Post-graduate Diploma in Entrepreneurship and Startups
Boost your skills in our innovative post-graduate programme!
Who is this programme for?
This programme is specifically designed for ambitious Bachelor’s degree holders and professionals aiming to transform their business ideas into reality. It is an ideal fit for:
Global Talents: International applicants who want to integrate into the Finnish startup ecosystem and build professional networks in Finland.
Aspiring Entrepreneurs: Individuals ready to launch their own venture or scale an existing startup with expert guidance.
Business Developers: Professionals seeking to master modern innovation strategies and entrepreneurial management.
Master’s Degree Seekers: Students looking for a practical pathway to higher education; those who complete this 60 ECTS programme successfully have a possibility to continue into a Master’s degree programme at Xamk.
Learning by doing
In the programme, 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 during their study period. The primary role of the instructors is to facilitate learning and to be in dialogue with the stakeholders. The students are highly encouraged to be proactive in their learning. We also emphasize developing intercultural sensitivity and competences during the studies.
Students we are looking for
We are looking for students who favor hands-on approach to business development rather than rote learning. The students should see themselves as future entrepreneurs who want to seriously develop their new venture idea(s). You prefer to work in teams and in close collaboration with other businesses and stakeholders.
You may be looking for an alternative pathway to continue your master’s degree, or you want to reside and establish your own business in Finland after completing the diploma.
You should have excellent English communication skills and be open minded about working with people from diverse cultural backgrounds. You are also interested in participating in various multidisciplinary projects at Xamk.
Quick facts and entry criteria
Full time studies
- Location: Kouvola, Finland
- Duration of studies: 1 year
- Rolling admission: acceptance information will be sent to the selected students shortly after the qualifications have been verified
- Tuition fee: €12 000 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.
- Studies begin: September 21st 2026
- Mode of study: full-time onsite studies
Entry requirements
- Relevant prior studies: at least Bachelor’s degree in business, commerce, economics, finance or other relevant field
- Work experience: at least 2 years (24 months) of work experience from the sector of business after completing the Bachelor’s degree
- Language skills: valid English language test – check the requirements below
Selection procedure
- Suitability of the degree and work experience
- Paid tuition fee
Structure of the programme
Three module-system
The programme is divided into three modules: Ideation, business development and scale up. The structure closely follows the startup growth-stages and the important components of a typical business plan. Research and development skills are integral part in all the stages.
Ideation
In the ideation stage, students focus on developing their entrepreneurial skillset and utilizing techniques to identify business opportunities for their innovative venture. The program will equip students to advance into our MBA program through the seamless integration of its modules with our core MBA curriculum.
Students will participate in various startup bootcamps to get intimately familiar with the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Finland. Toolkits for trendspotting and disruption will be introduced for generating ideas for a new venture. Individual and group skills to develop entrepreneurial capabilities will be taught including leadership, team management, legal setup, and Intellectual Property Rights (IPR). The students will demonstrate their business idea or a prototype as a business pitch at the end of the module.
Business development
During the business development stage, core components of a business model are further developed and refined. Students will be provided with tools and techniques to design their offerings, create marketing, sales and a product plan, operations strategy, and financial plan. We focus on developing qualitative, quantitative and design thinking approaches to fine tune the operations of a new venture. At the end of the module, students should present their detailed business plan and refine it further with given feedback.
Launch and scale up
In the launch and scale up stage, students will focus on testing their new venture through customer analytics and market research. Students are taught to be reflexive about the impact of their potential business on society and other individual risks involved. Startup events are integral part at this stage to develop networks and seek funding for the approved business plan.
Finally, students will focus on scaling up opportunities for their venture globally through various modes of operations. At the end of this stage, students will have to pitch a new venture investment pitch in a real-life context.
Possibility to continue to our MBA programme
Students who complete the PGD programme and meet the eligibility criteria for Master’s degree programme may apply to degree through the studyinfo service.
The admission office will issue an offer of admission letter to applicants who meet the criteria and pay tuition fee. Students will receive information about the application process and detailed enrolment requirements during their studies.
The 60 ECTS completed in the PGD programme are 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.
Click the link below for further details about the application process.
Your essential application guides
Make sure to have the following documents prepared to be submitted as a part of the application process: opy of the passport, a copy of the relevant degree certificate, and a copy of a valid English proficiency certificate.
The students will be selected by using a rolling admission method. This means that the applications are handled shortly after they have arrived. Qualified students will be admitted to the programme until the quota for the intake has been reached. The applicants will confirm their study place by paying the tuition fee.
The agency handling the applicants for PGD in Entrepreneurship and Startups is BIG Academy FZC, UAE:
Contact Mr. Rishabh Gupta rishabh@brittsimperial.com 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 BIG Academy with all the eligible applicants. The interview results will be announced shortly after the interview.
BIG Academy FZC is responsible for collecting the tuition fees and handling possible refunds for the students who apply to this programme.
Please, note that Xamk does not charge any application fee. Education agents might charge counselling fees for additional services such as, but not limited to, immigration consultation and visa application assistance. Please, be in touch with your agent for further details.
CEFR B2, the language skills of the applicants are checked during the interview.
Student feedback
Neha Sharma
“Xamk’s lecturers really help to understand the operation of startups and related concepts. They have provided us with a wonderful learning experience. The staff at Xamk are very nice and approachable people.”
Shristi Jain
“I came for the Postgraduate Diploma in Entrepreneurship and Startups Programme and then moved on to complete my MBA, but I stayed for the people, culture and the incredible community at Xamk. I can’t praise the experience enough. The teachers, the staff were incredibly supportive – helping me and others settle down in not just a different academic environment but also a cultural one. The learning environment was dynamic and inspiring – I gained a lot of valuable skills. The course along with the people of Xamk have prepared me for a better future. I have made friends for a lifetime here. And Finland? A gem! Not only for professional growth but especially for personal well-being.”
Davinderjit Singh
“Finland is a beautiful and clean country where everyone has plenty of space to be and live. It’s nice to live in Kouvola, because public transport is smooth. It’s great that the focus has been on light traffic routes here and it’s easy to get around by bike.”
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 complete the PGD programme and meet the eligibility criteria for Master’s degree programme may apply to degree through the studyinfo service. The admission office will issue an offer of admission letter to applicants who meet the criteria and pay tuition fee. Students will receive information about the application process and detailed enrolment requirements during their studies. The 60 ECTS completed in the PGD programme are 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. Further details about the application process can be found here.
No, however, the students who successfully complete the PGD programme can apply to continue their studies in a relevant 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 to PGD students, 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 the PGD programme.
The application to this programme is done 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 during the application period.
BIG Academy FZC is responsible for collecting the tuition fees and handling possible refunds for the students who apply to this 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 by the latest a few weeks before the programme starts. This will give you enough 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.
Questions or inquiries about the programme
All questions regarding the application phase can be sent to pgd@xamk.fi.
Questions regarding the programme content can be directed to Mr. Lindeman, and questions regarding potential partnerships to Mr. Budin.