Post-graduate Diploma in Strategic Business Innovations
Boost your skills in our innovative post-graduate programme!
Post-graduate Diploma in Strategic Business Innovations is a 60 ECTS programme for Bachelor’s Degree holders. Those who complete the programme successfully have a possibility to continue into the Master’s Degree Programme.
Full time studies
- location: Kouvola, Finland
- duration of studies: 1 year
- interviews are planned for 2-3rd March and 1-2nd April 2026
- Tuition fee: This is a commissioned program, and the tuition fees are collected by the authorized partner. Xamk will provide the official letter of acceptance and, when requested, confirmation of the paid tuition fee necessary for the residence permit application.
Entry requirements
- relevant prior studies
- at least 2 years (24 months) of business-relevant work experience after completing the Bachelor’s degree
- CEFR B2, checked at the interview
Selection procedure
- Suitability of the degree and work experience
- Online interview
Mode of study
- full-time studies
- studies begin on 1st October 2026
Opportunity to study in Finland
Finland consistently ranks high in the world happiness ranking, quality of education and security. It is also abundant in nature and peaceful environment. Finland is a technological forerunner in various sectors and innovation is supported by a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem producing some of the world’s most successful companies.
Studying at South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences
South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences (Xamk) has 4 campus towns. You will be studying in Kouvola, just 1.5 hours train ride from the capital city Helsinki. In Kouvola, the living costs are significantly cheaper compared with the capital area. Furthermore, you can enjoy the beautiful Finnish nature and a more relaxed pace of living.
Xamk is among the top universities of applied sciences in terms of number of degree programs, amount of continuous learning credits and external research funding, according to the Ministry of Education and Culture’s comparison of various indicators. By joining Xamk, you have the possibilities to explore multitude of interests in various in-house development projects and study programs.
In the program, we focus on applied component of business knowledge. Our pedagogical focus is on learning by doing, utilizing project and problem-based learning. During the studies, students actively participate in startup and entrepreneurial events in close collaboration with local businesses and regional support organizations. Lectures, class assignments, group projects, activities and events with partners require active participation in person in Kouvola campus and the region throughout the programme.
Students generate ideas for a new venture, develop and test it in simulated environments with continuous feedback from relevant stakeholders provided during their study period. The primary role of the instructors is to facilitate learning and to be in dialogue with the stakeholders and students are highly encouraged to be proactive in their learning.
Programme description
This non-degree pathway programme is designed for the applicants who are willing to gain new and boost existing professional skills in the field of business innovations. The curriculum consists of 3 modules, 20 ects each:
- Module 1: Strategic Business Growth
- Module 2: Core Business Processes
- Module 3: RDI & Open Innovation
The programme is delivered in a face-to-face mode and call for active onsite presence. The participants will be involved in theoretical studies and practical activities to assure their smooth academic progress.
All our teachers are experts with extensive field experience, which turns studying into an inclusive knowledge-sharing journey.
Consequent Master’s Degree in Business
The students who have successfully accomplished the PGD programme will be eligible to apply for a Master’s degree in Business at Xamk. To apply for the Master’s degree, the students will have to submit an internal online application in the latter stage of their studies in the PGD. To get accepted to the degree programme, students have to fulfill the entry requirements as listed below:
- 60 ects obtained from the PGD
- Grade point average of at least a “3.25” (in a scale from 1-5).
- Relevant prior studies
- at least 2 years of work experience from the relevant field, preferably in an expert/managerial role, after completing bachelor’s degree
- Paid tuition fee per semester (Please note that the tuition fee is subject to change). Degree students will be entitled to scholarships. Please note that the scholarship scheme is revised annually. It is possible to graduate from the MBA program within one semester
Detailed academic and professional requirements for joining the master’s programme can be downloaded here.
How to apply?
The application period for Post-graduate Diploma in Strategic Innovation Business is now open!
To apply, please, contact our authorized partner for the instructions. Be prepared to submit your online application and the required documents via our application portal DreamApply. The direct application link will be provided by the partner.
Applicants will be invited to a group interview, which is planned for the following dates:
- Interview: 2-3 March 2026, 13:00-16:00 Finnish time (tbc), application submission deadline 23 February 2026, 07:00 Finnish time
- Interview: 1-2 April 2026, 13:00-16:00 Finnish time (tbc), application submission deadline 25 March 2026, 07:00 Finnish time
Please, note that Xamk does not charge any application fee, however, our authorized partner may charge counselling fees for additional services such as, but not limited to immigration consultation and visa application assistance. Please, be in touch with our partner to find our more about the related fees and processes. The fees charged by our partner are not in any way controlled, influenced or related to Xamk.
