Tài liệu Master’s programmes in Business and Economics docx

• MSc International Business
• MSc Human Decision Science
• MSc Management of Learning
• MSc Economic Studies
• MSc Infonomics
• MSc Financial Economics
• MSc Fiscale Economie
• MSc Econometrics and Operations Research
• MSc Global Supply Chain Management and Change
• MSc Business Research
• MSc Economic and Financial Research
Master’s programmes in Business and Economics
School of Business and Economics
Sharing Success
Language of
instruction:
English
2 Master’s programmes in Business and Economics
Historic yet forward-thinking and contemporary, typically Dutch yet
multicultural and vibrant, Maastricht is a city of contrasts. Known as the
birthplace of the modern European Union, Maastricht continues to
establish itself internationally thanks to Maastricht University’s position
as a leading academic centre in Europe.
Beyond boundaries
With over half of its master’s students and a third of its academic staff coming from outside
the Netherlands, Maastricht University has a reputation for its international orientation and
dynamic, interdisciplinary environment. Almost all of our master’s programmes are taught
in English and international themes are deeply rooted in the curricula.
New perspectives
As a master’s student, you are a contributing member of our academic community. Using the
Problem-Based Learning methodology, you work in small groups alongside students from all

over the world. In close cooperation with the academic staff, you and your fellow students
examine real-life social issues from an academic perspective. Exchanging knowledge and
experiences, learning to see things from new perspectives, and developing essential skills:
at Maastricht University you learn to think as both an academic and a professional.
Research
Research at Maastricht University focuses on current social themes that are studied from
various disciplines at all relevant levels. The university carries out research through its many
research institutes and works in close cooperation with external institutes, businesses and
social organisations. We recognise the value of bright, young researchers in contributing to
the development of fresh and innovative ideas. That is why research plays an integral role in
the majority of our master’s programmes and why we offer a number of research master’s
programmes, which are often a stepping stone to a PhD.
Career
Further specialising in your field by earning a master’s degree at Maastricht University
will greatly enhance your career prospects. The effectiveness of our approach to education
and research is demonstrated by the performance of our graduates. They are self-assured,
independent and assertive professionals, able to make a smooth transition from their
studies to the job market. They not only focus on theory, but also learn the skills they need
for a successful career.
Maastricht University:
Leading in Learning
3
Our promise to you
We are building an international network school where
we look towards the future and beyond borders, where
inspiration and the exchange of value lead to success.
Our values
• Forward thinking. We look towards the future, beyond
conventions and beyond borders. Making progress is all
about forward thinking.

• Value exchange. In everything we do, we are determined
to add value to our international network and
community. In return, we are enriched by and appreciate
the value that we receive from others.
• Inspiring. We strive to inspire our community and
partners all over the world, not through what we say,
but through our actions. Challenging people inspires
people.
Maastricht University is signatory of the “Code of conduct with respect to
international students in Dutch higher education”. More information about this
code of conduct is available at www.internationalstudy.nl.
All programmes in this brochure are accredited by the Accreditation
Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders (NVAO). For more information on
NVAO, please visit www.nvao.net.
* This specialisation has yet to be formally approved to start in September 2012.
Contents
Message from the dean 4
MSc International Business 5
• Accountancy 6
• Business Intelligence 8
• Controlling 10
• Entrepreneurship and SME Management 12
• Finance 14
• Information Management 16
• Marketing-Finance 18
• Organisation: Management, Change and Consultancy 20
• Strategic Marketing 22
• Strategy and Innovation 24
• Supply Chain Management 26
MSc Human Decision Science 28

MSc Management of Learning 30
MSc Economic Studies 32
• Competition and Regulation 34
• Public Economics 36
• Managerial Economics
* 37
• Social Economics 38
• European Economic Policy 39
• Global Innovation Economics 41
MSc Infonomics 42
MSc Financial Economics 45
• Asset Pricing 46
• Banking 48
• Financial Analysis 50
MSc Fiscale Economie 52
MSc Econometrics and Operations Research 54
• Actuarial Sciences 56
• Econometrics 57
• Mathematical Economics 58
• Operations Research 59
MSc Global Supply Chain Management and Change 60
MSc Business Research 62
MSc Economic and Financial Research 64
4 Master’s programmes in Business and Economics
Message from the dean
You want to go to a top school. You want a master’s degree
recognised across Europe and around the world. And you
want skills and experience that will prepare you for further
studies or a successful career. At the Maastricht University
School of Business and Economics (SBE), you’ll find all this

and more. The passport to your future.
International and diverse
Maastricht is a charming and vibrant city. Located at the
crossroads of the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany, it’s
a microcosm of cultures and languages. And so, too, is SBE.
Our staff and students come from almost 50 different
countries. All our programmes have an international focus,
with almost all courses taught in English. And we have
academic and corporate partners all over the world, which
gives you great opportunities to study or intern abroad. All
this serves to broaden both your professional and personal
horizons.
Innovative and dynamic
Problem-Based Learning (PBL) is the methodology for
which Maastricht University is famous. This means small
tutorial groups, close contact with your tutors, continuous
learning (rather than just cramming for exams!), and a
highly interactive style of learning. In this way, PBL trains
you to be an active and independent participant, rather
than just a passive recipient. It’s no coincidence that the
skills you need to use PBL successfully are also a huge plus
in today’s job market.
Practical and professional
Employers like our graduates because they are trained
in valuable, real-life skills: managing yourself and
your team, giving and receiving constructive criticism,
meeting deadlines, producing concrete results, and taking
responsibility, but also taking risks. In order to prepare
you for the international labour market, we have initiated
the International Classroom Development Programme, in

