Faculty of Economics and Business
Master’s programmes in Economics and Business 2011-2012
Cover photo: Students Faculty of Economics and Business Jie and Anam
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www.feb.uva.nl/education
Word of welcome
Enrolling in a Master’s programme is a big decision that can have a profound impact on your future. Since the quality of Master’s programmes available in the international market varies widely, it is important you make the right choice. It will probably come as no surprise that as Director Graduate School of Economics of the Faculty of Economics and Business at the University of Amsterdam (UvA), I have no hesitation in recommending our programmes. We have an interesting portfolio of programmes backed by a prestigious University and taught by a faculty that is internationally renowned. The high quality of our programmes reflects the reputation of our University. Moreover, our courses are truly international in respect of staff, students and content. We also realise that the quality of our programmes is determined to a large extent by the quality of our student body. We therefore take great care in assessing all applications for admission. Quality is further monitored by means of internal and external assessments and accreditation procedures, ensuring a top-quality and demanding curriculum as well as official recognition of your degree in both the Netherlands and abroad. Finally, we are located in the fascinating, cosmopolitan, cultural and business centre that is Amsterdam. Our location gives students excellent opportunities for developing contacts and finding internships, as well as for finding employment after graduation. Students also enjoy living in Amsterdam because of its tolerant and multicultural environment and vibrant cultural life. This brochure provides information about the UvA, the Faculty of Economics and Business and the Faculty’s Master’s programmes. Additional information can be obtained from our website and our staff. The information presented here is intended to assist you in making your choice of a Master’s programme. If you find the programme that is right for you and we think you are right for us, we will be most pleased to welcome you to the UvA. Professor Peter Boswijk Director Graduate School of Economics Faculty of Economics and Business
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University of Amsterdam | Faculty of Economics and Business
Contents
University of Amsterdam
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One Faculty, two Schools
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General information
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Actuarial Science and Mathematical Finance Business Economics Business Studies Economics Econometrics Fiscal Economics Tinbergen Institute Master of Philosophy in Economics (research) Operations Research Master in International Finance The Amsterdam MBA Business Administration Accountancy & Control international Executive Master of Finance and Control
Practical matters
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www.feb.uva.nl/education
University of Amsterdam
University of Amsterdam The University of Amsterdam (UvA) is a modern university with a rich history. Its predecessor, the Athenaeum Illustre, was established in 1632 by the Amsterdam city council. Today, the Athenaeum Illustre has grown into a world-class research and teaching university. The UvA offers a broad range of Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes. It now has more than 240 Master’s programmes covering almost every academic discipline, from Accoun tancy & Control to Philosophy, many of which are taught in English. The UvA is thus able to attract a large number of international students, and has countless nationalities represented in its student population. The wide selection of courses available allows students to design a programme to suit their personal ambitions and talents. Students are also given the best support possible during their studies in the form of extensive academic coaching. Many of the Master’s programmes reflect the top international research being conducted in a specific field, thus exposing students to ground breaking research during their studies. Amsterdam is an inspiring city for students and scientists alike. The close proximity of scientific institutes such as SEO Economic Research and the Tinbergen Institute facilitates and enriches research and independent study.
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The UvA is a research university with the city of Amsterdam as its campus. Many of the UvA’s facilities, such as the University Library and the student cultural organisation CREA, are located in the heart of Amsterdam. With the cultural and scientific institutes and UvA facilities spread across the city in this way, Amsterdam itself can be said to be the UvA’s true campus. The UvA is ranked 49th in the World University Rankings (THES, 2009). Furthermore, the UvA is the highest ranked university in the Netherlands. Because the UvA has contacts with universities across the globe, many students have the opportunity, where relevant, to study abroad or meet students from all over the world in their Amsterdam classroom. The UvA is a member of LERU, a network of renowned European research universities, including the universities of Oxford, Cambridge, UCL, Zurich, Leuven, Leiden and Edinburgh. Furthermore, the UvA is a member of Universitas 21, a network of twenty-one leading comprehensive research universities from thirteen different countries. Among its members are the universities of Melbourne, British Columbia, Auckland, Singapore, Delhi and Fudan University.
University of Amsterdam | Faculty of Economics and Business
City of Amsterdam Amsterdam, famous for its historical buildings and canals, is a multifaceted city bustling with knowledge, commerce, creativity and innovation. The tolerant atmosphere and the open-mindedness of its inhabitants form an inviting setting for scientists, entrepreneurs and artists alike. They frequently work together, inspiring and stimulating one another, with surprising discoveries, enterprises and creations as the result. It is this dynamic and challenging environment that attracts many national and international students to the city. The capital of the Netherlands, Amsterdam is an exuberant smallscale metropolis where you quickly feel safe and welcome. The city of Rembrandt van Rijn, H.P. Berlage, Anne Frank and Johan Cruijff, it has a unique cultural and intellectual life. Countless museums, festivals and artistic groups stage exhibitions and performances all year round. The city of Amsterdam features as one of the world’s 15 best places to live in Mercer’s 2010 “Quality of living Survey”. And with Schiphol, one of Europe’s major airports, a mere 20 minutes away, the world is just around the corner. Named after the Amstel River, Amsterdam expanded rapidly from the thirteenth century onwards due to a thriving maritime industry, to become the largest city of the Netherlands in 1500. During the seventeenth century, the so-called Dutch Golden Age, it grew into one of the wealthiest and most powerful cities in the world. It was then that
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its famous crescent-shaped canals were built. With its tradition of intellectual tolerance, Amsterdam attracted scholars and writers from abroad who were unable to find the same level of freedom in their own countries. Baruch Spinoza and René Descartes flourished here, alongside Dutch painters, poets and scientists such as Johannes Vermeer, Constantijn Huygens and Antonie van Leeuwen hoek. Intellectual and cultural curiosity have prevailed in the Netherlands ever since. This same rich and diverse culture can be found in Amsterdam today, amid a more modern climate of forward-thinking professionalism. Education has always played a vital role in the development of Dutch culture. The UvA, as one of the largest centres of study and research in the Netherlands, continues to be one of its key players.
www.feb.uva.nl/education
Studying in an international environment In an effort to create an international environment in which learning and creativity can flourish, the UvA has always encouraged international cooperation. It attracts students from all over the world, and presently has more than 2,000 international students from over 100 countries among its ranks. The UvA currently has one of the largest numbers of international study programmes of any university in continental Europe. Most classes at the Master’s level include students with different nationalities and cultural back grounds. In an era of globalisation and an increasingly international labour market, such an environment helps prepare students for their future careers.
It also allows faculties to seek international standards of excellence. The curriculum is constantly being developed and today comprises more than 100 study programmes taught entirely in English. As well as developing new programmes, the UvA constantly strives to improve the quality and efficiency of existing programmes.