The tuition fee is collected by the partner. They will instruct all the accepted students on further steps and will issue an invoice under their name.
Students are considered enrolled after completing the payment formalities, and after the confirmation has been delivered to Xamk from the partner. Please, note that the commissioner determines the final list of participating students based on Xamk acceptance decision.
Authorized Recruitment Partner:
Apply Finlandia Educational Hub
Mr. Amin Majd, Director
Tel: +358 44 9746618 (also Whatsapp)
Email: amin.majd@applyfinlandia.fi
Welcome to Kouvola
Kouvola is the biggest town in the region with approximately 87,000 inhabitants. It is a large town with plenty to see and experience and Kouvola campus it provides a cosy environment for students.
Attractions range from the Repovesi national park to the Tykkimäki amusement park. Four top sports teams, versatile hobby opportunities and night life that is filled with live music guarantee recreation for everyone.
It is easy to travel from Kouvola to other parts of Finland. The distance to Helsinki is only about 140 kilometres.
More information about Kouvola
There are many ways to spend free time in Kymenlaakso – sports and culture are equally available. Xamk has a versatile sports programme that includes guided courses and classes. Xamk offers, for instance, such activities as floorball, badminton and kettlebell exercises. An ice rink, ball sports and gym practice are also available. Xamk even has its own American football team!
In Kymenlaakso, you can, in general, choose from numerous sports alternatives, such as downhill skiing, golf, tennis, bowling, climbing, canoeing, ball sports, gym, swimming…
Culture can be enjoyed in the form of movies, theatre, concerts and other events. The nature in Kymenlaakso is unparalleled. You can enjoy the view of the sea by the Gulf of Finland or the rapids of the Kymijoki river, or immerse yourself in the lake scenery in the Repovesi national park, all these places being located just within a short drive from each other.
MORE INFORMATION
Xamk
Xamk
Finland
Finland
Kouvola Campus
Kouvola Campus
Frequently asked questions
Post-Graduate Diploma (PGD) is a master-level education programme, designed to enable a transparent and straightforward recruitment process of international talents and their further relocation to Xamk campus towns to join the full-time studies on-site. Our PGD programmes consist of 60 ECTS of professional courses, which are meant to prepare the students for multi-faceted working environment in Finland and to ensure their competitiveness in the employment market.
Students who successfully accomplish our PGD programme and who meet the eligibility requirements of the related Master’s degree, can get their acquired 60 ECTS transferred directly to the Master’s program at Xamk. This setup provides the participants with an opportunity to graduate with a Master’s degree from Xamk after submitting their final thesis and thus does not extend the study time unlike similar setups in other HEIs worldwide.
Students accepted to a PGD and who meet the eligibility requirements for further Master’s degree programme enrollment are granted a conditional acceptance letter to one of our Master’s degrees. An unconditional letter of acceptance to Master’s degree programme will be handed out after the successful graduation from the PGD and fulfillment of the admission requirements for the relevant Master’s program. The detailed requirements for enrolling in a Master’s programme are explained above in the main section of the web-page.
No, however, the students who successfully accomplish the studies can apply to continue their studies in the Master’s Programme. Please, note that since the Post-graduate Diploma Programme does not lead to a degree itself, some of the degree students’ benefits do not apply here, e.g. Kela supported lunch discount, YTHS medical on-campus services, international mobility opportunities etc. However, those will be available once you transfer to degree studies upon completion of this programme.
Under the commissioned PGD programme, the payments are collected by the trusted partner, listed in the description of the programme.
We will send an acceptance letter to all accepted students. We recommend to start the visa application process as soon as your study place has been confirmed, because the process can take a long time to be completed.
We will also organise an online orientation session, where you will get all the necessary information to start preparing for your arrival to Finland.
In addition to that, you will receive a thorough info package with plenty of advice and guidance to make your relocation as smooth as possible. There are also informational videos that you can watch prior to your arrival.
We strongly recommend to arrive to Finland only a few weeks before the programme starts. This will give you plenty of time to settle to Kouvola and find your way around the town before your studies start.
In case you arrive with your family, please read our guide very thoroughly and make the necessary preparations for their arrival as well.
Xamk does not offer any scholarships under Post-graduate Diploma Programmes. Nevertheless, we advise you to check with the recruitment partner directly if they offer any additional scholarships to the qualified applicants.
Although we will ensure the students are provided with support to complete all the courses, there is still a chance some students may struggle with certain courses. In case if some courses are not completed, students will still receive ECTS for the completed courses, and they will remain valid in their personal study register.
For any questions related to the Post-graduate Diploma,
please contact: