Amsterdam Business School
The Amsterdam MBA
Contents MBA at a glance Why The Amsterdam MBA? What is the programme structure? What is the return on my investment? Why ABS? Fees and admission
The University of Amsterdam is a modern university with a rich history. Founded in 1632, the UvA has grown into a world-class research and teaching university with strong international connections. With seven major faculties, a wide range of courses and renowned academics and researchers, the UvA is ranked 49th in the world and first in The Netherlands. The university is also a member of LERU, a network of renowned European research universities such as Oxford, Cambridge, University College London, Zurich, Leuven, Leiden and Edinburgh. The UvA’s reputation and location annually draws thousands of international students.
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The university’s Amsterdam Business School (ABS) is perfectly situated in a city that is a major financial and business centre and a gateway to Europe and the rest of the world. The ABS is part of the Faculty of Economics and Business and reflects Amsterdam’s traditions as an international, entrepreneurial, intellectual and socially responsible environment. Building on these traditions, ABS’s educational philosophy is characterised by excellent lecturers, an international student base, small-scale interactive seminars, workshops and case-based programmes, all designed to stimulate active student participation. Excellent (international) students are attracted to the ABS’s two flagship programmes, The Amsterdam MBA, and the specialised Master in International Finance (MIF).
Introduction
Dear Reader, Welcome! We are very pleased that you are considering our Amsterdam MBA at the Amsterdam Business School as part of your future. We sincerely hope that you find the information provided useful and interesting. In this brochure, we would like to share our own enthusiasm for the Amsterdam MBA programme. Let me take this opportunity to highlight just a few reasons why we are so proud of this programme. First, the Amsterdam MBA is a true combination of academic rigor and practical relevance. Being part of the University of Amsterdam, listed amongst the top 50 in research universities in the world, teaching in the Amsterdam MBA is research-led. This means that our candidates can benefit from all the latest insights taught by leading academics at the top of their field of expertise. Moreover, the Amsterdam Business School, which is situated in the centre of the vibrant city of Amsterdam – one of continental Europe’s capitals of culture, entrepreneurship and business – is the place to apply the theoretical models and concepts in real life situations. Additionally the Amsterdam MBA has a strong focus on personal, team and leadership skills. In short, skills learned in our programme allow you to effectively pursue an exciting career in international business. Everyone doing an MBA knows that you can learn as much (or even more) from your classmates than you learn from the course materials and the professors. Our class composition is very international and exposes students to diversity in educational backgrounds and business experience. In the programme, there is every opportunity to discuss all kinds of topics with peers, business people and professors and to get feedback from them. An important part of the curriculum is the international business trip to Beijing, China. Occasional joint-scheduling of our part-time and full-time MBA classes
provides an additional opportunity to network with other business professionals. Altogether, the Amsterdam MBA programme offers its students a great education and a memorable experience. Learning about our Amsterdam MBA from this brochure is one thing. However, experiencing the atmosphere surrounding the programme may be even more important. We cordially invite you to visit us either on location or through electronic media. You are welcome to attend an information session or one of our seminars where you can have a discussion with one of our professors. Interested in hearing the experiences of our students or alumni? We can provide you with contacts and information. Please do not hesitate to contact us with your questions and requests. I wish you every success with your future career. I hope to meet you on our campus in the near future. You will always be welcome! Kind regards, Prof dr Jack A.A. van der Veen Acting Programme Director MBA Director Executive Programmes Amsterdam Business School
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MBA at a glance Key features n 12 months full-time or 24 months part-time evening programme n Truly international in staff, students and content n Promoting effective leadership and a personal approach n For ambitious managers and professionals n Amsterdam Leadership Programme and international study trip as part of core curriculum n Small-scale, interactive classes, linking theory to practice n Located in one of Europe’s main financial and business centres n An effective boost to your career Degree and accreditation n Degree: Master of Business Administration n Awarded by the University of Amsterdam n NVAO accredited by the Dutch Government n The Amsterdam Business School is EQUIS accredited by EFMD Fees and funding n Tuition fee: 29,000 euro (full-time or part-time) n Scholarships available for full-time students n Early bird discount for candidates admitted before March 1st, 2011 Admission requirements n University degree (Bachelor, Master or PhD) n GMAT score (600 or above) n In-house admissions test instead of GMAT (part-time students only) n Minimum of 3 years business relevant full-time work experience n English language proficiency: TOEFL/IELTS (resp. 100/7,0)
