Full-time MBA

Full-time MBA: invest in yourself and create impact

Globally driven economics and rapidly changing organizational dynamics call for exceptional leadership. To succeed, you need a great skillset. You know that as a manager, you must be able to see the bigger picture—you need to develop engaging personal qualities as well as a deeper understanding of the wider social ramifications of your decisions.

Our one-year Full-time Master of Business Administration (MBA) program helps you bolster your career. Our program focuses on personal, academic and social progress. You will target key areas of development, making you the leader you want to become. Obtain an internationally oriented degree in a diverse, intellectually stimulating environment, in which the contrasting backgrounds and experiences of your peers challenge you to grow.

Why choose TIAS School for Business and Society?

• A top-ranked business school in Executive and InCompany Education according to the Financial Times
• TIAS School for Business and Society jumped from #38 in 2019 to #30 in the Financial Times European Business Schools 2021 Ranking.
• The Economist (2022): TIAS’ Full-time MBA is the #1 MBA in the Netherlands.
• Internationally recognized AMBA and AACSB accreditations
• The TIAS Full-time MBA is top 33% worldwide and is strong in Return on Investment, Class & Faculty Diversity and Thought Leadership according to the QS Ranking 2021.

Participant profile full-time MBA

Regardless of what part of the world or business you are from, be prepared to meet the other parts. Diversity is key when designing our MBA classroom. A wide variety of geographical, professional and functional backgrounds make up the student body. Many participants are from the world of finance, technology or consultancy, but we also welcome marketing & sales professionals and people from other backgrounds in- and outside of business. The group is internationally diverse with over 15 nationalities. Approximately 90 percent of participants come from a country other than the Netherlands.

Full-time MBA: boost your career

The reasons for pursuing an MBA are as numerous as they are diverse. In the end, the net result for all those making the journey is the same: their professional skills have improved, regardless of their job description and responsibilities. They have learned new ways of looking at their responsibilities and their challenges. They have added new theories, models, insights, techniques and capabilities to their skillset that help them meet those challenges head-on. These skills are recognized around the world: an MBA from a renowned institute is a universally accepted token of ability, skill and tenacity that opens doors to career opportunities that were previously out of reach.

The highlights of the TIAS MBA:

• Benefit from the latest business knowledge and strategic insights.
• Join an internationally oriented program that immerses you in a diverse, intellectually stimulating environment with peers from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.
• Gain new knowledge and improve your general management skills in just one year.
• Excel with the Personal and Career Development Program (PCDP) and get a better understanding of who you are and what you are capable of, so you can establish and achieve your ultimate career goals.
• Get into contact with companies through both inter- and extracurricular activities like: career days, business projects, TIAS student consultancy and business challenges.
• Become an all-round, responsible leader by exploring social aspects that go beyond traditional management standards.
• Learn more about strategy development and implementation.
• Focus on putting theory into practice.
• Optional double degree track: In 1,5 years you are able to achieve an MBA and an MSc degree with a specialization in Business Analytics or Financial Management.

Results of the Full-time MBA

Pursuing the Full-time MBA is a life-changing experience that will equip you with excellent tools for growth, both personally and professionally. Prepare yourself to take on positions with higher leadership responsibilities and create a positive impact to your own or your organization’s future success.

• Open up doors to career opportunities: Over 85% of our MBA graduates received employment within 3 months after graduation.
• Develop an all-round perspective on business and its role in society: to be a successful leader, you must be able to see the bigger picture.
• Broaden your knowledge base and gain a deeper understanding of all aspects of business.
• Improve both your decision-making skills in business management and your personal leadership skills.
• Develop an innovative and reflective attitude, both on business and on personal skills.
• Our TIAS Connect community portal and Alumni Services help you to establish and maintain your network, even after completion of the program. You receive access to a network of professionals who share your drive and ambition.

The Experience of Atul Pillai

‘I like the TIAS approach. The whole program is structured around three pillars: academic development, personal development and societal knowledge. For me, what TIAS was offering really mattered. I would have gained the academic knowledge anyway, but I also believe in personal development.’
Atul Pillai - Technology Advisor KPMG

Studying in the Netherlands

The Netherlands: small country, big opportunities
Did you know that the Netherlands has one of the strongest economies in the world? And, that the Dutch, once again, recently have been named ‘best non-native English speakers in the world’? Education in the Netherlands is known for its international approach and excellent quality. There are international career opportunities at companies where English is the main language. And nice to know:  the Dutch work-life balance is very important and key to success. 

