The Leadership and Change Management program is a traveler’s guide for frontrunners (change agents and change crews) in organizations. In this specialization, you will acquire evidence-based knowledge about the complexities of (planned) strategic interventions from multiple perspectives and in various settings including private companies, public organizations, and large-scale institutions.

All of the courses offered in the Leadership and Change Management specialization are taught with both macro (e.g., organizational/institutional) and micro (e.g., individual, behavioral) perspectives on the subject matter. At the same time, you will learn about the complexities of implementing change ‘on the ground’, where plans and standard operating procedures usually provide little help and where leaders rise must to the occasion. By learning project management, rhetoric and political skills, and – last but not least – by becoming comfortable with your personal story, growth, and vision (as ‘reflective practitioner’), you might learn to become that frontrunner (and, thus, ‘leader’) of change.... [-]

The International Management specialization prepares you for global management careers by developing your understanding of how the international context affects businesses and their employees. Due to the increasing globalization of the last decades, the international context now affects all aspects of the business. The International Management specialization combines the latest theory of international management with practical applications.

Under the supervision of world-class researchers and teachers, you will complete advanced international management courses designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of how to manage different parts of a business and how to compete in different contexts. In addition to core courses, you can select from several interdisciplinary electives that will provide the knowledge in areas of personal interest. The program also has a strong practical component. You need to apply the theoretical tools to a practical situation by developing an international expansion strategy for a real company or advise a company on an international management problem. Furthermore, you will work in different group projects to develop soft skills for working in multinational teams.... [-]

As a Science-Business professional, you are able to bridge the gap between research in (university) laboratories and practice in large industries companies as well as (small) entrepreneurial firms. You are trained to integrate science aspects in a business and innovation context while taking organizational, social and cultural variables into account. Practice and theory go hand in hand in your Master SBI, and the SBI courses feature real-world business and technology cases that are directly applicable to your future career.

STRUCTURE OF THE PROGRAMAt the start of the program, students choose a specialization: Energy & Sustainability or Life & Health. The curriculum comprises the following:... [-]

Entrepreneurship

There is increasing recognition of the fact that small and young ventures account for economic growth, and that entrepreneurship can be an important source of innovation. In the Entrepreneurship specialization, we see entrepreneurship as the processes of creating and exploiting opportunities by means of novel combinations of resources leading to new (social, societal and economic) value. Creativity plays a key role in these processes. We study entrepreneurial processes in all contexts where they occur: in new firms as well as existing ones (both small and large), and in institutional contexts. You will learn to appreciate the complexity and the challenges associated with the highly rewarding entrepreneurial activities in all kinds of firms and institutions and even beyond: entrepreneurship as a lifestyle.... [-]

The two-year Research Master’s program Business in Society will equip you with the knowledge and skills to shape new ways of doing business, taking into account how organizations and society affect each other. With a maximum intake of 25 talented and highly motivated students from all over the world, this English taught elite program offers intensive interactions. You will learn from, and work closely with, some of the world’s leading business administration scholars from both VU and UvA.

We are not only unique in our focus on business in society, but also in our emphasis on developing theory-building skills. We strongly believe that further testing existing theories will not suffice to successfully address the complex issues businesses face in interacting with society: Tomorrow’s business researchers need strong theory-building skills besides strong methodological skills. So, instead of purely focusing on developing your knowledge of research methods, this program is designed to promote a balanced combination of methodological skills and academic literary skills (theory-building, critical, reflective attitude, excellent writing, and communication). The program offers specialized courses, an overarching perspective connecting specializations and ample opportunities to tailor courses to your personal interests, either to broaden or focus your scope. Upon successful completion, you will receive a legally accredited Master’s degree from two universities and the title Master of Science (MSc) in Business in Society... [-]

Master in Management, Policy Analysis, and Entrepreneurship in the Health and Life Sciences (MPA)

New biomedical innovations in a world that is becoming ever more complex give rise to a wide range of ethical, legal and social questions and dilemmas. Is the new whooping-cough vaccine better than the old one? How can we control Q fever?How should we implement notions of patient-centered care? What will be the impact of developments in genomics on basic health insurance? Providing the best possible answers to these questions calls for cooperation between several disciplines and actors in society, from government, industry and social institutions to consumers and patients. The Master’s program offers the ideal opportunity to specialize in this fascinating area of research where a wide range of disciplines meet.... [-]

Master in Culture, Organization, and Management

The masters’ program of Culture, Organization, and Management puts organizational problems in a broader social and cultural perspective. Are you interested in organizations and topics within organization culture, change management, and cultural changes? Do you aim to graduate with a university masters’ degree? Then the masters’ program of Culture, Organization, and Management could be just what you are looking for.

Study program

The program focuses on qualitative research methods which typify the ethnographic approach. Students may also conduct research for their thesis in the Netherlands or abroad, notably in Southeast Asia, Southern Africa or the Caribbean.What you can expect from the program:... [-]

Master in Business Analytics

The Master’s in Business Analytics (BA) is a multidisciplinary program, aimed at improving business processes by applying a combination of methods based on mathematics, computer science, and business management. You will be trained in recognizing and solving in-company problems. BA is a hands-on program: you will use your expertise in the various fields to improve business practices by examining and analyzing real-world situations as faced by companies daily.

