2013 – 2014 Economics and Business Economics This brochure contains information about the Bachelor’s degree programme in Economics and Business Economics There are separate brochures providing details about the Master’s programmes For more information see www.rug.nl/masters CONTENTS Economics and Business Economics in Groningen 1 1 2 Reasons for studying Economics and Business Economics Business Economics specialization Economics specialization International Economics and Business specialization The degree programme in Groningen Facilities About Groningen The content of the degree programme 6 10 10 13 The Dutch education system Propaedeutic phase Post-propaedeutic phase Careers weeks Master’s phase Study abroad! Student life 14 14 Introduction and study progress supervision Student associations After graduating 16 Another way to it Admission 18 Tuition fees Information and Enrolment 19 20 Information Addresses No rights whatsoever may be derived from the contents of this brochure Welcome to The Netherlands Information for international prospective students Situated in the north-west of Europe, the Netherlands is the gateway to Europe: one of the founding members of the EU, high standards of education, health care and social equality, and close to most European capitals University of Groningen › 400 years of academic tradition and innovation › Leading research university › AACSB accredited › Study in an international environment ›  edicated to student involvement D programmes Qiyue Yan (26) senior student ‘I am from China I decided to come to Groningen to study for several reasons First of all the education is entirely in English It also appealed to me that Groningen has a long history, but at the same time stresses new frontiers of knowledge in both teaching and research In addition, everything I read pointed to openness toward students with different backgrounds Finally, practically speaking, I was able to afford the cost of studying at Groningen.’ Facts & Figures › 28,198 students › 3,400 international students › 115 nationalities › faculties › Bachelor, Master and PhD programmes › Graduate Schools › 92 English-taught degree programmes › 15 English-taught double degree programmes International applicants Admissions requirements Applications will be assessed on an individual basis The admissions procedure includes an evaluation of your academic credentials, including your secondary school grades and English proficiency (TOEFL: 580/237/92; IELTS: 6.5; Cambridge Proficiency A/B/C or Cambridge Advanced) You should have passed mathematics as a standard/methods level subject during your secondary school education Cost of living: relatively low The latest Worldwide Cost of Living Survey shows that living expenses in the Netherlands are modest compared to cities like New York, Paris, London and Beijing In fact, it still enjoys one of the lowest costs-of-living in Europe Housing Language course € 300–450 / month (administration € 300 once) € 100–450 / course Food Security deposit € 200 / month € 325 / year Tuition Fee Money Bicycle › EEA-students € 1,771 per year › non-EEA students € 7,500 per year › Already completed a Bachelor’s degree of a Dutch university or a Dutch HBO? You will be charged a higher tuition fee › If you pay the statutory tuition fee and finishing the Bachelor takes you more than four years, you will be fined € 3,000 € 55 / month € 45–110 / used bike Apply before May 2013 for all international applicants Insurance Total € 75–100 / month € 10,000–11,000 / year Books and other study materials should come to no more than € 650 per year GRONINGEN AMSTERDAM www ›  ww.rug.nl/feb/prospectives w (for details about admission and tuition fees) › www.feb-international.com (student ambassadors) › www.rug.nl/howtoapply (international applicants) ›  ww.rug.nl/insandouts w (practical information) ECONOMICS AND BUSINESS ECONOMICS IN GRONINGEN A company such as Philips has various investment options But will more employees, different machines or a new marketing strategy actually lead to more profit? And what are the risks? Economics and Business Economics are not just valuable tools for addressing decision-making issues within organizations, but also for the analysis of global topics such as the world financial crisis, the environment, health care and international business needs Reasons for studying Economics and Business Economics How can an enterprise best market a new product? Which growth figures does HTC need to convince its stakeholders to invest more in the telephone market? Why European firms open branches in Asia? These are the kinds of challenges that are faced by entrepreneurs and business managers at all levels of a company How they solve them has important implications for both their own company and others, as well as local, national and international economies and society at large If you choose the three-year Economics and Business Economics programme at the University of Groningen you will see how business experts and policymakers attempt to stimulate both corporate and economic activity This programme will give you the theoretical tools and analytical skills needed to address complex and sometimes controversial issues Economics and Business Economics is an internationally accredited programme, ensuring a high quality education that meets the AACSB standard, a standard which only five percent of universities reach worldwide The programme is entirely in English During the first year – the foundation year – all students take the same courses In the second year you will decide whether you will specialize in Business Economics, Economics, or