Contents of the Part-Time Master in Business Administration (MSc)
The Part-Time Master in Business Administration is a 23-month program specifically designed for professionals who want to deepen and broaden their business knowledge, with direct applicability in their own work environment. The program combines academic rigor with practical relevance and is structured into four consecutive phases that together form a logical and goal-oriented learning path:
- Phase 1 - Foundation Modules – broadening your knowledge of essential management topics
- Phase 2 - Electives – deepening your expertise through two specialization tracks
- Phase 3 - Integration Modules – connecting theory with real-world practice
- Phase 4- Master’s Thesis – applying your learning to a strategic challenge within your organization
Below, you’ll find an overview of what to expect in each phase:
Phase 1 - Foundation Modules
In the first phase, you build a solid and broad foundation in the core areas of business administration. Each course provides in-depth exploration of a key management topic and helps you directly connect theory to your own professional practice. This module includes the following courses: Business Economics, Operations Management, Finance & Accounting, Organizational Behavior and Leadership, Managing Information Systems & Big Data, Marketing Management, and Business Research Methods.
Phase 2 - Electives
In this phase, you choose two specialization tracks that align with your interests and professional context, allowing you to give your master’s program a personal profile. You can choose from the following:
- Strategic Management
- Responsible Leadership
- Sustainability as a Source of Competitive Advantage
- Interorganizational relationships and networks
Phase 3 -Integration Modules
In this phase, you integrate the knowledge and skills acquired earlier. You develop a holistic and interdisciplinary perspective on organizations and their environment. Theory and practice come together in assignments that encourage reflection and real-world application.
Phase 4 -Master’s Thesis
You complete the program with a six-month graduation project, in which you apply all the knowledge you have gained to a strategic challenge within your own organization. This is your opportunity to demonstrate your ability to analyze complex business issues and develop well-founded solutions.
Examples of thesis topics from previous participants include:
- The impact of artificial intelligence on organizational structure, processes, and roles
- The influence of financial and non-financial incentives on the motivation of service merchandisers
- Knowledge transfer during succession in family businesses
Is your schedule changing unexpectedly?
If unexpected changes arise, you can reschedule a module in consultation with the program team. This flexible approach ensures your studies remain aligned with your personal and professional commitments.
One Month, One Module: Structured for Impact
In the first three phases of the program, you take one module each month. This structure provides clarity, sharp focus, and the space to fully engage with each topic.
Each module follows a fixed rhythm. This allows you to absorb the material at your own pace, encourages in-depth and focused discussions during classroom sessions, and helps you work purposefully toward achieving maximum impact—both for yourself and your organization.
Each module follows a four-week cycle:
Week 1 - Dive in: Begin with self-study to explore the core literature. On Thursday evening, an online kick-off session introduces the key themes and sets the stage for the weeks ahead.
Week 2 - Apply & Explore: Work on targeted assignments that help you internalize the theory and begin applying it to real-world contexts relevant to your role.
Week 3 - Engage & Debate: On Friday and Saturday, you’ll attend intensive in-person sessions in Utrecht. These classroom experiences form the heart of the module—where your preparation pays off. Guided by expert faculty and enriched by the real-world experiences of your peers, you’ll engage in deep, focused discussions that sharpen your thinking and broaden your perspective.
Week 4 - Translate to practice: Put your insights to work in your own organization through the final assignment and an organizational analysis. The module concludes with a Thursday evening online session where you reflect, share lessons learned, and connect insights across participants and industries.
Accredited MSc Master's degree
Once you have successfully completed the program, you will be awarded the title of Master of Science in Business Administration (MSc). This master is academically accredited by both the international AACSB and the Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders (NVAO).