits. The credits are in accordance with the European ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) system.
This programme focuses on preparing candidates who can actively contribute to businesses that are either already digitally centered or those aspiring to become digital. The candidates will have the skillset to bridge the gap between business and digital technology, allowing them to analyse the potential impact of digital technology on a business' operational performance, work practices, and organizational structure. They will also be equipped with the skills to identify opportunities to establish new digital ventures or implement strategic changes to existing businesses.
The candidates would be proficient contributors to digital business development by:
- Acquiring the know-how to apply modern methods, processes, and tools for digital innovation.
- Demonstrating their worth as valuable team members in digital projects.
- Facilitating and spearheading initiatives that encourage experimental and explorative innovation.
The ideal candidate's profile will include the following capabilities:
- A comprehensive understanding of how a business functions and creates value.
- Proficiency in digital technology, an understanding of its evolution, and the potential opportunities it offers.
- A solid understanding of the integration between business processes and digital technology, including aspects of how generative Artificial Intelligence will enable new work practices.
- Excellent communication skills, specifically in communicating effectively with stakeholders across business and technology sectors.
- A broad understanding of salient issues such as digital security, privacy, sustainability and its impacts on business continuity, and the ability to make ethical choices.
A Digital Business candidate will:
- Have a comprehensive understanding of business fundamentals, relating to how a company operates, creates value, and nurtures its growth. This encapsulates a broad base of knowledge in core business areas such as accounting, finance, economics, marketing, organizational behaviour, management, and strategic management. In addition, they will be familiar with elements of innovation, diverse business models, and the intricacies of business development.
- Possess a deep understanding of data and digital technology. Beyond comprehending the basic elements of digital technology – which includes technical infrastructures, emerging technologies, cloud computing platforms, enterprise systems, and software ecosystems – the candidate will also be knowledgeable about building solutions with low code tools that integrates with a data platform. Proficiency in common computing platforms and tools, digital infrastructures, and open data will be an integral part of their skill set.
- Exhibit a profound understanding of how to organize and lead digitally, including knowledge about digital transformation. This entails having a deep familiarity with digital operating models, the principles of structuring a digital firm, driving digital innovation, and managing complex problem-solving scenarios. They will also be versed in business analysis methodologies and frameworks, such as business process management and change management.
- Have a robust understanding of the key legal issues influencing the use of digital technologies, with a particular focus on rules and regulations tied to data privacy and intellectual property rights usage.
A Digital Business candidate will possess the capacity to:
- Analyse and navigate business problems and challenges within a multidisciplinary landscape.
- Integrate business and technology expertise to devise solutions for various business needs and effectively communicate these solutions across diverse stakeholders.
- Conceptualize, organize, and oversee digital innovation processes, using methods and techniques feasible for the problem’s complexity and uncertainty
- Acquire, implement and govern digital solutions including, but not restricted to, cloud platforms, enterprise systems, data platforms and custom-built applications
- Identify central legal challenges associated with providing goods and services online and participate in discussions aimed at reaching potential resolutions.
- Apply legal methodology in recognizing and resolving issues stemming from the use of digital technologies.
- Reflect critically on sustainability issues within the realm of digital business. This includes being able to leverage digital solutions to devise sustainable business models, operations and enhance the sustainability of products and services.
A Digital Business candidate will demonstrate their ability to:
- Show effective communication skills, including competencies in negotiation and conflict resolution, pairing an ability to foster relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.
- Comprehend the core regulatory tools impacting the digital world and effectively apply this understanding in various contexts.
- Reflect critically on ethical and legal dilemmas that come from the application of emerging technologies like machine learning and AI, demonstrating a well-founded judgement.
- Display strong team collaboration abilities, including the responsibility for their own work and team deliverables, while showing an ability to work effectively solo.
- Present thoughts and ideas with clarity and effectiveness, both orally and in written formats.
- Collaborate well with individuals from different cultural backgrounds, sensitively approaching cultural differences. They will exhibit strong cultural intelligence, enabling them to operate effectively in international environments.
The Bachelor Programmes at BI Norwegian Business School are, as a rule, composed of 60 credits with core courses (core courses for all or more programmes), 75 credits with programme courses adapted to the individual study program, and 45 credits with elective courses. The minimum course size is 7.5 credits.
It is possible to apply for admission to another bachelor's program after the first year of study. However, it may be necessary to take additional courses.
Students can apply for admission to the studies after the 1st and 2nd year completed at other colleges, provided that the applicant/student has covered the necessary subject areas or undertakes to take the necessary courses in addition. Specific requirements for subject composition are prepared for each study.
To obtain a Bachelor's degree from BI, at least 60 credits must be acquired at BI Norwegian School of Management.
For students who are admitted to full-time multi-year programmes, there is a requirement for study progression in order to be able to move on to the next academic year. The requirements are:
A minimum of 30 credits (50%) must be completed and passed after the first year of study in order to be approved to the 2nd year.
A minimum of 60 credits (50%) must be completed and passed after the second year of study in order to be approved to 3rd year.
Some studies may require higher progression than this. The requirements for study progression for each study program are specified in the study contract. Students who do not satisfy the requirement for study progression are offered a one-year stay to address missing subjects and exams.
Workload
BI Norwegian Business School has set the norm that a full-time student should spend 1,600 hours per year. years of their studies. This means that a course of 7.5 credits will require a work effort of 200 hours including teaching, supervision, self-effort and examination. This is in line with the European standard set out in the Bologna Declaration. One of the key criteria is that credits can only be achieved through completed and passed work with an associated assessment of the performance and the learning outcome in relation to learning goals (= expected learning outcomes).