UVA FEB MBA brochure 2008-2009

The Amsterdam MBA ‘The Amsterdam MBA represents everything the Amsterdam Business School stands for: high-quality students from diverse backgrounds, studying in ­innovative courses, and taught in small groups by world-class academics and practitioners.’ Bill Rees, Director ABS

Contents

Introduction

Choosing an MBA The Amsterdam MBA approach The programme Amsterdam Practical information Fees and admission

4 6 10 15 16 18

2 Founded in 1632, the University of Amsterdam (UvA) offers a wide range of courses, a first-class academic curriculum, inspiring surroundings and tailored personal guidance. What it asks in return is that students learn as much as they can. This combination of what the UvA has to offer and what it expects enables its students to develop personally and intellectually. To create a fertile, international learning environment, the UvA has always encouraged international cooperation. With about 25,000 students and 5,000 staff from more than 100 countries, the UvA provides ample opportunity to benefit from academic knowledge from around the world. In the THES 2007 World University Rankings, the UvA was ranked 48th in the World, 4th in continental Europe and 1st in the Netherlands. The UvA has links with universities across the globe; most of its students can do part of the degree abroad, or they can meet students from around the world in their Amsterdam classroom. The UvA is a member of LERU, a network of renowned European research univer­sities such as Oxford, Cambridge, University College London, Zurich, Leuven, Leiden and Edinburgh.

The Faculty of Economics and Business, established in 1922, has around 4,000 students. With its excellent national and international reputation, it is among the

top 10 European research faculties in its field (European Economic Association, 2003). The Faculty offers a wide range of Bachelors, Masters and Executive Masters programmes in Business, Economics, Econometrics and related disciplines for both the domestic and international graduate and post-graduate markets. The Faculty is divided into two schools, the Amsterdam Business School (ABS) and the Amsterdam School of Economics (ASE), who are together responsible for managing these programmes.

The ABS reflects Amsterdam’s traditions as an international, entrepreneurial, intellectual and socially responsible environment. Building on these traditions, the ABS’s educational philosophy is characterised by smallscale interactive seminars, workshops and case-based programmes, all designed to stimulate active student participation. The ABS is ranked 11th in the top 20 international business schools (Social Science Research Network, 2006), a very promising position. Excellent international students are attracted by the ABS’s two flagship programmes, the Amsterdam Master of Business Administration, known as the Amsterdam MBA, and the specialised Master of International Finance (MIF).

Cover: the MBA class of 2007-2008

‘The Netherlands is continental Europe’s top higher education nation, with ten universities in the top 200, ahead of France and Germany with nine each.’

(THES, 2005)

Students of the Amsterdam MBA are taught by renowned international faculty and have classmates from many different countries. Besides being international in character, our programme is characterised by a personal approach. The personal contact between students and faculty in small-scale, interactive workshops and case-based courses is especially conducive to constructive discussions. The stimu­ lating courses are demanding and are designed to foster leadership skills. The programme enables students to combine these skills with a solid understanding of the complexity of global business.

Studying at the Amsterdam Business School means embarking on a fascinating journey that will enhance both your personal and professional life.

Both the Amsterdam MBA and the city of Amsterdam have a distinctively international orientation. The Dutch capital is a key commercial and financial centre for international business today. Amsterdam’s central location is appealing to international companies wishing to establish a European base, as well as to entrepreneurs setting out on new and daring ventures.

As such, Amsterdam is an inspiring backdrop for our MBA programme, providing an open, entrepreneurial and dynamic setting for a global business education.

Academic rigour is essential to a multidisciplinary programme such as an MBA. At the same time, we strive to make theories relevant to practice, by bringing the business world into the classroom and by taking the student out into the business world. For example each year we organise

an international study trip to a wellknown business school. We are also highly aware of the importance of focusing on leadership competencies as part of students’ personal and professional development. This was our motivation for creating the Amsterdam Leadership Programme®.

Our goal is to provide you with a high-quality business and management education that will enable you to develop into an effective leader. A leader who conveys what our MBA stands for: an internationally oriented attitude combined with a profound understanding of the importance of a genuinely personal approach.

We sincerely hope you will apply for our Amsterdam MBA. Dr Willemijn van Dolen Programme Director

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Choosing an MBA A Master in Business Administration is the classic training for managers. It is the market leader among business qualifications, and can provide a significant boost to your career and income. It is also a big investment in time and money and the quality of the different MBAs available on the market varies widely. It can be very difficult for prospective students to assess the quality of an MBA. Fortunately, if you are careful you can identify a programme that will provide you with a 4 reputable degree and that will teach you what you need to know in your future career. The following are characteristics of good MBAs: University

Reputation is almost always one of the ways that quality is identified in a market.

If you choose an established and respected university, there is a reasonable chance that the quality of the MBA will reflect that of the university. Even so, not all famous universities have experience in business education, so be careful to distinguish between the quality of the university and the quality of the programme.

Faculty

If the majority of the faculty in the programme are internationally established researchers, you can expect a demanding, high-quality curriculum. It is also important that the faculty contain some younger researchers, as they can add vitality to a programme and often connect more easily with the students.

Location

Ideally, the school will be in a business centre. This facilitates developing contacts and identifying job prospects after graduation. On the other hand, it is

important to live in a city you like and where living costs are reasonable.

Rankings and accreditations

Rankings may help you to identify a good programme. Unfortunately, the ranking organisations do not always agree, which makes selecting that much more difficult.

