Master - full-time

Management Accounting and Control

Study Management Accounting and Control in Groningen and become a finance and business expert who can help organizations formulate and implement their vision and strategy.

In a world filled with countless options, how do managers make the right choices? n today's fast-paced business world, success is not just about setting strategies but executing them effectively. In the Management Accounting and Control programme, you will acquire the skills necessary to assess strategic options and make decisions that align with an organization's strategy.

What will you learn in Groningen?

Management accounting and financial management techniques to make informed decisions;
Insights from strategy, human behaviour, and change management topics;
Apply your knowledge to real-world scenarios (e.g. market expansion or decisions);
How to work with data analytics to support decision-making.

Our programme opens doors to diverse career paths, from finance and consulting to strategy and business development.

You can specialize in the following topics: Digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence, Energy Transition and Climate Change, Future Prosperity and Sustainability, or Leadership and Governance.

Facts & Figures

Degree: MSc in Business Administration
Course type: Master
Duration: 12 months (60 EC)
Croho code: 60644
Language of instruction: English
Start: February, September
Faculty: Economics and Business

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Why study this programme in Groningen?

Unique combination of business and strategy with finance and accounting. This is one of the few master's programmes that place financial issues in a broader business context.
Tailor your education with electives in digital business, sustainability, HR, leadership, governance, marketing, or healthcare.
We prepare you to stand out as a business and finance expert, ready to advise on strategic decisions and launch your career in consulting, finance, or strategy.
Join an active student community with around 50 students per year.
We receive outstanding evaluations from students, in part due to its excellent blend of academic theory and real-world business practice.
The programme has been internationally accredited by the AACSB and EQUIS, ensuring a high-quality education, which only 1% of universities reach worldwide.

Programme

In the one-year programme, you will gain insights into how management accounting and financial management support decision-making and planning. You will also understand how to design and use techniques and systems to produce information in the context of leadership, management, strategy, human behaviour, ethics, data-driven processes, innovation, and culture.

You can customise your learning by choosing various electives in business ethics, digital business and AI, sustainability management, financial management and reporting, healthcare, leadership and governance, or data-driven processes. Please see the full list below in the course catalogue. Complete your degree with a thesis based on real-world research, and often you can combine it with an internship.

	Semesters
CoursesCourse Catalog >	1a	1b	2a	2b
Management Accounting Change (5 EC)
Management Accounting Techniques (5 EC)
Elective(s) MSc BA MAC (15 EC) A few examples are: Digital Transformation Strategy; Healthcare Purchasing and Supply Chains; Sustainability: Strategies, Innovation & Change; Energy Transition & Innovation; HRM & International Labour Law. The full list of electives can be found on Ocasys.
Research & Skills (5 EC)
Financial Management for MAC (5 EC)
Research in Management Control (5 EC)
Master's Thesis MAC (20 EC)

Programme options
Future Prosperity and Sustainability (specialization) Focus on the sustainable developments in our current society by the increasing influence of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations. The upcoming impact of the SDGs force companies to redefine their purpose and seek a path for meaningful contribution. But, what are companies responsible for, and who bears the burden of the consequences? Your skills and knowledge will prepare you to actively contribute to the strategic developments in this dynamic field. More information about this option
Leadership and Governance (specialization) The Leadership and Governance focus area provides you with a deep understanding of both macro-level governance frameworks and micro-level leadership processes. This dual approach enables you to understand the broader implications of governance and leadership, while also recognizing the conditions that shape behavior, decision-making and organizational dynamics. More information about this option
Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence (specialization) Focus on the digital transformation within our society and understand how to successfully implement digital transformation in business. A successful digital transition allows businesses to conquer markets, witness industries converging, and step into the realm of winner-takes-all dynamics, like dominating tech-giants like Google and Facebook. More information about this option
Energy Transition and Climate Change (specialization) Focus on the serious changes within the energy sector by dealing with issues such as how firms adapt to renewable energy, how the higher taxes are managed during this transition and how to deal with the weather dependent production of energy systems. Gain the knowledge and skills to shape a sustainable future in this evolving energy sector. More information about this option
Master Internship (specialization) Opportunity to gain work experience by doing an internship in the second semester of your study. You will be rewarded 15 ECTS on top of your programme. Your thesis will be postponed to the third semester. More information about this option
Double Degree Master International Business and Finance (Shanghai) (specialization) Are you interested in an international career in or involving China? Study in Shanghai after your FEB Master's programme in Groningen and gain first-hand knowledge and experience of China and the economy, finance and culture. More information about this option