Faculty of Economics and Business The Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) was established in 1922 and currently has around 4,500 students. The FEB provides a high-level economics and business curriculum with a strong academic basis for national and international undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate students. The Bachelor’s programmes are taught at the College of Economics and Business. The Master’s programmes and research activities take place at the Amsterdam School of Economics (ASE) and the Amsterdam Business School (ABS). The Faculty has an excellent reputation both in the Netherlands and internationally. Studying at the FEB also means studying in Amsterdam, a city that is a leader in finance and trade. International business was born in Amsterdam; 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 also established here,
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providing further evidence of the entrepreneurial spirit of the Netherlands in general and Amsterdam in particular. Amsterdam now has a broad-based economy, but the most important sectors, with over 120,000 jobs, continue to be business and financial services. The Amsterdam Stock Exchange, the Dutch Central Bank and the global and regional head offices of numerous Dutch and international firms are what make Amsterdam the financial and business heart of the Netherlands, as well as a prestigious international business centre. Master’s programmes at the FEB reflect Amsterdam’s international,
entrepreneurial, intellectual and socially responsible traditions. Internationalisation is a keyword at the FEB. The staff, student body, degree programmes and research all have a strong international focus. The Faculty has also developed a worldwide network of academic partnerships, offering both a wide range of opportunities for our students and a global platform for the exchange of knowledge.
Selection of FEB partner universities ■ E scola de Administração de
Empresas de São Paulo da Fundação Getulio Vargas ■ P ontificia Universidad Católica de Chili ■ T ech de Monterrey ■ U niversidad del Pacífico ■ U niversidad Torcuato di Tella ■ N ational ChengChi University ■ C hulalongkorn University ■ U niversity of Arizona ■ B ilkent University ■ B occoni School of Management ■ N orwegian School of Management ■ U niversitat Pompeu Fabre
■ I ndian Institute of Management
Ahmedabad ■ L euven University ■ I nstitute de Politique Sociales:
Science Po, Paris ■ A thens School of Economics and
Business ■ W arsaw School of Economics ■ U niversité de Lausanne ■ C harles University in Prague ■ A cademia de Studii Economice
Bucaresti ■ I ndian Institute of Management
Calcutta ■ P eking University
■ C openhagen Business School
■ T singhua University
■ U niversity of Warwick
■ F udan University
■ U T1 Toulouse
■ V ietnam National University
■ N anyang Technological University
Ho Chi Minh City
■ U niversity of Vienna
University of Amsterdam | Faculty of Economics and Business
One Faculty, two Schools Amsterdam School of Economics
Amsterdam Business School
The Amsterdam School of Economics (ASE) offers several excellent Master’s study programmes in Economics, Econometrics, Actuarial Science and Mathematical Finance and Operations Research, all with a strong focus on research. ASE aims to train students for careers in research and leading positions in the public or private sector. Its educational programme fosters the academic ideal of integrated research and teaching. In addition to the regular Master’s programmes, ASE also offers a two-year Research Master of Philosophy in Economics hosted by the Tinbergen Institute. Faculty members in the research programmes work on various topics in the broad field of economics and econometrics and publish in top economics journals such as the American Economic Review, Quarterly Journal of Economics, Review of Economic Studies, Journal of Political Economy and Econometrics and in various specialised journals, such as Experimental Economics and Labour Economics.
The Amsterdam Business School (ABS) is responsible for all of the FEB’s Master’s programmes in business, ranging from Master of Science programmes to postgraduate, MBA and Executive Master’s programmes. All of the Master of Science programmes are taught in English with the exception of Fiscal Economics, which focuses on topics specific to the Dutch situation. The degree programmes have a strong international perspective and are taught by an international staff of lecturers and researchers. The ABS educational philosophy is character ised by interactive seminars and work shops and case-based programmes designed to stimulate active student participation. Master’s programmes ■ M Sc
Accountancy & Control Business Economics ■ M Sc Business Studies ■ M Sc
Advanced Master’s programmes ■ T he
Amsterdam MBA Executive Master in Finance and Control ■ M aster in International Finance ■ i nternational
Master’s programmes ■ M Sc
Actuarial Science and Mathematical Finance ■ M Sc Econometrics ■ M Sc Economics ■ M Sc Operations Research ■ T inbergen Institute Master of Philosophy in Economics (research)
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Accreditation All of our Master’s programmes have been positively assessed by the Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders (NVAO). Upon completion of their Master’s programme, students receive an accredited and internationally recognised Master’s degree. For more information please visit www.nvao.net.
In 2010, the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD) renewed the EQUIS accreditation to the ABS. The ABS is one of around 100 elite schools, including the London Business School, INSEAD and IMD, that have been awarded this accreditation worldwide. EFMD
General information
International Master’s programmes in Economics and Business Programme Degree Accountancy & Control MSc
Mode of study Full-time/Part-time
Duration 1 year/1.5 years
Actuarial Science and Mathematical Finance Business Administration
MSc MBA
Full-time Full-time/Part-time
1 year 1 year/2 years
Business Economics Business Studies Econometrics Economics
MSc MSc MSc MSc
Full-time Full-time/Part-time Full-time Full-time
1 year 1 year/1.5 years 1 year 1 year
Tinbergen Institute Master of Philosophy in Economics (research)
MSc
Full-time
2 years
international Executive Master of Finance & Control (modular)
EMFC (RC)
Part-time
2.5 years
MSc MSc
Full-time/Part-time Full-time
1 year/2 years 1 year
International Finance Operations Research
Teaching
Credit system
Students at the UvA are exposed to diverse teaching methods. Assessment for participation in a course can be based on a written examination, an oral test, a paper or a combination of all three.
Semesters are composed of units called courses. Each course yields 5 or 10 ECTS credits, in accordance with the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). This makes it possible to transfer credits more easily between European academic institutions. A full-time study for one academic year yields 60 credits, corresponding to 1,680 hours of study.
The academic year The academic year of the UvA runs from the first week of September to mid-July and is divided into two semesters of 21 weeks each. The first semester runs from early September to early February, the second from early February to mid-July. The duration of individual programmes can be found in the specific programme descriptions at www.uva.nl/isp.
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Grading system 10 excellent 9 very good 8 good 7 satisfactory (above average) 6 pass 1 to 5 fail
University of Amsterdam | Faculty of Economics and Business
‘My current work is an extension of my thesis research topic. I provide advice to pension funds in the area of policy.’ Martin Bakker
Actuarial Science and Mathematical Finance www.uva.nl/msc_actuarial_science
Title: Master of Science (MSc) Duration: 1 year Credits: 60 ECTS credits Language: English Programme director: Prof. Rob Kaas
An aspect, that makes Master’s programme in Actuarial Science and Mathematical Finance the only the stand-alone one of its kind in the Netherlands, is the range of courses you can follow to learn about the latest international developments, e.g. Fair Value Techniques, Market-Consistent Embedded Value and Solvency II. During the programme, you will be taught not only by leading academics in the field of Actuarial Science but also several experts and practitioners working in the industry. This ensures that you will have access to the field’s most upto-date techniques, practices and insights. It will equip you with the essential modelling skills needed to either pursue a career in the industry or conduct further research in an ever more important financial discipline.
