The Amsterdam MBA

Business Administration

The Amsterdam MBA is designed to incorporate three R's: rigour, relevance and reliability. A multidisciplinary programme such as an MBA has to be taught with academic rigour. Practicalities differ across industry, geography and time and it is crucial to understand the underlying theories. We make theory relevant by linking it to practice, and by bringing the business world into the classroom and taking the student into the business world. Students are offered the chance to link theory and practice during a study trip to a well-known business school. Reliability is key to students' confidence 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 curriculum

The MBA curriculum provides broad coverage of the main functional areas of management: accounting, finance, marketing, operations management, 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. Beyond the mere acquisition of knowledge and technical skills the curriculum puts theory into practice by focusing on the personal development of participants insuch competencies as decision-making, teamwork, leadership skills, entrepreneurial potential, negotiation skills, communication and presentation skills. Students can specialise in one of the following tracks: Finance, Entrepreneurship, Real Estate, Corporate Social Responsibility or Negotiations.

Our keen awareness of the importance of leadership competencies in personal professional development led the establishment of our Amsterdam Leadership 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: our international orientation and our 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, whereas others opt for individual projects arranged by the school or themselves. In dealing with a real business problem or strategic consultancy issue, students are able to demonstrate their ability to contribute to the development of a targeted solution. We are very pleased with the diversity and content of the projects this year.

Career prospects

Typically, graduates go on to careers in areas in which thorough understanding of the complexities of international business is essential, such as multinational organisations, international consultancy firms, international financial institutions and banks. Our personal career service helps students make sound career choices and assists them in areas such as writing a cover letter, preparing a professional CV and good interviewing techniques.

What our students say

Alexandra Fleschiu, Canada:

'The MBA provides the perfect training 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 career in the financial sector I had come to a point where I wanted more development and a boost to a higher level.The business knowledge and 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.'