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Why The Ams Taught by faculty with extensive experience 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 part-time and full-time students 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. Sathish Sastry (India), student MBA, part-time class 2008-2010
‘Prior to starting the Amsterdam MBA, I
6 was a technical product manager dealing with product development. I gained a lot of hands-on business knowledge but my ambition was to transfer from the technical to the business arena. I wanted a solid foundation of business concepts and that’s when I decided on the Amsterdam MBA. I chose the Amsterdam Business School because the programme is an evening course, enabling me to keep working full time. I also live and work in Amsterdam, a vibrant, colourful city with a lot of expats - a city with a big name but a manageable size. The programme offered a wide range of subjects in an international context (fellow students, professors) and there is a strong link between theory and practice. The course content was updated with new developments like social networking in the Marketing course and theoretical concepts were applied in business cases. The professors are also highly qualified - not only in business theory but in business practice as well. Additionally, the international business trips to Beijing and New York were great extras.’
Custom made programme
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. All primary business topics are taught in the core courses. By choosing 2-4 electives the Amsterdam MBA can be tailored to your own business interests. Courses are designed to combine academic rigor with practical relevance that brings the business world into the classroom. Linking theory to practice
Our MBA programme is committed to the active Education of our students. 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.
‘ The programme offered a wide range of subjects in an international context and there is a strong link between theory and practice.’
terdam MBA? Class profile
With more than 19 nationalities represented, the Amsterdam MBA has a very diverse student population. The full-time programme attracts 100% non-Dutch students and for the part-time programme this is close to 60%. The average age is 33, and women make up 33% of our classes. Many students have professional experience in Consultancy, but also a whole range of other professional backgrounds are represented in the class. This diversity, combined with the high level of interactivity of the courses provide an additional dimension to your learning experience. Be prepared for challenging viewpoints from your fellow students!
Countries represented Belarus Bolivia Bulgaria China Greece Hungary India Iran Iraq Netherlands
Poland Romania South Korean Taiwan Turkey Ukraine United Kingdom United States Vietnam
Overview PT FT Class enrollment 62% 38% Women 33% 28% 40% Average age 33 34 30 Avg. years work exp. 8 10 6 Countries represented 19 11 11
Work experience (top 5) PT FT Consultancy 21% 17% 4% Financial services 9% 6% 4% Hospitality industry 8% 4% 4% Manufacturing 6% 4% 2% IT and telecom 4% 8% 11%
Outer Circle FT – Inner Circle PT 5% 10% 21% 3% 3% 9% 64% 40%
45%
Asia
Netherlands
Europe without NL
North America
Middle East
South America
Educational background (top 5) PT FT Social Sciences 30% 17% 13% Engineering 28% 15% 13% Business/Commerce 19% 13% 6% Natural Sciences 3% 8% 6% Finance/Economics 4% 4% 0%
‘ The international environment (ie. students, lecturers, the city) is a great dynamic learning experience.’
John Kissel (USA), student MBA, full-time class 2009-2010
‘It has always been my goal to pursue an MBA and once I started my search, I discovered that the one-year ABS MBA came highly recommended by its Alumni. There is endless opportunity at growing, international firms and therefore, my goal is to work for a multinational company. It was important that the MBA programme test my ability to adapt to a foreign culture. The international environment (ie. students, lecturers, the city) is a great dynamic learning experience. I easily established a social and business network here. The core courses were all challenging, and the electives were absolutely exceptional. The professors are engaging, committed, internationally oriented and easy to approach for discussions after class. They are at the top of their fields and we all sensed their experience and knowledge. I would definitely recommend the Amsterdam MBA. It is new, fresh and international. This MBA has not only helped me define my career goals, but has also given me access to excellent networks and opportunities for a successful future.’