Programme structure and curriculum
Actuarial Science and Mathematical Finance is a multidisciplinary Master’s programme that provides balanced and rigorous training in the financial and mathematical analysis of complex issues in insurance. It focuses on mathematical modelbuilding in the various specialised fields of insurance: life insurance, non-life insurance and pension funds. Since the programme as a whole is aimed at developing a scientific attitude and approach, it places a great deal of emphasis on the theoretical foundations of various methods and techniques. The Master’s programme is divided into two semesters, each consisting of two terms. Students take three
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core courses and three electives during the first semester, and one core course and two electives during the second. Students conclude their studies with a Master’s thesis, carried out under the supervision of an actuarial researcher within the Department of Quantitative Economics. Upon successful completion of the programme, students receive a Master’s degree in Actuarial Science and Mathematical Finance and the title Master of Science (MSc). Career prospects
The Master’s programme is a one-year programme intended for those who wish to work as an actuary, i.e. an insurance mathematician. An actuary designs and monitors financial
security systems. The actuarial profession is currently in a period of transition and has also come to encompass financial risk management outside the insurance sector. Graduates with a Master’s degree in Actuarial Science and Mathematical Finance have excellent career prospects. Many find employment as actuaries or risk managers with insurance companies, actuarial consultancy firms or pension funds. The Master’s programme also provides a good foundation for pursuing a PhD degree. Michel Vellekoop (The Netherlands) Professor of Actuarial Science Professor Vellekoop’s research is focused on the valuation and risk management of
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contingent claims in complete as well as incomplete markets. He studied Applied Mathematics at the University of Twente and obtained his PhD. degree at Imperial College in London for his research on nonlinear filtering problems for stochastic processes. From 1998 to 2009 he has held positions as assistant and associate professor at the University of Twente, where he worked on different topics in mathematical finance such as optimal stopping and weak convergence problems. Since 2004 he has also been director of research for the Derivatives Technology Foundation, an organization in which academics and practitioners cooperate in joint research projects for option market makers. He is currently the theme coordinator for the research theme “Reconciling short term risks and long term goals for retirement provisions” in Netspar, the Network for Studies on Pensions, Ageing and Retirement.
Martin Bakker from the Netherlands Alumnus, Science and Mathematical Finance ‘The Master’s programme in Actuarial Science and Mathematical Finance made a good impression on me when I attended the open day at the UvA. The excellent quality of the programme was emphasised, along with the fact that it enjoys a good reputation in the business world. Although the programme is quite demanding, your efforts are rewarded. In a short period of time, you learn a great deal and this is very satisfying. Some extremely good courses were given in ALM (Asset Liability Management) and I have to say that these were my favourites. In fact, after my studies, ALM became my profession. I’m now working at a company called ORTEC. This is a company that provides advanced software solutions and consultancy services in the area of planning and optimisation. My current work is an extension of my thesis research topic. I provide advice to pension funds in the area of policy: how can the risks of an economic downturn be managed for employees, retired employees and sponsors? This involves collecting data, creating models and calculations and analysing and presenting the findings. You can definitely say that my degree is strongly related to my work.’
University of Amsterdam | Faculty of Economics and Business
‘After graduation I would like to work for an investment company or a hedge fund to start my financial career. Hence, I have chosen mainly investment courses in my Master’s programme.’ Maria Kourdalanova
Business Economics www.uva.nl/msc_business_economics
Courses in Economics of Organisation and Management form the foundation for this track. Apart from that students may follow some specialised courses in the field of Industrial Organisation, Microeconomics, Management Accounting and Corporate Finance.
Title: Master of Science (MSc) Duration: 1 year Credits: 60 ECTS credits Language: English Programme coordinators: Dr Daniela Fabbri (Finance), Prof. Jeroen Hinloopen (Organisation Economics), Gerjan Vos, MSc. (Real Estate Finance)
If you would like to learn how organisations work, make investment decisions and motivate management and staff to create value then the Master’s programme in Business Economics is for you. The Master’s programme in Business Economics gives you the tools and knowledge you need to work for a wide range of organisations in both the commercial and governmental sectors. It is a specialised programme for students with a background in business economics who want to focus on organisational and financing issues. Programme structure and curriculum
The Master’s programme in Business Economics has three tracks, each with its own professional profile: ■ F inance ■ O rganisation Economics ■ R eal Estate Finance. The Finance track concentrates on the workings of financial markets, the financial and economic management of organisations and the use of financial tools by companies and investors. The programme is built around specialised modules, for
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The Real Estate Finance track is designed to provide advanced insight and training in the financial and economic aspects of commercial real estate. The programme is built around three core modules: Real Estate Valuation, Real Estate Market Analysis, and Real Estate Investment. This specialised real estate programme draws on the UvA’s established history of conducting real estate research in
example, on commercial banking, corporate finance, investment theory, managing bond portfolio risks, financial markets, international finance and so on. The Faculty of Economics and Business is one of the few economics faculties in Europe offering a special isation in Organisation Economics. The Organisation Economics track examines the economic performance of organisations in broad terms, staff motivation, allocation of decision making powers, investment decisions, corporate governance and corporate functioning in various types of markets.
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Amsterdam in conjunction with the real estate industry itself. Career prospects
The Finance track opens up a wide range of career opportunities, for example, as an all-round financial analyst, an investment adviser at a merchant bank or perhaps eventually a financial director of a company. The Real Estate Finance track is ideal for students seeking a career in the real estate industry and related finance. The Organisation Economics track prepares students for management or research positions requiring a knowledge and understanding of economic perspectives with respect to organisations and strategy.
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Prof. Enrico Perotti (Italy) Professor of International Finance Chair, Finance Group After obtaining his PhD in Finance from MIT in 1990, Prof. Enrico Perotti taught at Boston University and the London School of Economics. His research interests are: corporate finance and governance, international finance, political economy and innovation. He publishes regularly in top academic journals. Prof. Perotti is a Research Fellow at the Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR), Director of the Amsterdam Center for Research in International Finance (CIFRA), Fellow of the Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan and a member of the National Bureau of Economic Research’s (NBER) research group on Entrepreneurship. He has acted as a consultant for the IMF, the World Bank, the EC and the New York Stock Exchange, amongst others. In the last two years he has been a guest at the IMF research department, the London Business School and the London School of Economics, and has given seminars at Harvard, MIT, Yale, Brown, Berkeley and NYU.
Maria Kourdalanova from Bulgaria Student, Business Economics ‘I have a Bachelor’s degree in Banking and Finance from the University of Malta. I like how the programme here is organised compared to my previous studies,: each student can choose the courses of his/her interest within one specialisation. The lectures are well prepared and up to date. All the lecturers and staff are also fluent in English which makes communication very easy and enjoyable. In my Master’s programme in Business Economics, many nations are represented and thus one can truly experience the globalisation of the world. The Dutch students are really helpful and love to chat with foreigners, making it easy to find new friends. After graduation I would like to work for an Investment Company or a Hedge Fund to start my financial career. Hence, I have chosen mainly investment courses in my Master’s programme.’
University of Amsterdam | Faculty of Economics and Business
‘The business skills and knowledge I have gained from my Master’s courses help me a lot now that I’m working in the real business world.’ He Xianming
Business Studies www.uva.nl/msc_business_studies
As a graduate of the Master’s programme in Business Studies, you will be able to analyse complex organisational issues and produce practical solutions. You will gain not only a thorough knowledge of specialist business literature, but also the ability to apply it in practice. Business Studies encourages you to take a multidisciplinary approach to organisational issues in context. You will find that some analyses
Title: Master of Science (MSc) Duration: 1 year full-time, 1,5 year part-time Credits: 60 ECTS credits Language: English Programme director: Dr Mark van der Veen
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and solutions which appear perfectly rational in the frame work of one disciplinary area – Economics, psychology, sociology or political science – will almost always have repercussions in other parts of the organisation. By viewing these issues in a coordinated, plural and managerial way, you will learn to map their wider consequences comprehensively, coherently and consistently.
Dr Ranjita Singh Lecturer in Strategy and Competitive Advantage My classroom style combines rigorous pedagogy and practical knowledge. This helps students understand the unique issues of organisations operating in complex, ambiguous and uncertain environments. My goal is to instill students with a deep curiosity about organisational issues and, develop tools to think critically to solve problems in real organisational contexts. My expertise is best suited to teaching strategic management, and technology strategy.
Programme structure and curriculum
The study programme offers seven areas of specialisation and within these tracks there are many course options. This gives students the opportunity to choose a specialisation and tailor it exactly to their personal preferences and skills. Students are allowed to choose three Master’s courses (10 ECTS credits each) from at least two of the following tracks: ■ C ultural Industries ■ E ntrepreneurship ■ G overnance and Valuation ■ H uman Resource Management Organisational Behaviour ■ I nformation Management ■ M arketing ■ S trategy and Organisation Core courses in Professional and Research Orientation (5 credits),
He Xianming from China Alumnus, Business Studies ‘I finished my major at the UvA and hold a master’s degree in Business studies. When I decided to study abroad, I had to choose a country and a university. The logical choice seemed to be to study at a British University, as this is where most Chinese students go. But once I got more detailed information about the course structures, I realised that the UvA was much more attractive. I chose the marketing track as my major. I could also choose courses from the other tracks which enabled me to broaden my knowledge. After my graduation at the UvA I have started an internship at Philips. The business skills and knowledge I have gained from my master’s courses help me a lot now that I’m working in the real business world.’
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Research Project (5 credits) and the Master’s thesis (20 credits) complete the curriculum. Career prospects
A Master’s degree in Business Studies opens up a wide range of interesting career opportunities. Graduates are ideally suited for positions that use business analysis and reflection to strategically and operationally enhance the functioning, improvement and renewal of commercial and noncommercial organisations. Examples of such positions include organisa tional consultant, strategic analyst, project leader, HRM manager, information analyst, information manager, account manager, product manager and financial manager. Prof. Nachoem Wijnberg (The Netherlands) Professor of Cultural Entrepreneurship and Management Prof. Nachoem Wijnberg holds Master’s degrees in Law and Economics, as well as a PhD in Management. His research interests are cultural industries, strategic management and entrepreneurship and innovation. New scientific publications are published frequently. Besides his work as a Professor, Nachoem Wijnberg has written novels and poetry. His literary work has received numerous awards, and some of it has been translated.
University of Amsterdam | Faculty of Economics and Business
Economics www.uva.nl/msc_economics
Title: Master of Science (MSc) Duration: 1 year Credits: 60 ECTS credits Language: English Programme director: Prof. Jeroen Hinloopen
The Master’s programme in Economics puts you in a position to become one of the creative and versatile economists the market needs. You will study both the effective framework and tools needed to analyse a variety and range of economic issues. You can choose the courses which best suit you and your needs from an extensive list. These combine economic theory with the application of economics tools used for practical implementation. The specific balance of theory vs. application depends on the selections you make. You can opt for a theoretical approach and centre on courses such as Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Game Theory and Experimental Economics. Alternatively, you can focus more on application and take courses such as Development Economics, Industrial Organis ation and Labour Economics.
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Programme structure and curriculum
All students start with common core courses in micro economics, macro economics and econometrics. After that, students specialise in different tracks, consisting of a number of track-specific courses and a thesis. Tracks are offered in the following six fields: ■ B ehavioural Economics & Game Theory ■ I ndustrial Organisation, Regulation and Competition Policy ■ D evelopment Economics
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■ I nternational
Economics & Globalisation ■ M onetary Policy & Banking ■ P ublic Economic Policy Career prospects
Graduates of the Master’s programme in Economics have skills that will enable them to work in a variety of occupations. They can work in the Ministries of Finance, Economic Affairs and Social Affairs, government agencies such as the Netherlands Competition Authority, the Dutch
‘The programme provides great flexibility, as you can choose many of the courses yourself within different specialisations. In this sense, the MSc in Economics offers a great opportunity to deepen your knowledge.’ Maximiliano Pin
Central Bank, various private banks and international organisations such as the IMF, OECD and World Bank, as well as in organisations in eastern Europe and Asia. Lex Hoogduin (The Netherlands) Professor of Monetary Economics Prof. Hoogduin is an Executive Director of De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB). He is responsible for economic policy and research, financial stability and financial markets, payments and statistics. In addition, Mr Hoogduin is part-time Professor of Monetary Economics and Financial Institutions at the University of Amsterdam. Before joining DNB’s Governing Board, Prof. Hoogduin was Chief Economist of the Robeco Group (2005-2008) and Managing Director of the IRIS research institute. He earned his Master’s degree in General Economics and completed his PhD at the University of Groningen. He has served in senior positions at DNB for a number of years and was the former adviser to the President of the European Monetary Institute. He is a Fellow of the Netherlands Network of Economics (NAKE) and a member of the Advisory Council of the Tilburg Center of Finance.
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Maximiliano Pin from Argentina Alumnus, Economics ‘I did my Bachelor’s in Economics at the University of Buenos Aires. Because I am passionate about international economics and about other cultures, I wanted to do my master’s in Europe. After looking into different European locations I found that the Netherlands offers a great combination of interesting aspects: an internationally oriented country and highly ranked universities. I chose the UvA because it is a massive university well recognised in Economics. It offers connections to other educational institutions and students’ associations, which in the end is your network for finding a suitable job. The university has many professors who are amongst the most experienced in their fields of research. The programme provides great flexibility in its curriculum, as you can choose many of the courses yourself within different specialisations. In this sense the programme offers a great opportunity to deepen your knowledge. I have already received a job offer from ING Group to start my career here in Amsterdam.’
University of Amsterdam | Faculty of Economics and Business
‘The econometrics programme at the UvA has an excellent reputation.’ Daniel Ilyas
Econometrics www.uva.nl/msc_econometrics
The free track provides a rigorous training without indicating a particular specialisation. A combination with a Mathematical MSc into a double degree is also possible.
Title: Master of Science (MSc) Duration: 1 year Credits: 60 ECTS credits Language: English Programme director: Dr Kees Jan van Garderen
The multidisciplinary Master’s programme in Econometrics provides you with a balanced and rigorous training in quanti tative analysis of problems in economics and finance. Its varied and flexible structure means you can focus on the specific topics which interest you most. The programme will provide you with the skills, expertise and techniques required to apply robust statistical methods to explore the topics, research and issues associated with this discipline. Programme structure and curriculum
The programme has four tracks: ■ E conometrics ■ F inancial Econometrics ■ M athematical Economics ■ F ree track. The Econometrics track emphasises statistical techniques for microeconomic and macro-econometric analysis. Financial Econometrics focuses on mathematical and statistical techniques and their application to financial models and time series. Mathematical Economics emphasises the mathematical modelling of economic and financial markets. Each track offers electives and field courses from which students can choose.
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By the end of the Master’s programme, students will be able to apply advanced mathematical and statistical methods - using modern software packages such as Mathematica, E-Views, R, OX for the exploration and analysis of problems in economics and finance. Career prospects
Graduates of the Master’s programme in Econometrics have a diverse range of excellent job prospects. Many graduates find employment in econ omic policy research departments (e.g. central planning bureaus or governmental institutions) or in the private and financial sector (consul tancy - and IT firms, multinationals, investment banks, pension funds). The Master’s degree in Econometrics also provides an ideal background for the academic pursuit of a PhD in an international programme. Prof. Peter Boswijk (The Netherlands) Professor of Financial Econometrics Prof. Peter Boswijk is also Director of the Graduate School of Economics. After obtaining his PhD from the UvA with a thesis on the econometric analysis of nonstationary time series, he received a five-year research grant from the KNAW (The Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences). He is a Fellow of the Tinbergen Institute, was a Founding Editor of The Econometrics Journal and publishes regularly in such international journals as the Journal of Business and Economic Statistics, Journal of
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Econometrics and the Journal of Applied Econometrics and Econometric Theory. He has held visiting positions at the University of California in San Diego and at the Universities of Oxford, Aarhus and Trondheim. His current research focuses on efficient (likelihood-based) inference methods for financial time series, taking into account non-normality and volatility clustering of returns. He has taught courses on intermediate and advanced econometrics, financial econometrics, asymptotic theory and stochastic calculus.
Dhaniel Ilyas from Indonesia Student, Econometrics ‘I have always dreamed of studying in Europe because of its history, beauty and rich cultures. I have always been interested in studying in fields connected to my Bachelor’s degree in Economics. Knowledge of econometrics is very useful for economic analysis and will surely help me advance my career. I was very happy to learn I had been accepted into the Master’s programme in Econometrics but I also realised how tough it was going to be, since the econometrics programme at the UvA has an excellent reputation. I nonetheless wanted to take advantage of the opportunity, and applied for the STUNED scholarship. Fortunately I got the scholarship and started studying and living in Amsterdam. The lecturers are very helpful and supportive. Students have to put in a lot of hard work to understand the material thoroughly. The courses are interesting and taught me a lot of new things that will be useful in my career.’
Fiscal Economics www.uva.nl/ma-fiscale-economie
It also includes corporate taxation, financial reporting, the treasury & business, in addition there is domestic and international tax compliance. The course also finishes with a thesis.
Title: Master of Science (MSc) Duration: 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time Credits: 60 ECTS credits Language: Dutch Programme director: Prof. Gérard Kampschöer RA
Part time study
The Master Fiscal Economics (taught in Dutch) offers a combination of fiscal law and fiscal economics subjects, leading to an expertise in fiscal implementation and policy. The mainstay of the programme will be your study of taxation law from an economic perspec tive. You will gain expertise and insight into current economic. circumstances, studies and statements in both the Dutch and international society.
The programme is the same for full and part time students. Part-time students can follow the course at their own pace and many lectures are given in the evening. Career prospects
Graduates often go directly into practice with (the Compliance
department) of a taxation consultancy or the tax office. After a few years experience some proceed as company accountants in business. There are also a wealth of career options for fiscal economists in government or academia. Despite the increasing computerisation of tax compliance within the taxation advice profession, the expectation is that there will be more work for students with an MSc Tax Compliance, because many corporate returns and scenarios will be still too complex for standard computer based filing solutions.
Programme structure and curriculum
The Master Fiscal Economics (Fiscale economie) has two electives; ■ F iscal Economics ■ T ax Compliance The curriculum for the option Fiscal Economics is well established. It com prises the topics, corporate taxation, domestic and international tax law, financial reporting, the treasury & business, and the taxation of dividends. The course finishes with a thesis. The Tax Compliance option is for you if you are interested in the application/issuance of fiscal advice for filing returns for corporation taxes or other complex institutions. This makes the course more practical and number oriented than the fiscal economics option.
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University of Amsterdam | Faculty of Economics and Business
‘A remarkable feature, not always found at top-level universities, is the excellent atmosphere and collaboration among students.’ Prof. Wouter den Haan
Tinbergen Institute Master of Philosophy in Economics (research) www.uva.nl/mphil_economics
Title: Master of Science (MSc) Duration: 2 years Credits: 120 ECTS credits Language: English Programme director: Dr Adriaan Soetevent
If you are selected from the large, international pool of applicants, for the Research Master at the Tinbergen Institute (TI) you can expect to come into contact with the best minds in the discipline. The TI is the Research and Graduate School of the economics faculties of the UvA, Erasmus University Rotterdam and VU University Amsterdam. The Master will give you a thorough preparation for PhD level research in Economics or Finance at one of these departments. The teaching staff are amongst the best researchers from the TI’s three economics depart ments, this gives you access to the very best people in the field. In addition you can expect to be taught by several internatio nally renowned experts who are invited as guest lecturers. Programme structure and curriculum
The first year of the Tinbergen Institute Master of Philosophy (MPhil) programme in Economics offers rigorous training in the core subjects and tools of economics, including: microeconomics, macro economics, mathematics, statistics and econometrics. The programme has two tracks: Economics and Finance. The Finance track is
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sponsored by the Duisenberg School of Finance (DSF). DSF is a joint initiative of the Dutch financial sector and Dutch Universities aimed at promoting the highest level of teaching in cutting edge areas of finance. In the second year, students choose a specialisation from among one of the TI’s many fields of research, and complete course fieldwork and research for their Master’s thesis. Students can participate in a broad range of related activities organised by
Bernd Schwaab from Germany Alumnus, Master of Philosophy in Economics ‘Given that I had already done very well in the first two years of an Economics PhD programme at a decent US university, I expected my MPhil life to be smooth sailing. Gee, was I wrong. I had to severely adjust my learning habits and foster the self-discipline that it takes to understand material at a fundamental level. Of course the effort and long weekends of the first year have been worth it; I know a lot more now than I did back then. And fortunately, secondyear students also have considerable freedom to choose their fields of interest and can pick specialised courses and be creative in writing and presenting their first field papers. My take on good reasons to come to TI, beyond the obvious ones, are the collegial atmosphere among the students (no cut-throat competition whatsoever), virtually no hierarchy, good facilities and a management that really cares about the quality of the programme.’
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and at the institute, such as reading groups, seminars, workshops and conferences. Career prospects
The Master’s programme is entirely dedicated to preparing students for PhD research in one of the TI’s three participating departments. Its courses are tailored to the needs and abilities of these students. The programme also gives students ample opportunity to become acquainted with the wide variety of potential PhD thesis super visors and research fields before they commit to a PhD thesis research position. The PhD programme takes three years and leads to a PhD degree in Economics. Prof. Wouter den Haan (The Netherlands) Professor of Macro-Economics The structure of the TI’s programme resembles that of the best economics programmes in the world. Its core courses offer groundbreaking knowledge in the three main fields of economics and the programme offers a spectacular set of field courses. A remarkable feature, not always found at top-level universities, is the excellent atmosphere and collaboration among students. This, together with the huge pool of potential advisers that the three participating universities offer, may be an important factor behind the success of so many TI graduates.