If a programme is consistently placed at the very top in various rankings, that is no doubt a good sign. Beyond that, there seems to be little agreement between the ranking organisations. Also, new programmes cannot be ranked or accredited internationally until they have been in existence for at least three years. New programmes may, in fact, be the most innovative, and may offer good educational value for money in their effort to become established. Accreditation by a federal agency such as the NVAO is a good sign of quality, and (usually) ensures the official recognition of your degree in the country where you obtain it. These accreditation processes tend to be very thorough, especially in the Netherlands.

Another mark of quality is the EQUIS accreditation granted by the European Quality Improvement System. EQUIS is the leading international system of quality assessment, improvement and accreditation for higher education institutions in management and business administration.

Programme size

Your potential learning environment is an essential consideration when choosing a programme. Many MBAs with good reputations have a yearly cohort of 100 or more students. Learning and enjoying it in such an environment will be difficult.

It is better to choose a programme in which you do not feel as if you are in an ‘MBA factory’.

Entry requirements

If a programme does not insist on work experience, acceptable English language skills, good GMAT scores and a sound educational background, then you should avoid it. Relaxed entry requirements usually mean lower standards.

Prices

Price may help expose low-quality programmes: unless a university has funding from another source, a reasonably sized programme (of, say, 25 students) with the appropriate faculty and resources cannot be run in Europe or North America on much less than € 25,000 annual tuition per student. If you are paying over € 30,000 in tuition fees, you are presumably getting something extra, such as accommodation or reputation (i.e. the best rankings). While it may be a sensible choice, be sure that you are getting extra value for the extra fees.

The Amsterdam MBA is offered by a prestigious university, has an internationally renowned faculty and is set in the fascinating, cosmopolitan cultural and business centre that is Amsterdam. We have been offering business education for 85 years, we are strict about entry requirements and we are very competitively priced.

Professor Bill Rees, PhD, MBA, FCA Director Amsterdam Business School

The Amsterdam MBA approach Taught by faculty with extensive expe­ rience in both international business and academia, courses introduce students to the theory they need to understand the business world, the best methods of practice and the most recent developments in international business. The two MBA groups (part-time and full-time) interact throughout the programme. The ability to work with different kinds of specialists with different nationalities is one of the most fascinating and useful experiences that can be gained from an MBA. In designing the programme, we were inspired by EQUIS, which defines an MBA as follows: The MBA curriculum provides broad 6 coverage of the main functional areas in management, namely accounting, finance, marketing and sales, operations management, information systems management, law, human resource management. It is also expected to provide basic instruction in economics and quantitative analysis.

The curriculum will normally be highly integrative and will include courses in business policy and strategy. Beyond the mere acquisition of knowledge and technical skills the curriculum is expected to put theory into practice by focusing on the personal development of participants through such competencies as decisionmaking, teamwork, leadership skills, entrepreneurial potential, negotiation skills, communication and presentation skills.

The Amsterdam MBA is a dynamic and continually developing programme. The courses on offer can be adjusted to reflect student interests, changes in the world of business, and the particular specialisations of current staff. Throughout these changes, our core values as outlined in the statement above remain the same.

The degree

Programme committee

Teaching methods

Graduate Management Admission Test

After successful completion of their studies, students are awarded the title ‘Master in Business Administration’.

Professor Florencio López-de-Silanes (Chair) Professor of Finance and Governance at the UvA Professor Ans Kolk Professor of Sustainability and ­International Management at the UvA Professor Joe McCahery Professor of Law and Governance at the UvA Professor Alexander Rinnooy Kan Professor of Policy Analysis in the Private and Public Sectors at the UvA Chairman of the Social and Economic Council Professor Hans Strikwerda Professor of Organization and ­Organizational Change Executive Management Consultant Nolan, Norton & Co.

Our MBA programme is committed to educating students in an active rather than a passive way. Educational research has shown that this provides deeper and more lasting benefits, and that the methods of active learning – such as group work, research presentations, case studies and ‘real life’ cases – help develop precisely those skills from which students will benefit most once they have graduated.

GMAT scores provide a valuable basis for evaluating the suitability of applicants for the Amsterdam MBA. The GMAT tests the verbal, mathematical, and analytical writing skills that students have developed during previous education and work experience. Every applicant is required to take the GMAT. We have no formal cut-off score for the GMAT, as scores are evaluated in conjunction with the rest of the application package. Details about the GMAT, how to prepare for it, the location of test centres near you and how to reserve a test date can be found at http://www.mba.com/mba/TaketheGMAT. Applicants who wish to have their scores reported directly to the International Office of the ABS should enter the UvA institution code (0500) on the GMAT registration form.

Applicants with a PhD or other postgraduate qualification can apply for an exemption from the GMAT. The Admission Committee decides whether the request will be granted.

Accreditation

In 2005 the Amsterdam MBA became one of the first of its kind in the Netherlands to receive NVAO accreditation from the Dutch government. The Dutch accreditation process is very thorough, and has recognised the Amsterdam MBA as a programme of the highest academic quality. The Amsterdam MBA is now officially accredited as a post-initial (i.e. post-experience or advanced) Master’s degree by the Dutch government, and as such is recognised abroad by most Ministries of Education in other countries of the world.

Faculty

In 2007 the Amsterdam Business School received EQUIS accreditation from the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD) annual meeting.

EQUIS, the European Quality Improvement System, is the leading international system of quality assessment, improvement, and accreditation for higher education institutions in management and business administration. The international focus of the ABS, its academic strengths and its promotion of entrepreneurship and social responsibility were major factors in the awarding of EQUIS accreditation.