which you will learn to work in teams composed of various
different nationalities. We also put you in direct contact
with employers through internships, recruitment events
and company visits. Career services are incorporated into
all programmes, including one-on-one guidance and
interview training. And our alumni circles, which count
some 9000 members from Aruba to Shanghai, organise
regular networking opportunities.
Research and reputation
At SBE, you learn from the best. Our research is consistently
rated first or second in national peer reviews. What’s more,
we are among the 52 business schools worldwide that have
been granted the prestigious Triple Crown accreditation
(EQUIS, AACSB and AMBA). We also consistently get high
praise in the Dutch, German and international rankings for
our facilities, international mobility, student satisfaction,
value for money, alumni salaries and more.
Start here … go anywhere
In short, SBE provides the highest quality education
and a springboard to the next step. You’ll find that the
knowledge, skills and experience from your SBE bachelor’s
will put you on the best possible footing. We look forward
to welcoming you here.
Prof. Jos Lemmink
Dean, School of Business and Economics
55
MSc International Business
Business without borders
In today’s globalised business environment, are you
inspired by international organisations and how they

operate and change over time? Are you looking to develop
the knowledge and skills that will put you ahead in today’s
dynamic business world? International Business will help
you succeed.
Why should you choose International Business?
International business covers all aspects of commerce
across borders. It is a very broad subject, which is why
this programme has been divided into several
specialisations. This means that you can choose to focus
on a particular area, depending on your own interests and
future ambitions. Whichever specialisation you choose,
there are some common elements to all of them. These
include a strong focus on business in an international
environment through extensive use of case studies, real-
life business problems, skills training and a master’s thesis.
You will finish the year with the broad analytical and
theoretical skills required for an international business
career, as well as a deep understanding of your chosen
specialisation.
Within this programme, you can choose from the
following specialisations:
• Accountancy
• Business Intelligence
• Controlling
• Entrepreneurship and SME Management
• Finance
• Information Management
• Marketing-Finance
• Organisation: Management, Change and Consultancy
• Strategic Marketing

• Strategy and Innovation
• Supply Chain Management
You may also wish to study part-time over two years. If so,
you can choose from Accountancy, Entrepreneurship and
SME Management, Finance, Information Management,
Strategic Marketing, Strategy and Innovation and Supply
Chain Management. All specialisations start twice yearly
in February and September. All specialisations, except for
Accountancy, are generally taught twice a week in the
evening, in English. Please note that some lectures and
exams may take place during the day. The Accountancy
programme is taught in Dutch and classes are on Fridays
during the day.
Is International Business right for you?
As well as the standard admission requirements,
you should:
• have an interest in business across borders;
• be able to think analytically;
• be prepared to work hard on your chosen specialisation;
• have international career ambitions.
What are your career prospects?
Many of our students have job offers before they graduate.
Your understanding of international business issues,
combined with the interpersonal and leadership skills you
will learn during the year, will make you an asset to any
organisation to which you apply.
Graduates have found positions as:
• Marketing Managers
• (Financial) Consultants
• Product Managers

• Business Engineers
at:
• consultancy firms, such as Cap Gemini and Accenture;
• large multinationals, such as Shell and Philips;
• SMEs;
• governmental and non-governmental organisations.
In 2010, the NVAO awarded the `Distinctive (Quality)
Feature for Internationalisation’ to SBE’s bachelor’s and
master’s programmes in International Business. The
NVAO safeguards the quality of higher education in the
Netherlands and Flanders, evaluates study programmes
and grants acknowledgements of particular qualities.
For this accreditation, the NVAO looked at six different
criteria and focused in particular on the level of ambition
and explicit vision on internationalisation within the
programmes.
distinctive feature, good
6 Master’s programmes in Business and Economics
Specialisation
Accountancy
Interpreting information for better business
decisions
Do you want to get right to the core of business – working
within the central nerve system of any
company? Are you interested in interpreting numbers, as
well as gathering them? Do you aspire to
become an auditor or financial consultant? Accountancy
puts you on the fast specialisation to success.
Why should you choose Accountancy?
Financial information is the basis for all company decisions

– so accountants play a central role in decision making,
whether about people or products. There are two distinct
roles that graduates in Accountancy can play:
• Financial consultants interpret information, enabling
resource allocation decisions essential to achieving
corporate goals.
• Auditors check the reliability of that information.
During this specialisation, you will learn about
international accounting principles, meaning that you
can take your profession with you anywhere in the world.
Moreover, the department of Accounting and Information
Management has an excellent reputation due to its high-
quality research, including research projects for the EU and
top Dutch and European auditing firms.
What will you learn?
Having completed this specialisation, you will be able to:
• design internal accounting systems that help managers
make good business decisions;
• prepare, read and interpret financial statements;
• provide assurance on the reliability of reporting
mechanisms, such as annual reports.
Is Accountancy right for you?
As well as the standard admission requirements,
you should:
• be an enthusiastic team player;
• have a common-sense understanding of the way
organisations work;
• have some quantitative ability;
• be a critical thinker.
A bachelor’s degree in any discipline is required, though

a high level of achievement is more important than the
subject itself.
What are your career prospects?
Interaction with companies is an integral part of this
specialisation. You will have the opportunity to visit
companies, network with future potential employers,
join student associations, and attend guest lectures
and workshops given by audit firms, such as KPMG,
Ernst & Young, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu and
PricewaterhouseCoopers. These opportunities will bring
you into contact with the professional world and open up
employment possibilities before you’ve even graduated.
Graduates have found positions in:
• audit firms or departments;
• their own businesses;
• financial consultancy.
After graduating in Accountancy, you can take either a Dutch
post-graduate programme or an international post-graduate
programme that both focus on qualifying you to become a
Registered Auditor (see www.umra.nl). You can obtain this
qualification by attending a part-time programme whilst
working in the field. At this post-graduate stage, links with
the corporate world are even stronger: the programmes
are an integral part of firms’ management and executive
development; and executives of corporations sit on the
programmes’ supervisory boards.
7
Course outline
There are certain compulsory courses within the
specialisation, as well as an elective.

