Are you a future Interdisciplinary Business Professional?
Then the English-taught Master MSc in Business Studies from Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Groningen, is the right programme for you!
The Master MSc in Business Studies is an intensive, ground-breaking one-year international Master programme in the domain of business studies, designed for ambitious students who are eager to make a difference. You will contribute to solutions and innovations for wicked problems that organisations are facing. Wicked problems are complex interdisciplinary issues that require innovative and diverse answers for organisations that add value to both people and our planet.
The Master MSc in Business Studies aims to educate ambitious, agile and innovative Business Professionals who are shaping their own entrepreneurship as so-called intrapreneurs. These Business Professionals accept challenges and are able to effect innovations in interdisciplinary forms of cooperation that will contribute to society in a meaningful way.
Companies and organisations are facing a world in transition. They must cope with the effects of economic developments and societal changes such as globalisation,
digitalisation, internationalisation and sustainability. They must deal with complex issues, that are hard to define, difficult to predict and have several causes. For instance:
To survive and thrive, companies and organisations must innovate. They must look to the future. To remain relevant, they need to adapt and change. They must grab wicked problems by the tail and transform threats into opportunities and find the right answers to dilemmas. They need professionals with an open mind, who are equipped and prepared to team up with co-workers of other disciplines within and outside the organisation. To become Interdisciplinary Business Professionals who have what it takes to do what needs to be done. This is the first Master programme offered by a university of applied sciences in the Netherlands to meet this need.
As a future Interdisciplinary Business Professional, you will be a leader as well as a team player. You will be expected to take the lead in innovations and groundbreaking projects, while cooperating with team members with an entirely different background and point of view. During this Master programme, you will carry out individual and collective assignments, working independently and with a team of fellow-students, lecturer-researchers, professors and the professional field. This is how you will develop your personal and professional skills to become the creative intrapreneur organisations and companies need and demand.
From day one you will work in an interdisciplinary, international setting. We offer you an ambitious and safe environment to cultivate your individual talents as well as your ability to work with others in co-creation. You will be part of an active and stimulating Community of Learners, consisting of your fellow-students as well as committed professors, lecturer-researchers and the professional practice. Within the Community you cooperate and learn from each other with the aim to create new knowledge for complex issues leading to sustainable solutions and innovations. You will learn to master the knowledge, skills, and, most importantly, the new roles you will need in your future job and you will be coached in your leadership skills.
The Master programme consists of three pillars: Applied research, Interdisciplinary Assignments and Professional Skills Development & Ethics. These three pillars are based on the view that the future Business Professional needs to be equipped with critical thinking skills along with analytical skills to be able to handle complex issues. The interdisciplinary assignments enhance cooperation and communication skills with professionals from various disciplines and backgrounds. The Professional Skills Development & Ethics focuses on the ability to reflect on one’s own behaviour and development and to adapt accordingly. The Master programme kicks off with an intensive week where you will meet fellow students and experience the four core disciplines of the programme, while acquiring intensive training on your research skills. During the following weeks you will work in interdisciplinary teams on an assignment centered around the theme Sustainability.
Within the Interdisciplinary Innovation Assignments you will work on real-life complex issues from the professional field. It includes a dynamic combination of co-creation with fellow-students and the professional field, academic depth provided by (guest) lectures and professorships, and an evidence-based approach with insights from different disciplinary perspectives. Both (guest) lectures from experts in the field and the Community of Learners will support you throughout the Master programme. Your knowledge development is enhanced by the six ample themes and accompanying topics, that encompass the core disciplines of the Master programme: Marketing, Finance, Human Resource Management and Business & IT:
This course involves combining communication studies, applied linguistics, international management and intercultural communication.
Economic globalisation and rapid developments in ICT mean that many organisations now operate on an international scale, or at the very least interact with consumers, clients and/or partner organisations in other countries. Even ‘local’ companies and organisations may have a multicultural workforce, or offer their services or products abroad. As a result, communication has become increasingly international and intercultural.
Organisations seek to create communication strategies that support their overall strategy and objectives. In doing so, they need to interact with stakeholders who may have a variety of linguistic and cultural backgrounds. These stakeholders may include employees, customers, suppliers, financial backers or even local governments. In the Master’s specialisation in International Business Communication, you’ll learn about the all factors, including cultural and linguistic ones, that play a role in communication and need to be taken into account in order to create effective communication strategies.
In your future career as a business executive or communication specialist, you’ll need to be able to assess the quality, reliability and validity of the research that informs your practical decisions ‘on the job’. In other words, you’ll need to be able to judge whether existing research – as well as your own – complies with the ground rules of academic rigor. The programme therefore places emphasis not only on training your research skills but also on developing your awareness of what ‘good research’ entails.