Construct, implement and assess solution approaches

Theories from Business Analytics are typically applied to areas such as supply chain planning, data mining, call center management, revenue management and risk management. The Master’s program will deepen your knowledge in these areas and give you the opportunity to specialize in business process optimization, computational intelligence, and financial risk management. Combining the knowledge you acquire and applying it to practical situations plays an essential role in the program. The Master’s degree is concluded with a six-month individual internship at a company (the Master’s project).... [-]

Our academic calendar is based on a quarter system (1 quarter = 10 weeks). Because of the program's flexible structure and modular design, multiple starting dates are available at the start of every Quarter and of every Term, in October, November, January, February, April, May, July, and August. All campuses follow the same academic calendar.

Full-time students can earn a Master degree in 1 academic year of 9 months, for a total of 3 quarters of 20 credits each, or within 12 months when spreading the workload.

Part-time students can earn a Master degree in 2 to 3 academic years, depending on the number of courses attempted per quarter, the course selection and the course planning; earning half the typical number of courses equals twice the duration of the full-time program. The more flexible the working hours, the more courses will be available to finish faster. Students are considered part-time while attempting 6 or fewer courses per quarter. Part-time studies are available only for students with a national passport or residence permit.... [-]

Our academic calendar is based on a quarter system (1 quarter = 10 weeks). Because of the program's flexible structure and modular design, multiple starting dates are available at the start of every Quarter and of every Term, in October, November, January, February, April, May, July, and August. All campuses follow the same academic calendar.

Full-time students can earn a Master degree in 1 academic year of 9 months, for a total of 3 quarters of 20 credits each, or within 12 months when spreading the workload.

Part-time students can earn a Master degree in 2 to 3 academic years, depending on the number of courses attempted per quarter, the course selection and the course planning; earning half the typical number of courses equals twice the duration of the full-time program. The more flexible the working hours, the more courses will be available to finish faster. Students are considered part-time while attempting 6 or fewer courses per quarter. Part-time studies are available only for students with a national passport or residence permit.... [-]

Our academic calendar is based on a quarter system (1 quarter = 10 weeks). Because of the program's flexible structure and modular design, multiple starting dates are available at the start of every Quarter and of every Term, in October, November, January, February, April, May, July, and August. All campuses follow the same academic calendar.

Full-time students can earn a Master degree in 1 academic year of 9 months, for a total of 3 quarters of 20 credits each, or within 12 months when spreading the workload.

Part-time students can earn a Master degree in 2 to 3 academic years, depending on the number of courses attempted per quarter, the course selection and the course planning; earning half the typical number of courses equals twice the duration of the full-time program. The more flexible the working hours, the more courses will be available to finish faster. Students are considered part-time while attempting 6 or fewer courses per quarter. Part-time studies are available only for students with a national passport or residence permit.... [-]

Our academic calendar is based on a quarter system (1 quarter = 10 weeks). Because of the program's flexible structure and modular design, multiple starting dates are available at the start of every Quarter and of every Term, in October, November, January, February, April, May, July, and August. All campuses follow the same academic calendar.

Full-time students can earn a Master degree in 1 academic year of 9 months, for a total of 3 quarters of 20 credits each, or within 12 months when spreading the workload.

Part-time students can earn a Master degree in 2 to 3 academic years, depending on the number of courses attempted per quarter, the course selection and the course planning; earning half the typical number of courses equals twice the duration of the full-time program. The more flexible the working hours, the more courses will be available to finish faster. Students are considered part-time while attempting 6 or fewer courses per quarter. Part-time studies are available only for students with a national passport or residence permit.... [-]

Our academic calendar is based on a quarter system (1 quarter = 10 weeks). Because of the program's flexible structure and modular design, multiple starting dates are available at the start of every Quarter and of every Term, in October, November, January, February, April, May, July, and August. All campuses follow the same academic calendar.

Full-time students can earn a Master degree in 1 academic year of 9 months, for a total of 3 quarters of 20 credits each, or within 12 months when spreading the workload.

Part-time students can earn a Master degree in 2 to 3 academic years, depending on the number of courses attempted per quarter, the course selection and the course planning; earning half the typical number of courses equals twice the duration of the full-time program. The more flexible the working hours, the more courses will be available to finish faster. Students are considered part-time while attempting 6 or fewer courses per quarter. Part-time studies are available only for students with a national passport or residence permit.... [-]

Our academic calendar is based on a quarter system (1 quarter = 10 weeks). Because of the program's flexible structure and modular design, multiple starting dates are available at the start of every Quarter and of every Term, in October, November, January, February, April, May, July, and August. All campuses follow the same academic calendar.

Full-time students can earn a Master degree in 1 academic year of 9 months, for a total of 3 quarters of 20 credits each, or within 12 months when spreading the workload.

Part-time students can earn a Master degree in 2 to 3 academic years, depending on the number of courses attempted per quarter, the course selection and the course planning; earning half the typical number of courses equals twice the duration of the full-time program. The more flexible the working hours, the more courses will be available to finish faster. Students are considered part-time while attempting 6 or fewer courses per quarter. Part-time studies are available only for students with a national passport or residence permit.... [-]

Our academic calendar is based on a quarter system (1 quarter = 10 weeks). Because of the program's flexible structure and modular design, multiple starting dates are available at the start of every Quarter and of every Term, in October, November, January, February, April, May, July, and August. All campuses follow the same academic calendar.

Full-time students can earn a Master degree in 1 academic year of 9 months, for a total of 3 quarters of 20 credits each, or within 12 months when spreading the workload.

Part-time students can earn a Master degree in 2 to 3 academic years, depending on the number of courses attempted per quarter, the course selection and the course planning; earning half the typical number of courses equals twice the duration of the full-time program. The more flexible the working hours, the more courses will be available to finish faster. Students are considered part-time while attempting 6 or fewer courses per quarter. Part-time studies are available only for students with a national passport or residence permit.... [-]