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The MBA Faculty
MBA professors and lecturers enjoy an international reputation as academics and corporate practitioners. We are proud to be able to involve so many renowned faculty in our MBA. Below are the profiles of some of the lecturers who are expected to teach in the programme during the 2011/2012 academic year. Visit our website at www.abs.uva.nl/mba for more infor足 mation about lecturers, the MBA programme, and the course curriculum.
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Ans Kolk 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 inter足 national 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. Alexander Rinnooy Kan 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 Jan-Willem Stoelhorst is Assistant Professor of Strategy and Organisation. 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 programme. Hans Strikwerda Hans Strikwerda is Professor of Organisation and Organisational Change. He is an international expert on the organisation of multinationals and other complex organisations, particularly 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). Additionally, 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. Arnoud Boot Arnoud Boot is Professor of Corporate Finance and Financial Markets at the University of Amsterdam and director of the Amsterdam Center for Law and Economics. During 2000-2001, Professor Boot was a partner at the Finance and Strategy Practice of McKinsey & Co. His research focuses on corporate finance and financial institutions and he has written extensively on many aspects of his research. His publications have appeared in major academic journals such as the Journal of Finance, American Economic Review, Economic Journal and the International Economic Review. Professor Boot also advises extensively on ownership structure issues, particularly in the public/private domain, and established the Amsterdam Center for Corporate Finance think-tank to improve the interaction between theory and practice.
What is the programme structure? The Amsterdam MBA is designed for ambitious professionals who wish to pursue a career in the international business world. The Amsterdam MBA has a strong international focus and students come from many different cultural and professional backgrounds. Students bring their experiences of day-to-day professional life into the classroom, providing a unique opportunity to share and learn. The MBA is offered as a full-time, one year course and a part-time, two-year course. Both programmes start once a year in September. There is a 3-week Christmas break and the courses finish mid June. During the summer months, students conclude the MBA programme with an individual thesis, under the supervision of MBA faculty. Internships are optional. Full-time programme
The course-load of the full-time programme is app. 40 hours. In each study period, students take 4 parallel classes. Classes are scheduled Monday to Thursday. Classes will take up 15 hours while class preparation, casework and assignments will require a further 25 hours per week.
Part-time programme
Master in International Finance
The part-time programme is an evening programme designed to allow students to work full-time while completing their MBA. Classes are held two nights a week, taking up between 6-8 hours. Class preparation, casework and assignments count for another 10-12 hours a week.
The Amsterdam Business School also runs an international Finance programme. MBA students can fully benefit from this and can complete the MIF within one year (part-time) after completing the Amsterdam MBA.
International study trip
In January 2011 students will attend the ‘Doing Business in China’ module in Beijing, China. The Guanghua School of Management, one of China’s best business schools, designed this module for the Amsterdam Business School as part of a collaborative agreement. Amsterdam Leadership Programme®
The Amsterdam Leadership Programme (ALP) of the Amsterdam MBA has been designed to underpin and enhance each student’s MBA educational experience. In our leadership programme we work with three concepts: Values, Purposes and Competencies. In the programme students learn to observe and define these concepts at both the firm and personal level. Both the study trip and leadership programme are mandatory courses and included in the tuition fee.