See the website http://www.ru.nl/masters/ibc
- This is one of very few programmes in Europe (and the only programme in the Netherlands) that also focuses on the cultural and linguistic dimensions of international business communication.
- The specialisation deals with theory and insights that are relevant to achieving effective communication in various organisational contexts; from interpersonal communication in a meeting with (multicultural) colleagues, to marketing communication aimed at reaching international target audiences.
- Students do a (group) internship in which they work towards solving a particular communication issue or answering a specific communication question for a company or organisation. This provides hands-on experience in a relevant organisational setting.
- This specialisation attracts students from different countries and because admission to the programme is selective (max. 50 students per year), you’ll be part of a small group of highly motivated Dutch and international students. This means that to a certain extent, your learning environment is international as well.
- Guest speakers are regularly invited to share their knowledge about current developments in business, management and organisational communication.
- Although the main focus is on international communication in larger, multinational companies, graduates of this programme will be able to apply what they’ve learned in a variety of organisations – for profit, non-profit or governmental institutes.
Languages form the heart of communication and that is why this Master’s specialisation is taught within Radboud University’s Faculty of Arts. The programme places a strong focus on the role that languages play in effective corporate communication. Of course, the languages used are not the only factor to consider in a multicultural environment - which is why you will be encouraged to also consider communication issues and strategy from an international management perspective.
In short, you’ll explore the impact of globalisation on business communication, the role of linguistic and cultural diversity in corporate communication, and the human and operational consequences of organisations’ language policy or strategies. In doing so, you’ll also come to understand how such issues can shape and affect an organisation’s performance.
With a Master’s specialisation in International Business Communication, you could pursue a career in government, semi-government, business or academia. For example, our graduates work as internal or external communication managers or press spokespeople in companies, government departments, health institutions or non-profit organisations. Many work in marketing communications at multinational companies, as communication trainers for consultancies, as social media managers or as PR consultants.
- International perspectives
Since the programme focuses on communication in international contexts, and on communication with international target groups, a sizable number of graduates have found jobs outside the Netherlands or with international organisations operating from the Netherlands.
- Wide range of communication functions
Job openings for our graduates can cover a wide range of communication functions, organisational types and (business) sectors. This is because organisations have increasingly come to realise that effective communication is essential to all organisational functions (e.g. marketing, PR, HRM, R&D, finance), and have made a real effort over the past decades to professionalise communications, making (international) business communication an increasingly important discipline.
Corporate communication involves orchestrating internal and external communication instruments to support an organisation’s core activities and to manage its relationship with different types of stakeholders. Due to the internationalisation of markets and businesses, corporate communication has gone global in recent years. Organisations that operate internationally need to take different cultures and language backgrounds into account when designing their communication. Culture and language(s) may affect international communication at three levels:
- The management level: e.g. when CEOs communicate with internal or external audiences
- The organisational level: e.g. when a company communicates about its Corporate Social Responsibility policy
- The marketing level: e.g. when products or services are promoted to an international audience in (corporate) advertising.
See the website http://www.ru.nl/masters/ibc
Our Master's programme in Business Administration - unlike other similar programmes - emphasises the social processes that constitute organisations. How do social processes determine the ways in which organisations and management operate and perform? In addition, in Nijmegen we have chosen an integrated approach. This focus on the big picture, including social relationships is what creates a better understanding of the importance of good management and can eventually improve the performance of organisations of all kinds.
See the website http://www.ru.nl/masters/business/
Before the programme starts, you will choose a specialisation:
- Business Analysis and Modelling
- Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Management
- International Business
- Marketing
- Organisational Design and Development
- Strategic Human Resource Management
- Strategic Management
This programme is closely associated with the research carried out within the Institute of Management Research, where the focus is on research into relationship management, institutional dynamics, decision making and innovative management. You will become familiar with both the theoretical and practical aspects of your special subject. The programme combines a thorough training in methodology with action-based learning: you apply the theory you have learned to concrete cases and learn to develop appropriate solutions. And in our Visa Skills Lab, students use computers to make scenario analyses and simulate decision-making processes within organisations.
We provide internationally oriented education and research training. Our students have the opportunity to take part in a Master’s level project on European Human Resource Management, a cooperative venture among six leading European business schools and universities. Here, students work in a multi-cultural team and follow a consultancy in-company project in one of the six countries involved.