TIAS is centrally located in the Netherlands
The Full-Time MBA program is offered at our Utrecht campus: With six lecture theaters, seven breakout rooms and one scrum area, the new TIAS building is a modern educational location.  Located in the center of the Netherlands, near to Amsterdam, it is very easy to travel from Utrecht to other European cities. 

Utrecht’s hundreds of monuments give this centuries-old city a unique atmosphere. Utrecht is home to over 25% of the 330,000 students in the Netherlands, making it one of the country’s largest student populations. 

Full-time MBA: break-through academic thinking hand in hand with intensive personal development

Today’s business leaders are obliged to go that extra step. Making exceptional decisions means that you consider the bigger picture. You are engaged with the world around you. As a successful leader you have the drive and tenacity to excel professionally, intrinsically understand the environment around you and be able to trust in your personal qualities.

Our one-year Full-time International Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree is distinguished by its three-tier approach. The course matches break-through academic thinking with intensive personal development, while widening your understanding of business and its societal impact. Confidently improve your career with all the world- and business-insight an MBA offers.

Program aims

The depth and scope of the program allows you to:

• gain perspective on the dynamics between organizations and stakeholders
• develop personal abilities to lead others and drive organizational change
• benefit from the latest business research and strategic insights
• get further societal understanding for balanced judgments and superior decisions
• excel with a Personal and Career Development Program (PCDP), geared towards helping you understand better who you are and what you are capable of, so that you can establish, and work towards your ultimate career goal

End result: MBA degree

Upon successful completion you will receive the degree title Master of Business Administration (MBA). In addition this program has received international (AMBA) and institutional (AACSB) accreditation.

Over 85% MBA graduates received employment within 3 months after graduation. 80% of our Non-European MBA graduates found a job in Europe after graduation. 

Course outline

Full-time Master in Business Administration program design:

Academic
Online Preparatory Courses
Block I – Business Fundamentals I
Block 2 – Business Fundamentals II
Block 3 – Positioning for long term value
Block 4 – Business in context
Block 5 – Generating impact in practice: Real-life consultancy project
A focus on personal development and societal challenges
Possibility to tailor your step towards the labor market with an internship or start-up project at the end of the program 

For a full list of courses, download the brochure or contact the Program Adviser.

Personal impact development

The Full-time MBA program is built around three axes: Academic, Personal and Societal. The aim is to develop your skills and abilities in all three directions and on multiple levels. To make you a better leader – better for you, your team, the environment and society at large. Personal Impact is not only achieved through knowledge, but also through networks, skills and competencies. To help you improve these attributes and make them part of an effective career plan, we offer a Personal and Career Development Program (PCDP). 

The aim of the PCDP is to increase your self-awareness; understand who you are as a person, with your unique talents, qualities, drives and values, to establish and work towards your ultimate career goal. One of the key elements is the Personal Leadership Program called ABBY, which stands for Accelerate By Being You. Subsequently, in personal coaching sessions you will deep dive on your learnings and self-discoveries.

Besides, TIAS is well known and highly evaluated on the very personal approach by their career consultants. Each individual student is assigned a personal coach and a career consultant, and the career consultant is available for free career advice up to 3 years after graduation. You will be the starting point for the guidance you might need, to work towards your career goal.

You will understand who you are and what your capabilities are. By focusing on your strengths, you take your capabilities to the next level. To be well prepared for the (Dutch) job market, we will offer you very hands-on “learning labs”, focusing on LinkedIn, targeted CV, networking and job interview. 

Improve your communication, presentation and networking skills and expand your network during workshops and company outreach days. In the academic courses you will practice skills and you will learn to speak to inspire.

Societal perspective

TIAS is the School for Business and Society. We stimulate our MBA's to view the world from different perspectives, to explore it and to discover new possibilities. The program includes courses on the many challenges at the Business and Society nexus. Both the European as well as emerging economy perspectives are integrated to offer a complete picture of the various challenges in different parts of the world. Site-visits, guest speakers and a visit to the EU parliament in Brussels offers insights into the complexity of international economic and political collaboration and shows the complex interplay of business and government. In our program you deepen the understanding of the links between business and society and the impact you can have as a future leader and manager on society. 

Get your double degree!

For whom?
Business Analytics or Financial Management are optional tracks within the MScBA program, designed for students who have an interest in entering or advancing a career in business analytics or in financial management.

As an MBA graduate you can benefit from this fast-track dual degree. It starts after completion of the last assignment of the full-time MBA program.