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MBA Full-Time Programme
Core Courses
Electives (4 courses)
Block 1 (September – October)
Corporate Finance Corporate Strategy Financial Accounting Quantitative Methods
Block 2 (October – December)
Corporate Finance Corporate Strategy International Business & Economics (part 1)
Block 3 (January – March)
Corporate and Tax Law Strategy & Sustainability Marketing Strategy Financial Modelling International Business & Economics International Banking (part 2: international study trip) Operational Management Elective
Block 4 (April – June)
Information Systems HRM The Executive Process Elective
Summer
Master Thesis / Internship (optional) The Amsterdam Leadership Programme runs throughout the year
International Study Trip
Strategy & Sustainability International Entrepreneurship Strategic Negotiation
10 MBA Part-Time Programme Core Courses Year 1
Year 2
Block 1 (September – October)
Corporate Finance Financial Accounting
Financial Accounting Quantitative Methods
Block 2 (October – December)
Corporate Finance Financial Accounting
International Business & Economics (part 1)
Block 3 (January – March)
Corporate and Tax Law Marketing Strategy
International Business & Economics (part 2: international study trip) Elective
Block 4 (April – June)
Information Systems HRM
The Executive Process Elective
Summer
The Amsterdam Leadership Programme runs throughout the year (year 1 or year 2)
Master Thesis / Internship (optional) The Amsterdam Leadership Programme runs throughout the year (year 1 or year 2)
Evening or weekend availability cannot be guaranteed for all elective courses.
Electives (4 courses)
The Executive Process Strategy & Sustainability International Entrepreneurship Strategic Negotiation
What is the return on my investment? The MBA programme will boost your career by deepening your finance know ledge, business insight and skills. Obtaining this renowned and recognised degree has enabled MBA alumni to pursue successful careers in finance and business. The degree
After successful completion of their studies, students are awarded the title ‘Master in Business Administration’. Career perspective
Graduates of the full-time programme planning to stay in The Netherlands after graduation can stay and work in The Netherlands for up to 5 years after graduation, without needing a work permit. There are a few conditions (minimum salary, type of company), but these are usually met easily by MBA alumni.
Time between graduation and employment
Recent research among our alumni shows that 87% of the respondents found employment by the time they finished the programme or within 2 months, and the other 13% found employment within 4 months of the end of the course. Alumni network
During your time at the Amsterdam Business School we provide you with opportunities to work on your career skills and meet companies in our network. Amsterdam MBA alumni are a valuable source for leads, interviews and contacts. They are easy to contact through our online alumni network or you can meet them over drinks during one of our social events.
’ I found the job I wanted, and there was a significant increase both in job level and salary.’
Alia Morissaei (Canada), alumna MBA, full-time class 2008-2009
‘Doing an MBA was something I’ve always wanted to do. Amsterdam is a great place to study - everything you want in a city can be found here - it still has a village or community feel. The courses succeeded in being appealing to people with different backgrounds and experiences. Also, they had the right academic level and covered all business areas. Some of the courses that stood out for me were Financial Modelling and The Executive Process. My colleagues were high calibre students and I learned in an international environment working with different cultures. With well qualified, helpful lecturers, the Amsterdam MBA was everything I expected. It also allowed me to balance family and school. The MBA network you build during the programme is a valuable asset and I routinely contact people in my network for opinions. I’ve also been able to help students in getting an internship at my company. The Amsterdam MBA helped me in reaching my career goals. I found the job I wanted, and there was a significant increase both in job level and salary. I am currently a Vice President at Markit.’
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Why ABS ? The Amsterdam Business School is located in the capital of The Netherlands, one of Europe’s most frequently visited cities. The historic city centre is famous for its architecture and canals. The city also has an outstanding and well deserved reputation for its variety of entertainment. Amsterdam has always been known for its intellectual freedom, which has greatly stimulated the international exchange of ideas and research. Again and again, Amsterdam has proven itself an important centre for cultural, social and financial developments. Most residents speak English and the city is a melting pot of cultures and races that are welcome in a way that is probably unmatched throughout Europe. It is this mixture that makes Amsterdam a pleasure to visit or live in. It is a real cosmopolitan capital and one of Europe’s most beautiful at that. The city is well organised and accessible and bicycles and public transport will get you anywhere you need to go.