- Career Perspective for Strategic Management
The Master's specialisation in Strategegic Management is an advanced study that prepares future leaders for the business world. It offers thorough knowledge of strategic processes from a disciplinary perspective, linked with insights from other business areas. Therefore, the Master's specialisation in Strategic Management trains students in conducting academic research and decision-making and helps them to develop ideas of underlying business solutions based on a thorough academic understanding of business practice. Graduates of our master program face a stimulating future career. Our graduates are greatly valued by their employers for their analytical skills and sound academic understanding of business practices. A master degree in business administration with a specialisation in Strategic Management offers students a wide range of career perspectives, such as consultant, business analyst, researcher and manager.
- Career Perspective for Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Management
The Master's specialisation Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Management prepares you for the function of a diversity professional in public and/or private organisations. Our graduates are likely to be tasked with the development and implementation of specialized gender and diversity policies and/or diversity and inclusion programs, or can be employed in more general talent management and/or organisational change jobs. Students are trained to become critical academic professionals, and are well positioned to enter national or international management trainee programs. Other jobs, such as policy advisor, program manager, consultant or recruiter are also possible. Students with an interest in academic research have the option to pursue a PhD.
- Career Perspective for Organisational Design and Development
As the Master's specialisation Organisational Design and Development engages you with the construction of labour organisations, the degree offers you a career perspective as a consultant, a staff member or a researcher on redesign and change processes within organisations. Later on in your career, you may move on to senior management positions.
- Career Perspective for Marketing
A Master's degree in business administration with a specialisation in marketing offers you a wide range of career perspectives, such as brand manager, product manager, management consultant, marketing researcher and account manager. Later on in your career, you may move on to senior positions, such as marketing director, or even to a CEO position.
- Career Perspective for Strategic Human Resource Management
The Master's specialisation in Human Resource Management focuses on new insights into personnel and organisation issues. This involves, among other things, using the human resources concept and resource-based staff and organisation management. In addition, topical themes are addressed such as competence management, training management and culture management. The Master's specialisation in Human Resource Management is therefore interesting for students who want to contribute to the development and implementation of personnel management in organisations in the role of adviser, scientific researcher or staff member.
- Career Perspective for International Business
The IB programme prepares students for a position as an International Manager or an International Professional in international business. The manager or professional is able to use a scientific methodological framework to analyse developments in the international external and internal environment of MNEs by looking at management processes from a cross-cultural point of view.
- Career Perspective for Business Analysis and Modelling
Most of the students in the BAM specialisation and in the two-year European Masters in System Dynamics (of which BAM is the Nijmegen component) will find jobs at advisory bureaus or the strategic planning departments of large companies.
See the website http://www.ru.nl/masters/business/
Understanding today’s global economic and business landscape requires insights from both economics and business studies. Therefore the specialisation International Business (IB) combines both fields of study, focusing specifically on their relevance for firms that operate in an international environment.
See the website http://www.ru.nl/masters/ib
In this specialisation, you can opt for a Master’s in Business Administration or a Master’s in Economics. The difference lies in the focus of the studies:
In this specialisation, you will be offered a strategic perspective on ways of gaining a competitive advantage in the global marketplace that aim to create both economic and social value. This suggests adopting a balanced outlook on relations with market and nonmarket stakeholders for a sustainable performance, seeking responsiveness and global efficiencies in marketing efforts, and innovating in emerging and developing markets.
In this specialisation you are taught to answer questions such as: What are the consequences of the rise of emerging economies, such as China and India, for the structures and strategies of multinationals? How does the success of a cross border merger or acquisition depend on differences in institutions and cultures between host and parent countries? And what are the effects of trade agreements on the (location) strategies of multinationals?
- A broad perspective on issues that are relevant for globally operating firms
- A focus on recent scientific insights and modern methods of applied research
- An excellent reputation in the Netherlands and abroad
- Small group teaching and close contact with professors and their research
- Good career prospects across the world
In the IB/Economics specialisation, we combine the latest economic theories with the cultural aspect of doing international business. Therefore, graduates will understand that doing business globally requires more than an understanding of economic principles. In the IB/Business Administration specialisation, we push the boundaries of our conventional thinking by reflecting theoretically and empirically on what mainstream international business perspectives mean for emerging and developing markets as well as nonmarket actors for the mutual creation of economic and social value. Graduates will be able to give their future employees a new and fresh look on the process of globalisation and how their company can manoeuvre and position themselves in multiple countries and markets.
One of the most important skills graduates of the Master’s specialisation in International Business will acquire is to report independently and thoroughly on various issues within the broad realm of international business. You will learn to include empirical and theoretical studies as well as the outcomes of your own independent research, not as a means to an end but in as far as it is relevant to the given advice. In other words, creating a policy paper of academic quality that is both understandable and practicable for businesses. And in order to remain a strong, self-sufficient professional you will learn how to continually maintain a critical attitude towards your own work and that of others in your field.
