Savonia and FH JOANNEUM create a new European double degree programme

Savonia University of Applied Sciences and the Austrian university FH JOANNEUM are launching a double degree programme in tourism that combines international studies with work-based learning. Developed within the EU4DUAL Alliance, the programme demonstrates that it is possible to align two different degree structures when curricula are examined from a competence-based perspective rather than through individual courses alone.

A double degree is a study pathway jointly designed by two higher education institutions. Students who successfully complete the programme receive a degree certificate from both institutions. Unlike a joint degree, where partners award a single shared diploma, a double degree results in two separate qualifications issued by the participating universities. Students’ studies, mobility periods, and credit recognition are agreed upon in advance through an inter-institutional agreement (Borsetto & Saccon, 2023).

In the Savonia–FH JOANNEUM programme, students complete coordinated studies in Finland and Austria. Upon graduation, they may obtain both a Bachelor of Arts in Business from FH JOANNEUM and a Bachelor of Tourism and Hospitality Management from Savonia. The programme brings together FH JOANNEUM’s Health and Tourism Management programme and Savonia’s Tourism and Hospitality Management, Wellness Tourism Management programme.

As the first bachelor’s-level double degree in tourism within the EU4DUAL Alliance, the programme includes a strong work-based learning component. Its central theme is Healthy Living, exploring tourism through the perspectives of wellbeing, health, service business, and international operating environments.

Why develop a double degree?

The initiative originated from the EU4DUAL Alliance’s objective to create smoother European mobility and career pathways for students. An internal mapping exercise identified a clear overlap between Savonia’s and FH JOANNEUM’s tourism programmes: Savonia’s expertise in tourism, hospitality, and wellness services complements FH JOANNEUM’s strengths in health and tourism management. Detailed curriculum comparisons and the development of a common model based on this grounds began in 2024.

The goal was not simply to create a traditional student exchange leading to two diplomas, but rather a genuinely integrated and work-oriented educational pathway. Key objectives included:

• Educating internationally minded tourism professionals
• Combining Finnish and Austrian expertise in tourism, health, and wellbeing sectors
• Strengthening international work experience and employability skills
• Enhancing multilingual and intercultural competencies
• Creating a pre-defined and seamless mobility pathway
• Increasing the international attractiveness of both degree programmes

Research supports these objectives. In their study, Borsetto and Saccon (2023) found that double degree students associated such programmes with international experience, broader career opportunities, and the development of intercultural skills. The authors also highlight that double degrees facilitate the exchange of teaching content, pedagogical methods, and cultural perspectives between institutions.

Work-based learning as an integral part of the programme

A distinctive feature of the programme is its strong connection with working life. Students gain practical experience in tourism and service-sector organisations throughout their studies. The degrees include at least 600 hours (27 ECTS credits) of practical training, a significant proportion of which can be completed during international mobility periods. This allows students not only to study tourism in another country but also to experience it through everyday workplace practices, customer interactions, and service delivery.

The study pathway for Savonia students includes their first academic year in Finland, a second year at FH JOANNEUM, and a work placement in Austria. Final studies and the bachelor’s thesis are then completed at Savonia. FH JOANNEUM students follow a corresponding pathway, beginning in Austria and later undertaking studies and a substantial internship period in Finland. Credits are recognised according to an agreed study plan.

Work-based learning is further strengthened through local language studies. Savonia students complete German language courses, while Austrian students are offered Finnish studies. This supports both daily life and integration in the host country, while also facilitating internship opportunities and professional networking.

The First Structural Challenge: 180 vs. 210 ECTS Credits

Developing the double degree required much more than simply combining two existing curricula. FH JOANNEUM’s bachelor’s degree comprises 180 ECTS credits, while Savonia’s degree totals 210 ECTS credits. The programmes also differ in content focus, academic calendars, internship requirements, and regulations concerning theses and graduation.

To address these differences, a comprehensive curriculum mapping process was conducted. Courses, learning outcomes, and internship requirements were reviewed side by side. The aim was not to find a direct equivalent for every course but to ensure that students’ overall competencies met the requirements of both degrees. The credit difference was resolved by incorporating an extensive internship period during the summer months and an additional thesis-related component for FH JOANNEUM students.