Erik van der Sluis from The Netherlands Senior University Lecturer in Operations Research ‘What makes the Master’s programme in Operations Research and Management so appealing is that students take various theoretical subjects and then immediately put what they’ve learned to work as part of a internship during the second half of the programme. They can also opt for additional subjects in Deterministic or Stochastics Operations Research. Many graduates go on to consulting positions, whether at large corporations like Corus or Heineken, or smaller, more specialised consultancies. The professional domain of an OR specialist ranges from shop floor to ICT, to other area experts, to company management.’
Operations Research www.uva.nl/msc_operations_research
Title: Master of Science (MSc) Duration: 1 year Credits: 60 ECTS credits Language: English Programme director: Prof. N.M. van Dijk
The Master’s programme in Operations Research teaches you to apply analytical methods for decision making in logistical business environments. It deals with questions such as: ■ H ow can you model a complex production line or a hospital department so as to evaluate its performance and the effect of possible changes? ■ H ow could you determine if service capacities, such as check-in counters at airports, call centres or MRI scans in hospitals should be pooled? ■ H ow you would establish minimal cost routing and distribution schemes? ■ H ow much, of which, product mix should your firm produce? Operations Research will help you develop a strong mathe matical and applied focus to bring to bear on these and other practical issues you can expect to face in business and industry. Programme structure and curriculum
Students in Operations Research and Management develop and apply mathematical and computational methods to provide objective, analytical and quantitative support. These methods are used for the evaluation and solution of issues, typically of operational and logistical nature, in industry or business.
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Students become familiar with practical considerations and possible approaches through theoretical and practical courses as well as an intern ship as part of the Master thesis. The programme offers a well balanced curriculum with: ■ a n Advanced Deterministic Course ■ a n Advanced Stochastic Course ■ a n Applied stream of Operations Research Course.
The teaching staff has established academic records and reputations in all areas of Operations Research. Career Prospects
Graduates of the Master’s programme in Operations Research typically work in a quantitative or logistical advisory role within a company or for a consultancy firm. They find employment in a variety of industries e.g. production, services, health care, financial services, transportation and distribution. Employers value the quantitative and analytical skills of ORM graduates very highly.
University of Amsterdam | Faculty of Economics and Business
‘The MIF provided me with a wellbalanced curriculum, academically excellent yet approachable professors and a lively alumni network.’ Vasily Agapov
Master in International Finance www.abs.uva.nl/mif
Title: Master of Science (MSc) Duration: 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time Credits: 70 ECTS credits Language: English Programme directors: Dr Stefan Arping and Prof. Arnoud Boot
As a student in the Master’s programme in International Finance (MIF), you will be provided with a high quality, thorough training in the theore tical and practical aspects of international finance. This programme established in 1996 draws on the UvA’s reputation as a centre of excellence in finance and financial econometrics. It offers you both full-time and part-time study and has a truly international student body and approach to finance. It is ideal if you wish to pursue a career in finance or if you are an established finance professional wishing to enhance your prospects. You will find courses are practically rather than academically oriented, though the programme maintains high academic standards and you will learn about the latest research and thinking.
employment. Classes for part-time students take 6-8 hours a week, mostly during two evening sessions. Class preparation, casework and assignments demand a further 10-12 hours a week. The MIF programme starts in the beginning of September with a oneweek introduction course in financial accounting and quantitative methods in finance. Next to 12-14 core courses, students choose 4 electives to tailor the programme to their specific interests. The course curriculum ends around mid-June, leaving the
Programme structure and curriculum
The MIF allows you to study fulltime over a period of 12 months or part-time over a period of 18-24 months. Both programmes start in September. The part-time option is designed for combining the MIF programme with full-time
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summer months for an internship (optional) and a thesis. In January, MIF students embark on a one-week international study trip. Career prospects
Graduates go on to work in areas requiring a thorough understanding of the complexities of international finance, such as asset management, corporate finance, project finance and treasury. Graduates typically pursue careers in international financial institutions, investment banks, multinationals, international consultancies and accounting firms.
Ludovic Phalippou (France) Associate Professor of Finance (UvA) Ludovic Phalippou holds degrees from INSEAD (PhD in Finance), the University of Southern California (Masters in both Mathematical Finance and Economics) and Toulouse University (BSc in Economics). He is also a Research Fellow at Yale University. His research has received considerable attention from both the professional
investment community and the academic community. Several major newspapers have reported his findings: The New York Times, Pensions and Investments, The Wall Street Journal, Euromoney, Le Monde, The Financial Times and The Economist. He has received three ‘best paper’ awards and six research grants. His research has been published in leading academic journals: Review of Financial Studies, Journal of Economic Perspectives, Harvard
Business Review and Review of Finance. Most of his current research efforts focus on the risk and return of investing in private equity funds.
The Master in International Finance (MIF) is a recognised CFA Programme partner.
Vasily Agapov from the USA Alumnus, MIF ‘I was looking for a programme with a personal approach in an international environment. The quantitative track of the MIF fitted the bill precisely. It provided me with a well-balanced curriculum, academically excellent yet approachable professors and a lively alumni network. Furthermore the MIF gave me the chance to form lasting friendships with my class mates and to experience student life in Amsterdam. By the time I graduated I was able to secure a full-time offer to join the market risk group at Merrill Lynch in London.’
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University of Amsterdam | Faculty of Economics and Business
‘The Amsterdam MBA provides the perfect training and is an ideal match for me in achieving my ambitions.’ Alexandra Fleschiu
The Amsterdam MBA Business Administration
www.abs.uva.nl/mba
Title: Master in Business Administration (MBA) Duration: 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time Credits: 70 ECTS credits Language: English Programme director: Dr Willemijn van Dolen
The Amsterdam MBA will introduce you to the three ‘r’s, rigour, relevance and reliability. As a multidisciplinary pro gramme, an MBA must be taught with academic rigour. Practical issues differ across industries, geographies and time and are crucial to your understanding of underlying theories. We will make the theory relevant for you by linking it to practice, bringing the business world to into the classroom and taking you out into the business world. Reliability is key to your confidence in your knowledge, and understanding of its limitations. As a business manager, you need to be able to talk to various specialists in their own language, but also to know when to defer to their expertise.
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Programme structure and curriculum
The MBA curriculum provides broad coverage of the main functional areas of management: accounting, finance, marketing, information systems management, law, human resource management, economics and quantitative analysis. The curriculum is highly integrative and includes an international study trip and courses in business policy and strategy. Extending beyond the mere acquisition of knowledge and
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technical skills, the curriculum puts theory into practice by focusing on the personal development of participants through such competencies as decision-making, teamwork, leadership skills, entrepreneurial potential, negotiation skills, communication and presentation skills. Our keen awareness of the importance of leadership competencies in personal professional development led the
Dr Willemijn van Dolen from the Netherlands Programme director, Amsterdam MBA ‘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.’
in a real-life in-company consultancy project. Some do this in small groups in projects arranged by the Amsterdam Business School, while others opt for individual projects arranged by themselves. By dealing with a real business problem or strategic consultancy issue, students can show their ability to contribute to the development of a targeted solution. Career prospects
Typically, graduates go on to careers in areas in which a thorough under standing of the complexities of international business is essential, such as in multinational organisa tions, international consultancy firms, international financial institutions and banks. Our personal career service helps students to make sound career choices and assists them in areas such as writing a cover letter, preparing a professional CV and good interviewing techniques.