NB. The course outline applies to the September start date
at the time of publishing. Details of the specialisation could
change, or may differ for the February start date. Before
applying, please check our website for the latest information.
Fast facts
• Programme: MSc International Business
• Specialisation: Accountancy
• Language of instruction: English
• Duration: 1 year full-time
• Start date(s): in February and September
• Study load per week: 8 hrs classes; 12 hrs group work;
20 hrs individual study. Total 40 hours
• Learning method: problem-based learning; guest lectures;
presentations; assignments; papers
• Assessment method: written exams; final papers; group
participation
• Options:
• 2-year part-time programme (Fridays only, in Dutch)
• double degree programme with EDHEC Business School
and Queen’s School of Business for SBE IB or EBE bachelor’s
graduates
Further information:
• www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/sbe/master
“The Problem-Based Learning (PBL) system at Maastricht
University has proven to be useful in my day to day work
as a finance professional, as I come across all kinds of
issues or questions for which no clear cut answer is
readily available. Through PBL I developed skills to tackle
these “bumps in the road” in a structured way, but with
room for out-of-the-box thinking. Moreover, I learned to

be comfortable speaking in front of a group of people
and working in teams.
Maastricht University is internationally well recognized
for its quality education, which I noticed when applying
for my first job, but again when applying for the post-
doctoral international study programme ‘Chartered
Global Management Accountant’ in London.”
Elise van Laarhoven
Finance Advisor Chemicals Operations Europe & Africa
Shell Chemicals Europe BV
Rotterdam
More than numbers
Accountancy
Term I
1
Internal Control Assurance Services
2
Financial Statement
Analysis and
Valuation
Elective
3
Skills Training: Writing a Master’s Thesis
Term II
4
Financial
Accounting
Writing the
Master’s Thesis
5

Management
Control
Writing the Master’s
Thesis
6
Completing the Master’s Thesis
8 Master’s programmes in Business and Economics
Specialisation
Business Intelligence
Making better business decisions
How do the best businesses succeed? By knowing how
to make the right decisions. Are you ambitious to apply
your knowledge to staying on top of your industry, by
knowing your competitors and customers? Do you want
to learn how to apply IT tools and technologies to business
problems? Choose Business Intelligence to stay ahead in
business.
Why should you choose Business Intelligence?
Business intelligence does what it says on the tin:
it provides you with the tools to make intelligent, strategic
decisions about your future business. More specifically, it is
already being used by hedge fund managers and in merger
and acquisition situations, which are becoming increasingly
common in today’s economic climate.
To do this, the specialisation uniquely combines three
distinct areas of study: strategy; financial accounting
and information management. It also employs a multi-
disciplinary learning approach consisting of the strategic
use of IT, quantitative models and real-life application.
You will actively use business intelligence and statistics

software in a true ‘learning by doing’ approach.
Examples of well-known real-life cases where you’ll have
the opportunity to apply business models include:
• decisions about a 3G network auction for mobile phone
operators;
• strategic buying decisions for a European office rental
company;
• profit analysis for leveraged takeover of a bank by hedge
funds;
• revenue management for an airline company.
What will you learn?
Having completed this specialisation, you will be able to:
• reach sound strategic decisions;
• understand fundamental models and value drivers of
your company specifically, and of the industry in general;
• use the power of IT tools and technologies in a strategic
business context.
Is Business Intelligence right for you?
As well as the standard admission requirements,
you should:
• have an interest in what generates value in a business,
such as IT, strategic decision-making and business
modelling;
• be familiar with business models;
• be able to think analytically.
A bachelor’s degree in international business or equivalent
is required for career prospects in this area of business,
although other disciplines may be considered for the
specialisation.
What are your career prospects?

The current economic climate means there is a huge
demand for graduates in Business Intelligence. The
specialisation will equip you with skills in quantitative
modelling, IT, corporate strategy, decision making
and management science – all of which will make
you a valuable asset to any company, especially large
multinationals. Furthermore, the specialisation has direct
links with DSM, Vodafone, AirFrance KLM, Sabic Europe
and others, who provide case studies, internships, research
contracts and informal seminars, all of which give you
access to excellent job opportunities.
Graduates have found positions in:
• strategy consulting;
• strategy departments of multinationals;
• large companies requiring strong analytical skills.
8 Master’s programmes in Business and Economics
9
Course outline
NB. The course outline applies to the September start date
at the time of publishing. Details of the specialisation could
change, or may differ for the February start date. Before
applying, please check our website for the latest information.
Fast facts
• Programme: MSc International Business
• Specialisation: Business Intelligence
• Language of instruction: English
• Duration: 1 year full-time
• Start date(s): in February and September
• Study load per week: 10 hrs classes; 15 hrs group work;
15 hrs individual study. Total 40 hours

• Learning method: problem-based learning; guest
lectures; presentations; assignments
• Assessment method: written exams; final papers; group
participation
• Option:
• double degree programme with EDHEC Business School
and Queen’s School of Business for SBE IB or EBE
bachelor’s graduates
Further information:
• www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/sbe/master
Modelling customers and competitors
Vodafone uses business intelligence to model their customers’ feedback
and to monitor their competitors. Through business intelligence, you can
use these models to make decisions on marketing strategy. You will be
able to analyse which customers to target based on whether they are
profitable, whether they offer cross-selling opportunities, whether they
fit Vodafone’s strengths and so on. You can learn about cases like these
and apply the methodologies in other fields through the Business
Intelligence specialisation.
Business Intelligence
Term I
1
Supply Chain
Operations
Business Analysis
2
Business
Intelligence Case
Study
Data Management

3
Skills Training: Writing a Master’s Thesis
Term II
4
IT Project
Management
Writing the Master’s
Thesis
5
Operational
Strategy
Writing the Master’s
Thesis
6
Completing the Master’s Thesis
10 Master’s programmes in Business and Economics
Specialisation
Controlling
Assessing information for informed decisions
Do you want to know where business information comes
from and how to interpret it? Are you interested in
management control? Do you aspire to analyse information
so that your business can make the best-informed
decisions? Then Controlling is the specialisation for you.
Why should you choose Controlling?
Controllers are often compared to the navigators on ships:
they know where the ship has been, where it is currently
and where it needs to go. They have a broad view of
the situation of the business. Controllers bridge the gap
between management and accounting. This means that