So: In 1,5 years, instead of two years, you are able to achieve an MBA as well as an MSc degree with a specialization in Business Analytics or Financial Management. 
The Business Analytics specialization track will help you to:

• deploy “Smart Decision-Making” processes in your organization
• provide clearer insights into Dashboard Visualization backgrounds, essential for all managers
• keep business decisions updated more frequently
• offer a more efficient culture and boast teamwork

The Financial Management specialization track will help you to:

• Obtain deeper understanding of financial markets, risk, return & fintech
• Be able to make qualified financial decisions
• Operate more effectively in a constantly evolving financial industry

A unique Double Degree

TIAS is offering Full-time MBA students the possibility to get a double degree! In 1,5 years you are able to achieve an MBA and an MSc degree with a specialization in Business Analytics or in Financial Management.

The Business Analytics specialization track will help you to:

• deploy “Smart Decision-Making” processes in your organization
• provide clearer insights into Dashboard Visualization backgrounds, essential for all managers
• keep business decisions updated more frequently
• offer a more efficient culture and boast teamwork

The Financial Management specialization track will help you to:

• obtain deeper understanding of financial markets, risk, return & fintech
• be able to make qualified financial decisions
• operate more effectively in a constantly evolving financial industry

Get your double degree and stand out in the job market

Business Analytics
Business Analytics is about accessing and exploring an organization’s data with a clear vision to find out the business performance and enhance the decision-making.  As an MBA graduate you can benefit from this dual degree: Business Analytics helps MBA graduates measuring a company’s mission statement achievements far better than other regular MBAs.

• Develop the skills needed to become a resourceful and business analyst consultant
• Implement business big data strategies and adapt to new business analytics needs
• Create new business models that fosters effective and efficient use of big data and generate new values
• Work across all functional areas and enable effective decision making
• Understand and leverage the big data to successfully implement information technology and business thinking to turn data into actionable intelligence

Financial Management
Financial Management is still one of the most dynamic and expansive areas of the business world and one of the pillar of every organization. The fundamental success of any business strategy depends on the development of appropriate financial measures and its alignment with the internal and external operations. Therefore, financial metrics have been the standard norms for assessing a firm’s performance. The track develops the skills required for many types of corporate finance functions, ranging from multi-national corporations, to small and medium enterprises (SME’s). Raising capital and making financial decisions in an international context, understanding corporate restructuring, mergers and acquisitions and many other issues in corporate finance will provide you with the skill set for a role as a financial manager

Course outline

Both the Business Analytics and the Financial Management specialization tracks have a duration of 6-7 months and take place at our campus in Utrecht. It starts after completion of the last assignment of the full-time MBA (November/December). You hand in a thesis at the end of May to finally graduate in June. The study load for this master is forty to fifty hours a week.

Business Analytics specialization track program design:

• Foundation Modules
• Track modules
  - Business Process & Data Mapping
  - Business Data Analytics
  - Decision Analysis & Optimization
  - Business Intelligence
• Electives (choose one)
  - New Product and Service Development Strategy
  - Financial Management
• Thesis
• Graduation

Financial Management specialization track program design:

• Foundation Modules
• Track modules
  - Financial Management
  - Capital Markets and Investment Management
  - International Finance
  - Advanced Financial Management
• Electives (choose one)
  - New Product and Service Development Strategy
  - Business Process & Data Maping
• Thesis
• Graduation

Successful enrolment in our Full-Time MBA is subject to a number of admission requirements. This is to maintain admissions quality. That way you can benefit from a high potential, motivated group of talented individuals to further enhance your learning experience.

Admisssion requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredited institution
• A solid GMAT (average is 620; our school code is 23X-LT-99)
• Minimum of 3 years relevant full-time work experience (average is 7 years)
• Strong command of written and spoken English (TOEFL of 90 or IELTS of 6.5 is required)

A high GMAT score does not guarantee admission, just as a low score doesn't preclude admission. We accept students with lower GMAT scores if we believe this can be offset by stronger areas in one’s profile. Since we are such a very diverse school, we are keen to see whether you have worked, lived, studied abroad, or worked for an international company. So while a solid GMAT score is important, it is not necessarily a deal breaker.

Additionally, the GMAT requirement may be waived if you meet some specific criteria. As an example, the GMAT may not be required if you already have a PhD or a Master’s degree in finance. Please note that the Academic Director evaluates each applicant’s overall profile to determine whether the waiver may be granted. In some cases, we could ask you to take the TIAS Capacity Test (TCT) instead. Feel free to contact your program adviser to find out more.