Study abroad

Study abroad is optional

A study exchange semester is not included in the one-year programme. If you wish to spend a semester abroad, you will need to extend the study period by a semester. Please discuss this with the programme coordinator as study exchanges are not facilitated by the MSc BA - MAC programme.

Entry requirements

Admission requirements

Specific requirements	More information
previous education	Below you will see a table with 'transfer options'. Please check the entry requirements for your Bachelor's degree (from a research university of a university of applied sciences). If your degree is not mentioned in the table below, you can still apply via a Pre-Master's programme. For information on application and entry requirements, please check https://www.rug.nl/feb/premaster. The information about entry requirements is an indication of your admissibility. Every application will be reviewed individually by the Admissions board so the admission decision may differ from the indication in this table.

Specific requirements

More information

previous education

Below you will see a table with 'transfer options'. Please check the entry requirements for your Bachelor's degree (from a research university of a university of applied sciences). If your degree is not mentioned in the table below, you can still apply via a Pre-Master's programme. For information on application and entry requirements, please check https://www.rug.nl/feb/premaster.

The information about entry requirements is an indication of your admissibility. Every application will be reviewed individually by the Admissions board so the admission decision may differ from the indication in this table.

Transfer options

Transferring from...

All Universities of applied sciences

Erasmus University Rotterdam

Maastricht University

University of Groningen

Wageningen University

VU University Amsterdam

Nyenrode New Business School

Utrecht University

University of Twente

Tilburg University

University of Amsterdam

Leiden University

Radboud University Nijmegen

Study programme	Organization	Transition
	All Universities of applied sciences	Via a pre-master with a maximum of 45 EC More information: The Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) has introduced the 30 EC and 45 EC Pre-Master's programmes. Depending on the HBO degree you will obtain, you will be able to follow the 30 EC or 45 EC variant. Read more: https://www.rug.nl/feb/premaster

Study programme	Organization	Transition
Business Administration	Erasmus University Rotterdam	No additional requirements
Economics and Business Economics	Erasmus University Rotterdam	No additional requirements
Econometrics and Operations Research	Erasmus University Rotterdam	No additional requirements
International Business Administration	Erasmus University Rotterdam	No additional requirements
Fiscale Economie	Erasmus University Rotterdam	No additional requirements

Study programme	Organization	Transition
Global Studies	Maastricht University	Via a pre-master with a maximum of 45 EC More information: You need to first complete the 45 EC (or less) Pre-Master's programme. For information about the Pre-MSc application and entry requirements, please check https://www.rug.nl/feb/premaster.
International Business	Maastricht University	No additional requirements
Business Engineering	Maastricht University	No additional requirements
Economics and Business Economics	Maastricht University	No additional requirements
Fiscale Economie	Maastricht University	No additional requirements
Econometrics and Operations Research	Maastricht University	No additional requirements
Business Analytics	Maastricht University	No additional requirements

Study programme	Organization	Transition
Sociology	University of Groningen	Additional requirements More information: In addition to your BSc programme, you will need to complete a set of (extra) courses. For information, please contact the study advisors: https://www.rug.nl/feb/studyadvisors.
International Business	University of Groningen	No additional requirements
Econometrics and Operations Research	University of Groningen	No additional requirements
Industrial Engineering and Management	University of Groningen	No additional requirements
Psychology (NL)	University of Groningen	Additional requirements More information: In addition to your BSc programme, you will need to complete a set of (extra) courses. For information, please contact the study advisors: https://www.rug.nl/feb/studyadvisors.
Business Administration	University of Groningen	No additional requirements
Economics and Business Economics	University of Groningen	No additional requirements

