Post-graduate Diploma in Strategic Business Innovations
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 at the 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.
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: This is a commissioned programme, 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: 1st October 2026
- Mode of study: full-time onsite studies
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
Structure of the programme
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.
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
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.
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 applicants on further steps and will issue an invoice under their name.
The acceptance is conditional until the applicant has fulfilled their duties and payment obligations towards the authorised recruitment partner, and accepted the terms and conditions of the programme.
Authorised Recruitment Partner:
Apply Finlandia Educational Hub
Mr. Amin Majd, Director
Tel: +358 44 9746618 (also Whatsapp)
Email: amin.majd@applyfinlandia.fi
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 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.
Apply Finlandia Educational Hub 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 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.