Upon receipt of your application our Program Adviser will contact you to arrange an interview. All interviews are by invitation only. And all applicants will have the option of interviewing on campus or via Skype or telephone.

Pre-master program

Our pre-master program is designed to bring you up to the required Full-time MBA entry level. The pre-masters program consists of video tutorials, online classes and self-study materials, as well as an orientation session in Tilburg. In the interest of flexibility, it’s up to you when you complete which module.

The program contains the following modules:

• Academic reading and writing: these modules prepare you for writing papers and reading academic literature.
• Finance & Accounting: aims to familiarize you with key terms and Finance & Accounting formula’s
• Quantitative methods: this module provides you with the basics of algebra and statistics.

Study load and costs

The actual pre-master study load is dependent on your level of academic ability. This will be assessed during your interview with the Program Adviser and will determine the shape of your pre-master program.

Admission requirements for the Double Degree MScBA track in Business Analytics

The Business Analytics specialization track is designed for students who have an interest in quantitative methods, exploring and uncovering relationships through data analysis, using data to solve business problems, and entering or advancing a career in business analytics.

As an MBA graduate you can benefit from this dual degree. It starts after completion of the last assignment of the full-time MBA program.

Fees and Funding 

€38500 for the entire master (free from VAT) / Double Degree MScBA: €6000 (free from VAT)

The prices includes:

• Access to the online learning environment
• Access to webinars and must-reads on the alumni website
• Compulsory literature, textbooks and teaching materials
• Day packages ( coffee/tea and soft drinks) during college days
• Registration and administration costs (€ 4100)*
• Study trips (the substantive program)

*  These costs will not be deducted in the event of a cancellation.                                                                                                       

Possible additional costs:

• Personal and medical insurance costs: around € 50 per person per month
• Living costs, including accommodation, insurance and general expenses, for overseas students: around € 1000 per person per month.                                           
• Travel and accommodation costs during a study trip
• Software licenses (if specific software is required)

Funding of your MBA
Pursuing an MBA is a serious commitment of time and money. It is an investment that needs to be carefully considered and planned for. However, we believe the TIAS MBA will be an investment in your future with an unbeatable cost-benefit ratio. Most of our students meet the cost of our MBA program through scholarships, savings, and student loans. Though the responsibility of funding the TIAS MBA lies with you, your program adviser will be happy to discuss your options. If you have any questions, please contact you program adviser here.

Scholarships

TIAS School for Business and Society understands the financial commitment of funding an MBA. Like you, we also know knowledge is power and great education is priceless. This is why we offer merit-based scholarships to qualified candidates to encourage a diverse and inclusive classroom. Most scholarships are essay-based and all essays should reflect your personal point of view expressed in your own words. The quality of the admission application will also be taken into consideration.
Scholarships available for the Full-time MBA are:

• TIAS Scholarships for Future Leaders (3-6 awards)
• TIAS Scholarships for Women in Business; with preference given to developing countries. (minimum of 8 awards)
• TIAS Scholarships for Sustainability and Responsibility; with preference given to developing countries. (3-6 awards)
• TIAS - NESO Regional Scholarships (varies per region)
  
  • Indonesia: Orange Tulip Scholarship
  • India: Orange Tulip Scholarship
  • Korea: Orange Tulip Scholarship
  • Russia: Orange Tulip Scholarship
  • South Africa: Orange Tulip Scholarship
  • Vietnam: Orange Tulip Scholarship
• TIAS Scholarships for Graduates of Tilburg University and Eindhoven University of Technology
• TIAS MBA Merit Scholarships (minimum of 5 awards)

Please contact our Program Adviser if you have any questions about applying for a scholarship.

How are scholarship decisions made?
When making scholarship decisions, the TIAS admissions board reviews all application materials submitted by candidates and assesses each candidate's overall qualities: academic profile, strength of overall admissions application, quality of admissions interview, and employability.

Loan programs

Prodigy Finance - MBA Loans
Prodigy Finance’s innovative lending model offers community-funded loans to international students at the world’s top business schools, including TIAS Business School. The MBA loan is offered at an attractive interest rate and is available to candidates who have been accepted to the International Full-Time MBA program.

Visit the Prodigy's website for more details about the terms and conditions, and how to apply for a loan.

Lendwise - MBA Loans
Lendwise is a specialist loan provider based in the UK which is dedicated to education finance for individuals who are looking to fund their studies at world class universities.

Lendwise’s aim is to enable access to education through its affordable and flexible student loans that come with a fixed interest rate and no early repayment penalties.  Interest rates are personalised and depend on an applicant’s overall profile including future earning potential, and the application process is entirely online. Full time programme students have access to a grace period that allows for repayment to start after graduation.

Candidates applying for the Full-Time MScBA and the Full-Time MBA are eligible to apply for a loan.  UK residents are eligible for a Lendwise Loan and other nationalities will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Contact Lendwise directly to apply

Tax deduction

International Full-Time MBA fees and study-related expenses may be tax deductible. Please contact the local authorities in your country for additional information. For Dutch participants additional information is available on the website of De Belastingdienst.

Non-EU students need to apply for a visa and/or residence permit and go through the full process.
EU students only need to register as a new resident of the town where they are going to live. 

Your visa application

We are happy to assist you with your Dutch immigration process. Our immigration office will help you with the application for your visa and/or residence permit for study purposes and will guide you through the process. You may not submit a visa application independently. Only an authorized referent may submit your application to the IND. When you are admitted, you will be invited by TIAS to start your visa application via the online application portal. 

Immigration fee

The Dutch Immigration Service (known as the IND) charges for the processing of your application, depending on the procedure applicable to you. The amount of that fee is indexed each year.

After you have gone through the entire process in the online application portal, you can make the immigration fee payment online. TIAS Business School will collect this fee on behalf of the IND. Without the payment, we cannot submit your application to the IND. Please note the visa/residence permit fee is non-refundable, once the application has been submitted to the IND.

Residence permit

Non-EU students must have a residence permit for study purposes in addition to their visa. A pre-condition for obtaining a residence permit is having valid health insurance. Our Immigration Office will gladly guide you through the process or advise you further.

What we need from you

To successfully process your visa and residence permit application we need the following:

• a copy of your acceptance letter (provided by us);
• a copy of all relevant passport pages;
• proof of sufficient funding, either by you, a third party, such as a parent or a company;
• proof of health insurance

Sufficient funding: You will have to demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to support yourself during your studies at TIAS for a stay of a full academic year.  In addition to the living expenses, you will have to prove that you have sufficient funds to pay for your study costs.

The required amount to live in the Netherlands is indexed each year and can be found under Application for a residence permit for study --> Higher professional education (hbo) or university. 

Health insurance: When living in the Netherlands, you must, by law, have sufficient health insurance.

We recommend AON student Insurance package, as the coverage meets all legal requirements in the Netherlands. 

In case you have questions about health insurance in general you can contact the Zorgverzekeringslijn, see this flyer. 

Immigration

Dependent upon your nationality, the immigration office may have additional requirements. We will gladly provide you with further information. It is important to note that under Dutch immigration law a visa obtained through TIAS is always restricted to a stay for the purposes of study only.

You can also find more information about visa, insurance, work permits and other procedures, applicable to your personal situation on the websites of Study in Holland and Dutch Immigration Service (IND).

Orientation year for graduates

If you wish to stay in the Netherlands after graduation at TIAS, you have to apply for a different residence permit. 

As a graduate you can make use of the orientation year for graduates. With your permit for the orientation year you have one year to find a job in the Netherlands, for example as a highly skilled migrant. You can also apply for a start-up residence permit. This gives you one year to start an innovative company. 

The purpose of the so-called ‘Orientation Year’ for highly educated persons is to retain and attract foreign talent for the Dutch labor market. During this ‘Orientation Year’, you can move freely on the Dutch labor market. This means that your employer does not need to obtain a separate work permit for you. 

You can read more about it on our TIAS page: Visas and working in the Netherlands.

Housing

Utrecht is one of the most popular cities in the Netherlands. Because of this, the demand for student housing in and around Utrecht is extremely high.

Many students find it difficult and time-consuming to search for housing. It is a good idea to anticipate the time and effort it may take you to find a room, and start your search several months in advance, even prior to your admission. Finding a place to stay is very important because you need a legal residence in the Netherlands in order to register with the municipality and obtain a Citizen service number (BSN). 

We are pleased to provide our international full-time students with a number of housing options in Utrecht. TIAS has made arrangements with SSH (shared housing facilities) and Canvas Utrecht (individual studios) for furnished housing with facilities nearby the city center of Utrecht.

If you need assistance with finding accommodation, please contact your Program Adviser.