Alexandra Fleschiu from Canada Student, Amsterdam MBA ‘The MBA provides the perfect programme and is an ideal match for me in achieving my ambitions. I was attracted by the excellent faculty and international exposure in a great university setting. In my professional career, which gave me the experience and practical knowledge of a financial setting, I had come to a point where I wanted more development and a boost to a higher level. The business knowledge and the exposure to different viewpoints that I gain from the student community, my peers and esteemed professors will prepare me to achieve my objective of becoming a successful business professional.’
establishment of our Amsterdam Leadership Programme®. Through this programme we aim to give students the high-quality business and management training that will enable them to develop into effective leaders, leaders who convey what our MBA stands for - an international orientation - and characterised by a strong understanding of the impor tance of a genuine personal approach. Students have the option to conclude the Amsterdam MBA by taking part
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University of Amsterdam | Faculty of Economics and Business
Brendan O’Dwyer from Ireland Professor of Accounting ‘The Master’s programme in Accountancy & Control aims to provide students with a strong analytical knowledge base, combining academic rigour with practical applications. This combination is aimed at instilling in students an intellectual curiosity fostering the life-long learning competencies that are essential to any career in business and accounting. The academic programme relies on the most up-to-date international research to give students a thorough, contemporary understanding of how accounting information can be used to manage and evaluate real-world organisations. High quality, committed, award-winning lecturers guide students through the programme. This guidance enables students to conduct and deliver excellent independent research in their Master’s thesis.’
Accountancy & Control www.uva.nl/msc_accountancy_control
Title: Master of Science (MSc) Duration: 1 year full-time, 1,5 years part-time Credits: 60 ECTS credits Language: English (full-time), Dutch (part-time) Programme director: Dr Victor Maas
During the Master’s programme in Accountancy & Control, you will learn to analyse, interpret and research the flows of financial information within and across organisations. You will then be in a position to properly advise senior managers and other stakeholders. The insight you will gain into the associated disciplines will help you to pursue a profession in accountancy, industry or business. The intensive, selec tive programme has an interna tional focus in terms of its con tent, academic staff and student body giving you access to an enviable range and depth of expertise during your education.
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Programme structure and curriculum
Career prospects
The Accountancy track is intended for students with an interest in financial information flows from and within organisations. Students learn to analyse and satisfy the information needs of senior managers and other stakeholders, both internal and external.
Accountancy & Control Master’s students learn to look at various types of organisations from both a financial and an economic perspective, giving them valuable knowledge, under standing, professional experience and expertise. Job prospects are therefore excellent. In addition to careers as accountants, either under contract or self-employed, Accountancy & Control graduates are qualified for a variety of other positions, including as controllers, financial directors and financial and general management professionals.
Courses in the Control track provide a multidisciplinary perspective, integrating insights from economics, psychology and organisation theory. Graduates therefore have a unique knowledge base of specialised insight into the fields of finance and accounting, as well as a thorough understanding of how accounting information can be used to manage real-world organisations. The UvA offers intensive programmes in Accountancy & Control for students who wish to combine their Master’s programme with a four-day work week.
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Matthias Kowalsky from Germany Alumnus, Accountancy & Control (Accountancy track) ‘After having worked for a few years, I decided that it was time to go back to school and get my Master’s degree. I was looking for a university with a business school that offered advanced programmes in accounting that were taught in English. The Master’s programme in Accountancy & Control at the UvA proved to be an ideal fit for me. Even though the UvA is a large university, the quality of services and teaching is good. All my classes were small in size, interactive in nature and taught by renowned professors with real-world experience. The content of classes is relevant to a career in accounting, control or auditing and is internationally orientated, which makes the Master’s programme in Accountancy & Control an excellent option for international students.’
Prof. Eddy Vaassen from the Netherlands Programme director, international Executive Master of Finance and Control ‘Our mission is to offer high-quality education by specialised teaching staff to experienced practitioners with a university degree in order to enhance their practical performance and career opportunities in Finance and Control. In doing so, we wish to promote recognition of the Universiteit Maastricht Business School and the Amsterdam Business School as the providers of such education. We believe this can be accomplished by offering a programme that is innovative, focused, international, integrative, coherent, intensive and selective toward potential participants and potential teaching staff. To provide such education, we continuously challenge our teaching and support staff to improve curriculum, business processes and our teaching materials.’
international Executive Master of Finance and Control www.iemfc.eu
Title: Executive Master of Finance and Control (EMFC (RC)) Duration: 2.25 years Credits: 60 ECTS credits Language: English Programme directors: Prof. Philip Vergauwen Prof. Eddy Vaassen (Deputy)
Emma Labas from France Alumna, Executive Master of Finance and Control
Taking the international Executive Master’s programme of Finance and Control (iEMFC) will help you enhance your expertise and prospects. The programme will suit you if you work for a corporation based in or with offices the Netherlands or have important ties with firms based here. You should have experience of international financial practice and a Master’s level background. Its international focus is particularly appropriate for ‘high potential’ expats. The iMFC is a joint programme of Maastricht University and the UvA. Two degrees are conferred upon complettion: the Dutch Registered Controller (RC) degree and the Executive Master of Finance and Control (EMFC). Programme structure and curriculum
The iEMFC programme is for university graduates in international financial practice with at least two years experience and a Master’s level background in finance, accounting or information management. The programme is aimed at employees from multinational corporations that have either their headquarters in the
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‘This Executive Master’s programme appealed to me because its content is perfectly in line with my current position as a junior controller for the retail company Albert Heijn and for the development of my career. Although I have lived in the Netherlands for three years now, my Dutch was not good enough to take classes in Dutch, so the English iEMFC programme was the logical step for me. The programme is very good for various reasons. The lecture topics are diverse and range from finance to supply chain management. This broad view really enhances the quality of a controller’s everyday business life. Not only is the programme itself very useful, it is also extremely beneficial because of the discussions with other students. I have high expectations for my career now. There are always opportunities in the Ahold Group and having an international background in the Netherlands gives you lots of prospects.’
Netherlands or important ties with firms based here. In view of the international focus of the programme, it is particularly appropriate for expats from these corporations. Typically, these are candidates designated as having ‘high potential’ by their employers, and given the corresponding level of support. Because this minimal requirement forms the basis for selection, a few applicants may require additional instruction and
training prior to enrolment. In addition to these formal academic and practical requirements, some candidates may also need an official endorsement from their employer. The programme includes six twoweek seminars in March, July and November. These are held in Maastricht (twice), Boston (once), Shanghai (once) and Amsterdam (twice). Career prospects
Students will enhance their career options by enrolling in this programme given that the international EMFC title is, more and more, considered to be the benchmark qualification for senior positions in finance functions.
