The Business College Helmi, Helsinki, Finland

Inspiring Studies - Success in Life

The Business College Helmi is privately owned Vocational Business School situated in suburban area of Malmi in Finnish Capital. The School has over 50 years long tradition as vocational educator. The Business College was founded by local entrepreneurs and enterprises. Due to the school's roots, the entrepreneurship has high value in the daily activities of the Business College.  According to the recently revised strategy, the Business College has three major objectives: responsibility for environment and people, inspiring and innovative learning environment and lifelong thirst for knowledge.

At present, we offer studies in the fields of business and administration, business information technology, and the tourism industry. Our modern facilities provide an excellent learning environment. Part of the education is organized as on-the-job training.

Today, there are about 750 students and 60 members of staff in the Business College. Helmi provides full-time and part-time level business, business information technology and tourism education to young people and adults with either the post-comprehensive level (16 years +) or the post A-level (18 years +) backgrounds. The programmes lead to upper secondary level Vocational Qualification, which takes the post-comprehensive level students three years to complete, and the post A-level students two years.  Almost all our study programmes are in Finnish.

International Cooperation at the Business College Helmi

International cooperation plays a major role in the school activities at Business College Helmi. Our goal is to provide multi-skilled and enterprising specialists in practical tasks for business life. Acquiring the knowledge and skills needed in business and administration are also vital when performing operations related to the international working and business environment. The international cooperation is the way to acquire these skills. 
Essential activities in international cooperation are:

1.   Studying international affairs at school
For students internationality means opportunities for personal and professional development, various language studies and operating in different cultures. International theme days are arranged annually in cooperation with students and teachers. The school also receives Finnish and foreign business experts and welcomes guest lecturers from our foreign partner schools.

2.   Study trips and international projects
International activities also include study trips to our foreign partner schools and participation in various international projects. International projects and study trips have important pedagogical role in the student’s education process.

3.   Work placement abroad
Encouragement, support and training is actively provided for students who are willing to complete their work placements abroad. The work placement abroad is organized and financed mainly though the European Union Leonardo Da Vinci programmes, but also school supports financially students’ work placement.

4.   Student exchange 
Students also have the opportunity to take part in various student exchange programmes at Finlandia University in the USA. The student exchange programmes are available only for the post A-level students.

Helmi Study Programmes are:

Vocational Qualification in Business and Administration:

• Study Programme in Customer Services and Sales

• Study Programme in Business Administration

Vocational Qualification in Business Information Technology:

• Study Programme in Information Technology Services and Marketing

Vocational Qualification in the Tourism Industry

• Study Programme in Tourism Sales and Information Services

Dual Degree Programme leading to Vocational Qualification in Business and A levels Specialisations:

• Study Programme in Customer Services and Sales
  Programme structure:

General studies (languages, communication studies, computing skills, mathematics)
Professional and specialisation studies (for ex. marketing, financial accounting)
Elective studies
Work placement (4-5 months)
Final paper