they gather, prepare, interpret and assess information,
which then allows them to advise managers of the best
decisions to make.
Examples of the types of assessments you might make as a
controller include information relating to profitability, the
success of product A vs. product B, people’s performance
within an organisation, the viability of mergers &
acquisitions and so on. Controllers use costing techniques
and performance assessment techniques in order to make
the best business decisions in these types of situations.
This specialisation is particularly suitable for you if you are
interested in management control, but do not want to go
into audit, assurance or accountancy.
What will you learn?
Having completed this specialisation, you will be able to:
• design management control instruments – such as
scorecards, managerial incentives, budgets, and so on
– to implement strategies, assess their effectiveness and
report on this;
• design and improve internal reporting systems;
• help management to improve their decisions – relating
to pricing, mergers & acquisitions and make or buy, for
example.
Is Controlling right for you?
As well as the standard admission requirements,
you should:
• have a general interest in the workings of businesses;
• be able to think critically;
• demonstrate quantitative skills;
• be a team player and interested in people and people

management.
A bachelor’s degree in any discipline is required though
a high level of achievement is more important than the
subject itself.
What are your career prospects?
The Controlling specialisation allows you to work with
real businesses, such as Beiersdorf and Medtronic.
Representatives from companies such as these often spend
the day at the school, doing case studies with you and
encouraging you to make presentations on your projects,
for example. Although these are not recruitment events,
you will have the opportunity to talk to people working in
the field – some students even find internships through
these connections.
Graduates have found positions in:
• controlling departments, as controllers, finance
managers and eventually finance directors (CFOs) in
multinationals such as Beiersdorf, Philips, Unilever, and
Shell;
• general management in any major firm – decisions
makers such as CEOs and CFOs often have a background
in controlling;
• consulting firms;
• in-house consulting departments within companies.
After graduating in Controlling, you can take either a Dutch
post-graduate programme (see www.emfc.nl)
or an international post-graduate programme
(see www.iemfc.nl) that both focus on qualifying you
to become a Chartered Controller. You can obtain this
qualification by attending a part-time programme whilst

working in the field.
11
Fast facts
• Programme: MSc International Business
• Specialisation: Controlling
• Language of instruction: English
• Duration: 1 year full-time
• Start date(s): in February and September
• Study load per week: 8 hrs classes; 12 hrs group work;
20 hrs individual study. Total 40 hours
• Learning method: problem-based learning;
guest lectures; presentations; assignments; papers
• Assessment method: written and oral exams; final
papers; group participation
• Option:
• double degree programme with EDHEC Business School
and Queen’s School of Business for SBE IB or EBE bachelor’s
graduates
Further information:
• www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/sbe/master
Course outline
There are certain compulsory courses within the
specialisation, as well as an elective.
NB. The course outline applies to the September start date
at the time of publishing. Details of the specialisation could
change, or may differ for the February start date. Before
applying, please check our website for the latest information.
Performance assessment in the Brazilian market
Beiersdorf is the umbrella company that houses brands like Nivea, and
sells products like washing powder, soap, hair-care products and more.

Within the Brazilian market, Beiersdorf has several brands on sale.
As a student in the Controlling specialisation, you would develop measu-
rement systems to assess the performance of different brands in the
portfolio. You may also compare data from the Brazilian market with
that from other markets to see how they differ.
Controlling
Term I
1
Cases in
Management
Information
Systems
Internal Control
2
Strategic
Performance
Analysis
Elective
3
Skills Training: Writing a Master’s Thesis
Term II
4
Financial
Accounting
Writing the
Master’s Thesis
5
Management
Control
Writing the

Master’s Thesis
6
Completing the Master’s Thesis
12 Master’s programmes in Business and Economics
Specialisation
Entrepreneurship and SME
Management
Gaining entrepreneurial experience while
studying
Do you want to become an entrepeneur in a small or
larger business, or take over the family firm? Do you want
to gain real-life experience in creating your own student
company or assisting the management team of a small
business, before you’ve even left university? Become an
entrepreneur by taking this specialisation!
Why should you choose Entrepreneurship and
SME Management?
While small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) may
have key features that are different to those of big
businesses, the underlying components are the same.
That’s why this specialisation offers courses in strategy,
organisation, marketing, finance and accounting,
but then tailors them for a real SME focus.
As well as theory courses, you will take an empirical skills
training course, meaning you have the chance to put
academic theory into practice. During this course, you will
have the opportunity to put your skills to work in a real
company: either by setting up a student company or by
assisting the management team of an existing SME.
If you choose to set up a company, the skills and expertise

of a business coach, who has set up several companies,
and an accountant are on hand to help you. If you choose
to work with an existing SME, Maastricht’s location
means that you could work with a company in Germany or
Belgium, as well as the Netherlands of course, giving the
specialisation a true international flavour.
What will you learn?
Having completed this specialisation, you will be able to:
• develop opportunity-recognition skills which will help
you find the right opportunities;
• demonstrate managerial skills;
• find relevant information in academic literature on
entrepreneurship and SME management;
• demonstrate practical experience of SMEs.
Is Entrepreneurship and SME Management
right for you?
As well as the standard admission requirements,
you should:
• be excited by learning-by-doing rather than a purely
academic or research approach;
• not have a nine-to-five mentality;
• enjoy taking risks;
• be open to evaluation, and communicative of your own
opinions of others;
• be ambitious to achieve results;
• enjoy a lot of interaction with others.
Students with a bachelor’s degree in any discipline, or
work experience, are welcome – the more disciplines
and backgrounds, the better the learning experience and
the more skills brought to the student company. Often

students in this specialisation have entrepreneurial
experience, or have grown up as part of a family
business, although this is not required to take the
specialisation.
What are your career prospects?
Complementary to the specialisation, the department has
connections with several organisations that can help you
not only with your career, but also with your thesis and
student company. These include:
• the Centre for Entrepreneurship, which organises
business plan competitions and round-table discussions
with entrepreneurs, as well as inviting well-known
entrepreneurs to speak;
• the SME portal, which coordinates issues from small
businesses that are often used as case studies and
company projects within this specialisation;
• the European and International Council of Small
Businesses;
• the UM Holding and other faculties that can offer help
on your thesis or student company; examples include
buying shares, advice on patenting issues and so on.
Graduates have found positions in:
• their own businesses that they set up themselves;
• family businesses that they have later taken over;
• entrepreneurial functions in innovation and marketing in
large and multinational enterprises;
• management functions in SMEs;
• consulting;
• public research institutes;
• venture capital firms and banks;