The ABS has three broad academic groupings: Management, Finance and Accounting. The Management group is rapidly developing and in recent years we have managed to recruit some excellent academics from the Netherlands and abroad. Our Finance group is among the best in Europe and a recent official review graded its research five out of five for quality. UvA was singled out when it was noted that UvA has now taken the lead as regards theory (within the Netherlands) with an interesting strand of analytical and normative work on corporate finance and financial institutions. The Accounting group has been typical of the Dutch tradition in this field with many professors working in the business world as well as academia. More recently, academics with an international research reputation have further strengthened this team.

MBA student’s profile

The student body is one of the most important determinants of good management education. All of our MBA students are carefully selected on the basis of the appropriateness of their academic backgrounds, previous business experience and general suitability for management education. Our programme includes students from around the world. The mix of full-time and part-time students representing different cultures, professional experiences and academic skills yields an exciting environment which brings a distinct added value to your educational experience.

For an introduction on the MBA class of 2007-2008 see page 11.

Admission requirements

Applicants must hold a Bachelor degree.

In addition, a minimum of three years of professional experience is essential. To ensure that students are well suited to the programme, and to maintain its reputation, we require evidence of English language proficiency (as demonstrated by the TOEFL or IELTS) and general management aptitude (as reflected in the GMAT score). The more prestigious business schools usually require the GMAT for admission to the MBA, and we find it helps to identify excellent students.

It is also a useful independent guideline that the University can use when allocating scholarships.

Test of English as a Foreign Language A good working knowledge of English is required in order to enrol for the programme. Therefore, applicants for the full-time programme whose first language is not English or who do not have a university degree from a programme that was taught in English should submit an official report of a recent TOEFL score. Where the TOEFL is not available, IELTS will suffice. A TOEFL score of at least 100 for the Internet-based, 250 for the computer-based or 600 for the paperbased test will normally be required. The UvA TOEFL reporting code is 0398. For registration and test locations, see http://www.toefl .org.

Zachary Newmark (1978, USA) MBA alumnus, full-time class of 2006-2007

After many years as a journalist in Chicago, I came to the conclusion that the next step in my career should be an entrepreneurial one. Without any business education or background, returning to university seemed to be the wisest option. I was persuaded by the director of the Master in Business Administration at the university to enter the full-time MBA programme there because the curriculum focuses heavily on both practical and academic perspectives of the business world. Additionally, the importance placed on innovation and global viewpoints convinced me that I was in the right place.

Ultimately, as part of a class of 35 students from nearly 20 countries, the programme provided a learning experience unlike any other. The top-class professors provided an incredibly challenging education, and the friendly staff made life at the university significantly easier. Meanwhile I have started my own business, officially registered in both the United States and the Netherlands, which has already become profitable while showing the potential for growth.

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Faculty We are proud to be able to involve so many of the academics from the Faculty of Economics and Business in our MBA. Below are the profiles of some who are expected to teach in the programme during the 2008/9 academic year. Lecturers with international reputations are one of the many benefits you will gain from studying at a high-quality institution such as the UvA.

Ans Kolk (Netherlands) Demet Turkay (1975, Turkey) Part-time class of 2007-2009

8 After obtaining my engineering degree and ten years of work experience in different sectors, I felt that an MBA would provide the necessary tools to help me develop a well rounded career in business and to rise to a level that matches my ambitions. Although the Amsterdam Business School had a relatively new programme, it came highly recommended. I discovered that the courses were quite competitive and had already been proven to be conducted in the most professional manner. Moreover, the University of Amsterdam is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the Netherlands. I remember clearly the very first day when I met the group. I never imagined to study in such an international environment full of intelligent and enthusiastic fellow students and highly qualified professors from all over the globe. I think that studying for an MBA at the Amsterdam Business School has given me the insight to discover my skills and learn how to use them effectively in my professional life by providing a pragmatic general perspective.

Ans Kolk is Professor of Sustainable Management, Chair of the Strategy and Marketing section and Research Director of the ABS. Her areas of research, teaching and publication are in corporate social responsibility and environmental management, especially in relation to the strategy and management of international business firms. She has been involved in many international projects on strategy, organisation and disclosure related to social and environmental issues, in cooperation with various private, public and civil society organisations. Important projects she has worked on have included the KPMG international surveys of sustainability and corporate responsibility for 1998/1999, 2001/2002 and 2004/2005. Kolk has published in a range of international journals, such as Journal of International Business Studies, California Management Review, Harvard Business Review, Management International Review, Journal of World Business, World Development and Journal of Business Ethics.

Florencio López-de-Silanes (Mexico) Florencio López-de-Silanes is Professor of International Corporate Finance and Financial Markets, Legal Reform and Privatisation. He has been an adviser on these topics to many governments, international institutions and corporations and has numerous publications in high-profile finance and economics journals. López-de-Silanes’s research shows the relevance of law and institutions for optimal functioning of markets and their development. He has received the Harvard’s

Wells Prize for the Best Dissertation in Economics (1995), the National Award for Law and Economics of the National Association of Law and Economics in Mexico (1996), the Brattle Prize for distinguished papers in the Journal of Finance from the American Finance Association (1999), and the Jensen Prize for the best paper published in the Journal of Financial Economics in the areas of corporate finance and organizations (2000).

He has held professorships at Harvard and Yale, and has a Master and a PhD in Economics from Harvard University.

