UVA FEB Master 2010/2011

2009 | 2010

Economics and BusinessInternational Master’s programmes

2010 | 2011

09397_UvA_MB_FEB_eng.indd 1 16-09-09 16:00

Cover photo:

Students Faculty of Economics and Business

Jie and Anam


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 Dean 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 Tom WansbeekDean, Faculty 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

Accountancy & Control 10

Actuarial Sciences and Mathematical Finance 12

Business Economics 14

Economics 16

Econometrics 18

Business Studies 20

Tinbergen Institute Master of Philosophy in Economics (research) 21

Operations Research and Management 22

Master in International Finance 24

The Amsterdam MBABusiness Administration 26

Independent Executive MBABusiness Administration (modular) 28

international Executive Master of Finance and Control 30

Practical matters 32

4 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 170 Master’s programmes covering almost every academic discipline, from Accountancy & 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 both during and after their studies in the form of extensive academic and career coaching.

Many of the Master’s programmes refl ect the top international research being conducted in a specifi c fi eld, thus exposing students to groundbreaking research during their studies. Amsterdam is an inspiring city for students and scientists alike. The close proximity

of scientifi c institutes such as SEO Economic Research and the Tinbergen Institute facilitates and enriches research and independent study.

The UvA is a research university with a city 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 scientifi c 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 53rd in the World University Rankings (THES, 2008). 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.





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. In 2009 Amsterdam was deemed one of the top 15 cities worldwide in terms of quality of living. 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 fi nd the same level of freedom in their own countries. Baruch Spinoza and René Descartes fl ourished here, alongside Dutch painters, poets and scientists such as Johannes Vermeer, Constantijn Huygens and Antonie van Leeuwenhoek. 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 fl ourish, the UvA has always encouraged international cooperation. It attracts students from all over the world, and presently has more than 2,500 international students and researchers 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 backgrounds. 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 effi ciency 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 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 fi nance and trade. International business was born in Amsterdam; the world’s fi rst public stock exchange was founded in Amsterdam and served as an example for stock markets all over the world. The fi rst 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 fi nancial services. The Amsterdam Stock Exchange, the Dutch Central Bank and the global and regional head offi ces of numerous Dutch and international fi rms are what make Amsterdam the fi nancial and business heart of the Netherlands, as well as a prestigious international business centre. Master’s programmes at the FEB refl ect 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

■ Pontifi cia Universidad Católica de

Chili

■ Tech de Monterrey

■ Universidad del Pacífi co

■ Universidad Torcuato di Tella

■ National ChengChi University

■ Chulalongkorn University

■ University of Arizona

■ Technological University

■ Boconni Business School

■ 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 Sciences and Mathematical Finance and Operations Research and Management, 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, which was positively assessed in 2005 by an international peer review committee of leading scholars chaired by Prof. Dale W. Jorgenson of Harvard University. Faculty members in the research programmes work on various topics in the broad fi eld 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 Sciences and

Mathematical Finance ■ MSc Econometrics ■ MSc Economics ■ MSc Operations Research and

Management■ 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 specifi c to the Dutch situation. The Bachelor’s programmes are taught in both Dutch and English. The degree programmes have a strong international perspective and are taught by an international staff of lecturers and researchers. The ABS educational philosophy is characterised by small-scale interactive seminars and workshops and case-based programmes

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 ■ Independent Executive 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 Master’s degree. For more information please visit www.nvao.net.

In 2007, the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD) awarded the EQUIS accreditation to ABS. ABS is one of around 100 elite schools, including the London Business School, INSEAD and IMD, that have been awarded this accreditation 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, a test, a paper or a combination of all three.

The academic year

The academic year of the UvA runs from the fi rst week of September to mid-July and is divided into two semesters of 21 weeks each. The fi rst 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 specifi c programme descriptions at www.uva.nl/isp.