University of Amsterdam | Faculty of Economics and Business
Practical matters
General admission requirements
English language proficiency
pplicants must have at least a A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g. Business, Business Economics, Commerce, Economics). A Master’s degree is required for the international Executive Master of Finance and Control and desired for the other advanced Master’s programmes.
Non-native English speakers must pass an English-language proficiency test. Such English speakers are exempted from taking such a test provided they have earned their degrees in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom or the United States. The following tests are accepted: ■ T OEFL, with a minimum score of 580 (paper-based), 232 (computerbased) or 95 (Internet-based). Students must have an official copy of the results sent directly
Some programmes have additional requirements such as GMAT, a mathematical test, work experience, an interview or references. For more detailed information, see the individual programme websites.
by the TOEFL institute to the programme they are applying for. The TOEFL reporting number for the UvA’s Faculty of Economics and Business is 0398; ■ I ELTS (academic module) with a minimum score of 6.5 and at least 6.0 should be obtained for each separate test result; ■ C ambridge International Examinations, with minimum scores of A/B+ for CAB, B for CPE or A+ for FCE (source: ISP brochure); ■ D utch students: pre-university (VWO) level of English.
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Tuition Fee For students from the EU/EEA the tuition fee for Master’s programmes is the same as for Dutch students. For non EU/EAA students and those wishing to take an MIF or MBA different tariffs apply. www.feb.uva.nl/education
Scholarships The UvA aims to attract the world’s brightest students to its international classrooms. Outstanding students from outside the European Economic Area can apply for an Amsterdam Merit Scholarship. Some programmes (e.g. MBA and MIF) have their own tuition waiver scheme. For more information on this and other scholarship programmes, see www.uva.nl/scholarships or www.grantfinder.nl.
Visa and residence permit The UvA helps students who need to apply for a visa or residence permit. Your programme manager or admissions officer will be able to assist you further.
Application
Housing
Application to one of the Master’s programmes is possible as of October 1st 2010 through an on-line system. An application fee applies.
Like in all major capitals finding accommodation in Amsterdam is not easy. The UvA therefore provides housing to its international students. As the UvA is located in the city of Amsterdam and not on a campus,
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UvA accommodation is situated on several locations in various parts of the city. Some rooms are located right in the city center, others are at some distance away. Rent for single rooms varies from approximately € 400 to € 550 a month. Rent for shared accommodation is approximately € 300 to € 350 a month. www.studeren.uva.nl/housing
Study materials
Health and well-being
Depending on the course, the costs of books and other study materials can vary, ranging from approximately € 750 to € 1,000 in total. For more information on finances, see
The UvA has its own medical and general health and welfare services. Students with medical or dental complaints can see a University doctor or dentist; a reduced fee applies in most cases. Student psychologists are available to help UvA students with psychological/ social problems. Amsterdam also has a wide network of organisations and institutions offering pastoral support.
www.uva.nl/isp.
Working during your studies
Living expenses In addition to the tuition fees and accommodation expenses, students need approximately € 400 to € 500 a month for other expenses. Health insurance costs around € 50 a month. Overall living expenses in Amsterdam vary from between € 950 to € 1,300 a month (including rent).
Insurance Every resident of the Netherlands is required to have appropriate health insurance. This includes international students. General liability insurance is also recommended. Before you come to the Netherlands, please make sure your health insurance will cover the entire period of your stay. If your current healthcare insurance will not cover your stay abroad, you can choose to apply for either private student insurance or ‘basic’ Dutch healthcare insurance (basisverzekering), depending on your situation.
Students from EU countries and Norway, Liechtenstein, Switzerland and Iceland are not required to have a work permit in order to work in the Netherlands. Exceptions are Bulgaria and Romenia. The same requirements apply to students from these countries as to students from non-EU countries. Students from non-EU countries require a work permit and may work either 10 hours a week year round or a maximum of 520 hours in a seasonal job during June, July and August. www.nuffic.nl
Working after your studies Certain groups of international graduates are allowed to remain for a period of up to twelve months in the Netherlands to find a job as a highly skilled migrant.
www.uva.nl/isp (see ‘Coming to Amsterdam’).
Computer facilities UvA students receive an UvAnetID upon enrolment. This provides access to a range of online services including student email, Blackboard and Studyweb. Students also receive a personal email account, a homepage, free Internet dial-up access and discounts on UvA-dsl cable internet access and various software products. In addition, 100MB of storage space is available for each student to use on the UvA network’s U-drive. www.student.uva.nl/english/facilities.cfm
www.nuffic.nl
www.uva.nl/insurance
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University of Amsterdam | Faculty of Economics and Business
Libraries
University Sports Centre
The UvA’s library facilities comprise the University Library and an additional seven faculty libraries. The UvA has an extensive collection that includes some four million titles, plus a large collection of rare manuscripts, letters and maps. Students have access to the collections free of charge. The UvA also has an extensive Digital Library that is accessible to all UvA students and staff.
The University Sports Centre (USC) offers fitness facilities and a wide range of sports classes for students, covering everything from aikido to swimming. The USC also has numerous gyms, an infrared sauna, sunbeds and a sports café. Students pay a small fee for the use of USC facilities, which are housed at various UvA locations.
www.uba.uva.nl
www.usc.uva.nl
CREA
University restaurants Food in the two university restaurants, Atrium and Agora, is good and cheap. Both restaurants also have a bar and are open Monday to Friday.
CREA, the cultural organisation of the UvA and the HvA (University of Applied Sciences of Amsterdam), organises courses and workshops in theatre, music, dance, literature, the visual arts, video, radio, multimedia
and photography. In the context of CREA Studium Generale, it often cooperates with student organisations to organise debates, lectures and film screenings. CREA also has its own café and theatre, in which around 100 performances, concerts, events and exhibitions are held annually. www.crea.uva.nl
Student organisations Most Faculty departments have their own student organisations. These organisations advocate the protection and promotion of student interests, and organise such things as excursions, social activities and book discounts. They also play an important role in departmental and faculty committees.
International student network The International Student Network Amsterdam (ISN-A) takes care of the social and cultural integration of international students studying at the UvA. To this end, it organises a wide variety of activities, introduction days, movie nights, weekly drinks, cultural outings and excursions. www.isn-amsterdam.nl
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Colophon Edition
University of Amsterdam September 2010 Photos
Henny Boogert, Christina Chouchena, Dirk Gillissen, Lizzy Kalisvaart, Kees Nieuwland, Jeroen Oerlemans, Ineke Oostveen, Levien Willemse, Imagestock, SXC Design
Crasborn Grafisch Ontwerpers bno Valkenburg aan de Geul | 10420 Disclaimer
Wherever commercial organisations are mentioned by name in this brochure, this is not because the University of Amsterdam favours or benefits from mentioning them in any way. No rights can be derived from the contents of this brochure. Š University of Amsterdam
University of Amsterdam Faculty of Economics and Business Roeterseiland - Building E Roetersstraat 11 1018 WB Amsterdam The Netherlands Roeterseiland - Building M Muidergracht 12 1018 TV Amsterdam The Netherlands
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