Joseph A. McCahery (United States) Joseph McCahery is Professor of Corporate Governance and Business Innovation. He is also a Research Fellow at the Institute of International Corporate Governance and Accountability at George Washington University and a Research Associate at the European Corporate Governance Institute (ECGI) in Brussels. In addition, he is the Leo Goldschmidt Visiting Professor of Corporate Governance at Brussels University (ULB).

McCahery obtained his PhD in Law from Warwick University, where he taught until 1997. He serves on the editorial boards of several leading academic journals, and has written widely on banking and securities law, corporate law, corporate governance, the political economy of federalism and taxation.

He is a consultant to the OECD, the Centre for European Policy Studies and a number of financial institutions and governmental agencies. In addition, he is currently co-director of the Amsterdam Center for Corporate Finance.

Alan Muller (United States) Alan Muller is Assistant Professor of Strategy and International Business. He holds degrees from Erasmus University Rotterdam (PhD in Management), the University of Amsterdam (Master in International Relations) and the University of Washington (Bachelor in History), all obtained cum laude. He also studied in Scotland and worked in Austria as a Fulbright teaching assistant. Muller’s cum

laude for his 2004 PhD thesis on the regional and global strategies of multinationals was only the second awarded in the history of the Rotterdam School of Management. His research interests are in internationalisation strategies and international management, corporate social action, international trade and investment, and business-government relations. In addition to his academic research on MNE strategy, Muller is affiliated with the Expert Center for Sustainable Business and Development Cooperation as a senior researcher. In that capacity he has played a leading role in projects for the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a Dutch NGO on public-private partnerships in developing countries, as well as conducting research into MNEs and development.

Alexander Rinnooy Kan (Netherlands) Alexander Rinnooy Kan is Professor of Policy Analysis in the Private and Public Sectors.

One of the most influential figures in the Netherlands, he became a member of the Programme Committee of the MBA in 2007.

He has been chairman of the Social and Economic Council of the Netherlands since 2006. Rinnooy Kan studied econometrics at the University of Amsterdam, then went on to obtain his Doctorate in Mathematics at the same university in 1976. He was Rector Magnificus at Erasmus University Rotterdam from 1986 to 1989. He has given guest lectures at numerous universities abroad, including the University of California, Berkeley and Columbia University in New York. He was chairman of the Confederation of Netherlands Industry and Employers (VNO-NCW) from 1991 to 1996. Rinnooy Kan has been a member of the executive board of the ING Group from 1996 to 2006.

Jan-Willem Stoelhorst (Netherlands) Jan-Willem Stoelhorst is Assistant Professor of Strategy and Organization. He received his PhD in Management cum laude from the University of Twente. Before joining the ABS, he was one of the core lecturers in the MBA programmes of the TSM Business School,

where he was also responsible for management training and consulting projects for a number of large and medium-sized companies. Stoelhorst has published on different aspects of strategy and organisation, and his current research interests focus on the application of evolutionary principles to competitive strategy and the theory of the firm. He is both an active researcher and a regular contributor to in-company management training programs.

Hans Strikwerda (Netherlands) Hans Strikwerda is Professor of Organisation and Organisational Change. He is an international expert on the organisation of multinationals and other complex organisations, and in particular their internal governance. His area of research expertise is in the redesign of organisations and their corporate strategies in response to fundamental changes in their environments, market structures, technologies and consumer preferences. He has a solid track record of proven innovative solutions based on in-depth knowledge of both organisation and management theory and on empirical developments in markets and economies. As the director of the Nolan Norton Institute, Strikwerda carries out research in the field of internal governance and other organisational processes. He has received the national Professional Publication Prize for his publications on internal governance (1996) and the Best Management Book Award for his work on shared services centres (2004). He was also elected most influential consultant in the Netherlands by Management Team (2005). In addition, he publishes regularly on developments in the field of new organisations, governance, strategy and management consulting. He is also a member of the Programme Committee of the Amsterdam MBA.

Guest lecturers at the ABS in recent years Professor Simon Benninga University of Tel Aviv (Israel), Wharton Business School (USA) Dr Jacqueline Birt Australian National University Professor Dr Hans Borgman Leiden University Professor Thomas Buchman University of Colorado (USA) Professor Ton Daniels Ernst & Young, Utrecht University (NL) Professor Adriaan Dorresteijn Utrecht University (NL) Ms Henriëtte van Eeghen TNT (NL) Professor Raymond Fisman Columbia Business School (USA) Dr Teresa Fogelberg Global Reporting Initiative (NL) Professor Paul de Grauwe Leuven University (Belgium) Lex Holst Royal Dutch Shell (NL) Professor Fred Huibers ING Bank, Tilburg University (NL) Mr Shridar Kumaraswamy Philips, MIF alumnus (NL) Dr Luc Laeven World Bank, MIF alumnus (USA) Professor Bill Megginson University of Oklahoma (USA) Ms Stefanie Miltenburg Sara Lee (NL) Dr Gerhard Mulder ABN AMRO Bank (NL) Mr Ronald Oort ING Bank, MIF alumnus (NL) Ms Margot Scheltema Royal Dutch Shell (NL) Professor Anjolein Schmeits Washington University (USA) Professor Philip Wallage KPMG, UvA (NL)

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The MIF is continually being developed, but core courses would not be changed significantly without notifying students in advance. However, the electives on offer may be adjusted to reflect student demand, changes in the world of finance, both practical and academic, and changes in the available faculty. The following descriptions are relevant to full-time programme.

MIF Students can choose from three tracks:

•Alexandra International Fleschiu Finance (1976, Canada) classLaw of 2007-2008 •Full-time Corporate and Finance • Mathematical Finance 10 The Amsterdam MBA provides the perfect training and is an ideal match for me to achieve my ambitions. I was attracted to the excellent academic training and international exposure in a great university International Finance track setting, in one of the mostsuitable vibrant cities This track is particularly for in the heartaiming of Europe. was atin a point in my students at a Icareer internaprofessional career, which(mergers has afforded tional corporate finance andme the experience and practical knowledge of acquisitions, IPOs, equity or debt issues, the work environmentasset in a financial etc.), in international management, setting.

The Amsterdam MBA allows me to or for investment analysts who become accomplish my academic goals finance and part of project or structured broaden awareness the constant teams, ormy who pursue aofmore general shifting context of modern businessa under managerial finance career within the mentorship of world-class professors. financial institution or multinational The business knowledge and exposure to company. the different view points that I continuously gain from the student community, my peers and esteemed professors will prepare me to realize my objective of becoming a successful business professional.

The thought provoking environment of the Amsterdam Business School motivates me to develop the vital skills essential for my reputation as a professional.

The programme What you learn when obtaining your MBA is as important as the qualification itself. An MBA must cover a wide range of subjects in a limited time. We believe our graduates should have a sound understanding of the subjects they have studied. Each year, the core curriculum remains the same, while the electives can be adjusted to reflect student demand and changes in the world of business.

Full-time and part-time evening programmes

The programme can be done on either a full-time or a part-time basis. The full-time programme takes one year to complete, and the part-time programme two years. For the part-time programme, courses are scheduled in the evening, two evenings a week. The Amsterdam Leadership Programme as well as the electives can take place during day or evening time.

Calendar

The introductory days are scheduled the first week of September. This week is an enjoyable opportunity to meet the other students, familiarise yourself with the university facilities and get to know Amsterdam. All courses finish around mid-June. There is usually a break in teaching of about three weeks around Christmas and the New Year and a week in early spring.

Consultancy project and thesis

In the final stage of the programme, students take part in a real-life in-company consultancy project. During the project, the students use the broad knowledge, skills and competencies they have acquired during their MBA course

Curriculum Block 1 September to December Amsterdam Leadership Programme® Corporate Finance Economics of International Business Financial Accounting Finance and Financial Markets Quantitative Methods Block 2 January to March Amsterdam Leadership Programme® Corporate Strategy Human Resources Management International Corporate Law International Study Trip Elective 1 Block 3 April to June Amsterdam Leadership Programme® Information Systems Strategic Marketing The Executive Process, Principles and Contemporary Issues Elective 2 Block 4 July to August Consultancy project Thesis

work, as well as in their previous education and work experience. Faced with a real business problem or strategic consultancy issue for the company, the students can show their ability to contribute to the development of a solution that can be implemented in reality. Students normally work on a full-time basis for a period of two months during the summer (June and July). Part-time students may do their consultancy project at their own

11 Introducing the MBA class of 2007-2008 The MBA programme of 2007-2008 represents everything the ABS stands for: high-quality students from diverse backgrounds, a study programme with innovative courses, and teaching in small groups by world-class academics and practitioners.

Taught in cosmopolitan Amsterdam, we believe our MBA should also be very inter­

employer. At the end of the project, they will document their analysis and findings in a management report and presentation for the host company. Members of the Amsterdam Business School and representatives of the company judge this document critically. After this group effort, students will write an individual thesis on the same or a related topic, using a more academic approach.

Tracks

You can design your Amsterdam MBA to suit your own needs by choosing a specific set of electives. These electives, like Current Issues in Marketing or Negotiations, will be offered according to student demand.

national. In fact, fifteen nationalities are represented in this year’s class. About half of the students come from the EU and 26% from Asia, including Australia. The Americas and the rest of Europe are represented with 12% each. The composition of the class is also very diverse in other respects. The average student is 31 years old, and comes to the programme with six years of previous work experience.

Our students have obtained their work experience in a variety of industries, including ICT, HRM, finance, telecom, education, fashion, the chemical industry, insurance, law, FMCG, and consultancy at companies like ING Bank, Tommy Hilfiger, AKZO, Generali, Dutch Central Bank, Philips, the UvA and British Telecom.

You can also choose to complete one of four tracks: ■ Corporate Social Responsibility ■ Finance ■ Real Estate ■ Entrepreneurship.

MBA. Not only can you complete the MIF in half the usual time, you can also do it for half the standard tuition fee.

To complete a track, you must take two relevant elective courses in addition to your core curriculum. You must also do a consultancy project and write your thesis on a topic related to your track.

If you would like to further specialise in the field of finance after graduation, you have the unique option of completing the Master of International Finance within one year (part-time) after completing the

International study trip

An international study trip to a wellknown business school is included in the curriculum of the Amsterdam MBA. The one-week trip will take place in January 2009. All costs are included in the tuition fee. In past years we have visited Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad in India, and organised an international study trip The Global Executive in South Africa.

Course descriptions Amsterdam Leadership Programme (ALP)®

Financial Accounting

International Corporate Law

Strategic Marketing

The Amsterdam MBA’s Amsterdam Leadership Programme has been designed to ground and enhance each student’s MBA educational experience. The leadership programme includes a three-day leadership workshop and coaching throughout the year. As part of the programme, business leaders are invited to visit and discuss current topics related to leadership.

Financial statements are relevant to the decisions of many individuals, including investors, creditors, consultants, managers, auditors, directors, analysts, regulators and employees. This course is a rigorous introduction to financial accounting. One of its key aims is to deal with the measurement of value created (and value creation from the point of view of outside decision-makers) and the use of financial accounting information.