Curricular differences presented another key challenge. Savonia’s programme focuses on tourism, hospitality, food services, and wellness tourism, whereas FH JOANNEUM places greater emphasis on health-related themes. Consequently, Savonia students’ study plans were supplemented with online health-related courses and micro-credentials offered by FH JOANNEUM.

These micro-credentials provide a flexible bridge between different curricula, enabling students to acquire missing competencies without unnecessarily extending the duration of their studies or requiring universities to create entirely new degree structures.

Academic Calendars and National Requirements

Academic calendars differ between Finland and Austria. Course availability, summer schedules, and internship placements all influenced the timing of mobility periods. Furthermore, while FH JOANNEUM’s tourism campus is located in Bad Gleichenberg, some English-language courses are delivered in Graz.

The student pathway was therefore designed around complete semesters and related internship periods. Alternative English-language modules were identified where necessary, and internships were strategically scheduled during summer months. According to Leung (2025), aligning administrative procedures, academic calendars, language requirements, and accreditation systems represents one of the most common challenges in international joint and double degree programmes.

Differences in thesis requirements and graduation procedures also required careful analysis. Since the scope of bachelor’s theses and final assessments at FH JOANNEUM and Savonia do not fully correspond, a model satisfying both institutions’ requirements was developed. Where necessary, theses may be supplemented, presented to both institutions, and accompanied by programme-specific final or maturity examinations.

A legal and administrative collaboration

Beyond the curriculum, the double degree agreement covers student selection, language requirements, enrolment procedures, fees, data protection, students’ rights and responsibilities, insurance, credit transfer procedures, and dispute resolution mechanisms. A maximum of four students from each institution may be admitted annually, and participants must demonstrate at least B2-level English proficiency. Mobility periods will be supported through the Erasmus+ mobility programme whenever possible.

Particular attention was required regarding data protection regulations and the determination of legal jurisdiction, necessitating the involvement of legal experts from both institutions. Tuition fees represented another issue. For students from outside the EU and EEA, fees may depend on factors such as nationality and residence permit status.

EU4DUAL turned a bilateral project into a shared learning process

Although the degree is delivered by two institutions, its development has taken place within the EU4DUAL Alliance framework. The work began in the alliance’s “Enabling Seamless Mobility” work group, which examined existing double degree practices, identified potential programme pairings, and developed a risk management framework for future initiatives. Internal quality assurance processes and external evaluations by experts from ESTIA Institute of Technology and Mondragon Unibertsitatea further supported the project.

The added value of the alliance has therefore extended beyond simply connecting partners. EU4DUAL has provided a framework within which practical solutions could be evaluated, documented, and shared with other European higher education institutions. The model developed by Savonia and FH JOANNEUM may facilitate the creation of future double degree programmes.

The next step: Welcoming the first students

The partner institutions signed the double degree agreement in summer 2026. The next phase is to move from planning to implementation through programme promotion and the selection of the first participants.

According to current plans, the first Savonia students will begin their studies at FH JOANNEUM in October 2027, while the first FH JOANNEUM students will arrive at Savonia in January 2028. Programme quality and operations will be evaluated annually, and curricula will be updated jointly when necessary.

The departure of the first students for their international study periods will also mark a new stage in programme development. Feedback from students, internship providers, and teaching staff will reveal how well the designed pathway functions in practice and where improvements may still be needed. Building a double degree does not end with signing an agreement. Rather, it marks the beginning of the most important phase: transforming international learning and professional connections into tangible educational experiences—across two countries, two universities, and one European alliance.

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Authors

Solja Ryhänen, International Coordinator, Savonia UAS

Ingerid Nordahl Dommersnes, International Project Coordinator, FH JOANNEUM

This article was prepared with the help of AI.

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References

Borsetto, E. & Saccon, C. (2023). Students’ Experience of Double Degree Programmes: Motivations and Perceptions of Skill Acquisition. Higher Education Advances. DOI: 10.4995/HEAd23.2023.16351.

Leung, C. (2025). Challenges in International Joint Education Programmes: A Systematic Review. Perspectives: Policy and Practice in Higher Education. DOI: 10.1080/13603108.2025.2571915.