Credit system

Semesters are composed of units called courses. Each course yields 5 to 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 Duration

Accountancy & Control MSc Full-time/Part-time 1 year/1.5 years

Actuarial Sciences and Mathematical Finance MSc Full-time 1 year

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

Business Administration (modular) MBA Part-time 1.5 years

Business Economics MSc Full-time 1 year

Business 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 and Management 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 full-time,

1,5 years part-time

Credits: 60 ECTS credits

Language: English

Programme director:

Dr Sander van Triest

The Master’s programme in Accountancy & Control is an intensive and selective programme with a high standard of academic education. The programme has a strong international focus in terms of its content, academic staff and student body. Graduates of the programme are qualifi ed for fi nancial positions not only in auditing and consultancy, but also in industry, banking and government. The programme consists of an Accountancy track and a Control track.

Programme structure and curriculumThe Accountancy track is intended for students with an interest in fi nancial information fl ows 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.

‘All my classes were small in size,

interactive in nature and taught

by renowned professors with

real-world experience.’ Matthias Kowalsky


Accountancy & Controlwww.uva.nl/msc_accountancy_control


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, understanding, 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.

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.’


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

(20-30 students), 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.’



Duration: 1 year


Language: English

Programme director: Prof. Rob Kaas

The Master’s programme in Actuarial Sciences and Mathematical Finance is the only stand-alone programme of its kind in the Netherlands. One of the features that makes it unique is the wide range of courses in which students can learn about the latest international developments, for example in Fair Value Techniques, Market-Consistent Embedded Value and Solvency II. The programme is taught by leading academics in the fi eld of Actuarial Sciences. In addition, by employing several teachers who work in the industry, we make sure that our students are taught the most up-to-date techniques, practices and insights.

Programme structure and curriculumActuarial Sciences and Mathematical Finance is a multidisciplinary Master’s programme that provides balanced and rigorous training in the fi nancial and mathematical analysis of complex issues in insurance. It focuses on mathematical model-building in the various specialised

fi elds of insurance: life insurance, non-life insurance and pension funds. Since the programme as a whole is aimed at developing a scientifi c 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 fi rst 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,

Actuarial Sciences and Mathematical Finance www.uva.nl/msc_actuarial_sciences


‘My current work is an extension

of my thesis research topic. I provide

advice to pension funds in the area

of policy.’ Martin Bakker


students receive a Master’s degree in Actuarial Sciences 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 fi nancial security systems. The actuarial profession is currently in a period of transition and has also come to encompass fi nancial risk management outside the insurance sector.

Graduates with a Master’s degree in Actuarial Sciences and Mathematical Finance have excellent career prospects. Many fi nd employment as actuaries or risk managers with insurance companies, actuarial consultancy fi rms or pension funds. The Master’s programme also provides a good foundation for pursuing a PhD degree.

Prof. Antoon Pelsser (The Netherlands) Professor of Actuarial ScienceProfessor Pelsser’s research interests focus

on the pricing and market-consistent

valuation of insurance contracts, Asset-

Liability Management (ALM) for insurance

companies and pricing models for interest

rate derivatives. From 2001 until 2006,

Prof. Pelsser held a part-time position as

Professor of Mathematical Finance at

Erasmus University Rotterdam.

In addition to his academic career,

he has also worked in the fi nancial industry.

From 2004 until 2007, he worked in ING

Group’s Corporate Insurance Risk

Management department, where he was

involved in implementing a new internal

model for measuring economic capital for

ING-Insurance. From 2000 until 2004, he

worked as Head of ALM for Nationale-

Nederlanden. Prior to this, he worked in the

dealing-room of ABN-Amro Bank in

Amsterdam for seven years, where he was

responsible for the development of pricing

models for derivatives.


Martin Bakker from the Netherlands Alumnus, Actuarial Sciences

‘The Master’s programme in Actuarial

Sciences 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 fi ndings.

You can defi nitely say that my

programme is strongly related to my

work.’


‘After graduation I would like to work for

an investment company or a hedge fund

to start my fi nancial career. Hence, I have

chosen mainly investment courses in my

Master’s programme.’ Maria Kourdalanova



Duration: 1 year


Language: English

Programme coordinators:

Dr Alessandro Beber (Finance),

Prof. Jeroen Hinloopen (Organisation

Economics), Gerjan Vos, MSc. (Real

Estate Finance)

Would you like to learn how organisations work? Do you want to know how they make the right investment decisions and how management and staff can be motivated to create as much value for the company as possible? 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 fi nancing issues.

