Joint programme
The UvA and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU) have combined their expertise to create an internationally relevant Master’s programme. Professionals from both universities and their individual business networks have been selected to participate. So you will learn from the best of the best.
You will not become more entrepreneurial by only studying Entrepreneurship. Learn more about the Venture Challenge.
Become more entrepreneurial
How do business ideas come to life? And how do you further develop, validate, and finance them? Inspiring lecturers will engage you in all aspects of bringing to life new business ideas. Helping you to create value for either an existing company or your own. And for society at large.
During the programme you take a thorough look at new ventures, as well as entrepreneurial activities within existing organisations (both start-ups, scale-ups, and corporate organisations).
Connect with the business world
In most courses inspiring guest speakers talk about their challenges in setting up or running a business. It's not uncommon that they are looking for talent. So go ahead and connect with them.
Also our own internationally recognised researchers introduce you to the latest techniques and theories. Providing you the up-to-date tools and skills to take with you in your first job or business.
Multidisciplinary learning
You will learn about developing, validating, and financing new ventures and activities. Also you will explore the managerial, collaborative and social aspects related to assessing and bringing to life new business ideas. All this theory comes to practice when you:
- solve real-life challenges;
- explore and validate your own business idea;
- choose an internship and gain relevant experience.
The programme
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The Entrepreneurial Individual
This course deals with different aspects of the entrepreneurial individual. Topics: Entrepreneurial Personality, Motives, Competencies, Cognitive biases, Learning and failure in the entrepreneurship process.
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The Entrepreneurial Venture
This course deals with the development of the entrepreneurial venture during its lifecycle. Topics: New venture creation, From startup to scale-up, Further development along the lifecycle of the firm.
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The Startup Project
In this course you will acquire knowledge and understanding of the methods and tools from Design Thinking and Lean Startup. By applying these methodologies and (digital) validation tools you will develop and validate an innovative business idea.
Some of the teams even continue with their business ideas. For example: Fluke, they offer a weekly selection of curated activities. Or Farmstock, they offer investors the opportunity to invest in agricultural projects that generate both profit as well as impact.
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International Entrepreneurship
This course provides an in-depth knowledge base of the issues related to scaling up internationally. You even have the opportunity to go abroad for a few weeks during this course, to work on a real-life challenge.
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Venture Challenge
During the Venture Challenge your team will solve a real-life entrepreneurial challenge for a startup, scale-up or (corporate) incubator. You will come up with recommendations and an implementation plan by conducting research in close collaboration/consultation with the venture.
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Specialisation courses
Tailor the programme to your interests and choose 3 electives out of a wide selection of specialties.
- Creative Entrepreneurship
- Entrepreneurship in Science & Technology
- Corporate Entrepreneurship
- Social Entrepreneurship
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Elective courses
- Entrepreneurial Internship
- Corporate Venturing
- Managing Creativity
- Behavioural Strategy
- Cross Cultural Management
- Enterprising Skills
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Thesis
Enthusiastic about a new development or idea? With your Master's thesis you have the chance to explore it fully. While simultaneously training your ability to independently conduct relevant research.
Your thesis is the final requirement to be completed prior to graduation. It’s also possible to combine your thesis with an internship.
In the end you realise how much you have refined your skills and have grown as a personIulia Maria Branescu Read Iulia's review
Add extra value to your studies
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Internship and exchange
If you have completed your curriculum, you can do an internship or go on an exchange abroad. For international students it is an excellent opportunity to experience the Dutch labour market.
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Dutch language course
Are you interested in learning Dutch? There are different options to give you the opportunity to maximise your Dutch experience and prepare for your future job in the Netherlands.
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Study associations
Many of our students are members of a study association. It is fun and useful for your future career at the same time. Faculty student associations are a great way to meet fellow students and future employers. They organise study trips (abroad), career events, weekly debates, parties and receptions with drinks. Sometimes you can also purchase your textbooks and course syllabi at reduced rates.
Overview Study Associations
- Faculty student association Sefa
- International Student Committee (ISC,part of Sefa)
- International Student Network Amsterdam (ISN, part of Sefa)
- Study Association Actuarial Sciences, Econometrics and Operational Research (VSAE)
- Financial Study Association Amsterdam (FSA)
- Marketing Association Amsterdam (MAA)
- International study association (AIESEC)
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Student associations
Amsterdam has a thriving student community with many activities organised outside of the university’s grounds. You will find student associations focusing on networking, specific interests and sports. It is only at sororities and fraternities that you can expect an initiation ritual (hazing).
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Student participation
At university, you are entitled to make your voice heard and assess the quality of your own education. Students can participate in the discussion on the university's education policy in various ways, such as by joining the Programme Committee, the Faculty Student Council or the first-year focus group. You can also stand for election and dedicate your efforts to the programme and your fellow students.
Online meets offline in our Hybrid Learning Theatre. The future-proof setting is the stage for dynamic interaction and inspirational education. Students watching the lecture online are projected on a large Zoom wall of 5x3 metres. Together with students who are physically present in the theatre and the lecturer there can be energetic interaction in the class room. In class the material is studied actively, for example by having debates, discussions and case assignments.
Interactive Online Learning at UvA Economics and Business and the VU
During your Master’s, you will experience an inspiring combination of both offline and online education. Learning through case studies, interactive online debates with your fellow students, and lecturers sharing videos on their YouTube-channels are just a few examples. We work with a blended learning teaching method. By applying this method, you will be able to combine different types of learning into 1 approach. You can enjoy mastering knowledge at your own pace.
Types of education
In this programme, you will find that in your education there’s a balance between innovative teaching methods (e.g. online challenges, game-based learning), and traditional forms such as writing an academic paper or a (web)-lecture supported by PowerPoint slides. You can expect peer-feedback assignments, or video recordings with explanation.
Our Centre for Educational Innovation and Teaching and Learning Centre, and the VU Network for Teaching & Learning are continuously working on improving our teaching methods. We take the interactions between students, teachers, and learning resources into account. In doing so, we hope to offer you the right combination of challenging, effective, and efficient education.
Diane Vitriolo: 'Aside from Uva being one of the top schools in Europe, I also liked the fact that it has a lot of international students as diversity is important for me.'
