PGD in Entrepreneurship and Startups
Programme content
Post-graduate Degree – an 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 Xamk
South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences, Xamk, is situated in Kouvola city, just 1.5 hours train ride from the capital city Helsinki. Living costs are significantly cheaper in Kouvola compared to the capital region.
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 programmes.
Post-graduate Diploma in Entrepreneurship and Startups
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.
Possibility to continue to our MBA programme
After completing the Post-graduate Diploma Programme in Entrepreneurship and Startup at Xamk, it is possible to transfer credits and continue in our MBA programme at the same campus. However, it is important to notice that you must fulfill specific requirements to be able to obtain a study place in our MBA programme. We prefer students who are strongly motivated to further their studies in the MBA program after completing the diploma.
Structure of the programme
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.
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.
During the 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.
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.
Our prospective students
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 exchange abroad or are affiliated with member institutions or 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.
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