Programme structure and curriculumThe Master’s programme in Business Economics has three tracks, each with its own professional profi le:■ Finance■ Organisation Economics ■ Real Estate Finance.

The Finance track concentrates on the workings of fi nancial markets, the fi nancial and economic management of organisations and the use of fi nancial tools by companies and investors. The programme is built around specialised modules, for example, on commercial banking, corporate fi nance, investment theory, managing bond portfolio risks, fi nancial markets, international fi nance and so on.

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. The course in Economics of Organisation and Management forms the foundation for this track. Students then choose between four further specialisations: Industrial Organisation, Microeconomics, Management Accounting and Corporate Finance. The Faculty of Economics and Business is one of the few economics faculties in Europe offering a specialisation in Organisation Economics.

The Real Estate Finance track is designed to provide advanced insight and training in the fi nancial and economic aspects of commercial real

Business Economicswww.uva.nl/msc_business_economics



estate. This specialised real estate programme draws on the UvA’s established history of conducting real estate research in 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 Economicss

‘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


Language: English

Programme director:

Prof. Jeroen Hinloopen

The Master’s programme in Economics teaches students to become the creative and versatile economists our labour market needs today. It provides both an effective framework and a set of tools for systematically analysing a great variety of economic issues. Students choose courses from an extensive course list. The courses combine training in economic theory with application of economics tools used for practical implementation. The precise proportion of theory and application depends on the courses selected. Students can opt for a theoretical approach and focus on courses such as Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Game Theory and Experimental Economics. They can also choose for an emphasis on application and take courses such as Development Economics, Industrial Organisation and Labour Economics.

Programme structure and curriculumThe Master’s programme in Economics is a one-year programme divided into four blocks (two semesters of two blocks each), in which students must attain a total of 60 ECTS credits to complete the degree.

Students can choose between a general Master’s programme in Economics or a Master’s programme in Economics with a Major

specialisation. Majors are offered in the following nine fi elds:■ Macroeconomics ■ Microeconomics ■ History of Economic Theory

and Methodology of Economics ■ Public Economics ■ Industrial Organisation ■ International Economics ■ Development Economics ■ Monetary Economics and

Financial Institutions ■ International Financial Economics.

Economicswww.uva.nl/msc_economics



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 Central Bank, various private banks and international organisations such as the IMF, OECD and World Bank, as well as in organisations in eastern Europe.

Prof. Lex Hoogduin (The Netherlands) Professor of Monetary EconomicsProf. Lex Hoogduin combines his post as

Head of IRIS with his position as Robeco’s

Chief Economist. In addition to his

functions at Robeco and IRIS,

Prof. Hoogduin also holds the chair

in Monetary Economics and Financial

Institutions at the UvA. 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 the Dutch Central Bank 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 attracted me because

of the option of a pure economics degree

with various options for specialisation

and the fact that it is an international

programme with students from all over

the world.’ Tally Eldor

Tally Eldor from Israel Student, Economics

‘As soon as I fi nished my army service

I left Israel and went travelling. Living in

various countries with different standards

of living was my fi rst life lesson in

economics. I later expanded this with

academic experience by doing my

Bachelor’s degree in Economics in Tel Aviv,

where I graduated in 1998. The day after

my last exam I left for Australia, where

I continued my adventures for another

two years before coming to the

Netherlands in 2000. The Master’s

programme at the UvA attracted me

because of the option of a pure

economics degree with various options

for specialisation and the fact that it is an

international programme with students

from all over the world. The programme

is very good and has interesting courses.’



Duration: 1 year


Language: English

Programme director:

Dr Kees Jan van Garderen

The Master’s programme in Econometrics is a multidisciplinary programme that provides balanced and rigorous training in quantitative analysis of problems in economics and fi nance.

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 fi nancial models and time series. Mathematical Economics emphasises the mathematical modelling of economic and fi nancial markets. Each track offers electives and fi eld courses from which students can choose.