This course analyses the nature of the firm and its internal and external governance structures. Its purpose is to provide students with an understanding of the key issues of corporate governance and the basic legal structure of the corporation. The course focuses on the theoretical and practical dimensions of Corporate Law and Governance.

Marketing Strategy deals with decisions about bringing products and services to market. Such decisions include which products to sell in which markets, how to position these products, and how to organise and manage the marketing function and its links to other business functions efficiently and effectively. Students will be asked to apply their skills to a variety of cases, with special emphasis on internationally operating firms and the marketing of services.

Corporate Finance Bahadir Odevci (1978, Turkey) MBA alumnus, part-time class of 2005-2007

This course provides a perspective on the modern theory of corporate finance and valuation. The focus is on how companies evaluate investment opportunities and raise the necessary capital, as well as on how investors assess these decisions.

Corporate Strategy is about the decisions faced by high-level managers in multi-business firms, especially those concerning the interaction between the firm and its environment. The course discusses and evaluates these theories and practices. Students will be asked to apply the insights offered by the strategic management discipline to the problems faced by international firms.

This course focuses on the foundations of Finance. The objective of this course is to introduce students to the most commonly used quantitative tools and fundamental financial concepts. The topics covered include: arbitrage and the law of one price, time value of money, capital budgeting and company valuation, valuation of stocks and bonds, optimal portfolio selection, the relationship between risk and return, and market efficiency. The course is intended to provide you with both a lasting conceptual framework and, through the incorporation of real-world data and business cases, a greater understanding of how real life situations play out.

Economics of International Business

Human Resource Management

The process of globalisation incites managers to expand their strategic horizons beyond national borders. This course provides students with an understanding of the operations of MNEs and of the interaction of their activities with national and inter­ national economies.

Managing the employment relationship is an important challenge for managers, and the design of strategies for the optimal management of people has become an issue on the agenda in many board-rooms. The cases used in this course focus on internationally operating firms from different continents.

12 I think a good MBA programme has to contain three elements: attention to soft skills in the curriculum, a diversity of cultures and backgrounds of students, and reliability and relevance of the programme content. The Amsterdam Leadership Programme comprised training in leadership, coaching, negotiations, group dynamics, time/stress management and more. During the courses I had the opportunity to network with about 30 other students from 20 different nationalities and a diverse range of backgrounds and industries. Last but not least, the Amsterdam MBA is backed by the University of Amsterdam, which was the only Dutch university ranked within the top 50 in the world in 2007. This proves the reliability and relevance of faculty contributions to the MBA content.

Upon graduation I received job offers from 4 top-tier technology consultancy companies in the Netherlands. Return on my investment came sooner than expected!

Information Systems Finance and Financial Markets

Corporate Strategy

Information Systems examines the role of IT and information systems in business process performance and performance improvement, organisational strategic advantage and industry transformation. New IT applications – enterprise systems, decision support systems, knowledge management systems and e-business initiatives – entail both opportunities and risks. The central challenge is to maximize the strategic benefits of IT investments, while minimising technical and business risks.

Quantitative Methods First and foremost, good decision-making requires high-quality information. It is therefore crucial for managers and other decision-makers to understand quantitative and statistical methods. Quantitative Methods enables students to become knowledgeable and critical ‘consumers’ of the results of quantitative analysis, as well as skilled and competent ‘producers’ of statistical studies.

The Executive Process, Principles and Contemporary Issues The subject of this course is the what, why and how of the application of the various instruments and processes (for business administration) that general managers can deploy to achieve their objectives and those of their firm or institution. The goal of this course is to provide students with a conceptual and analytic framework that will allow them to understand the tasks and role of business administration in an integrated way.

It aims to provide students with an understanding of the roles of the CEO and the general manager in a changing context, and with a basis for being an effective general manager.

Ankit Sonthalia (1982, India) MBA alumnus, full-time class of 2006-2007

While I was studying for my Bachelor in Commerce, I started to work for PricewaterhouseCoopers as an auditor, and then joined a private firm to gain expertise and experience in the field of Corporate Taxation. After, I joined Infosys as a Credit Risk Analyst and specialised in analysing financial institutions. The ABS is unique in providing a world-class MBA programme in one year. The extremely diverse peer group not only stimulates intellectual discussions but also provides unique global experience.

Corporate interactions, leadership development programmes, exchange programmes and student clubs all add to the effective learning curve. In my opinion, the three primary factors in deciding a person’s successful career are knowledge, skills and network. The Amsterdam MBA, with its class of future industry leaders, has been my best decision so far. After graduation, I have started working for HSBC. Not only has the Amsterdam MBA further enhanced my knowledge and skills, it has also had an immediate impact on my career.

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Amsterdam Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, is one of Europe’s most frequently visited cities. According to the Lonely Planet’s Amsterdam City Guide: ‘Amsterdam combines a huge case of big-city exuberance with small-town ­manageability; it doesn’t take much more than chaining your bike to a bridge to feel like you’ve got a handle on the place’. It is this mixture which makes Amsterdam a pleasure both to visit or to live in. It is a truly cosmopolitan capital and one of Europe’s most beautiful cities, featuring a wide range of cultural attractions. It is also relatively small, peaceful, and well organised, and is an easy place to find your way around in.

