Post-Graduate Diploma in Entrepreneurship and Start-Ups
| Study location | Finland, Kouvola |
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| Type | Post-graduate Diploma, full-time |
| Nominal duration | 18.08.2025-23.06.2026 (60 ECTS) |
| Study language | English |
| Tuition fee | €12,000 per programme Students have the right to apply for extension of the study right in order to complete the missing courses if such appear by the end of the originally given study right |
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| Entry qualification | Bachelor diploma (or higher) The following degrees are considered relevant for this programme: tourism, food, hospitality, business, commerce, economics or finances. The entry qualification documents are accepted in the following languages: English / Finnish / Swedish. Often you can get a suitable transcript from your school. If this is not the case, you will need official translations along with verified copies of the original. You must take the original entry qualification documents along with you when you finally go to the university. Enrolled students will have to provide the original documents when the studies begin. |
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| Language requirements | English Students have to prove their English proficiency level equal to minimum IELTS 6.0 by providing a valid English test certificate (we accept the following certificates only: IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, Cambridge, Oxford). |
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| More information |
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Overview
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.
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.
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.
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.