If you choose the free track, a fl exible mixture of the three tracks is also possible.

By the end of the Master’s programme, students will be able to apply advanced mathematical and statistical methods - using such modern software packages as

E-Views and OX - to the exploration and analysis of problems in economics and fi nance.

Career prospectsGraduates of the Master’s programme in Econometrics have a diverse range of excellent job prospects. Many graduates fi nd

Econometricswww.uva.nl/msc_econometrics

‘The econometrics programme

at the UvA has an excellent

reputation.’ Daniel Ilyas



employment in economic policy research departments (e.g. central planning bureaus or governmental institutions) or in the fi nancial sector (pension funds, investments banks, insurance companies).

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 fi ve-

year research grant from the KNAW.

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

effi cient (likelihood-based) inference

methods for fi nancial time series, taking

into account non-normality and volatility

clustering of returns. He has taught courses

on intermediate and advanced

econometrics, fi nancial econometrics,

asymptotic theory and stochastic calculus.


Dhaniel Ilyas from Indonesia Student, Econometrics

‘I have always dreamed of studying in

Europe because of its history, beauty

and rich cultures. I have always been

interested in studying in fi elds 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.’



Duration: 1 year full-time, 1,5 year

part-time


Language: English

Programme director:

Prof. Deanne den Hartog (interim)

The Master’s programme in Business Studies trains students to analyse complex organisational issues and to produce practical solutions. This requires not only a thorough knowledge of specialist business literature, but also the ability to apply that knowledge in practice. Business Studies takes a multidisciplinary approach to organisational issues in context. Analyses and solutions that are perfectly rational when considered in the framework of any one given disciplinary area – for instance economics, psychology, sociology or political science – will almost always have repercussions in other areas of the organisation. By viewing issues in a coordinated, plural and managerial way, their consequences can be mapped coherently.

Programme structure and curriculum The programme allows students to choose three Master’s courses (10 ECTS credits each) from at least two of the following specialisations: ■ Cultural Industries■ Entrepreneurship ■ Governance and Valuation ■ Human Resource Management ■ 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 refl ection to strategically and operationally enhance the functioning, improvement and renewal of commercial and non-commercial organisations. Examples of such positions include organisational consultant, strategic analyst, project leader, HRM manager, information analyst, information manager, account manager, product manager and fi nancial 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 scientifi c 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.

Business Studieswww.uva.nl/msc_business_studies

Kristina Sabulyte from Lithuania Student, Business Studies

‘After I got my Bachelor’s degree in Business

Management and Administration in

Lithuania, I started the Master’s programme

in Business Studies. The Netherlands

attracted me because of its high level of

education, widespread use of the English

language and effi cient national economy.

I chose the UvA because I wanted to deepen

my professional knowledge and skills,

broaden my knowledge of English and

acquire a more international perspective.

The programme provides an effi cient way

of learning, involving literature review

focused on original publications, case

studies, group work and research studies.

The lecturers are well-prepared academically

and always willing to help the students.’

‘The Netherlands attracted me because

of its high level of education, widespread

use of the English language and effi cient

national economy.’ Kristina Sabulyte


‘The Netherlands attracted me because

of its high level of education, widespread

use of the English language and effi cient

national economy.’



Duration: 2 years


Language: English

Programme director: Prof. Erik Plug

The Tinbergen Institute (TI) is the Research and Graduate School of the economics faculties of the UvA, Erasmus University Rotterdam and VU University Amsterdam. The programme maintains its high standards by selecting teaching staff from amongst the best researchers of the TI’s three participating economics departments and by inviting internationally renowned experts as guest lecturers. The programme’s high quality is also maintained by carefully selecting only the best students from the large, international pool of applicants.

Programme structure and curriculum The fi rst year of the Tinbergen Institute Master of Philosophy programme in Economics offers rigorous training in the core subjects and tools of economics, including: microeconomics, macroeconomics, mathematics, statistics and econometrics. The programme has two tracks: Economics and Finance. The Finance track is sponsored by

the Duisenberg School of Finance. In the second year, students choose a specialisation from among one of the TI’s many fi elds of research, and complete course fi eldwork and research for their Master’s thesis. Students can participate in a wide range of related activities organised at the Institute, such as reading groups, seminars 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 supervisors and research fi elds 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 fi elds of economics and the

programme offers a spectacular set of fi eld

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.