Centre for international business & finance
The Amsterdam MBA benefits greatly from the city’s real-world business environment, which is literally right around the corner. 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 17th century known as the Golden Age. 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 or VOC, was established in Amsterdam, demonstrating the entrepreneurial spirit of The Netherlands in general and Amsterdam in particular. Amsterdam now has a wide-ranging economic base, but the most important sectors providing over 120,000 jobs are still business and financial services. Together, the stock exchange, the central bank and the regional head offices of numerous international and Dutch firms make Amsterdam the business and financial heart of The Netherlands and a prestigious international business centre.
‘ I chose the MBA at the Amsterdam Business School because of the location, the lecturers, the leadership programme and the well established reputation of the UvA.’
Momet Abas (The Netherlands), student MBA, part-time class 2009-2011
‘After working 10 years for the big 4 accounting firms where I spent the last three years as a manager with Deloitte Enterprise Risk Services in the Netherlands, I decided to do an MBA. I chose the MBA at the Amsterdam Business School because of the location, the lecturers, the leadership programme and the well established reputation of the UvA. It was also important that I could continue working full time during this MBA part-time evening programme. The Amsterdam MBA has a wide range of regular MBA courses like Corporate Finance, Marketing and HR combined with interesting electives like Professional Negotiations. The teaching methods are unique in each class. I also like the international character where students have diverse backgrounds regarding their profession, nationality and interests. We also had valuable guest lectures including CEOs of the AEX com panies and directors of private equity firms. Altogether, the programme met all my expectations.’
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Fees and admission The planned intake for the MBA programme starting in September 2011 is around 60 students. The Admissions Committee admits students on a rolling basis per month, and as the number of places is limited, we would like to encourage you to apply early. Online application for the full-time and part-time programme is possible until June 30, 2011. Fees
For the full-time and part-time students starting September 2011 the tuition fee is € 29,000. The fee covers the whole programme including courses, international study trip, use of the MBA facilities, university registration and 14 examination fees. The fee does not cover text books, living expenses and accommodation.
Scholarships
For excellent full-time students the Amsterdam Business School has a few scholarship possibilities available. ■ MBA Tuition Waiver Scheme These waivers are available for excellent candidates with a good first degree, relevant professional experience and an excellent GMAT score. Tuition Waiver Schemes are only available for full-time students and your complete online application must be received by us before May 31, 2011. ■ Neso Scholarships Please check the Neso office of your country to find more information or via www.nuffic.nl/neso. ■ Scholarships by the Dutch Government Information is available from the Dutch embassy or consulate in your country or via www.grantfinder.nl. Online application
Admission requirements
■ Bachelor or Master degree Applicants are required to hold a recognised first degree. ■ Work experience A minimum of three years of relevant business experience is required. ■ GMAT or GRE The GMAT or GRE is compulsory for all applicants to the full-time programme. Applicants with a PhD qualification may apply for an exemption. ■ English language proficiency Part-time students can opt for our in-house test. This test will substitute the GMAT or GRE requirement. I f you are not sure if you meet the admission requirements, you can upload your CV into our CV Quick Scan to check your eligibility at www.abs.uva.nl/mba.
You can apply online at www.abs.uva.nl/ mba. Please find the information regarding the required documents for admission on this website. International Office
If you would like to receive further information about the programme you are welcome to contact the International Office: +31 20 525 6305 or MBA@uva.nl.
‘The Amsterdam Business School aims to produce, advance and disseminate knowledge at the highest international academic levels and to meet the needs of the businesss community, as well as students and society at large. To be recognised internationally as one of the leading Business Schools in Continental Europe by 2015’
Although this brochure has been prepared with the utmost care, no rights can be derived from its contents. Colophon Lay-out: RAADHUIS voor creatieve communicatie Photography: Ineke Oostveen Marcel van Gaalen Editor:
Veerle van der Heide
University of Amsterdam Amsterdam Business School International Office – MBA Plantage Muidergracht 12 1018 TV Amsterdam The Netherlands T +31 20 525 6305 F +31 20 525 5092 mba@uva.nl www.abs.uva.nl/mba