FEB Master

2011-2012

Faculty of Economics and Business

Master’s programmes in Economics and Business

Cover photo:

Students Faculty of Economics and Business

Jie and Anam

2 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 BoswijkDirector Graduate School of EconomicsFaculty of Economics and Business

3 University of Amsterdam | Faculty of Economics and Business

Contents

University of Amsterdam 5

One Faculty, two Schools 8

General information 9

Actuarial Science and

Mathematical Finance 10

Business Economics 12

Business Studies 14

Economics 16

Econometrics 18

Fiscal Economics 19

Tinbergen Institute Master of

Philosophy in Economics (research) 20

Operations Research 21

Master in International Finance 22

The Amsterdam MBA

Business Administration 24

Accountancy & Control 26

international Executive Master of

Finance and Control 27

Practical matters 28

4 www.feb.uva.nl/education4 www.feb.uva.nl/education

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.

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.



City of Amsterdam

Amsterdam, famous for its historical buildings and canals, is a multi-faceted 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 small-scale 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

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.

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,

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.

■ Escola de Administração de

Empresas de São Paulo da

Fundação Getulio Vargas

■ Pontificia Universidad Católica

de Chili

■ Tech de Monterrey

■ Universidad del Pacífico

■ Universidad Torcuato di Tella

■ National ChengChi University

■ Chulalongkorn University

■ University of Arizona

■ Bilkent University

■ Bocconi School of Management

■ Norwegian School of Management

■ Universitat Pompeu Fabre

■ Copenhagen Business School

■ University of Warwick

■ UT1 Toulouse

■ Nanyang Technological University

■ University of Vienna

■ Indian Institute of Management

Ahmedabad

■ Leuven University

■ Institute de Politique Sociales:

Science Po, Paris

■ Athens School of Economics and

Business

■ Warsaw School of Economics

■ Université de Lausanne

■ Charles University in Prague

■ Academia de Studii Economice

Bucaresti

■ Indian Institute of Management

Calcutta

■ Peking University

■ Tsinghua University

■ Fudan University

■ Vietnam National University

Ho Chi Minh City

Selection of FEB partner universities


Amsterdam School of Economics

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.

Master’s programmes ■ MSc Actuarial Science and

Mathematical Finance ■ MSc Econometrics ■ MSc Economics ■ MSc Operations Research■ Tinbergen Institute Master of

Philosophy in Economics (research)

Amsterdam Business School

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 program mes designed to stimulate active student participation.

Master’s programmes ■ MSc Accountancy & Control ■ MSc Business Economics ■ MSc Business Studies

Advanced Master’s programmes ■ The Amsterdam MBA ■ international Executive Master

in Finance and Control■ Master in International Finance

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 accredit ation worldwide.

EFMD

One Faculty, two Schools


Teaching

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.

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.

Credit system

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.

International Master’s programmes in Economics and Business

Programme Degree Mode of study DurationAccountancy & Control MSc Full-time/Part-time 1 year/1.5 years

Actuarial Science and Mathematical Finance MSc Full-time 1 year

Business Administration MBA Full-time/Part-time 1 year/2 years

Business Economics MSc Full-time 1 yearBusiness Studies MSc Full-time/Part-time 1 year/1.5 years

Econometrics MSc Full-time 1 year

Economics MSc Full-time 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

International Finance MSc Full-time/Part-time 1 year/2 years

Operations Research MSc Full-time 1 year

General information

Grading system

10 excellent

9 very good

8 good

7 satisfactory (above average)

6 pass

1 to 5 fail


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 up-to-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 curriculumActuarial 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 model-building 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

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 prospectsThe 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

Actuarial Science and Mathematical Finance www.uva.nl/msc_actuarial_science

‘My current work is an extension

of my thesis research topic. I provide

advice to pension funds in the area

of policy.’ Martin Bakker


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 ScienceProfessor Vellekoop’s research is focused on

the valuation and risk management of

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.’


‘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


Duration: 1 year


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 curriculumThe Master’s programme in Business Economics has three tracks, each with its own professional profile:■ Finance■ Organisation Economics ■ Real 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

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.

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.

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

Business Economicswww.uva.nl/msc_business_economics


Amsterdam in conjunction with the real estate industry itself.

Career prospectsThe 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.

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 BulgariaStudent, 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.’



Duration: 1 year full-time,

1,5 year part-time


Language: English

Programme director:

Dr Mark van der Veen

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

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.

Business Studieswww.uva.nl/msc_business_studies

‘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


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: ■ Cultural Industries■ Entrepreneurship ■ Governance and Valuation ■ Human Resource Management -

Organisational Behaviour■ Information Management■ Marketing ■ Strategy and Organisation Core courses in Professional and Research Orientation (5 credits),

Research Project (5 credits) and the Master’s thesis (20 credits) complete the curriculum.

Career prospectsA 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 non-commercial 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.

He Xianming from ChinaAlumnus, 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.’

Dr Ranjita SinghLecturer 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.



Duration: 1 year


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.

Programme structure and curriculumAll 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: ■ Behavioural Economics &

Game Theory ■ Industrial Organisation, Regulation

and Competition Policy ■ Development Economics

■ International Economics & Globalisation

■ Monetary Policy & Banking ■ Public Economic Policy

Career prospectsGraduates 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

Economicswww.uva.nl/msc_economics


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 EconomicsProf. 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.