International Economics and Business In the third year, you are offered the opportunity to study one semester abroad Business Economics specialization What is the best way to run an organization? In the business economics specialization (‘bedrijfseconomie’ in Dutch) you learn to understand decision-making and behaviour of people within an organization from an economic point of view You learn about all kinds of things, including how to advise on the right investments (and how to finance them), marketing, accounting and human resource management Economics specialization If you are interested in social and economic problems, the economics specialization may be the perfect choice for you Economists develop models to obtain an understanding of economic phenomena They look at economic data, make sense of it and explain its implications to policy makers It could be said that economics is a way of thinking, looking at the world and approaching human choice in conditions of scarcity, and as such, the number of applications is almost limitless International Economics and Business specialization The world has become more and more integrated, but businesses still have to deal with stakeholders with diverse social norms and expectations They also have to handle sometimes conflicting regulations, cope with different legal systems and balance multiple A COMPLETE PROGRAMME Economics and Business Economics in Groningen is a complete programme You begin with a broad foundation year in which global and local economics and business issues are covered, and can then choose to The Faculty of Economics and Business building specialize in the discipline that interests you most ECONOMICS AND BUSINESS ECONOMICS IN GRONINGEN currencies The international economics and business specialization gives you the tools to understand and possibly influence the behaviour of international companies, intergovernmental organizations and nongovernmental agencies in a global business environment For instance: where in the world would you advise Appelsientje to harvest oranges? It also includes analyses of how the international economic environment affects the strategies of firms and other international actors The degree programme in Groningen With their active research agenda the academic staff members have many theoretical and empirical publications to their credit Their awareness of advances in the field and their collective knowledge and know-how is reflected in their teaching and mentoring They have contacts with businesses and institutions worldwide, and this opens doors to exchange programmes Facilities Of course your surroundings are also important Our buildings are modern, comfortable and well equipped The main University Library has a core collection for each discipline but we also have our own library with an extensive – and still growing – economics and business collection As well as plenty of places to study, our Student Plaza has meeting rooms and, if you are in need of a break, a café There is free wireless access throughout the complex, so you can browse the web, check your e-mail and look for updates on the student intranet, which has links to practically all the information about the programme you will need About Groningen… Student life in Groningen doesn’t need much of an introduction Groningen is known for being a fun, safe and vibrant student city It is large and interesting enough for you to enjoy yourself, yet still small and pleasant enough for you to feel at home Roughly one out of every six people living in Groningen is a student! The nightlife and the cultural, sporting and recreational opportunities are excellent, as you will soon discover w ww The Batavia Replica of the Batavia, a Dutch East India Company ship launched in 1628 › www.rug.nl/feb/bscecobe (more about the course of study) The Dutch have been involved in international trade for a long time › www.rug.nl/feb/aacsb The Dutch East India Company, the VOC, was the first multinational › www.rug.nl/feb/prospectives corporation and the first company anywhere to issue stock and pay ›  ww.rug.nl/feb/studiekiezers (information for Dutch prospective students) w dividends (Photo: Jaap Roskam) ›  ww.rug.nl/honours (Honours College University of Groningen) w Is this the programme for you? Students who choose this degree programme are interested in understanding some of the most fundamental forces that drive our world They are open to cultural differences and are comfortable with the prospect of being abroad In a word, they are adaptable ECONOMICS AND BUSINESS ECONOMICS IN GRONINGEN Omiros Kouvavas (27) first-year student of Economics and Business Economics A personal approach ‘My Bachelor’s degree programme in Economics and Business Economics is actually my second Bachelor’s programme I always wanted to work in the field of economics, so after my first degree I decided to go for it My home country is Greece, but I decided to come to the Netherlands because of the combination of high quality education and affordable tuition fees I chose the University of Groningen because out of all the Dutch universities its approach was the most personal, as demonstrated by its admission process The programme is pretty intensive, but it is well structured and allows motivated students to excel I will start the Honours programme soon, which has a heavier workload I found that I had some free time on my hands and the Honours programme seemed an extra opportunity to develop myself academically.’ Acquisition of supermarkets One of the most stirring economic events in The Netherlands has to be the recent acquisition of the supermarket chain C1000 by its competitor Jumbo The Dutch Competition Authority (NMa) has examined the situation and, after thorough economic analysis, concluded that Jumbo is allowed to acquire over 400 C1000 stores One condition remains, however, as Jumbo has to sell 18 stores where competition could be severely affected The NMa does not foresee any problems on national level, as Jumbo’s future market share of 23% is still relatively limited after the acquisition ECONOMICS AND BUSINESS ECONOMICS IN GRONINGEN How to sell an innovative new bike? Imagine that you and a partner have come you hire more staff? What will it cost to produce the The International Economics and Business point up with an innovative new bike You are now bikes? You investigate how much you will need to of view considering setting up as a bike maker spend on materials and supplies After a while, you begin to think that maybe you The Business Economics point of view The Economics point of view elsewhere would be willing to pay higher prices You have found a way to produce the bike You need You try to determine how many bikes you could You might want to use trade intermediaries to start-up money, so you start looking for funds and feasibly sell What number would be cost-effective? reach foreign buyers, but you still need to consider comparing the different terms and conditions of In order to determine the price of the bike on the transportation costs and whether tariffs, quotas or potential investors You need to come up with a market you look at what other bikes are going for differences in government standards would make it good marketing strategy, and may need to reserve Then you try to determine how much consumers difficult to export your bikes Maybe you could make exclusive rights with a patent You obviously have would be willing to pay for your bike You want to bikes where the customers are, rather than shipping to think about efficient and effective use of your find the ‘optimal price point’ that maximizes your them worldwide Should you find a partner in the resources It’s a handmade bike Would automating profits You also try to understand the bike industry new location? What about the currency or currency the bike-making process be worthwhile or should and whether there are any government regulations fluctuation? should sell your bikes abroad Maybe customers UNIVERSITY OF GRONINGEN 28,198 students altogether 995 Bachelor’s students in Economics and Business Economics 5,945 first year students altogether 340 first year students in Economics and Business Economics 3,500 international students 5,550 employees 570 professors 49 Bachelor’s programmes 146 Master’s programmes faculties 240,000 square meters of facilities 603 million euro annual budget Excellence allowed! Gifted and exceptionally motivated students are given the opportunity to make the most of their talents via the University of Groningen Honours College Completing this challenging programme will result in an additional Honours diploma Students follow special Honours workshops and other deepening courses alongside their usual Bachelor’s degree courses They also organize guest lectures and company visits Students also follow a number of broadening courses and training programmes with Honours students from other faculties There is a selection procedure More information: www.rug.nl/feb/excellenceallowed 5 THE CONTENT OF THE DEGREE PROGRAMME The Bachelor’s degree programme in Economics and Business Economics consists of two phases: the propaedeutic phase (first year) and the postpropaedeutic phase (second and third years) In the second year you must choose between the three specializations of business economics, economics, and international economics and business The Dutch education system Each academic year has two semesters A semester consists of two blocks of seven lecture weeks, with an examination period at the end of each block The first semester runs from September to February, the second from February to July We use the European Credit and Transfer System (ECTS), which expresses student workloads and learning outcomes in terms of credit points One credit point (EC) represents 28 hours of time spent studying, attending classes, participating in group work, working on individual and team projects, and the like Each course is worth EC; the Bachelor’s thesis is worth 10 EC A Bachelor’s degree comprises 180 EC Teaching takes place in the form of lectures, tutorials and practicals It is important that you prepare ahead for lectures, as all of the material cannot be covered in the time allotted Lectures focus on the main points and particularly difficult aspects of the assigned literature, whereas the material is discussed in more detail in tutorial groups In the tutorials you talk about the literature and lectures, and go over individual assignments and joint work Practicals give you an opportunity to work on assignments and presentations in even smaller groups There is usually at least one written exam per course Your final mark is usually calculated from your exam results and marks for assignments Propaedeutic phase The first week is the Faculty Introduction Week This week not only marks the start of your degree programme, but you will also get to know your new environment through all kinds of workshops and activities and you start planning your study career During the first year of the programme you will take the same courses as your fellow D€pr€$$ion! A worldwide credit crisis is nothing new Ever since the Greeks first used money in 600 BC there has been the potential for economic turmoil We seem to be caught in a never-ending cycle of economic crises like the Wall Street Crash of 1929 The course History of Economic Thought covers the work of classic economists such as Adam Smith and famous twentieth-century economists such as John Maynard Keynes and Milton Friedman Studying the past may be just what is needed to find real solutions for the future Studying real-life events Petra Besselink (21) third year student in Economics and Business Economics ‘Business Economics is all about studying real-life events Through lectures, work groups and assignments you deal with current topics and learn about them The assignments are all group assignments, so you work together with fellow students Most of the time you can choose your own co-workers, so you get to know a lot of people It’s great fun and you can also learn from each other The most interesting class I’ve had so far is Finance We learned about stock prices and bond prices, how to evaluate a financial report to judge the value of companies and what choices to make when it comes to investments I knew nothing about this topic before, so it was very interesting to me I am now thinking about doing a master in Finance after I finish my bachelor thesis, which I’m working on at the moment I like the combination of different subjects within the specialization Business Economics Combining accountancy, mathematics, and finance: it’s a great recipe for a fascinating bachelor programme And Groningen is a wonderful town with an active student life Studying Economics and Business Economics in Groningen was my first choice and I wouldn’t anything different if I had to choose again.’ › Petra tells more about promotional activities during football championships in a video on www.rug.nl/video/ba-ebe THE CONTENT OF THE DEGREE PROGRAMME Post-propaedeutic phase Building on the broad foundation provided in the first year, you and your fellow students will then continue with courses such as International Macroeconomics, Foreign Direct Investment and Trade, Industrial Organization, Finance, Mathematics, and Economics of Banking With Econometrics you will familiarize yourself with a tool to conduct applied (statistical) research based on economic data, related to financial markets for example In addition to these courses, you will choose between a specialization in Business Economics, Economics or International Economics and Business In all of these specializations you will need to write two research papers: an empirical research paper at the end of your second year and your Bachelor’s thesis at the end of your third year Business Economics If you choose to specialize in Business Economics, you will develop your skills in Management Accounting, Asset Pricing and Corporate Finance Here you learn to deal with the financial decisions that businesses make in order to maximize their corporate value In Financial Statement Analysis you learn to analyse financial reports and thus understand risk and profitability In Operations and Logistics Management, BACHELOR’S DEGREE PROGRAMME in Economics and Business Economics First year (propaedeutic phase) Second and third years Finance Financial Accounting Microeconomics Macroeconomics International Business International Economics Marketing Mathematics English Statistics Research Paper Joint part Bachelor’s thesis Econometrics Economics of Banking Finance Foreign Direct Investment and Trade International Macroeconomics Mathematics Microeconomics: Industrial Organization Business Economics Asset Pricing Corporate Finance Empirical Research Paper Financial Statement Analysis Human Resource Management Management Accounting Marketing Research Operations and Logistic Management Philosophy and Ethics of Business Study Abroad / Minor Economics Empirical Research Paper Growth, Institutions and Business History of Economic Thought Labour Economics Macroeconomics Mathematics Microeconomics Political Economics Public Finance Study Abroad / Minor International Economics and Business Development Economics Economic Organization Theory Empirical Research Paper Global Development Studies Growth, Institutions and Business International Business Strategy International Trade Multinational Firms and Global Business Philosophy and Ethics of Business Study Abroad (IE&B Minor) THE CONTENT OF THE DEGREE PROGRAMME Management Accounting and Human Resource Management you get a grip on the overall operating practices of an organization Besides ensuring that these business operations are efficient and effective, you will also examine ethical and moral problems that can arise in a business environment in the Philosophy and Ethics of Business course Furthermore you enhance your research skills in courses like Marketing Research Economics If you choose Economics, you learn about additional aspects of microeconomics, macroeconomics and public finance, and continue to improve your mathematical skills In the interdisciplinary course Political Economics you will be given an impression of how economics, law and political science influence each other You will study growth, institutions and business and look more closely at processes of economic growth and the evolution of business systems In History of Economic Thought you will gain an understanding of the development of economic thought right from its beginnings In Labour Economics you will attempt to understand the resulting pattern of wages, employment and income International Economics and Business The International Economics and Business specialization focuses on international trade and the business strategies of multinationals In Global Development Studies you will think about methods of stimulating economic growth in low-income countries You will analyse why the economies of some countries are less developed, when and why multinationals adopt particular strategies, and how they implement them By following the Philosophy and Ethics of Business you will learn about organization theories and examine the ethical and moral problems that arise in a business environment In the IE&B specialization you have to study abroad during your Minor in the third year Minor and study abroad In the first semester of the third year you have the possibility to follow a Minor, which is a set of modules of 30 EC (one semester) You can complete the Minor in different ways, largely following your own interest First of all, the Minor allows you to become acquainted with a completely different discipline, either at a different faculty of the University of Groningen or at a university abroad This will enable you to discover another field of learning and use the knowledge, methods and research covered in that Minor to broaden your understanding It is also possible to follow the Minor offered by your own degree programme or to study abroad for a semester deepening your knowledge of Economics and Business Economics If you choose to specialize in International Economics and Business, a study period abroad is compulsory We have many partner institutions throughout Europe and Latin America, in Australia, Canada, China, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, South Africa, the United States and many other countries If you specialize in Business Economics or in Economics you choose to follow your Minor either at the University of Groningen or outside the Netherlands 10 Careers weeks In order to be well-prepared for your career, a careers week twice a year is part of the programme Workshops, lectures and meetings will give you more insight in your personal skills and ambitions, the jobs that you are studying for and how to empower your employability Master’s phase Although you may decide to start working straight after gaining your Bachelor’s degree, additional knowledge and improved research skills could increase your career opportunities The University of Groningen offers a variety of suitable Master’s programmes Our Master’s in Finance is the perfect choice if you wish to broaden your expertise in the financial and economic aspects of business economics at a high academic level The Master’s in Economics is a high-calibre programme in economic theory and policy Another suitable programme is the Master’s in International Economics and Business, which will prepare you for an international career in either the private or public sector We also have double degree possibilities - which means you receive two Master’s degrees - with the University of Göttingen (Germany), Corvinus University of Budapest (Hungary) and Fudan University (China) Other programmes you might be interested in are the Master’s in International Business and Management, the Master’s in International Financial Management, the Master’s in Business Administration, the Master’s in Marketing, the Master’s in Supply Chain Management, the Master’s in Human Resource Management, and the two-year Research Master’s programme in Economics and Business in preparation for a career in academia There is also a teacher-training programme in Economics and Business Studies, taught in Dutch, which you follow alongside one of the above Master’s programmes This programme lasts two years and leads to two Master’s degrees www › www.rug.nl/feb/bscecobe › www.rug.nl/feb/msc (Master’s degree programmes in Economics and Business) THE CONTENT OF THE DEGREE PROGRAMME Accessible Master of Science degree programmes › Finance › Economics › International Economics and Business › Business Administration, specializations: Change Management Organizational and Management Control Small Business and Entrepreneurship Strategic Innovation Management › Marketing › International Business and Management › International Financial Management › Supply Chain Management › Human Resource Management › Economics and Business (research) › Teaching Economics and Business Studies Power of banks For her final-year thesis one of our students studied the market power of banks at De Nederlandsche Bank in Amsterdam She compared the extent to which banks in different countries are owned by the state or by national or foreign shareholders The second-year Economics of Banking course perfectly suits this topic The billion dollar omelette A contract is sometimes derisively described as not being worth the paper it’s printed on This could genuinely be said to be the case for Zimbabwean banknotes Most economists go along with the definition of hyperinflation as a doubling of prices each month Prices in Zimbabwe have gone far beyond that, to the extent of doubling every day The government printed so many banknotes in such high denominations that the three eggs needed for an omelette set shoppers back a cool quarter of a billion 11 THE CONTENT OF THE DEGREE PROGRAMME A difficult degree? Some students find the programme demanding First-year courses such as Macroeconomics, International Economics, Finance and Financial Accounting in particular can be difficult You may find that your ideas are challenged, and to well you will need all of your maths skills You may also find that it takes extra time to read and write in English CAREER SERVICES The path from a degree to the labour market is a challenge that starts as soon as you start your studies In your bachelor and master programme, there are various opportunities to prepare for your career, for example during the careers weeks that are part of your study programme every year Or by doing an internship, visiting a congress, studying abroad or participating in career events Our Career Services can help you on your way Please visit www.rug.nl/feb/career 12 THE CONTENT OF THE DEGREE PROGRAMME STUDY ABROAD! There are roughly a thousand Groningen students taking classes and doing senior projects and internships outside the Netherlands each year If you choose to specialize in International Economics and Business, you are required to spend the first semester of the third year abroad You may also choose to so if you specialize in Business Economics or Economics We believe that these are valuable educational and life experiences, and thus actively facilitate them You can apply to spend a semester at one of Groningen’s dozens of partner universities or choose from other institutions with which we have established relationships It is important that you begin planning your semester abroad well in advance The Exchange Office can give you valuable information about the many programmes and grants that are available They can inform you about practical matters such as visas and put you in touch with students and academic staff in Groningen who come from outside the Netherlands and may be able to help you The exchange coordinator will be able to inform you about earning transferable credits while you are studying away from Groningen Not only we want our students to experience studying and living outside the Netherlands, we also open our own doors to students from abroad You are sure to meet one of the 3400 or so students from other countries who come here annually to study, hear one of the many guest speakers from outside the Netherlands or be taught by academic staff members from abroad 13 STUDENT LIFE Your life as a student in Groningen will start with the general introduction week for all first-year students at the University of Groningen (KEI week) Introduction and study progress supervision Your studies start with the Faculty Introduction Week You attend your first lectures, receive information about the facilities and study societies, go on a guided tour through the buildings and get to know your fellow students in your mentor group Moreover, you get the chance to develop your skills in various workshops Unlike at school, in your studies you will no longer be taken by the hand We expect you to be able to work independently and to plan your studies yourself Of course, we will help you doing so A mentor will take care of you, together with other first-years This senior student will make sure you know the ins and outs of the faculty very soon Your mentor group is also the group in which you follow your tutorials This smallscale approach enables a lot of contact between students and between students and lecturers After every exam period, you will meet your tutor (lecturer-supervisor) to discuss your study progress In case of specific study problems, for example exams, funding or study delay, the faculty’s study advisors are there to help General questions can be asked at the University Student Desk   Student associations In order to get to know your fellow students, you may want to join the introduction camp organized by EBF, the faculty association of the Faculty of Economics and Business This association organizes many activities, such as congresses, company trips and lectures by speakers from the international corporate or political world As a member, you also get a ten percent discount on your study books Economics and Business Economics students will be especially interested in associations such as Risk, AIESEC and MARUG www › www.ebfgroningen.nl › www.keiweek.nl (introduction) › www.groningenlife.nl (student life) › www.lefier.nl, www.kamernet.nl (finding rooms) GRONINGEN, YOUR STUDENT CITY 193,250 inhabitants 56,000 students 35,000 or so student residences 54 student sport associations 36 pizza shops 199 bars discotheques 2,743 café terrace seats laundries 94 employment agencies 65 driving schools 31 bicycle repair shops 3,345 students weblogs Best City of the Netherlands 2010 Most fun shop of the Netherlands (Italian shop Ariola) 14 Learning to be independent Karin Ritsema (21) third-year student, specialization International Economics and Business ‘My International Economics and Business specialization is much more varied than I expected it to be You not just learn about numbers and statistics but also about the reasons for certain phenomena, for example why poor countries are poor, or what the conditions for economic growth are In my spare time I play sports and work in the catering industry I am an active member of Gyas, a rowing club for students It is great to combine sport and your social life, and if you plan well it is not a problem to combine your studies with your social life and even a job to earn some extra cash It is mandatory for students in this specialization to study abroad for a semester, so I went to Copenhagen last year It was a lot of fun making new friends and experiencing a new environment I really learned to be independent My next challenge will be to work full-time for a year as a member of the International Business Research executive board of the EBF study association We will conduct several research projects in two emerging markets This is a great addition to the degree programme, which tends to be more theoretical Being on this executive board will enable me to put my theoretical knowledge into practice.’ 15 AFTER GRADUATING After you have completed your Bachelor’s degree you will meet the requirements for entry-level positions, but almost all students decide to continue with a Master’s degree Since all our programmes are AACSB accredited, your degree will be worth even more on the labour market Earning a Master’s degree appreciably increases your career options and allows you to reach higher levels in business, government and nongovernmental agencies A Master’s degree in Finance offers graduates attractive career opportunities in many different areas You could end up as a financial or asset manager Or maybe corporate governance, risk analysis or stock trading is your thing You will be ready to start work at multinationals such as Procter&Gamble, Google, Coca-Cola, Toyota or Lacoste If you’ve studied Finance your will find a wide range of opportunities open to you governmental institutions or international organizations You might become an analyst for a research institute, consulting firm or university Graduates have the possibility to participate in the high-level contract research activities of international organizations, such as the Conference Board (New York) and the International Labour Organization (ILO, Geneva) Other companies where you could end up working are the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), World Bank, CESifo Institute Munich or the Social and Economic Council of the Netherlands If you choose the Research Master’s degree programme you could move into academia and perhaps decide to go further still and earn a PhD at a university in the Netherlands or abroad A Master’s degree in Economics may lead you to the world of banking, where you might become an analyst or financial advisor, or you could work in the policy department of a central bank, perhaps analysing the impact of monetary and economic policy You might choose the government sector, beginning in an advisory role and moving on to a management position You could help develop important social programmes and devise ways of administering them www › www.rug.nl/feb/alumni (graduates site) › www.ecb.int A Master’s degree in International Economics and Business will provide you with the credentials to work for a multinational or any number of › www.worldbank.org › www.rug.nl/feb/som (research school) Another way to it Mireille Bombeld Bas van Ginkel, is graduated with a his career as a master’s degree in consultant at Bain & Finance She applied Company His tasks for a Corporate were engaging with Management clients, executing Traineeship at analysis, managing Rabobank As a client relationships trainee, she is IE&B graduate, started and managing working on assignments in the fields of associate consultants on the team Currently eCommerce, the local memberbank, the Milan he’s pursuing an MBA at the prestigious branch and finance projects This gives her Harvard Business School the opportunity to get a full understanding about Rabobank In this way, she can find out what department will provide the best fit with her personal interests and capabilities 16 AFTER GRADUATING A challenging and diverse job Laurens-Jan Sipma (25) graduate working at NIBC ‘After graduating in 2010 I began an internship at NIBC, a merchant bank of Dutch origin The internship provided me with the opportunity to show the company what I was capable of After three months I joined the NIBC Infrastructure & Renewables team, which is part of the Specialized Finance department Our team finances projects ranging from road and prison building to telecom infrastructure For example, in 2010 we were one of the banks that financed the A15 Public Private Partnership (PPP) project, a motorway connecting Maasvlakte to Rotterdam On an average day, I work on several projects, all of which generally are at different stages This makes my job very challenging and diverse During my studies I was taught many aspects of the business environment and I consider this to be very useful in my work In my Master’s in Finance I specialized in corporate finance and quantitative skills I think it’s important to specialize during the Master’s phase and to take part in extracurricular activities, as this will make you more attractive to companies.’ 17 ADMISSION VWO X HBO VWO/HBO With a DUTCH VWO diploma With a DUTCH HBO diploma No VWO or HBO diploma? Candidates with the profiles Economics & Society, Nature & Health or Nature & Technology can immediately enter the Bachelor’s programme The profile Culture & Society must be complemented with mathematics A or B It is also possible to enter the programme with a HBO propaedeutic certificate, on condition that you meet the required level of mathematics You must at least have taken mathematics A or B at Dutch VWO level (This may no longer be possible after September 2013; please keep abreast of the legislation.) If you are Dutch and not have a VWO or HBO diploma but are 21 or older, you may take the university admission exam, the ‘colloquium doctum’, for a fee of € 100 If you pass, you will be admitted to the Bachelor’s degree programme w ww ›  ug.studielink.nl (application for Dutch students) r ›  ww.rug.nl/hoezithet (practical information w for Dutch students) ›  ww.duo.nl (financial assistance for Dutch students) w Required level of mathematics The website www.rug.nl/feb/mathtest will provide you with information, exercises, suggested reading and sample tests related to the Faculty’s required mathematics level The Faculty offers a Mathematics Entrance Examination twice a year for students with a maths deficiency The exams are only open to students already living in the Netherlands INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS Admissions information for international applicants can be found in the inside cover of this brochure 18 18 Tuition fees for Dutch students The statutory tuition fees are € 1,771 for the 2012–2013 academic year Books and other study materials should come to no more than € 650 per year If you pay the statutory tuition fee and you take too long to complete your degree, you will be fined 3,000 euro, on top of the tuition fee In case you already have a Bachelor’s degree of a Dutch university or Dutch HBO, you will be charged a higher tuition fee The height of the tuition fee varies per programme INFORMATION AND ENROLMENT Would you like to have more information about this and other programmes? Come and visit our information events Information Day Friday, November 2012; registering in time is compulsory › All bachelor programmes › In and around the Academy building, city centre Groningen ›  Each programme will offer a short presentation and give individual information ›  Lectures on housing, student life, etc ›  Information booths Open Day on Location Friday, February 2013; registering in time is compulsory ›  bachelor programmes All ›  Visit programmes on location › Visit three or four programmes of your choice ›  Lecture, trial class, tour of the building, information booths Last Minute Groningen, Information Day Friday, June 2013 ›  Short programme in the Academy Building: lecture on the ballot system for fixed-quota degree programmes, workshops on choosing a degree programme, an info market, information on a few degree programmes, city walk Student for a Day On 13 December 2012 and Thursday 14 March 2013 at Economics and Business Economics › For prospective students who have almost made up their minds › Intensive programme at one degree programme › The programme depends on the degree programme: lecture, tutorial, practical, dinner in the city › Many other degree programmes organize a ‘student for a day’ programme, but not all degree programmes › Register with the degree programme itself, via www.rug.nl/feb/eds If you need more information on events, check out www.rug.nl/studiekiezers, or call the Communication Office, (050) 363 90 11 You will automatically be informed of all information events if we have your address Enrolment Dutch students can enrol for this study programme on rug.studielink.nl Studielink is an online national desk where you can take care of everything that has to with registering for higher education It also offers the possibility to apply for financial assistance (DUO) International students can enrol via www.rug.nl/howtoapply 19 INFORMATION AND ENROLMENT Friday, November 2012 Information Day November 2012 until August 2013 Enrolment of Dutch students via rug.studielink.nl Enrolment, before May, of students from outside the Netherlands at www.rug.nl/howtoapply (For ‘numerus fixus’ (limited admission) degree programmes the enrolment deadlines are earlier!) Thursday, 13 December 2012 Student for a Day Friday, February 2013 Open Day on Location Thursday, 14 March 2013 Student for a Day Friday, June 2013 Last Minute Groningen, Information Day August 2013 General Orientation Week (KEI-week), Orientation for student associations and the faculties Monday, September 2013 Official start of the academic year 20 For questions about enrolment, financial matters, etc University Student Desk +31 (0)50 363 80 04 www.rug.nl/hoezithet www.rug.nl/insandouts For questions about on-site events Communication Office +31 (0)50 363 90 11 studiekiezers@rug.nl www.rug.nl/studiekiezers For questions about the programme Faculty of Economics and Business Student Support +31 (0)50 363 89 00 www.rug.nl/feb/studentsupport Economics and business economics on the internet www.rug.nl/feb/bscecobe Enrolment Dutch students via rug.studielink.nl Helpdesk Studielink +31 (0)88 424 76 00 Enrolment international students via www.rug.nl/howtoapply MORE INFORMATION In addition to this brochure there are also two general information guides, titled Studeren in Groningen (available in Dutch; with information about all Bachelor programmes), and International Bachelor Degree Programmes (available in English; with information about the English bachelor programmes) Apart from comprehensive information about study possibilities at the University of Groningen, these brochures contain information about admission, application, registration, accommodation, student life, facilities for the disabled, language courses for students from minority groups, the labour market and more To order the general information guides, please visit www.rug.nl/studiekiezers (for the Dutch guide) or www.rug.nl/internationalstudents (for the English guide) www.facebook.com/studiekiezersRUG www.univgroningen.hyves.nl www.twitter.com/univgroningen www.youtube.com/universitygroningen www.unifocus.nl (online video magazine) 21 Colophon Publication Communication Office, University of Groningen Text Gracefully Put Lay-out In Ontwerp Photos Johan Zwart, Jaap Roskam, Elmer Spaargaren, Michel de Groot, Peter Lowie www.rug.nl/internationalstudents August 2012 83 www.rug.nl/studiekiezers ... AND BUSINESS ECONOMICS IN GRONINGEN Omiros Kouvavas (27) first-year student of Economics and Business Economics A personal approach ‘My Bachelor’s degree programme in Economics and Business Economics. .. Groningen 1 1 2 Reasons for studying Economics and Business Economics Business Economics specialization Economics specialization International Economics and Business specialization The degree programme... understand the resulting pattern of wages, employment and income International Economics and Business The International Economics and Business specialization focuses on international trade and the business