Post-graduate Diploma in Business Management
Boost your skills in our innovative post-graduate programme!
Post-graduate Diploma in Business Management 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 begin: 25th June 2024
- 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 Bachelor’s degree in business
- at least 2 years (24 months) of work experience after completing the Bachelor’s degree from the sector of business
- CEFR B2, checked at the interview or by providing a language certificate
Selection procedure
- Suitability of the degree and work experience
- Online interview
Mode of study
- full-time studies
- studies begin on 4th November 2024 and end in December 2025
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.
Content of the programme
Leadership and Multicultural Teamwork, 5 ECTS
Sustainable growth, 5 ECTS
Professional Reporting (Academic English), 5 ECTS
Cross-border management, 5 ECTS
Marketing and Brand Management, 5 ECTS
Service Business Innovations, 5 ECTS
SCM and smart logistics, 5 ECTS
Research methods and RDI competence for business, 5 ECTS
Strategic business game, 5 ECTS
Project co-creation; Ideation, implementation and evaluation of joint project with various stakeholders, 15 ECTS
Master’s Degree in International Business Management
You can complete the diploma program in Business Management Studies in Finland at Xamk. It is a one-year full-time diploma program, with additional possibilities to transfer credits and continue in our MBA program International Business Management at the same campus. Many of our graduates continue their residence and are gainfully employed in their specialized area after graduation from the MBA program in Finland.
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 online application in October. After that, students will take part in the entrance exam.
The conditions to enter the master studies are:
- 60 ects obtained from the PGD by the end of 2024
- Grade point average of at least a “3.0” (in a scale from 1-5).
- Completing the entrance exam during the joint application round
- Relevant prior studies: at least Bachelor’s degree in business or relevant field
- 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 (Tuition fee for the academic year 2024-2025 per semester is €6750. Please note that the tuition fee is subject to change for the academic year 2025-2026). Degree students will be entitled to scholarships. Please note that the scholarship scheme is revised annually and subject to change for the academic year 2025-2026. It is possible to graduate from the MBA program within one semester.
How to apply?
The application period for Post-graduate Diploma in Business Management is now open!
Our authorised partner will assist with the application process by submitting the online application and all the required documents to Xamk. Please follow their guidelines.
Applicants will be invited to a group interview shortly after Xamk receives the application. The interview dates will be announced later.
Please, note that Xamk does not charge any application fee, however, our authorised 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 authorised partner to find our more about the related fees and processes. The fees charged by our authorised partner are not in any way controlled, influenced or related to Xamk.
The tuition fee is collected by the authorised partner Make it in Abroad. 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 with Make it in Abroad, 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:
Make It In Abroad LLC(Global)
Tel: +971 50 257 2282
Email: finland@makeitinabroad.com
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.
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 next application period for the Post-graduate Diploma in Business Management begins in June 2024.
After being accepted to the programme, Xamk’s Education Export team will send you the guidelines on how to complete the payment. In case of the Post-Graduate Diploma in Business Management, the tuition fee is collected by the authorised partner who will issue an invoice under their name. You shall confirm the invoice with the partner directly, however, if you feel the further check is required, you can contact us.
Students are considered enrolled after completing the payment formalities with Make it in Abroad, 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.
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 Make it in Abroad 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 Post-graduate Diploma in Business Management,
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