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Master
Strategy (Business Administration)
Vergelijk

Why this pre-Master’s programme

Completion of the pre-Master's grants you direct access to the Master of Science in Business Administration. This admission is unconditional, meaning you will not have to go through the normal selection process for the Master’s programme. This unconditional access is valid for a full year, starting at the completion date of your pre-Master’s programme. This effectively gives you access to the Master’s programme at 3 starting points (see below for more information). The pre-Master’s programme prepares you for further studies in the best possible way. It offers a fixed set of courses that supplement your prior education.

February start (online, with on campus examinations)

In February the educational activities of this pre-Master's are offered online, with campus-based examination during 2 exam periods and potentially 2 resit periods throughout the programme. This opportunity is available for a select group of 25 students. This mainly online study programme provides you with an accessible learning experience. This approach combines the convenience of online learning with the precision of on-campus testing, providing students with a well-rounded educational experience.

Starting in February gives you the possibility to continue with the Master’s straight after, in September with a choice of 9 tracks, or in February, with a choice of 3 specialisation tracks. Finally, since completion of the pre-Master’s programme provides access to the Master's for one full year, you could start the Master’s in Business Administration at the latest in September the year after. Please note that the Master's programme in Business Administration is on campus.

September start (on campus)

You can start this pre-Master’s in September which offers you a full on campus experience. The September start leaves you with the possibility to start the Master’s straight after, in February with a choice of 3 specialisation tracks. The University of Amsterdam is one of the few institutions in the Netherlands where you can start your Master’s in Business Administration in February. Or you can start the following academic year in September, with a choice of 9 tracks. Finally, since completion of the pre-Master’s programme provides access to the Master’s for one full year, you could start the Master in Business Administration at the latest in February the year after.

The programme

Throughout this programme, you can expect excellent teaching and support from our professors, each highly respected in their field of expertise.

  • 1. Academic Project

    Cover the fundamentals of academic research. Learn about different research methods and instruments and carry out and report on a qualitative research project.

  • 2. Management Research Methods I

    Learn about the basic statistical concepts and techniques which are used in the area of management and business administration. Learn how to apply these concepts and techniques by using SPSS software.

  • 3. Marketing Management

    Dive deeper in areas like branding, marketing, consumer behaviour and the social-cultural impact of organisations and their strategies. Apply your theoretical insights to business cases and examples.

  • 4. Leadership and Management

    Examine the concepts, models and theories of leadership and management to explain how to manage individuals and teams effectively.

  • 5. Management Research Methods 2

    Learn to understand quantitative and statistical methods and their drawbacks. You will review more advanced statistical concepts and techniques and apply them using SPSS (or R) software.

  • 6. Strategy and Organisation

    Cover the most important topics in strategic management and theories, to analyse them. These topics include competitive strategy, corporate strategy, the strategy process and the link between strategy and organisation.

Duration and content

Depending on your prior education, your 4-month pre-Master's will consist of a maximum of 6 courses related to research methods and/or business.

  • You have an HBO Bachelor’s degree (University of Applied Sciences)

    With an HBO Bachelor’s degree related to Business Administration (e.g. Business Administration, Management, Economics or Commerce, Hotel Management) you will follow the full 30 EC programme and take all 6 courses.

  • You have an academic degree (Research University)

    February start (online, with on campus examination)

    • If you have a HBO Bachelor’ degree or a Dutch or European academic BSc and/or MSc degree; you will follow the full 30 EC programme and take all 6 courses in the February start. There is no option for exemptions of any of the 6 courses.

    September start (on Campus)

    • If you have a Dutch or European academic BSc and/or MSc degree including advanced quantitative research methods, but without business-related courses, you will follow the 4-month 15 EC study programme. This programme consists of the 3 business administration-related courses.
    • If you have a Dutch or European academic BSc degree with at least 15 EC in Business Administration courses (preferably a minor) with less than 10 EC in quantitative research courses, you will follow the 10 EC study programme. This programme solely consists of the 2 management research methods courses.
    • If you have a Dutch or European academic BSc degree with insufficient coursework in both quantitative research methods and Business-related coursework, you will follow the 25 EC study programme. This programme consists of the 2 management research methods courses and three Business courses.
  • Difference between research and applied universities

    The University of Amsterdam is a research university. Unlike in many other countries, Dutch higher education makes a distinction between research universities and universities of applied sciences (hbo).

    Programmes at research universities like the UvA focus more on theoretical aspects of the field of study and prepare students for undertaking independent research. Study programmes at universities of applied sciences prepare students for particular professions and tend to be more practically oriented.

Our pre-Master’s in brief

Language: English
Duration: 4 months
ECTS February start: 30 ECTS
ECTS September start:

30 ECTS for HBO/Applied Sciences students

10/15/25 ECTS for research University students

Start pre-Master's: September or February
Start Master's Business Administration: February (choose 1 of 3 track)
  September (choose 1 of 9 tracks)
Cost:

Calculate your tuition fee

Entry and selection requirements February intake (online with on-campus examination)

The entry requirements depend on where you have completed your prior education. These are the requirements for the September 2024 intake:

Entry and selection requirements September intake (on campus)

The entry requirements depend on where you have completed your prior education. These are the requirements for the September 2024 intake: