Into the heart of Nordic innovation: MSc in Global Innovation & Entrepreneurship students experience Finland's thriving startup ecosystem
From Lyon to Oulu, how emlyon's Master of Science in Global Innovation & Entrepreneurship students are discovering what it truly means to innovate at the edge of the world.
If you're researching a Master's in Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Europe, chances are you're looking for something beyond lecture halls and case studies. You want real exposure to startup ecosystems, cutting-edge technology environments, and the kind of international experience that changes the way you think - and the way employers see you.
That's exactly what the MSc in Global Innovation & Entrepreneurship at emlyon business school is designed to deliver. And right now, the latest cohort of Master of Science in Global Innovation & Entepreneurship students is living proof: they're currently based in Oulu, Finland, where they'll spend four months - from January to March - fully immersed in one of Northern Europe's most remarkable innovation hubs.
Here's why this matters, and what this experience looks like from the inside.
Why Finland? Why Oulu?
When prospective students search for the best countries to study innovation management or entrepreneurship in Europe, Finland consistently rises to the top, and for good reason. The country ranks among the world's most innovative, most educated, and most startup-friendly nations. It boasts one of the highest rates of R&D investment in the EU, a deeply collaborative culture between universities and industry, and a long tradition of turning academic research into global technology companies.
But within Finland, Oulu is a particularly compelling destination for anyone serious about innovation. Thi s northern city of 215,000 people has an outsized footprint in the global tech landscape - most notably as the birthplace of Nokia's mobile phone technology and, today, as a world leader in 6G research, sustainable tech, and digital health. It's a case study in how a mid-sized city, through strategic investment in research and strong public-private partnerships, can compete on a global stage.
For students pursuing a MSc in Global Innovation & Entrepreneurship, spending time in Oulu isn't just a study trip - it's a masterclass in exactly what they're studying.
Inside the MSc in Global Innovation & Entrepreneurship experience in Oulu
Immersion in a world-class research ecosystem
The Oulu chapter of the MSc in Global Innovation & Entrepreneurship program is hosted by Oulu Business Schoool - University of Oulu, a leading research institution with deep expertise in information technology, sustainable innovation, and research commercialization. From the very first day - an Orientation Day and campus tour - students are introduced not just to a university, but to a complete innovation ecosystem.
Courses during this semester are specifically designed to sit at the intersection of technology and entrepreneurship. Students explore topics such as customer behavior analysis, 6G techno-economics, and innovation management - giving them a rigorous understanding of how cutting-edge technology and strategic thinking combine to drive business development in global contexts.
This isn't theory for its own sake. It's innovation management education delivered inside one of the ecosystems that's actively defining the future of technology.
Hands-on learning at Business Oulu
One of the early highlights of the Oulu period is a visit to Business Oulu - the city's premier innovation and business development agency. For students looking to understand how Nordic innovation ecosystems actually function, this visit is eye-opening.
Business Oulu acts as a bridge between academic research, early-stage startups, and established industry players. Students see firsthand how public institutions, private companies, and entrepreneurs collaborate, not by accident, but by design. The takeaway is both inspiring and practical: building a thriving innovation ecosystem requires deliberate infrastructure, long-term thinking, and a culture that prioritizes openness over competition.
This kind of insight is precisely what distinguishes a Master's degree in Innovation Management from a traditional business degree, and why an international immersion program like the MSc in Global Innovation & Entrepreneurship produces graduates who understand how innovation works in the real world.
Student life in Oulu: what to expect
One of the most common questions from prospective students considering a study abroad program in Finland is a simple one: “what is daily life actually like?”. The answer, in Oulu, is more comfortable, and more exciting, than many expect.
Fully integrated into campus life
MSc in Global Innovation & Entrepreneurship students aren't treated as visitors. They are fully integrated into the University of Oulu as exchange students, with the same access and benefits as the university's 14,000-strong student community.
From day one, each student is paired with a tutor student - a local peer who helps them settle in, navigate university life, and connect with the campus community.
And this is a remarkable moment to experience Oulu. In 2026, the city holds the prestigious title of European Capital of Culture, with the University of Oulu serving as an official partner. The campus and city are alive with cultural events, performances, and artistic programming throughout the year - an extraordinary backdrop for an already stimulating academic experience.
Affordable, well-equipped, and genuinely welcoming
For students wondering about the cost of living as an international student in Finland, Oulu offers a genuinely affordable experience. Student housing is available through PSOAS (the Northern Finland Student Housing Foundation), with fully furnished private bedrooms in shared apartments located close to campus or between campus and the city center. Monthly rent ranges from approximately €320 to €400, with utilities and bike rentals included.
On campus, the student card unlocks one of Finland's most beloved perks: heavily subsidized meals at university restaurants, from as little as €0.69 per meal. Off campus, it provides discounts on public transportation and student rates at shops and services across the city.
The campus itself is exceptionally well-equipped, with multiple restaurants, diverse study spaces (from collaborative areas to silent rooms), a library, resting areas, student guild rooms, and even a hairdresser. For those who work best at unconventional hours, 24/7 campus access ensures inspiration is never blocked by opening times.
A rich entrepreneurial and social program
The academic program is complemented by an equally rich extracurricular calendar. Oulu Business School organizes dedicated activities for MSc Global Innovation & Entrepreneurship students throughout the semester, including:
- Company visits to local and regional businesses
- Day trips exploring the broader Oulu region
- Access to Polar Bear Pitching - Oulu's legendary outdoor startup pitch event, held in the Finnish winter, where entrepreneurs pitch in sub-zero temperatures
- Course dinners and networking events that build relationships across the cohort and local ecosystem
Students also connect with the broader Oulu startup community through OuluES (Oulu Entrepreneurship Society) and Oulu StartUp Station - two organizations that keep them plugged into the city's entrepreneurial pulse.
Social life is equally vibrant. A UniMove membership opens access to a wide range of sports and fitness activities. Student organizations like Finanssi (the business student guild) and Oulu ESN (Erasmus Student Network) organize events, trips, and gatherings that quickly turn a group of international students into a genuine, lasting community.
For students who want to go further, a Survival Finnish course is available - a fun and practical way to connect more deeply with local culture, and a guaranteed way to earn smiles from Finnish locals.
Why the MSc in Global Innovation & Entrepreneurship at emlyon?
The MSc in Global Innovation & Entrepreneurship at emlyon business school is built on the conviction that truly global innovators are shaped by experience, not just education. The program is structured as a journey across three countries: students begin in Lyon, France, move to Oulu, Finland, and complete their studies in Vietnam. Each location offering a distinct innovation culture, ecosystem, and set of challenges.
emlyon, consistently ranked among Europe's top business schools, brings what it calls “a maker philosophy” to everything it does: the belief that entrepreneurs must act before they have all the answers, and that the best way to develop entrepreneurial instinct is to practice it in real, demanding environments.
The Finland semester is the fullest expression of this philosophy. Students aren't studying the Nordic innovation model from a distance. They are inside it, learning, networking, and building the kind of cross-cultural adaptability that defines the most effective innovation project managers, entrepreneurs or business developers.
Ready to take the next step? Download the brochure or apply!
Discover more articles about the program:
- Romain Rochas (MSc in Global Innovation & Entrepreneurship) – an immersive learning experience at Oulu Business School, Finland >
- Benjamin's Testimonial : MSc Global Innovation & Entrepreneurship >
- Innovation Bootcamp – putting MSc in Global Innovation & Entrepreneurship students through their business-creation paces >
- Eastwood Studio: Insights on innovation and starting a business >