Bernd Schwaab from Germany Alumnus, Master of Philosophy in

Economics

‘Given that I had already done very well

in the fi rst 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 fi rst 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 fi elds of interest

and can pick specialised courses and be

creative in writing and presenting their

fi rst fi eld 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.’

‘A remarkable feature, not always found

at top-level universities, is the excellent

atmosphere and collaboration among

students.’ Prof. Wouter den Haan

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


Title: Master of Science

Duration: 1 year


Language: English

Programme director: Prof. N.M. van Dijk

The Master’s programme in Operations Research and Management concentrates on applying analytical methods for decision making in logistical business environments. It deals with questions such as: ■ How can we model a

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

■ Should service capacities, such as check-in counters at airports, call centres or MRI-scans in hospitals be pooled?

■ How can we establish minimal cost routing and distribution schemes?

■ How much, of which, product mix should a fi rm produce?

Operations Research and Management has a strong mathematical as well as an applied focus.

Programme structure and curriculumStudents in Operations Research and Management develop and apply mathematical and computational methods to provide objective, analytical and quantitative support. Which is 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 internship as part of the Master thesis.

The programme offers a well balanced curriculum with: ■ an Advanced Deterministic

Course■ an Advanced Stochastic Course

and ■ an Applied stream of Operations

Research Course.

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

Operations Research and Managementwww.uva.nl/msc_operations_research



The Master’s programme in Operations Research has been accredited by the Accreditation Organization of the Netherlands and Flanders (NVAO). This means that upon successful completion of the programme, students will receive a Master’s degree in Operations Research and the title of Master of Science (MSc).

Career ProspectsGraduates of the Master’s programme in Operations Research and Management typically work in a quantitative or logistical advisory role within a company or for a consultancy fi rm. They fi nd employment in a variety of industries e.g. production, services, health care, fi nancial services,

transportation and distribution. Employers value the quantitative and analytical skills of ORM graduates very highly.


Dr Erik van der Sluis from The NetherlandsSenior University Lecturer in Operations Research and Management

‘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 ORM specialist

ranges from shop fl oor 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

Since 1996, the Master’s programme in International Finance (MIF) has been providing students with high-

quality, thorough training in the theoretical and practical aspects of international fi nance. This well-established programme draws on the FEB’s reputation as a centre of excellence in fi nance and fi nancial econometrics. The Master’s programme in International Finance is open to full-time and part-time students and has a truly

international student body and approach to fi nance. It is ideal both for those wishing to pursue a career in fi nance and for established fi nance professionals wishing to enhance their career prospects. Courses are practice rather than academically oriented, though the programme maintains high academic standards and students learn about the latest research.

Programme structure and curriculumThe MIF programme takes one year (full-time) or two years (part-time) to complete. Students can choose from fi ve tracks: International Finance & Banking, Quantitative Finance, Real Estate Finance, Finance & Law (run in cooperation with DSF), Corporate Finance & Banking (run in cooperation with DSF). During the fi rst semester, all students complete a core curriculum designed to provide a fi rm foundation in fi nance. Halfway into the fi rst semester, students choose the specialised track in which they wish to continue. Each track has four core courses and four electives. The second semester starts in January with an international study trip for all students. The fi nal requirement of the programme is a thesis. Many students complete their thesis simultaneously with an

‘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

excellent yet approachable professors


internship or in conjunction with a project in the student’s work environment. This gives students the opportunity to apply their academic knowledge to practical situations and provides invaluable professional experience. In fact, a signifi cant number of students have found jobs in this way.

Career prospects The MIF programme is ideal for those seeking a career in fi nance and for established fi nance professionals looking to enhance their career prospects. Graduates go on to work in areas requiring a thorough understanding of the complexities of international fi nance, such as asset management, corporate fi nance, project fi nance and treasury. Graduates typically pursue careers in international fi nancial institutions, investment banks, multinationals, international consultancies and accounting fi rms.