• universities to do a PhD in entrepreneurship.
13
Fast facts
• Programme: MSc International Business
• Specialisation: Entrepreneurship and SME Management
• Language of instruction: English
• Duration: 1 year full-time
• Start date(s): in February and September
• Study load per week: 8 hrs classes; 16 hrs group work;
16 hrs individual study. Total 40 hours
• Learning method: problem-based learning;
guest lectures; presentations; assignments; papers
• Assessment method: written and oral exams; final
papers; group participation
• Options:
• 2-year part-time programme
• double degree programme with EDHEC Business
School and Queen’s School of Business for SBE IB or
EBE bachelor’s graduates
Further information:
• www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/sbe/master
Course outline
There are certain compulsory courses within the
specialisation, as well as an elective.
NB. The course outline applies to the September start date
at the time of publishing. Details of the specialisation could
change, or may differ for the February start date. Before
applying, please check our website for the latest information.
“The dynamic and international environment at
SBE has helped me considerably with my work at

a fast-paced, global company like Google.
The Economics and Business Economics (Infonomics
specialisation) bachelor’s programme and my master’s
in Entrepreneurship and SME Management have given
me superior presentation skills compared to many
colleagues. Learning how to work well with others
and take on an active and leading role in teams,
has proved to be very useful in an organisation like
Google. ”
Billy van den Ende, New Business Developer
Google
Dublin
Meeting business and technical goals
Entrepreneurship and SME Management
Term I
1
Entrepreneurial
Theory and
Research
International
Business Research
Entrepreneurial
or
SME Management
2
Entrepreneurial
Finance
Elective
3
Skills Training: Writing a Master’s Thesis

Term II
4
Value-Based
Marketing
Writing the
Master’s Thesis
5
Control and
Accountability in
SMEs
Writing the
Master’s Thesis
6
Completing the Master’s Thesis
14 Master’s programmes in Business and Economics
Specialisation
Finance
Training the finance professionals of the future
Are you interested in the link between finance and modern
business? Do you want to know how companies can adhere
to financial regulations, while still focusing on growth?
Are you curious about the specific financial issues facing
organisations operating across borders? If you would like
to find answers to these kinds of questions, Finance is the
right choice for you.
Why should you choose Finance?
In a global economy, business and finance are inextricably
linked. As a result, business professionals today need to
be able to understand, analyse and manage financial
problems. Issues ranging from formulating attractive salary

structures for employees to raising capital and identifying
new investment opportunities all require both business
and financial knowledge.
In the Finance specialisation, you will explore core financial
issues from a business perspective. Many of the courses
within the specialisation are taught by lecturers who
also work in the industry. This guarantees that the course
material is always current and relevant. In addition, you
will receive training in financial research methods, and gain
skills that will be of great benefit in your future career. To
assist you in your research, you will be given access to, and
be able to familiarise yourself with, a collection of financial
databases. Many of these databases are essential in the
daily operation of large organisations.
What will you learn?
Having completed this specialisation, you will be able to:
• analyse and solve a wide range of financial problems;
• use analytical and quantitative tools to support decision-
making processes;
• discuss financial issues at a strategic and managerial
level.
Is Finance right for you?
As well as the standard admission requirements,
you should:
• have an interest in finance in a business environment;
• be an analytical, logical thinker;
• have international ambitions;
• be a strong team player, enabling you to master valuable
cases;
• be a self-starter, as the specialisation requires individual

input.
What are your career prospects?
As a result of tighter financial regulations, combined with
calls for more transparency, graduates with the skills to
tackle a wide range of financial problems from a business
perspective are in high demand. Your ability to understand
financial details while maintaining a strategic overview will
make you an asset to almost any organisation.
Graduates have found positions in:
• international financial institutions;
• large multinationals;
• consultancy firms;
• regulatory bodies.
14 Master’s programmes in Business and Economics
15
Course outline
There are certain compulsory courses within the
specialisation, as well as an elective.
NB. The course outline applies to the September start date
at the time of publishing. Details of the specialisation could
change, or may differ for the February start date. Before
applying, please check our website for the latest information.
Fast facts
• Programme: MSc International Business
• Specialisation: Finance
• Language of instruction: English
• Duration: 1 year full-time
• Start date(s): in February and September
• Study load per week: 8 hrs classes; 14 hrs group work;
18 hrs individual study. Total: 40 hours

• Learning method: problem-based learning; guest
lectures; presentations; assignments; papers
• Assessment method: written and oral exams; final
papers; group participation; 100% attendance
• Options:
• 2- year part-time programme
• double degree programme with EDHEC Business School
and Queen’s School of Business for SBE IB or EBE
bachelor’s graduates
Further information:
• www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/sbe/master
“After I finished my undergraduate degree, I was
looking for further academic education that would
prepare me for a job. The Finance specialisation always
links the theory back to current events, such as the
global economic crisis. I’ve learned skills I can
really apply.”
Hilde Sijbring
Product Manager Structured Inventory Products
Trade & Commodity Finance, Rabobank International
Amsterdam
Academic theory with real-world application
Finance
Term I
1
Corporate
Governance and
Restructuring
Financial Research
Methods

2
Corporate and
Venture Finance
Elective
3
Skills Training: Writing a Master’s Thesis
Term II
4
Behavioural Finance
Writing the
Master’s Thesis
5
Risk Management
Writing the
Master’s Thesis
6
Completing the Master’s Thesis
16 Master’s programmes in Business and Economics
Specialisation
Information Management
Helping organisations compete with information
technology
Are you fascinated by new information technologies and
the possibilities they hold for modern businesses? Do you
want to know how organisations can effectively employ
information systems in their day-to-day practice? Are you a
good communicator with international ambitions? Then
Information Management is for you.
Why should you choose Information
Management?