Strong city brand

An annual survey conducted in December 2005 by Simon Anholt and marketing research agency Global Market Insite measured the strength of city brands based on the opinions of international consumers. The main criteria for the survey were Presence (international contribution to culture and science), Place (physical topography), Potential (job and educational opportunities), Pulse (urban lifestyle), People (hospitality and diversity), and Prerequisites (basic services and facilities). Amsterdam ranked 6th, well ahead of cities like New York, Brussels, Singapore, Geneva, Milan, Toronto and Hong Kong.

Dynamic and safe

The perfect balance

The historic city centre is famous for its architecture and canals. Amsterdam also has a well-deserved reputation for its variety of entertainment. If you check out the tourist website www.visitamsterdam.nl or www.iamsterdam.nl, or browse the less formal Lonely Planet, Time Out or Rough Guide websites, you will see the diversity of the cultural activities which Amsterdam has to offer. In addition, Amsterdam has always been known for its intellectual freedom, which has greatly stimulated the international exchange of ideas and research. Amsterdam has repeatedly proven itself to be an important centre for cultural, social and financial developments. The city’s diversity of global cultures and its liberal approach to social issues make it an ideal destination for international students looking for the perfect balance between modern culture and classic European charm.

Another study on the quality of life in major cities worldwide (William M. Mercer, 2005) ranked Amsterdam 12th out of 235.

Time Out described Amsterdam as ‘one of the most consistently surprising, thrilling, intriguing [and] compelling cities on earth’. William Mercer also wrote that Amsterdam was one of the safest capital cities in Europe.

International gateway

With its proximity to Schiphol International Airport, which is about half an hour from the UvA by public transport, Amsterdam offers easy access to the rest of the world. Barcelona, Berlin, Vienna, Edinburgh, Geneva, Paris, London, and Rome are only a few hours away. Public transport in Amsterdam and the Netherlands is excellent, which makes living there and visiting other parts of the country or neighbouring countries all the more convenient.

International business hub

The Dutch capital is a leader in finance and trade, and is at the heart of Europe in more ways than one. International finance

was born in Amsterdam, built on the capital amassed by the merchants of the Golden Age in the 17th century. The world’s first public stock exchange was founded in Amsterdam, and served as an example for stock markets all over the world. The first multinational, the Dutch East India Company (VOC), was established in Amsterdam, further evidence of the entrepreneurial spirit of the Netherlands in general and of Amsterdam in particular. Amsterdam now has a broad-based economy, but the most important sectors are still business and financial services, which provide over 120,000 jobs. Together, the stock exchange, the central bank and the regional head offices of numerous Dutch and international firms make Amsterdam 15 the financial heart of the Netherlands and a prestigious international business centre. The programmes at the Faculty of Economics and Business benefit greatly from the business culture thriving right around the corner.

Practical information Facilities

Matthijs van Oers (1973, Netherlands) Part-time class of 2007-2009

16 I have a background in computer science and currently work for De Nederlandsche Bank (the Dutch Central Bank) as a policy adviser on payments and securities. Two years ago, something started to itch. It was a sign that I really needed to challenge myself again. The question was how. Although my work is quite challenging, I needed a spark which would make me jump to the next level. Something that would improve my knowledge, stimulate my creative thinking and extend my personal skills. An MBA turned out to be the right choice. I am of the opinion that an MBA, and the Amsterdam MBA in particular, can contribute to changing my life in a positive way. First, it offers top-level and up-to-date knowledge of business with great enthu­ siasm. Second, it connects me with a very interesting blend of remarkably bright, nice and professional people. And last but not least: I am sure it will boost my career. In addition, the beautiful, artistic city of Amsterdam creates for me the bubble of energy in which working, studying and living are in perfect harmony.

The Amsterdam Business School is housed in a modern building in the eastern part of the city centre, at the junction of the Nieuwe Prinsengracht and the Plantage Muidergracht canals. The building is equipped with excellent teaching facilities. MBA students have exclusive 24/7 access to a computer/work room with wireless internet access, as well as to the university’s usual computing facilities. Naturally, MBA students may also use the university’s general facilities (libraries, restaurants and sports centres).

The International Office, teaching facilities and workrooms are located close to the academic staff offices, facilitating easy communication between students, faculty members and staff.

Visa requirements

The International Office will request a visa on behalf of those students who need one. At www.nuffic.nl/immigration you can check whether you need an entry visa to travel to the Netherlands. You may need to obtain certain documents in your own country. For any questions with regard to the requirements that apply to you, please contact the International Office of the ABS. Living costs and accommodation

Living costs in the Netherlands can vary considerably. In general, living costs for a single student are approximately € 400 a month, not including accommodation.

International MBA students can choose to live in UvA student housing facilities. The rent for most single rooms with shared facilities is around € 500 a month (though this is subject to change), so in total students should be able to manage on less than € 1,000 a month. This is considerably more reasonable than the living expenses in most European financial centres. By comparison, the London Business School estimates living and accommodation costs in London at about € 1,800 a month.

Career services

Most applicants will expect to embark on a career in organisations in which a thorough understanding of the complexities of international business is essential, such as multinationals, international consultancy firms, international financial institutions and banks.

We see it as our duty to help students make sound career choices, supported by our dedicated and individualised career services. This includes a training programme to help students improve cover letter writing skills, and to provide guidance in preparing a professional curriculum vitae and in interview techniques. We provide assistance in seeking out and securing a suitable summer internship or consultancy project, and in co-ordinating job and internship leads offered by companies and institutions. We regularly organise company presentations

and visits, and have on-campus interviews with firms and executive search agencies.

Our alumni are very helpful in assisting our students with getting leads and interviews, and developing good contacts.