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 fi ndings: 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 fi t the bill precisely. It provided

me with a well-balanced curriculum,

academically excellent yet approachable

professors and a lively alumni network.

Most importantly, the MIF gave me the

chance to form lasting friendships with

my classmates 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 is designed to incorporate three ‘r’s, rigour, relevance and reliability. A multidisciplinary programme such as an MBA must be taught with academic rigour. Practicalities differ across industry, geography and time and are crucial to an understanding of underlying theories. We make theory relevant by linking it to practice, bringing the business world into the classroom and taking the student into the business world. The latter includes a study trip to a well-known business school. Reliability is key to students’ confi dence in their knowledge, and to their understanding of the limitations of that knowledge. A business manager needs 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, fi nance, 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. Students can specialise in the following tracks:


The Amsterdam MBABusiness Administrationwww.abs.uva.nl/mba

‘The Amsterdam MBA provides the perfect

training and is an ideal match for me in

achieving my ambitions.’ Alexandra Fleschiu


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 fi nancial 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.’

Finance, Entrepreneurship, Real Estate, Corporate Social Responsibility, Negotiations.

Our keen awareness of the importance of leadership competencies in personal professional development led the 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 importance of a genuine personal approach. Students 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 understanding of the complexities of international business is essential, such as in multinational organisations, international consultancy fi rms, international fi nancial institutions and banks. Our personal career service helps students to make sound career choices and assists them in areas such as writing a cover letter, preparing a professional CV and good interviewing techniques.


Alexandra Fleschiu from Canada Student, Amsterdam MBA

‘The MBA provides the perfect

programme and is an ideal match for me

in achieving my ambitions. I was attracted

by the excellent faculty and international

exposure in a great university setting.

In my professional career, which gave

me the experience and practical

knowledge of a fi nancial 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.’


Title: Master in Business

Administration (MBA)

Duration: 18 months


Language: English

Programme director:

Prof. Jack van der Veen (interim)

The Independent Executive MBA programme is jointly delivered by the Amsterdam Business School and the Vlerick Leuven Gent Management School. The programme combines the best of both institutions with a variety of the most successful teaching methods currently in use: lectures, group work, case teaching, games and simulations. It culminates in a major consultancy project. Our Independent Executive MBA programme, with its multinational classes and faculty, make it a major cultural and learning experience both in and outside the classroom.

Programme structure and curriculumGraduates of the programme are highly educated discussion partners in the main functional areas of management, such as strategic management, accounting, fi nance, marketing, operations management, law, human resource management, economics and quantitative methods. The development of such ‘people skills’ as entrepreneurship, leadership, team-building and negotiation is an important part of the programme.

The Independent Executive MBA starts in January of each year and can be completed in 18 months. Classes take place every third weekend and are held alternately at the Amsterdam Business School and the Vlerick Leuven Gent Management School in Belgium. Residential weeks are organised during the programme. Topics include introduction, leadership, entrepreneurship and graduation. In addition the programme includes an International study trip to India, Russia, South Africa, New York or China. The programme can be completed without interrupting normal working life, meaning employer support is not essential. Approximately 40 students will be admitted to the programme starting in January 2010. Applicants will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Independent Executive MBABusiness Administration (modular)www.abs.uva.nl/emba


‘I chose the Independent Executive MBA

because it combines the strength of two

excellent business schools.’ Dennis Onneweer


Dennis Onneweer from the Netherlands Student, Independent Executive MBA

‘Being a management consultant and programme manager, I felt the need to broaden my

horizon and improve both my entrepreneurial and managerial knowledge and skills. I chose

the Independent Executive MBA because it combines the strength of two excellent business

schools in a fairly priced package of high quality education that is tailored to the needs of

experienced fulltime professionals. Vlerick Leuven Gent Management School is renowned for

its focus on entrepreneurship. The Amsterdam Business School is respected for its strength in

fi nance. The schedule of weekend classes every three weeks, with the residential weeks and

the international study week as an extra, is perfect for the working professional. You do need

to take care to manage your time effi ciently and make the proper arrangements with family

and friends. Yet the reward is there after 18 months, after which you can join ranks of both

Vlerick and Amsterdam alumni.’