Study programme	Organization	Transition
Economics and Governance	Wageningen University	No additional requirements
Management and Consumer Studies	Wageningen University	No additional requirements

Study programme	Organization	Transition
Business Administration	VU University Amsterdam	No additional requirements
Economics and Business Economics	VU University Amsterdam	No additional requirements
International Business Administration	VU University Amsterdam	No additional requirements
Econometrics and Operations Research	VU University Amsterdam	No additional requirements
Business Analytics	VU University Amsterdam	No additional requirements

Study programme	Organization	Transition
Business Administration	Nyenrode New Business School	No additional requirements
Accountancy	Nyenrode New Business School	No additional requirements

Study programme	Organization	Transition
Economics and Business Economics	Utrecht University	No additional requirements

Study programme	Organization	Transition
International Business Administration	University of Twente	No additional requirements

Study programme	Organization	Transition
International Business Administration	Tilburg University	No additional requirements
Economics	Tilburg University	No additional requirements
Fiscale Economie	Tilburg University	No additional requirements
Econometrics and Operations Research	Tilburg University	No additional requirements
Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation	Tilburg University	No additional requirements

Study programme	Organization	Transition
Fiscale Economie	University of Amsterdam	No additional requirements
Business Analytics	University of Amsterdam	No additional requirements
Business Administration	University of Amsterdam	No additional requirements
Actuarial Science	University of Amsterdam	No additional requirements
Economics and Business Economics	University of Amsterdam	No additional requirements
Econometrics and Data Science	University of Amsterdam	No additional requirements

Study programme	Organization	Transition
Public Administration Science	Leiden University	No additional requirements More information: For profile Economics, Public Administration and Management.
Computer Science	Leiden University	No additional requirements More information: For profile Informatica & Economie.

Study programme	Organization	Transition
Business Administration	Radboud University Nijmegen	No additional requirements
Economics and Business Economics	Radboud University Nijmegen	No additional requirements

Registration procedure

Students with a Dutch diploma can apply directly to Studielink. More information on the steps to apply .

Application deadlines

Type of student	Deadline	Start course
Dutch students	15 October 2025	01 February 2026
	01 May 2026	01 September 2026
	15 October 2026	01 February 2027
EU/EEA students	15 October 2025	01 February 2026
	01 May 2026	01 September 2026
	15 October 2026	01 February 2027
non-EU/EEA students	15 October 2025	01 February 2026
	01 May 2026	01 September 2026
	15 October 2026	01 February 2027

Admission requirements

Specific requirements	More information
previous education	To be eligible for admission to this Master, you need to hold an academic Bachelor's or Master's degree from a research university in one of the following - or closely related - fields: Business Economics, Business Administration, Econometrics and Operations Research, Economics and Business Economics, International Business, Technology Management, Management Control. To assess whether your educational/academic background meets the specific programme requirements, we will consider the level and curriculum of your previous studies. For more information, please visit: https://www.rug.nl/feb/apply-msc. If you have any questions concerning admission to this programme, please contact our Admissions Office: https://www.rug.nl/admissions.
language test	IELTS Academic overall score 6.5 (Speaking 6, Writing 6.5); TOEFL internet-based overall score 90 (Speaking 20, Writing 24); Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency (overall score 176, Speaking 169, Writing 176).
other admission requirements	Not meeting the pre-education requirements for direct entry? Please read more about our pre-Master programmes.

Registration procedure

Students have to apply via Studielink and the Progress Portal (replacing the previous system, Online Application System OAS) of the University of Groningen. After you apply for the programme of your choice, the Admissions Office will evaluate your educational background and assess your eligibility. Your application will be assessed on an individual basis. More information on how to apply.