Too often, IT is viewed as an area of technocrats, a domain
inhabited by technical experts with little relevance to
real-world business problems. And yet, the economic
importance of information, information systems, and thus
information management in business has been growing
constantly over the last decades. IT is no longer a tool to
simply automate back-office transactions, but has become
a strategic tool in most businesses.
The Information Management specialisation will give
you the skills to bridge the business-IT gap. Focusing on
information management and systems from a business
perspective, you will learn how to participate in strategic
discussions on a senior level and communicate the
company’s information needs to the IT teams. A varied
syllabus of case studies, often taken from the media,
and guest lecturers from large corporations keep this
specialisation current and give you ample opportunity to
put theory into practice.
What will you learn?
Having completed this specialisation, you will be able to:
• have a good overview of IT applications and how they
are used in organizations;
• have a thorough understanding of the challenges of
managing technology;
• understand the importance of information systems and
flows and how to employ them optimally;
• discuss information management needs at a strategic
level;
• manage international and multicultural IT projects
and teams.

Is Information Management right for you?
As well as the standard admission requirements,
you should:
• have an affinity for IT and its potential for organisations;
• be able to think in a logical and structured way;
• have the desire to study and work in an international
environment;
• be interested in a learning approach that combines
academic theory with practical application.
A business, communication, information systems or
technical background is desirable but not strictly required.
Programming skills are not necessary.
16 Master’s programmes in Business and Economics
17
What are your career prospects?
A strong global demand for IT specialists, coupled with
a shortage of qualified professionals, mean you have
an exciting future ahead of you. Your managerial IT
skills will be of value wherever you go. Typical starting
positions include information analyst, systems analyst
and IT consultant, with plenty of opportunities for career
advancement.
Graduates have found positions in:
• IT suppliers, such as Google and SAP;
• IT consultancy firms, such as Cap Gemini and Accenture;
• multinationals, such as Shell and Philips;
• governmental and non-profit organisations.
Course outline
There are certain compulsory courses within the
specialisation, as well as an elective.

NB. The course outline applies to the September start date
at the time of publishing. Details of the specialisation could
change, or may differ for the February start date. Before
applying, please check our website for the latest information.
Fast facts
• Programme: MSc International Business
• Specialisation: Information Management
• Language of instruction:
English
• Duration: 1 year full-time
• Start date(s): in February and September
• Study load per week: 8 hrs classes; 16 hrs group work;
6 hrs individual study. Total: 40 hours
• Learning method: problem-based learning; guest lectures;
presentations; assignments; papers
• Assessment method: written exams; final papers; group
participation
• Options:
• 2- year part-time programme
• double degree programme with EDHEC Business School
and Queen’s School of Business for SBE IB or EBE
bachelor’s graduates
Further information:
• www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/sbe/master
“The diversity of the students in this specialisation
gives you experience of working in multicultural
teams. This is very important in today’s global IT
environment, particularly as different cultures can
react differently to new technologies. I feel like I’ve
been well prepared for the labour market.”

Arjan Tiessen, Management Trainee ICT
Rabobank
Utrecht
Excellent preparation for the labour market
Information Management
Term I
1
Cases in
Management
Information
Systems
International
Business Research
2
Data Management Elective
3
Skills Training: Writing a Master’s Thesis
Term II
4
IT Project
Management
Writing the
Master’s Thesis
5
Managing ICT in a
Global Environment
Writing the
Master’s Thesis
6
Completing the Master’s Thesis

18 Master’s programmes in Business and Economics
Specialisation
Marketing-Finance
Identifying marketing actions that drive financial
performance
Are you interested in how organisations create value for
their stakeholders? Do you want to know the secret to
launching a successful financial product? Are you intrigued
by why people make certain financial decisions? This
unique specialisation will help you find answers.
Why should you choose Marketing-Finance?
This specialisation is the first of its kind to integrate core
elements from both the marketing and finance disciplines.
Finance often focuses on the ‘technical’ preconditions for
the success of an organisation or financial product. It does
not see the ‘target’ from a marketing perspective that
focuses on stakeholder needs. By bringing finance and
marketing approaches together, you create an environment
in which both financial performance and customer value
can be integrated.
The Marketing-Finance specialisation draws on the
outstanding resources available at Maastricht University.
Through a truly interdisciplinary range of theoretical
courses and empirical projects, you will explore topics
including financial decision-making, product development,
relationship marketing and shareholder value. You will also
follow a practical skills training course. The option to do an
internship will give you an additional opportunity to put
your knowledge into practice.
What will you learn?

Having completed this specialisation, you will be able to:
• develop innovative financial products;
• market products and translate the benefits into added
financial value;
• assess risks in relation to market returns;
• take part in strategic decision-making at a senior level.
Is Marketing-Finance right for you?
As well as the standard admission requirements,
you should:
• be interested in an interdisciplinary specialisation;
• be prepared for a challenging learning experience.
A background in finance, economics, marketing or social
sciences is a plus. Some prior knowledge of marketing
and/or finance, such as a major or minor in your bachelor’s
studies, is strongly recommended.
What are your career prospects?
You will graduate from this specialisation with the skills
necessary for a career in marketing, financial services and
risk management. Your ability to understand financial
theory and translate it into added value will make you an
asset in both the private and public sector.
Graduates have found positions in:
• large multinationals;
• banks, brokerages and insurance companies;
• management consulting;
• European institutions.
18 Master’s programmes in Business and Economics
19
Course outline
NB. The course outline applies to the September start date

at the time of publishing. Details of the specialisation could
change, or may differ for the February start date. Before
applying, please check our website for the latest information.
Fast facts
• Programme: MSc International Business
• Specialisation: Marketing-Finance
• Language of instruction: English
• Duration: 1 year full-time
• Start date(s): in February and September
• Study load per week: 8 hrs classes; 12 hrs group work;
20 hrs individual study. Total: 40 hours
• Learning method: problem-based learning; guest
lectures; presentations; assignments; papers
• Assessment method: written and oral exams; final
papers; group participation; 100% attendance
• Option:
• double degree programme with EDHEC Business School
and Queen’s School of Business for SBE IB or EBE
bachelor’s graduates
Further information:
• www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/sbe/master
“There is tremendous external interest in the
Marketing-Finance specialisation. Companies are
essentially tired of getting homogenous students from
either exclusively marketing or exclusively finance
programmes. As for me, I wasn’t entirely committed to
the idea of studying marketing exclusively, and wasn’t
prepared to fully commit to a degree in finance.
The opportunity to do both is exactly what the doctor
ordered!”

