Post-graduate Diploma in Smart and Sustainable Operations in the AI Era
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
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 at Kotka campus and the region throughout the programme.
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: Kotka, 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: This is a commissioned programme, and the tuition fees are collected by the authorized partners. 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: 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 relevant work experience after completing the Bachelor’s degree or the degree you are applying with
- 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
Structure of the programme
Three module-system
Programme consists of 3 modules:
Economically Sustainable Value Creation & Strategic Leadership (20 ECTS)
Responsible & Data‑Driven Operations in the AI Era (20 ECTS)
Autonomous Technologies, AI Applications & Smart Supply Chain Management (20 ECTS)
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
For detailed instructions regarding the list of the required attachments, eligible qualifications and application schedule, please be in touch with one of our authorized partners:
Pakistan
Edusurferz AB, Sweden
Mr. Junaid Khan junaid.khan@edusurferz.se
Global (incl. India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka)
BIG Academy FZC, UAE
Mr. Rishabh Gupta rishabh@brittsimperial.com
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.
Our authorised partners are responsible for collecting the tuition fees and handling possible refunds for the students who apply to this programme.
CEFR B2, the language skills of the applicants are checked during the interview.
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 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.
Our authorised partners are 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 only a few weeks before the programme starts. This will give you plenty of time to settle to Kotka 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 this programme
All questions regarding the application phase can be sent to pgd@xamk.fi.
Your contact person for possible partnerships is