Application deadlines

Type of student	Deadline	Start course
Dutch students	15 October 2025	01 February 2026
	01 May 2026	01 September 2026
	15 October 2026	01 February 2027
EU/EEA students	15 October 2025	01 February 2026
	01 May 2026	01 September 2026
	15 October 2026	01 February 2027
non-EU/EEA students	15 October 2025	01 February 2026
	01 May 2026	01 September 2026
	15 October 2026	01 February 2027

Tuition fees

Nationality	Year	Fee	Programme form
EU/EEA	2025-2026	€ 2601	full-time
non-EU/EEA	2025-2026	€ 21400	full-time

Practical information for:

Dutch students International students

After your studies

Job prospects

We prepare you for a wide variety of jobs, ranging from financial and general management positions to positions as a consultant or business advisor. Employers will be interested in you because of your strategic, analytical, and communicative skills, as well as your ability to combine an understanding of management accounting and control issues with knowledge of contemporary business.

Alumni from our programme work for national as well as international organizations, the corporate and non-profit sectors, as well as for government institutions.

Job examples:

Assistant manager/management trainee, project manager, eventually leading to general manager
Management accountant or (business) controller, eventually leading to financial manager
Junior consultant in the field of financial management, risk management, performance management, or change management, eventually leading to senior consultant

Research

In Groningen, research is deeply connected to business practice, economics, and society . Some key areas of research you might explore as a student are:

management accounting and control practices in different organizational contexts, e.g., auditing, microfinance, health care, or retailing;
the role of performance metrics in NGOs;
challenges of the digital transformation for the finance function;
challenges of sustainability for management accounting and control, as well as for the finance function;
the roles of controllers in organizations and the impact of personal expectations, personality traits, or skills on these roles.

Apply now Brochure Events Contact

Contact

Are you a current student? Contact the Student Support Desk (FEB)
Are you a prospective student? Fill in this contact form (FEB) (Please fill in this contact form. We will answer your question within 72 hours.)

Opportunity to focus on different electives (Harma de Boer)

What I liked about the programme is that it provides the opportunity to focus on different areas, such as health and energy, so that students can prepare themselves for their future careers. I chose to have a broad focus when choosing my electives, in order for me to gain knowledge in a more broad field. The faculty provides opportunities to help you set your goal, sets realistic expectations, and prepares you for what will be expected from you as well as from the firm.

I have opted for a Master Internship. At Jacobs Douwe Egberts, I got to see multiple departments in Finance, which helped me discover what I like most. I really enjoyed my internship. It gave me the possibility to develop my analytical decision-making and communication skills. Furthermore, I got to know the firm from the inside and I discovered my own qualities and capabilities. My greatest advice to students who are planning on doing an internship is to ask for feedback as this is the best way to learn the most during your time in a company.

Strong emphasis on the practical side of management (Sebastiaan Gessel)

The programme Management and Accounting is focused on making management decisions regarding the organization’s strategy. It combines applying knowledge about financial management techniques and control systems. The Master surprised me with a strong emphasis on the practical side of management. That motivated me to gain more practical knowledge and therefore I joined the financial study association RISK. My tasks include acquiring general sponsors and attracting companies for the activities organized by the association. This has helped me to get a good look behind the scenes and how certain firms operate within their industry. I highly recommend other students to consider joining extracurricular activities or committees, as it helps to develop crucial skills that can not be taught.

Please to see this video

Study associations

Financial Study Association Groningen

Financial Study Association Groningen, FSG, is the study association for the financially interested student at the Faculty of Economics and Business of the University of Groningen.

FSG is, with over 1800 members, one of the most active and professional study associations of the Netherlands. The goal of FSG is to close the gap between theory and practice that exists in the areas of:* Accountancy & Controlling (A&C)* Finance* International Financial Management (IFM)* Management Accounting & Control (MAC)

https://fsgroningen.nl/home

Management Accounting and Control

Why study this programme in Groningen?

Programme

Study abroad

Entry requirements

Admission requirements

Transfer options

Registration procedure

Application deadlines

Admission requirements

Registration procedure

Application deadlines

Tuition fees

After your studies

Job prospects

Research

Contact

Opportunity to focus on different electives (Harma de Boer)

Strong emphasis on the practical side of management (Sebastiaan Gessel)

Study associations

Financial Study Association Groningen

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