This challenging two-year Research Master's programme focuses on key issues of Public Administration and Organisation Theory.

During the programme, you will gain in-depth knowledge about societal problems and challenges of public organisations. You will combine theories of public administration, organisational science, and management with in-depth training in research methods. There is a focus on the challenges that governments nowadays face, such as mediatization, ageing, declining trust in the government and societal fragmentation. Challenges within public organisations are analysed, such as management professional conflicts and the role of risk when innovating. After obtaining this research master you are one step ahead of other job seekers when applying for positions in research, consultancy or policy advice.... [-]

The Master's programme International Public Management and Policy focuses on the increasingly international nature of public management and public policymaking.

Many collective problems of our times, such as climate change, terrorism, corruption, poverty and inequality, have an international character. In order to deal effectively with these and similar problems, nation-states need to increase their own capacities through regulatory and administrative reform. In addition, they need to learn from each other and collaborate in international organisations such as the United Nations and the European Union.

How can global problems like poverty and climate change be tackled?... [-]

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.... [-]

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 Information Sciences

Information Sciences is the multidisciplinary area spanning Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and its practical application in society. Are you interested in how information is created and processed in companies and organizations? Are you more interested in the application of technology than technology for its own sake? Do you believe it is important to consider the role of people, organizations, and cultures in the design, modeling, communication and sharing of information? If so, then the Master’s program in Information Sciences at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is an excellent choice for you.Information Sciences combines technology and organizational studies on the one hand, with technology and culture on the other. It features courses that keep you ahead of the rapid pace of developments within this sector. The program focuses on web applications and internet research for the e-society of the future, including areas such as e-business and e-entertainment. The Master’s program seeks to promote scientific insight and a sense of social responsibility. You will be required to select courses with a total value of 15 credits from a list of approved courses which are rooted in our international research.Our Master’s courses may change from year to year to reflect ongoing developments and international Information Sciences research. They can include guest courses, SIKS National Graduate Research School courses, and courses on other new topics taught by the university staff. Our current courses include Information Retrieval, E-Business Innovation, Software Architecture, Ontology Engineering and Multimedia Design Case.... [-]

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:... [-]

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.... [-]

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.... [-]