Christopher Peña, Director of Player Management
Bring It Promotions
Santa Barbara
A winning combination
Marketing-Finance
Term I
1
Shareholder Value
and Market-Based
Assets
Customer Analysis
2
Institutional
Investors
Research for
Marketing Decision
Making
3
Skills Training: Writing a Master’s Thesis
Term II
4
Behavioural Finance
Writing the Master’s
Thesis
5
Financial Product
Development: A
Marketing-Finance
Approach
Writing the

Master’s Thesis
6
Completing the Master’s Thesis
20 Master’s programmes in Business and Economics
Specialisation
Organisation: Management,
Change and Consultancy
Developing your leadership abilities
Do you have the ambition to become a future top manager
or leader in the corporate world? Do you want to get the
best out of the people you work with? Are you willing to
challenge the received wisdom on change management
and organisation in general? Then this specialisation is
definitely for you.
Why should you choose Organisation?
In today’s businesses, the skills required to manage your
own time, other people and organisational changes are key
to staying ahead of the competition and retaining the best
people. This specialisation provides you with the tools to
think critically about your own leadership abilities, as well
as those of others.
Management techniques are subject to ‘fashions’ in
the same way as any other discipline. The specialisation
therefore invites you to challenge the dominant ideas
surrounding the management of organisational change
and its portrayal in the media.
You will achieve these aims through a unique two-
directional learning cycle: experience, reflection,
conceptualisation and action. Through group experiments
and student ownership of seminars, you will experience

management first hand. You will then have time to reflect
on the results, conceptualise these via theory, and act on
your findings.
What will you learn?
Having completed this specialisation, you will be able to:
• gain insight into organisational change and how to
manage it;
• formulate your own vision of how you can help make an
organisation more effective;
• think critically and broaden your perspective on what it
means to manage and lead an organisation.
Is Organisation right for you?
As well as the standard admission requirements,
you should:
• be curious about how organisations function and why
people behave the way they do within companies;
• have a passive understanding of quantitative methods.
A bachelor’s degree in any subject, or work experience, is
required.
What are your career prospects?
The specialisation provides you with opportunities for
roles in management and consultancy. In line with this, the
university has a network of consultancy firms from which
people are invited to speak or participate in seminars.
The department has strong links with METEOR, the
Network of Social Innovation (NSI) and other leading
research institutes that actively transfer the university’s
knowledge to firms to help improve them. Your professors
are also involved in ‘interest groups’ that are attended by
consultants, governments and universities. Department

members are often engaged in consulting and coaching
roles, themselves, within organisations.
These links have two-fold benefits for students: firstly, you
will learn the most up-to-date techniques and theories,
giving you a broader perspective; and secondly, you will
have access to potential future employers.
Graduates have found positions in:
• management consultancy;
• strategic consultancy;
• human resource management;
• general management functions – this specialisation is
good preparation for management traineeships in any
industry.
21
Course outline
There are certain compulsory courses within the
specialisation, as well as an elective.
NB. The course outline applies to the September start date
at the time of publishing. Details of the specialisation could
change, or may differ for the February start date. Before
applying, please check our website for the latest information.
Fast facts
• Programme: MSc International Business
• Specialisation: Organisation: Management, Change and
Consultancy
• Language of instruction: English
• Duration: 1 year full-time
• Start date(s): in February and September
• Study load per week: 8 hrs classes; 12 hrs group work;
20 hrs individual study. Total 40 hours

• Learning method: problem-based learning; guest
lectures; presentations; assignments; papers
• Assessment method: written exams; final papers;
group participation
• Option:
• double degree programme with EDHEC Business School
and Queen’s School of Business for SBE IB or EBE
bachelor’s graduates
Further information:
• www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/sbe/master
“Project management is becoming a core business of
more and more organisations, but still most projects
are not considered very successful. This includes for
example infrastructural and IT projects, as well as
change projects. How to make projects a success, is my
core field of interest. Not only from the perspective of
the project manager or project team, but also from a
business and organisational perspective.”
Martijn Jong
Director and senior consultant at AMI Consultancy
lecturer in process and change management
the Netherlands
The organisation professionals of the future
Organisation: Management, Change and Consultancy
Term I
1
Organisational
Change and
Consultancy
International

Business Research
2
Managing
Organisational
Learning
Elective
3
Skills Training: Writing a Master’s Thesis
Term II
4
Leadership
Writing the Master’s
Thesis
5
Managers @ Work
Writing the
Master’s Thesis
6
Completing the Master’s Thesis
22 Master’s programmes in Business and Economics
Specialisation
Strategic Marketing
Building customer relationships to create value
Do you know what role marketing plays in international
business? Have you ever wondered why customer
relationships are so important to business success? Do you
want to find out how marketing can be utilised to create
the most value? Strategic Marketing will answer these
questions and many more.
Why should you choose Strategic Marketing?

Developing a product or service and bringing it to market
is often no longer enough to guarantee business success.
To reach customers, companies need proactive marketing,
which essentially revolves around two core areas:
relationships and value. Creating and delivering value
to customers and managing customer relationships are
essential for gaining a competitive advantage.
The Strategic Marketing specialisation pays a great deal
of attention to relationships and value. Other classic
marketing components, such as international marketing,
brand management and new product development, are
also addressed, but these are always covered in the context
of how they build relationships and create value.
Through an innovative blend of theory and practice, you
will learn to apply what you have learned to real-life
problems from our partner companies. In addition, you will
learn how to conduct thorough marketing research. These
skills will prepare you for a career in the fast-paced world of
strategic marketing.
What will you learn?
Having completed this specialisation, you will be able to:
• see marketing problems in context;
• understand and propose alternative solutions to these
problems;
• build and maintain strong customer relationships;
• think pragmatically and apply the theory you have
learned;
• conduct market research that gets you the answers you
need;
• manage international teams and marketing strategies.