Our graduates have the necessary knowledge and skills to be able to work for large and medium sized international companies, consultancy firms, government and not-for-profit organisations, banks or within research or education. In particular, it will be multinational enterprises and consultancy firms that advise on international mergers and acquisitions, that will be very interested in your skills and know-how after completing the International Economics and Business Master’s specialisation.
The Master’s specialisation International Economics & Business looks at all aspects of both international financing as well as international entrepreneurship, of both the flow of capital as well as the flow of trade.
- International financing
Students will study the latest developments in financial markets, monetary policy, exchange and interest rates along with their consequences for the risk management and finances of firms. Should a firm seek its financial backing for an international expansion in the parent or host country? To answer this question you will not just need knowledge of exchange rates and such but also need to understand the economic system of the host country. The type of service/product a firm has to offer often determines the course of action. Can financial backing for a certain sector be gotten at banks or is it more likely to be gotten in the form of private equities?
- International entrepreneurship
As for international entrepreneurship, students will take an in-depth look at different options for expanding abroad: opening branches or factories, outsourcing, mergers and acquisitions and joint ventures. Students will deliberate the pros and cons of certain options. Is a joint venture desirable, or, as is the case in China, is it mandatory? What could hinder a merger? What activities could we outsource abroad without quality loss?
- Differences in institutions and culture
Students will come to understand that the success rate of cross border business is not just about economic principles but is also influenced by differences in institutions and culture of host and parent countries. Therefore, besides the firm's profitability, this Master’s specialisation also focuses on the differences in formal rules (institutions) and informal customs and forms of communication (culture). These aspects are relevant for almost all international organisational activities.
Important to note is that this Master’s specialisation is about the multinational firm and the economic, social and political environment it has to operate in. It is not about internal organisational processes, such as personnel management or account management. We focus on issues concerning global marketing and understanding the general international arena that these companies engage in. This knowledge enables students to determine if expansion to certain regions and economic systems is feasible or even desirable. Can we protect our intellectual property in country X? Is a joint venture our best option or is it our only option?
See the website http://www.ru.nl/masters/ib
The Master in Business Informatics combines theory, methods, and techniques from business and organisational science with the tools and practices of information and computing science. Our interdisciplinary approach addresses key issues faced by organisations and business managers across the globe.
Future vision
Successfully aligning ICT with an organisation’s business processes requires both technological and managerial insight. In this programme you can specialise in one of the following three career areas:
The integrative and multidisciplinary approach of the Master’s programme in Business Informatics is oriented towards the needs of future or current researchers, consultants, managers, and entrepreneurs in the field of ICT.
The Master in Business Informatics prepares you to analyse information management issues in business environments and to develop innovative ICT solutions in organisations and society.
Students chose the Master's programme Science and Business Management at Utrecht University as the best programme in the field in the yearly review 'Beste studies' by Elsevier.
Companies and institutions need professionals with the skills to manage and market knowledge-intensive products, as well as professionals with a solid understanding of the scientific principles underlying products and processes.
Our Master's programme Science and Business Management (SBM) offers you a unique training that will enable you to translate interesting ideas into innovative products.
Our degree programme enables graduates of bachelor’s programmes in the life- or natural sciences to combine their passions for science and business. The programme will equip you with the knowledge and tools to identify, manage, and overcome problems that arise in each phase of the innovation process.
SBM is aimed at students with a Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences or Natural Sciences, who are interested in a business career. The first year comprises a science-focused programme, in which you will receive training in a research environment within your area of expertise. A solid understanding of science is essential to bring science-based products to the market. In the SBM programme, you will build on your academic background in science while adding knowledge of business processes and practical skills for commercial settings.
Importantly, you will also focus on the strategic value and applicability of scientific research. In the second year you will obtain business management skills and learn about operations management, organization and strategic management, marketing, economics, entrepreneurship and effective communication in a business environment. You will apply your skills at the final stage of the master, during an internship at a national or international company of your choice. The internship must be sufficiently challenging and is subject to approval by the coordinator.
Particularly important in the programme is the level of interaction between students and lecturers. Students will regularly meet to present and share their projects and will work closely together. A strong sense of community is initiated by the programme, and also by the SBM study Association ‘Business For Life’. These enthusiastic students organize workshops, talks but also social events.
Our globalised, digital economy and disruptive new technological innovation is creating virtually unlimited opportunities for new ventures. Human creativity and an entrepreneurial mindset are needed to initiate successful new ideas, and develop sustainable new markets and business models that benefit society as well as business. If you are energised by the dynamic possibilities of the rapidly-evolving new world of business, the Utrecht University MSc in Business Development and Entrepreneurship gives you the practical abilities, networks, and strong academic foundations you need.