The Independent Executive MBA aims to have a highly international student body whose members have two things in common: the ambition and the capability to pursue a challenging business degree.

Career prospectsStudent’s career opportunities are enhanced in all areas where a

thorough understanding of the complexities of international business is essential, e.g. multinationals, international consultancy and accounting fi rms, international fi nancial institutions and banks. Entrepreneurs will fi nd themselves much more confi dent in doing business.

Prof. Jack A.A. van der Veen(The Netherlands)Professor of Supply Chain OptimisationProf. Jack A.A. van der Veen combines his

post with his position as Director of

Executive Programmes of the Amsterdam

Business School. His areas of interest include:

Operations Research, Production & Logistics

Management, Optimization Models and

Supply Chain Management. Courses taught

by him include ‘Quantitative Methods in

Business’, ‘Operations Management’ and

‘Supply Chain Management’.

He has also taught in many executive

programmes and workshops on Supply

Chain Management related issues. Van der

Veen has published numerous articles both

in international research journals and

in managerial journals and has co-edited

a book on Demand & Supply Chain

Management. He graduated cum laude in

Econometrics at the University of Groningen.

He worked as lecturer and researcher at the

Institute of Econometrics at the same

university and completed his PhD in

Combinatorial Optimisation. For 9 years he

was the director of various MSc and MBA

programmes and was associate dean of

degree programmes and associate dean of

research at Nyenrode Business Universiteit.



Title: Executive Master in Finance

and Control (EMFC (RC))

Duration: 2.5 years


Language: English

Programme director:

Prof. Eddy Vaassen

The international Executive Master’s programme in Finance and Control (iEMFC) is a joint programme of Maastricht University and the UvA. Two degrees are awarded: the Dutch Registered Controller (RC) degree and the Executive Master in Finance and Control (EMFC).

Programme structure and curriculumThe iEMFC programme is for university graduates in international fi nancial practice with at least two years experience and a Master’s level background in fi nance, 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 fi rms 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


‘We continuously challenge our

staff to improve our curriculum,

our business processes and our

teaching materials.’ Prof. Eddy Vaassen

international Executive Master of Finance and Control www.fdewb.unimaas.nl/iemfc


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.’

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 fi eld (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 profi ciency

Non-native English speakers must pass an English-language profi ciency 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

600 (paper-based), 250 (computer-based) or 100 (Internet-based). Students must have an offi cial 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;

■ 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.

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

Visa and residence permit

The UvA helps students who need to apply for a visa or residence permit. Your programme manager or admissions offi cer will be able to assist you further.


Practical matters


Scholarships

Amsterdam School of Economics

Amsterdam Business School

Amsterdam Merit 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. Like MBA and MIF) have their own tuition waiver scheme. For more information on this and other scholarship programmes, seewww.uva.nl/scholarships or

www.grantfi nder.nl.

Housing

Rent for single rooms in Amsterdam varies from approximately € 300 to € 600 a month. Rent for shared accomodation is approximately € 300 a month. The UvA is able to guarantee housing for students of the Faculty of Economics and Business. 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. Insurance costs around € 50 a month. Overall living expenses in Amsterdam vary

from between € 950 to € 1,300 a month (including rent).

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 fi nances, 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.nuffi c.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 fi nd a job as a highly skilled migrant. www.nuffi c.nl

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

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.

University Sports Centre

The University Sports Centre (USC) offers fi tness facilities and a wide range of fi tness 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 fi lm 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, including movie nights, weekly drinks, cultural outings and excursions.www.isn-amsterdam.nl



Colophon

EditionUniversity of AmsterdamOctober 2009

PhotosHenny Boogert, Dirk Gillissen, Jeroen Oerlemans, Ineke Oostveen

DesignCrasborn Grafi sch Ontwerpers bno Valkenburg aan de Geul | 09397

Disclaimer Wherever commercial organisations are mentioned by name in this brochure, this is not because the University of Amsterdam favours or benefi ts 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


Documents

UVA FEB Master 2010/2011