Is Strategic Marketing right for you?
As well as the standard admission requirements,
you should:
• genuinely want to learn about marketing;
• be able to think analytically and creatively;
• not be afraid to try new approaches;
• have good interpersonal skills;
• be interested in working in a fast-paced international
environment;
• have previous experience of statistics and/or psychology,
which is desirable but not essential.
What are your career prospects?
As a Strategic Marketing graduate you will have the
business and managerial skills for a range of exciting
jobs. You will also have learned how to think practically
and creatively, which is essential for conveying a strong
marketing message. Typical starting positions include
product or brand manager, marketing analyst and account
manager.
Graduates have found positions in:
• consulting firms;
• B2C and B2B companies;
• large multinationals;
• research institutes or departments.
23
Course outline
NB. The course outline applies to the September start date
at the time of publishing. Details of the specialisation could
change, or may differ for the February start date. Before
applying, please check our website for the latest information.

Fast facts
• Programme: MSc International Business
• Specialisation: Strategic Marketing
• Language of instruction: English
• Duration: 1 year full-time
• Start date(s): in February and September
• Study load per week: 10 hrs classes; 15 hrs group work;
15 hrs individual study. Total: 40 hours
• Learning method: problem-based learning; guest
lectures; presentations; assignments; papers
Assessment method: written exams; final papers; group
participation
• Options:
• 2- year part-time programme
• double degree programme with EDHEC Business School
and Queen’s School of Business for SBE IB or EBE
bachelor’s graduates
• double degree programme with QUT Business School for
both SBE bachelor’s graduates and bachelor’s graduates
from other universities
Further information:
• www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/sbe/master
“I was looking for a master’s degree that would inte-
rest me both in terms of the content and the academic
level. Strategic Marketing has given me both. The
academic standard of the teaching staff is very high
and they always have time to give us support. The
specialisation has a strong practical component,
allowing us to test our skills. I’ve learned how to
conduct market research and to apply the results to

real problems from international organisations. This is
exactly the kind of thing I expect to be doing after I
graduate, and I am already building my experience!”
Colin Bom
Strategic Marketing student
A challenging specialisation of a high academic
standard
Strategic Marketing
Term I
1
Relationship
Management
Customer Analysis
2
Return on
Marketing
Research for
Marketing Decision
Making
3
Skills Training: Writing a Master’s Thesis
Term II
4
Value-Based
Marketing
Writing the
Master’s Thesis
5
Marketing
Innovation

Management
Writing the
Master’s Thesis
6
Completing the Master’s Thesis
24 Master’s programmes in Business and Economics
Specialisation
Strategy and Innovation
Creating competitive advantage through change
Are you curious about how companies are affected by
globalisation? Are you eager to analyse how organisations
can gain a competitive advantage in ambiguous, dynamic
environments? Do you want to find out how innovation
can impact future business sustainability? Then Strategy
and Innovation is the right choice for you.
Why should you choose Strategy and Innovation?
In today’s rapidly changing business environment, an
organisation’s strategy and innovative mindset are vital to
its future viability and performance. An organisation that
fails to seek growth opportunities through mergers and
acquisitions or expansion into new markets, or through
change, by introducing new products and processes, will
find it hard to compete.
The Strategy and Innovation specialisation will provide
you with a deep analytical understanding of the
strategic decisions facing international companies and
the importance of innovation in sustainable business
development. Using real-life and relevant case studies,
you will explore issues such as competitive analysis of
a company’s market environment, entrepreneurship,

mergers and acquisition and sustainable development as a
strategic tool. Through tutorials and group work, you will
discuss and present solutions to these issues.
What will you learn?
Having completed this specialisation, you will be able to:
• think critically about strategic business issues and put
them into context within an organisation;
• maintain a ‘big-picture’ overview of a company and its
capabilities;
• understand the international business environment and
the importance of innovation for staying ahead;
• work in a team and communicate with people of
multiple nationalities.
Is Strategy and Innovation right for you?
As well as the standard admission requirements,
you should:
• be interested in international business;
• be a team player and have good interpersonal skills;
• be able to think creatively and find new approaches to
old problems.
A bachelor’s degree in business or a business-related
subject is desirable but not essential.
What are your career prospects?
Strategy and Innovation puts you on the fast specialisation
to leading positions. Large companies are looking for
managers with a good grounding in international
business who are able to connect a company’s operations
to its position in the external environment. For smaller
companies these skills are extremely important for getting
beyond the initial stages of growth.

Graduates have found positions in:
• business or strategy consultancy firms;
• large multinationals;
• SME’s;
• supply chain departments;
• HRM departments;
• non-governmental organisations.
24 Master’s programmes in Business and Economics
25
Course outline
There are certain compulsory courses within the
specialisation, as well as an elective.
NB. The course outline applies to the September start date
at the time of publishing. Details of the specialisation could
change, or may differ for the February start date. Before
applying, please check our website for the latest information.
Fast facts
• Programme: MSc International Business
• Specialisation: Strategy and Innovation
• Language of instruction: English
• Duration: 1 year full-time
• Start date(s): in February and September
• Study load per week: 8 hrs classes; 8 hrs group work;
24 hrs individual study. Total: 40 hours
• Learning method: problem-based learning; guest
lectures; presentations; assignments; papers
• Assessment method: written exams; final papers; group
participation
• Options:
• 2- year part-time programme

• double degree programme with EDHEC Business School
and Queen’s School of Business for SBE IB or EBE
bachelor’s graduates
Further information:
• www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/sbe/master
“This specialisation has taught me a great deal about
how international corporations work and how they
can innovate in order to grow. I am considering going
into the automotive industry, in which innovation is
extremely important, and I think I have been given the
theoretical foundation to do that.”
Maarten Scholts
Strategy and Innovation student
A theoretical foundation for a successful career
Strategy and Innovation
Term I
1
International
Competitive
Analysis and
Strategy
International
Business Research
2
Entrepreneurship
and Innovation
Elective
3
Skills Training: Writing a Master’s Thesis
Term II

4
Alliances and M&As
Writing the
Master’s Thesis
5
Business Innovation
and Sustainable
Development
Writing the
Master’s Thesis
6
Completing the Master’s Thesis