This Master’s programme is based on Utrecht University’s world class research in the domain of entrepreneurship and innovation, and the interaction with business strategy and policy practice by U.S.E. staff members and lecturers. It also draws upon the broad international research network of the Utrecht Center for Entrepreneurship.
In the Master in Business Development and Entrepreneurship you focus on:
Read more about the study programme.
Master’s programme in Business Development and Entrepreneurship provides you with:
Upon completion of the MSc in Business Development and Entrepreneurship you are an expert in creating an environment in which new ventures can take hold and flourish. This expertise is highly sought after in business development functions (including innovation, marketing and finance) in large (multinational) corporations. The same applies in entrepreneurial teams, start-ups and various other economic development functions. Read more about possible career prospects.
How can a company move or expand abroad? How can a company protect itself against a hostile takeover from a firm abroad? How does EU legislation influence the national business laws of member states? With the increasing level of globalisation there is a growing demand for legal experts who understand the impact of EU legislation on business entities. At Radboud University you’ll not just gain a thorough understanding of EU legislation, but also of the legal practices of enterprises that do business in and with EU member states.
You’ll investigate aspects of European and comparative company law, such as corporate restructuring, corporate mobility, formation and financing of companies, European business forms, employee involvement, corporate governance and takeover regulations. You’ll also learn to analyse both primary and secondary EU legislation, as well as the case law of the Court of Justice of the EU and the legislation of relevant jurisdictions. By the end of the programme you’ll understand the interaction of European and national law on businesses.
See the website: http://www.ru.nl/masters/europeanlaw/businesslaw
- You’ll gain both a broad knowledge of the internal and external markets of the European Union and the position of Europe in the world as well as specialised knowledge in the field of Business Law.
- You’ll study at a Dutch Law School that was rated number one in the Netherlands for student satisfaction.
- The Faculty of Law in Nijmegen was the first in the Netherlands to start a European Law programme. It has built an international reputation in the field of European law, immigration law and private law and is part of a large network that includes more than fifty universities in Europe, the United States, Asia and Australia.
- You’ll work together with the prestigious Business & Law Research Centre. This centre combines academic excellence with the practical expertise of major companies and law firms. The centre has been accredited by the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW).
- You’ll be taught in a stimulating, collegiate setting with small groups by internationally recognised professors of law, all specialists in their specific fields.
- The international mix of students gives the classes and project work a multicultural touch. This will give you the extra benefit of gaining multicultural communication skills as well as a multitude of cultural perspectives in this field. By the time you receive your Master's diploma, you’ll have gained excellent skills to work in the Netherlands or in any other country.
- This programme is not just geared at students from EU countries. All nations in the world trade with the EU which has rules and regulations that have to be complied with. Law students from all over the world will therefore benefit from this Master’s specialisation.
This Master’s specialisation is primarily designed for students who wish to pursue an international legal career in the area of corporate law. It offers a thorough and broad education in company law that includes competition law, commercial law, labour law and insolvency law. And because it’s part of the European Law programme at Radboud University, you’ll also gain a good understanding of the internal and external markets of the European Union and the position of Europe in the world.
Graduates of Business Law can expect a wide variety of employment prospects. The vast knowledge of EU businesses and the European decision-process makes that graduates of this specialisation are well equipped for a job in law, lobbying or consulting firms anywhere in the world. You could also work for financial institutions, multinationals and listed companies as well as for governmental institutions and NGOs. Graduates can also strive for one of the few law positions within the European Commission as this Master’s will definitely gain a sound basis needed to acquire the necessary professional competences.
Master's specialisation in Business Law
At Radboud University, we strive for clear practical relevance of academic theory.
1. All of our lecturers are also in some form law practitioners. We can therefore not only teach our students the black letter law, but also add our own professional experiences, indicating the strengths and challenges of certain laws or legal instruments.
2. Guest speakers are regularly invited to share their experiences, enlightening students with real-world scenarios and providing tips about how to deal with cases that don’t follow the norm.
3. In our research we are engaged in collaborative ventures with leading law firms, banks and multinational companies. Therefore, we are informed of the issues that practitioners deal with in their regular work. We respond to their questions by developing research that is relevant for the legal and business industry.
4. In the Master’s programme in European Law we focus on the law as it stands, meeting the professional responsibility by justifying decisions in legal terms, by referencing legal rules, principles, and precedent. However, we still continue formulating both criticism and alternatives to the law as it stands.
See the website http://www.ru.nl/masters/europeanlaw/businesslaw
