Business Administration

The goal of the International Management programme is to develop future global business leaders. The program is designed for students who want to work in multinational enterprises or to start international careers.

Many of our graduates start their careers with positions such as business analyst, management consultant, product manager, global brand manager, international sales manager, business development manager, or project manager. Besides, many graduates start as a management trainee in multinational enterprises, a position that allows them to experience different areas of the business as they prepare to take on a managerial role.

Graduates of the International Management programme work in a wide variety of firms and industries, depending on their interests and professional aspirations. For example, many graduates start their professional careers at large multinational firms such as IBM, Philips, Deloitte, KPMG, PWC, P&G, Kraft Heinz, ING, UBS, Nike, or Booking.com. Also, some graduates choose to help small and medium-sized enterprises grow their business internationally.

The International Management programme opens up many career opportunities in our globalized world. Great emphasis is placed during the master to create exposure for students to different companies and the Career Services office offers extensive personalized support to students trying to start their professional career.

Students of the programme are “change agents” with the project management and leadership skills needed to drive change effectively. This is an attractive proposition for potential future employers. 

A Master’s in Business Administration – Leadership & Change Management will set you up to become a change manager, project manager, business developer or consultant at a range of different firms. 

Many of our students have become change managers at Akzo Nobel, GVB or Philips, for example, while others have become project managers. Some students now work for the Big Four consulting firms, such as Deloitte. 

During the programme, you’ll have plenty of contact with the business world. You’ll also have the opportunity to do an internship (e.g. at Philips, KPMG, Deloitte, VUmc or Royal Haskoning), and to create a portfolio for potential future employers.

You’ll come out of the programme not only with knowledge and theory of consulting, but also skills in communication, research, acquisition, presentations and conducting interviews. 

For obvious reasons, a Master’s in Management Consulting is a passport to a career in consulting – whether in a large or a smaller firm. But roles in research, government policymaking or start-ups are also open to you. 

75% of graduates now work in major consulting firms such as KPMG, Accenture or PwC, or as internal consultants in companies like PostNL. The programme’s focus on acquisition and entrepreneurialism means that some graduates go on to start their own businesses. 

Our alumni mentor programme helps coach students in their transition from their Master’s studies to future employment. Plenty of hands-on experience with companies throughout the programme, plus the possibility of doing an internship, means that many students have job offers before they’ve finished the programme.

The vast majority of graduates (more than 80%) have a job before they finish the programme, or within a few months of graduating. And those who do not have often chosen to take a bit of time off before starting to work.

You will likely begin as a recruiter, HR-generalist, junior HR business partner, or consultant. But the knowledge and experience you gain at VU Amsterdam will prepare you for a long career trajectory with many prospects. Our ambition is to prepare you to one day become a CHRO, senior (HR) manager or senior HR business partner. 

Graduates of the programme go on to careers as diverse as the graduates themselves.  After all, corporations of every size and type need strong HRM support to guide their ambitions. But to give you an idea, many of our graduates go on to successful careers with major multinationals, including PWC, Deloitte, ING, Nike, Rabobank, Accenture, Booking.com and UBER. Graduates also get offers from a range of innovative start-ups.

We make sure you have as many job options available to you as possible. Our specialised programme opens the door to a wide range of employment opportunities, because you’ll have the business knowledge and essential soft skills that nearly every company needs. And our Career Services offers both general and specific support to ensure your employability in your chosen field. 

A large percentage of students who follow this programme quickly find a job, before or after completing the programme. VU Career Services and programme specialists will be there to guide and support you. 

Initially, a Master’s in Business Administration: Strategy & Organisation will prepare you for a career as a business analyst, project manager, or strategy consultant. But in the long term, we give you the tools you need to eventually thrive as a top manager, responsible for seeing the big picture and developing a company’s overall businesses strategy. 
 

Graduates of the programme go on to careers as diverse as the graduates themselves.  While many of our graduates choose careers in the consultancy and financial services industries, we also see a wide variety of careers develop in education and research, fast-moving consumer goods, health and welfare and IT.  The roles our alumni fill range from administration, management and sales and marketing, to operations and research. What all our graduates have in common is their ability to think strategically, act passionately, and thrive professionally in their chosen field.