‘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

Maximiliano Pin from ArgentinaAlumnus, 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.’



Duration: 1 year


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 curriculumThe programme has four tracks: ■ Econometrics ■ Financial Econometrics ■ Mathematical Economics■ Free track.

The Econometrics track emphasises statistical techniques for micro-economic 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.

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.

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 prospectsGraduates 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 EconometricsProf. 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 non-

stationary 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

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.

Econometricswww.uva.nl/msc_econometrics

‘The econometrics programme

at the UvA has an excellent

reputation.’ Daniel Ilyas

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 Economicswww.uva.nl/ma-fiscale-economie



2 years part-time


Language: Dutch

Programme director:

Prof. Gérard Kampschöer RA

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.

Programme structure and curriculumThe Master Fiscal Economics (Fiscale economie) has two electives;■ Fiscal Economics■ Tax 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.

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.

Part time studyThe 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 prospectsGraduates 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.



Duration: 2 years


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 curriculumThe 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

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

and at the institute, such as reading groups, seminars, workshops and conferences.

Career prospectsThe 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.

Tinbergen Institute Master of Philosophy in Economics (research) www.uva.nl/mphil_economics

‘A remarkable feature, not always found

at top-level universities, is the excellent

atmosphere and collaboration among

students.’ Prof. Wouter den Haan

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, second-

year 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.’



Duration: 1 year


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:■ How can you model a complex

production line or a hospital department so as to evaluate its performance and the effect of possible changes?

■ How could you determine if service capacities, such as check-in counters at airports, call centres or MRI scans in hospitals should be pooled?

■ How you would establish minimal cost routing and distribution schemes?

■ How 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 curriculumStudents 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.

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: ■ an Advanced Deterministic

Course■ an Advanced Stochastic Course■ an Applied stream of Operations

Research Course.

The teaching staff has established academic records and reputations in all areas of Operations Research.

Career ProspectsGraduates 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.

Operations Researchwww.uva.nl/msc_operations_research

Erik van der Sluis from The NetherlandsSenior 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.’



Duration: 1 year full-time, 2 years

part-time


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.

Programme structure and curriculumThe MIF allows you to study full-time 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

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 one-week 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

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.

‘The MIF provided me with a well-

balanced curriculum, academically

excellent yet approachable professors

and a lively alumni network.’ Vasily Agapov

Master in International Financewww.abs.uva.nl/mif


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.’


Title: Master in Business

Administration (MBA)

Duration: 1 year full-time, 2 years

part-time


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.

Programme structure and curriculumThe 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

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

The Amsterdam MBA Business Administration www.abs.uva.nl/mba

‘The Amsterdam MBA provides the perfect

training and is an ideal match for me in

achieving my ambitions.’ Alexandra Fleschiu


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

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.

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.’

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.’




1,5 years part-time


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.

Programme structure and curriculumThe 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.

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.

Career prospectsAccountancy & 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.

Accountancy & Controlwww.uva.nl/msc_accountancy_control

Matthias Kowalsky from GermanyAlumnus, 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.’

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.’


international Executive Master of Finance and Control www.iemfc.eu

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.’

Title: Executive Master of Finance

and Control (EMFC (RC))

Duration: 2.25 years


Language: English

Programme directors:

Prof. Philip Vergauwen

Prof. Eddy Vaassen (Deputy)

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 curriculumThe 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

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 two-week seminars in March, July and November. These are held in Maastricht (twice), Boston (once), Shanghai (once) and Amsterdam (twice).

Career prospectsStudents 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.

Emma Labas from France Alumna, Executive Master of Finance

and Control

‘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.’


General admission requirements

Applicants must have at least 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.

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.

English language proficiency

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: ■ TOEFL, with a minimum score of

580 (paper-based), 232 (computer-based) or 95 (Internet-based). Students must have an official copy of the results sent directly 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;

■ IELTS (academic module) with a minimum score of 6.5 and at least 6.0 should be obtained for each separate test result;

■ Cambridge International Examinations, with minimum scores of A/B+ for CAB, B for CPE or A+ for FCE (source: ISP brochure);

■ Dutch students: pre-university (VWO) level of English.

Application

Application to one of the Master’s programmes is possible as of October 1st 2010 through an on-line system. An application fee applies.

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, seewww.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.

Housing

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,

Practical matters


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

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.www.uva.nl/insurance

Study materials

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 www.uva.nl/isp.

Working during your studies

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.nuffic.nl

Health and well-being

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 (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


Libraries

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. www.uba.uva.nl

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.

University Sports Centre

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.usc.uva.nl

CREA

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


Colophon

EditionUniversity of AmsterdamSeptember 2010

PhotosHenny Boogert, Christina Chouchena, Dirk Gillissen, Lizzy Kalisvaart, Kees Nieuwland, Jeroen Oerlemans, Ineke Oostveen, Levien Willemse, Imagestock, SXC

DesignCrasborn 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.

© University of Amsterdam


Faculty of Economics and BusinessRoeterseiland - Building ERoetersstraat 111018 WB AmsterdamThe Netherlands

Roeterseiland - Building MMuidergracht 121018 TV AmsterdamThe Netherlands

www.feb.uva.nl/education

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