A year at TIAS: FanTIAStic - a school with a vision!

It is already February, currently it is dawning on me that we only have a few months left until we begin one of the most exciting journeys of our academic career: the master thesis. Let’s travel back to September 2018, when I decided to quit my job as an Account Manager at a payment services firm in the Fintech industry and re-enroll at university. Even though I loved my job, I made this difficult decision as I was sure that I would end up regretting not completing a Master’s degree. Three considerations were paramount to my decision; the duration of the Master, the courses and the ranking of the school. TIAS ended up being the best option. It saved me the trouble of having to lose a year of doing a Pre-Master's program and the selection of mandatory courses and electives seemed both intriguing and challenging at the same time. The application procedure was clear, concise and after no time I was able to celebrate a positive admission decision.

The school is located in the heart of Utrecht, a city renowned for its bustling student life. Additionally, Utrecht is an international city with the best-connected railway station in the Netherlands. Therefore, TIAS Business School is a short commute for students living in Amsterdam, like myself. Our class consists of a very diverse mix of cultures with students from all over the world. This was especially enjoyable in the intimate study groups where we were able to share ideas and learn from each other’s differing views of the world. My study group consists of students from Brazil, China, Vietnam and of course the Netherlands. What I really appreciate is the balance between theoretical and practical learning during the classes. Many case studies are prescribed to challenge us and provide for a dynamic learning environment. The support from the lectures and program leaders are astonishing, meaning that the school facilitates enough support to let you pass even the hardest courses. TIAS distinguishes itself by providing a personal development and career program which assists students in connecting with possible employers. Our specialization tracks started in January, which are either Business Analytics, Change Management, Investment, Marketing or Finance. This provides students with the opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge within the field that impassions them most.

To be honest, I didn’t expect that I would make so many lasting friendships through TIAS. On Fridays we go to the pub nearby school with our class for drinks. Furthermore, a committee actively organizes events for our students; like the memorable Karaoke night and a Carnaval trip. To spur the growth of my professional network, I applied for the TIAS Business Tour Committee which organizes In-house days at various companies. So far, I’m extremely happy with the opportunity of studying at TIAS. It has met and surpassed all of my expectations and I’m dreading the end of this program.


This blog was written by Full-time MScBA student Koen van den Brand (26) from the Netherlands.

Read more about the Full-time MScBA