Last but not least, for those of you planning to stay in the Netherlands after graduation, the Dutch government has relaxed work permit regulations for graduates from Dutch universities, regardless of nationality. This means that all graduates of the Amsterdam MBA can stay and work in the Netherlands for up to five years after graduation, without needing a work permit. There are a few conditions to this regulation (minimum salary, company type), but these are normally easily met by our students.

Among the many organisations for which our g ­ raduates (MIF and MBA) have worked or are working: ABN AMRO Bank, AKZO, Associates India (Citigroup), AT Kearney, Banque Bruxelles Lambert, BDO Corporate Finance, BNP Paribas, British Telecom, Buckheissman, Commerz International, Credit Suisse, Deloitte, Deutsche Bank, Dutch Central Bank, Federal Reserve Bank, FERI, Fortis Bank, General Electric, Generali, Goldman Sachs, Hewlett Packard, Hilti AG, HSBC Asset Management, IFC, ING Group, JP Morgan, Kazkommerzbank, Kempen & Co, KPMG, Lucent Technologies, McKinsey, Philippines Ministry of Finance, Philips International, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Proctor and Gamble, Provident Group, Rabobank International, Reserve Bank India, Shell International, Siemens Financial Services, Soros Equity Fund, Tommy Hilfiger, UBS Warburg and the World Bank.

Magda Andrzejewska (1979, Poland) Part-time class of 2007-2009

When my employer Akzo Nobel in Poland offered me the opportunity to work at its global headquarters in the Netherlands, I resolved to pursue further education to ensure that I was fit to face this challenge.

The Amsterdam MBA is well balanced, with a focus on knowledge, practice and coaching. We learn to analyse problems, identify potential solutions and acquire the necessary skills to enable the development and implementation of appropriate strategies. This approach can immediately be applied to my current work and can improve the outcomes of current projects, thus providing instant payback. In order to improve my career opportunities for more senior roles in the future, I realised that I need to develop a much broader, holistic understanding of the business horizon. I am convinced that my MBA studies will ensure that I am ready to undertake the next step sooner rather than later. Fellow students have become new friends and I am excited to think that I am studying amongst tomorrow’s business leaders.

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Tuition Fees and Admission Tuition fees for participants of the full-time and part-time programmes starting September 2008 are € 26,000.

UvA alumni automatically qualify for a 25% discount on the tuition fees. The fees cover the whole programme, including courses, the international study trip, use of the MBA facilities, university registration and examination fees. They do not cover the costs of textbooks, living or accommodation.

18 Scholarship In order to attract the brightest students we have set up a tuition waiver scheme.

Selection for these waivers is based entirely on the applicant’s qualifications and will be made throughout the year, so it is advised that you apply early. The three main criteria are good academic records from your first degree, relevant work experience and a high GMAT score.

Other scholarships and grants Within the framework of cultural agreements between the Netherlands and other countries, the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science offers scholarships covering living expenses and/or a portion of the tuition fees. Information on these programmes and application deadlines is available at www.studyin.nl and www.grantfinder.nl.

For more information, please contact the Dutch embassy or consulate or a NESO office in your own country. You can also contact your national Institute or Ministry of Higher Education to find out about funding opportunities for students wishing to study abroad. Additional information and the latest news on scholarships can also be found on our website.

Application

You can apply on-line at www.abs.uva.nl/ mba or using a downloadable application form.

The following documents are required for admission: ■ a completed application form (paper or digital); ■ your curriculum vitae; ■ degree certificates and/or diplomas, and an official transcript of academic records reporting both the final grade for each course and the grades earned in individual exams; ■ your original GMAT score report; ■ your original TOEFL (or IELTS) test score certificate (if appropriate); ■ two personal reference letters completed using the reference forms included in the application package.

Applications for admission should be submitted to the International Office before 1 June 2008 (for the full-time programme) or before 31 July 2008 (for the part-time programme).

Candidates are advised to submit their admission applications as early as ­possible.

All application materials must be sub­ mitted in English. You can start the online or paper application process before you have gathered all your ­documentation. We will support you during the application process.

‘The Amsterdam Business School aims to offer an inspiring, broadly oriented and thoroughly international academic environment where both staff members and students can develop their capacities to optimum effect. It seeks to emphasise an open-minded and tolerant attitude, a strong engagement between business and society, the importance of innovation and entrepreneurship and, throughout all, a commitment to the scientific study of the business world.’

International Office

For further information, do not hesitate to contact the International Office of the ABS. We will process your application, answer any questions you may have, help you to obtain a visa (if applicable), help arrange accommodation for students moving to Amsterdam, manage practical aspects of the programme, distribute teaching materials and collect course work. We are your first port-of-call if you have any questions or difficulties. We will do our utmost to help you.

Amsterdam Business School International Office - MBA Roetersstraat 11 1018 WB Amsterdam The Netherlands T +31 20 525 6305 F +31 20 525 5092 E mba@uva.nl

Although this brochure has been edited with the utmost care, no rights can be derived from its contents.

Colophon Design: Total Identity Lay-out: RAADHUIS voor creatieve communicatie Photography: Ineke Oostveen, Henny Boogert Editor: Janine van Zantvoort, Sanne Landhuis Print: De Raat & De Vries

Universiteit van Amsterdam Amsterdam Business School International Office - MBA Roetersstraat 11 1018 WB Amsterdam The Netherlands T +31 20 525 6305 F +31 20 525 5092 mba@uva.nl www.abs.uva.nl/mba

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