Post-graduate Diploma in Entrepreneurship and Startups
Boost your skills in our innovative post-graduate programme!
Post-graduate Diploma in Entrepreneurship and Startups 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
- application deadline: 13.10.2024
- interviews begin: August 2024 and end in October 2024
- acceptance information by: 25.10.2024
- tuition fee: €11 000
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
- valid English language test: minimum IELTS 6.0 or equivalent
Selection procedure
- Suitability of the degree and work experience
- Online interview
Mode of study
- full-time studies
- studies begin on 3.3.2025 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 various 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.
STUDENT FEEDBACK FROM 2023
“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.”
-Neha Sharma
“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.”
-Shristi Jain
“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.”
-Davinderjit Singh
Master’s Degree in Entrepreneurship and Startups
You can complete the diploma program in Entrepreneurship and Startup 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. (The current scheme offers 50% tuition fee refund based on study progress. 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.
Programme content
Get to know what the Post-graduate Diploma in Entrepreneurship and Startups programme is all about.
How to apply?
The application period for Post-graduate Diploma in Entrepreneurship and Startups begins soon!
The applicants may choose to apply individually by submitting the online application and all the required documents via the online application form, or with the help of our authorized partners who will also provide extensive guidance on the application procedure, entry requirements, preparation for relocation to Finland etc.
- If you apply on your own (not via an authorized partner), please, be prepared to submit the following documents together with the online application: copy of the passport and a copy of the relevant degree certificate
- if you apply via an authorized partner, be in touch with the partner and follow their instructions.
Regardless of the application option (direct of via partner), 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, if you apply with one of our agents you maybe charged counselling fee for additional services such as, but not limited to immigration consultation and visa application assistance. Please, be in touch with an individual agent to find our more about the related fees and processes. The fees charged by an agent are not in any way controlled, influenced or related to Xamk.
- Application round 1 deadline 15.8.
- Interviews around 22.-23.8.
- Admission letter and invoice will be sent out by 28.8.
- Payment deadline around 22.9.
- final info of paid students by 25.9.
- Application round 2 deadline 15.9.
- Interviews around 19.-20.9.
- Admission letter and invoice will be sent out by 26.9.
- Payment deadline around 20.10.
- final info of paid students by 23.10.
Application round 3 deadline 13.10.
- Interviews around 17.-18.10.
- Admission letter and invoice will be sent out by 24.10.
- Payment deadline around 17.11.
- final info of paid students by 20.11.
LIST OF AUTHORIZED PARTNERS
RG INTERNATIONAL (Global)
Mr. Rajiv Soni
r.soni@rginternational.org
www.rginternational.org
JRK International Educational Consultants (Global)
Mr. Avijit Kuri
avijit.kuri@jrk-iec.com
www.jrk-iec.com
UniEdu Ltd. (Bangladesh, Nepal)
Mr. Didar Hosain
didar.hosain@gmail.com
www.uniedu.fi
HaiEducation Ltd. (Bangladesh)
Mr. Abdul Hai
haieducationbd@gmail.com
www.haieducation.fi
Mystique Admission Ltd. (Bangladesh)
Mr. Prince Ahmed
mystiqueadmission@gmail.com
www.mystiqueadmission.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
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 Entrepreneurship and Startups is now open. Please fill in the application form here.
After being accepted to the programme, Xamk’s Education Export team will send you the guidelines on how to complete the payment. Please remember to only trust email addresses that end with xamk.fi.
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 Post-graduate Diploma in Entrepreneurship and Startups,
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