Post-graduate Diploma in Smart and Sustainable Operations in the AI Era
Boost your skills in our innovative post-graduate programme!
Post-graduate Diploma in Smart and Sustainable Operations in the AI Era 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: Kotka, Finland
- duration of studies: 1 year
- application is handled by the authorized partner EduSurferz AB, Sweden
- studies begin: 1st March 2027
- mode of study: full-time studies
Entry requirements
- relevant prior studies: at least Bachelor’s degree in engineering or business, commerce, economics, finance
- at least 2 years (24 months) of work experience from the sector of business after completing the Bachelor’s degree
- sufficient English language skills, checked during an online interview
Selection procedure
- Suitability of the degree and work experience
- Successfully passed online interview
- Paid tuition fee
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.
From PGD to Master’s Degree
The program brings together key themes that are often addressed separately in working life: artificial intelligence, automation, economics, sustainability and leadership. The program focuses on practical decision‑making, operational performance and economic sustainability – not on building AI models. You will learn how AI, automation, simulation and digital twins are applied in supply chain and industrial management to improve efficiency, resilience and long‑term value creation.
This programme equips students with the ability to see the bigger picture, connect technology with business and make well‑founded decisions in complex and uncertain environments.
The PGD offers a flexible and efficient way to update and deepen professional expertise without the long-term commitment of a full degree program. At the same time, it serves as an excellent pathway to higher UAS Master’s studies or to more strategic expert and leadership roles within organizations.
The students who have successfully accomplished the PGD programme will be eligible to apply for a Master’s degree at Xamk. To apply for the Master’s degree, the students will have to submit an internal online application in October and selecting the preferred option from below:
- Master’s degree in Strategic Supply Chain Management
- Master’s degree in Digital Industry and AI
The conditions to enter the master studies are:
- 60 ects obtained from the PGD
- Grade point average of at least a “3.25” (in a scale from 1-5).
- Relevant prior studies
- 2 years of work experience from the relevant field after completing bachelor’s degree
- Paid tuition fee per semester (Tuition fee for the academic year 2026-2027 per semester is €6 075. Please note that the tuition fee is subject to change for the academic year 2027-2028). Degree students will be entitled to scholarships. Please note that the scholarship scheme is revised annually and subject to change for the academic year 2027-2028). It is possible to graduate from the Master’s programme within one semester.
Programme content
Programme consists of 3 modules:
- Responsible & Data‑Driven Operations in the AI Era (20 ECTS)
- Autonomous Technologies, AI Applications & Smart Supply Chain Management (20 ECTS)
- Economically Sustainable Value Creation & Strategic Leadership (20 ECTS)
How to apply?
To apply, please be in touch with our authorized partner Edusurferz AB, Sweden
Contact Mr. Junaid Khan junaid.khan@edusurferz.se for detailed instructions regarding the list of the required attachments, eligible qualifications and application schedule.
The students are selected on the basis of online group interviews. The interview schedule will be shared by the partner with all the eligible applicants. The interview results will be announced shortly after the interview.
Please be notified that Edusureferz AB is responsible for collecting the tuition fees and further possible refunds to the students who apply under this path.
MORE INFORMATION
Xamk
Xamk
Finland
Finland
Kotka Campus
Kotka 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.
You can apply to the programme by yourself or via an educational agent. You will find the detailed requirements and application information from this site.
The seats will be filled through a rolling admission system.
After being accepted to the programme, the tuition fee is collected by the authorized partner. Xamk only provides education.
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.
No, there is no scholarship scheme in Post-graduate Diploma Programmes.
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 implementation of the Post-graduate Diploma, please contact: