Pre-Master’s programme
Unconditional access to the Master's
Choose between an online and on campus format
Get access for a full year
Diverse specialisation options
February start (online programme)
Starting in February, this pre-Master's programme offers you fully online educational activities. You can choose between online or on-campus examinations. There are 2 exam periods and potentially 2 resit periods throughout the programme.
For whom?
This highly selective, fast-paced online programme is designed for motivated students who are ready to thrive in a self-study environment and embrace a challenging workload. The well-organised e-learning materials make it easier to manage your studies, but this academic programme requires independence, dedication, and a strong work ethic.
Transition to the Master's programme
Starting in February allows you to transition seamlessly to the Master's programme immediately after completing the pre-Master's. You can begin the Master's in Business Administration in September, with a choice of 9 tracks, or in February, with a choice of 3 specialisation tracks. Completing the pre-Master's programme grants you access to the Master's for one full year, enabling you to start no later than the following September. Please note that the Master's programme is conducted on campus, ensuring you benefit from the vibrant campus and academic community.
September start (on campus)
Starting in September, this pre-Master's programme offers a full on-campus experience. You have direct access to state-of-the-art facilities, you can immerse yourself in the university's rich cultural and intellectual environment, and participate in a wide range of extracurricular activities.
For whom?
This on-campus programme is ideal for students who thrive in a traditional classroom setting, enjoy face-to-face interactions with professors and peers, and seek numerous networking opportunities.
Transition to the Master's programme
Starting in September allows you to begin the Master's programme in Business Administration straight after the pre-Master's in February, with a choice of 3 specialisation tracks. Alternatively, you can start in September with a choice of 9 tracks. Completing the pre-Master's programme grants you access to the Master's for one full year, so you can start no later than the following February.
The programme
Throughout this programme, you can expect excellent teaching and support from our professors, each highly respected in their field of expertise.
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1. Academic Project
Cover the fundamentals of academic research. Learn about different research methods and instruments and carry out and report on a qualitative research project.
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2. Management Research Methods I
Learn about the basic statistical concepts and techniques which are used in the area of management and business administration. Learn how to apply these concepts and techniques by using SPSS software.
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3. Marketing Management
Dive deeper in areas like branding, marketing, consumer behaviour and the social-cultural impact of organisations and their strategies. Apply your theoretical insights to business cases and examples.
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4. Leadership and Management
Examine the concepts, models and theories of leadership and management to explain how to manage individuals and teams effectively.
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5. Management Research Methods 2
Learn to understand quantitative and statistical methods and their drawbacks. You will review more advanced statistical concepts and techniques and apply them using SPSS (or R) software.
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6. Strategy and Organisation
Cover the most important topics in strategic management and theories, to analyse them. These topics include competitive strategy, corporate strategy, the strategy process and the link between strategy and organisation.
Duration and content
Depending on your prior education, your 4-month pre-Master's will consist of a maximum of 6 courses related to research methods and/or business.
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You have an HBO Bachelor’s degree (University of Applied Sciences)
With an HBO Bachelor’s degree related to Business Administration (e.g. Business Administration, Management, Economics or Commerce, Hotel Management) you will follow the full 30 EC programme and take all 6 courses.
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You have an academic degree (Research University)
February start (online)
- If you have a HBO Bachelor’ degree or a Dutch or European academic BSc and/or MSc degree; you will follow the full 30 EC programme and take all 6 courses in the February start. There is no option for exemptions of any of the 6 courses.
September start (on Campus)
- If you have a Dutch or European academic BSc and/or MSc degree including advanced quantitative research methods, but without business-related courses, you will follow the 4-month 15 EC study programme. This programme consists of the 3 business administration-related courses.
- If you have a Dutch or European academic BSc degree with at least 15 EC in Business Administration courses (preferably a minor) with less than 10 EC in quantitative research courses, you will follow the 10 EC study programme. This programme solely consists of the 2 management research methods courses.
- If you have a Dutch or European academic BSc degree with insufficient coursework in both quantitative research methods and Business-related coursework, you will follow the 25 EC study programme. This programme consists of the 2 management research methods courses and three Business courses.
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Difference between research and applied universities
The University of Amsterdam is a research university. Unlike in many other countries, Dutch higher education makes a distinction between research universities and universities of applied sciences (HBO).
Programmes at research universities like the UvA focus more on theoretical aspects of the field of study and prepare students for undertaking independent research. Study programmes at universities of applied sciences prepare students for particular professions and tend to be more practically oriented.
Our pre-Master’s in brief
| Language: | English |
| Duration: | 4 months |
| ECTS February start: | 30 ECTS |
| ECTS September start: |
30 ECTS for HBO/Applied Sciences students |
| Start Master's Business Administration: |
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| Cost: |
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1. Check the application deadline
February 2026 intake
For all applicants 2 January 2026 September 2026 intake
For applicants with an EU degree 1 May 2026 For applicants with a Dutch degree 1 June 2026 -
2a. Check the entry requirements (February 2026 intake)
The entry requirements depend on where you have completed your prior education.
Students with a Dutch degree
Students with an EU/EEA degree
Students with a non-EU/EEA degree
We recommend starting with the Master's Qualifying Programme at the Cambridge Education Group. Their programme is more extensive than our pre-master’s programme, offering additional courses which allow you to better prepare for your Master's progression. Additionally, they provide assistance with:
- your student visa;
- guaranteed accommodation in Amsterdam’s challenging housing market;
- tailor made academic assistance where needed.
Students that progress to one of our Master’s after having completed this programme have shown to perform exceptionally well in our Master’s programmes. Please note that you will be unconditionally admitted to the Master's after finishing this Master’s Qualifying Programme.
Depending on your academic background, you may qualify to apply for the Pre-Master’s programme offered by UvA Economics and Business. This programme is not tailor-made to fit your specific academic background which means you do need to meet all the specific entry requirements in order to start. Please note that it does not offer additional services such as guaranteed student accommodation.
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2b. Check the entry requirements (September 2026 intake)
The entry requirements depend on where you have completed your prior education.
Students with a Dutch degree
Students with an EU/EEA degree
Students with a non-EU/EEA degree
We recommend starting with the Master's Qualifying Programme at the Cambridge Education Group. Their programme is more extensive than our pre-master’s programme, offering additional courses which allow you to better prepare for your Master's progression. Additionally, they provide assistance with:
- your student visa;
- guaranteed accommodation in Amsterdam’s challenging housing market;
- tailor made academic assistance where needed.
Students that progress to one of our Master’s after having completed this programme have shown to perform exceptionally well in our Master’s programmes. Please note that you will be unconditionally admitted to the Master's after finishing this Master’s Qualifying Programme.
Depending on your academic background, you may qualify to apply for the Pre-Master’s programme offered by UvA Economics and Business. This programme is not tailor-made to fit your specific academic background which means you do need to meet all the specific entry requirements in order to start. Please note that it does not offer additional services such as guaranteed student accommodation.
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3. Register in Studielink
Register in Studielink – Select the programme: B Business Administration, pre-Master's programme.
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4. Check your personal enrolment checklist in SIS
After registering in Studielink, you will receive your UvAnetID. This will give you access to check the status of your personal enrolment Checklist. There you find the subsequent steps that you need to take in order to complete your enrolment.
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5. Submit your application in Embark
In order to check if you are eligible for the programme you need to upload and submit your documents in our online application system Embark. Make sure you keep an eye on the deadlines!
You will most likely receive your results within 4-6 weeks after we have received a complete application, but in peak moments (January till June) evaluating your application may take a few weeks longer.
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6. Pay the tuition fee
The tuition fees for your pre-Master’s programme depend on the number of ECTS credits you need to obtain. Please take into account that it is not possible to arrange payment of your tuition fees until the programme has officially admitted you to the pre-Master’s programme. The tuition fees for pre-Master's programmes are usually not calculated until August.
Questions?
Do you have questions about the pre-Master's programme? Feel free to ask your question through the form below.