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Education Master's and PhD degree programmes Business Administration: Health
Header image Business Administration: Health

Business Administration: Health

Study health care management and health economics in Groningen and make a meaningful impact in the healthcare sector.

Can a manager make a significant influence in the healthcare sector? High-quality healthcare is of major importance, as it directly influences individual well-being and the overall functioning of our society. As a healthcare manager, policymaker, or consultant, you will be vital in improving and innovating healthcare at all levels.

In the MSc Business Administration - Health (MSc BA Health), you will study how to analyze and deal with strategic tensions in healthcare such as meeting the increasing demand for care, while facing workforce shortages and the need to control costs. The programme integrates a multidisciplinary approach with special attention to relevant topics in the health sector and our society. For example, the role of technology and innovation: how can you balance the utilization of technological advancements with human attention for clients and satisfactory work for health professionals? We teach you the tools on how to balance the provision of evidence-based care with catering for diverse patient needs.

You can specialize in managerial or economic issues, depending on where you want to add value. We make sure to bring the outside practice to the classroom. You will meet lecturers from diverse disciplines sharing their research insights and guest lecturers who bring in practitioners’ knowledge and real-world challenges. This enables you to explore different perspectives on healthcare, including those from clients, clinicians, managers, insurers, and policymakers.

The MSc BA Health is the perfect study if you are looking for a multidisciplinary and societally relevant programme. It combines analytic and managerial skills and offers a crisp understanding of the social-economic environment in the healthcare industry. What is more, you are joining our diverse community of students with backgrounds in business, medicine, economics and facility management.

Facts & Figures
Degree
MSc in Business Administration
Course type
Master
Duration
12 months (60 ECTS)
Croho code
60644
Language of instruction
English
Start
February, September
Faculty
Economics and Business
Sustainability in our education
Why study this programme in Groningen?
  • The programme tailored for the health sector is unique for the North of the Netherlands. Variations in trajectory are being offered in the programme to fit your needs and career aspirations, and to equip you with the relevant competences to become an in-demand professional who can combine the analysis of hard evidence with softer insights and skills.
  • Joining the Health profile means you will be part of our unique and diverse learning community. Our students have backgrounds ranging from business and economics to medicine and facility management. This diversity prepares you for the reality of the healthcare workplace.
  • It is important to put into practice what you study. You will engage in a stakeholder roleplay or in teamwork on a practitioner's real-time challenge.
  • Healthcare needs professionals who can build bridges between disciplines. That is why you have the chance to take a course taught by the UMCG, or by the faculty of spatial sciences.
  • You can benefit from our lively health research community that is well-connected with health organizations in the Northern Netherlands such as the UMCG Groningen and Wilhelmina hospital, but also insurers such as Menzis and De Friesland, technology suppliers, or pharmaceutical companies.
  • Our master community organizes activities with practitioners and also manages a LinkedIn group in which you can connect to our graduates.
  • To broaden your scope, you may integrate a Focus Area in Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence or Future Prosperity and Sustainability to expand your knowledge on topics such as digital transformation and learn about how you can contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
  • The programme has been internationally accredited by the AACSB and EQUIS, ensuring a high-quality education, which only 1% of universities reach worldwide.
Programme

New from September 2025: we are again introducing a brand new course on the economic foundations of health in a society. In 2024, we already introduced a new course on topical ‘Challenges in healthcare’ and a course on 'Strategic collaboration in healthcare'. The latter course was designed to contribute to more seamless organising in the multifaceted world of healthcare and prevention. You can learn about the societal challenge of optimally utilising scarce resources across providers and guaranteeing patient access to appropriate care.

In the first semester, you will study the role of healthcare purchasers in achieving the right care at the right place and look at managerial innovations aimed at improving healthcare performance. You learn to compare and critically reflect on different strategies and develop your negotiation skills in a real-life case study. Also, you will learn to apply relevant theories to assess the (potential) impact of managerial healthcare innovation on stakeholders, given their power, interests and concerns.

In the second semester, you gain knowledge about the economic evaluation in healthcare and about healthcare processes and systems. Now it is time to write your Master's thesis on a chosen topics, to name a few:

  • Crowding at the Emergency Department
  • Shared eHealth Visions in Regional Healthcare Networks
  • Value-based Health Care
  • Collaboration between informal and formal carers
  • Customising health services through modularisation
  • Effects of temporary employment on women's health


Throughout the year, you can subspecialize in various fields and topics by your selection of elective courses. You have to select at least 1 out of 5 Health-related electives and choose either 2 general electives or more Health-related electives.

Semesters
CoursesCourse Catalog >1a1b2a2b
Healthcare Purchasing and Supply Chains (5 EC)
Innovation in Healthcare Organizations (5 EC)
General electives (B-list) MSc BA Health (5 EC)

A few examples are: Business Ethics; Sustainability: Strategy, Innovation & Change; Pharmaeconomics: Capita Selecta; Digital Transformation Strategy; Stress, Health and Sustainable Working Life. The full list of electives can be found on Ocasys.

Health electives (A-list) MSc BA Health (5 EC)

Strategic Collaborations in Healthcare; Challenges in Healthcare; E-Health; Population, Health and place; Financial and Economic Organization of Healthcare Markets. The full list of electives can be found on Ocasys.

Research & Skills for MSc BA (5 EC)
Economic Evaluation in Healthcare (5 EC)
Healthcare Operations (5 EC)
Master's Thesis MSc BA Health (20 EC)
Programme options
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

Future Prosperity and Sustainability Focus Area (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

Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence Focus Area (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

Healthy Society Focus Area (specialization)

Focus on tackling problems that impact healthcare providers and their societal partners in their day-to-day work. Issues such as scarce human resources combined with a higher, more complex demand for care, and more demanding citizens require solutions, which you will think about and design.

More information about this option

Energy Transition and Climate Change Focus Area (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

Study abroad

  • Study abroad is optional

You have the opportunity to do a study exchange with the University of Gent, in Belgium. You will study the second semester in Gent and write your master's thesis on one of their research projects co-supervised by a lecturer from Groningen. There are two positions available for students. For more information, please contact Ineke van Est at r.van.est rug.nl.

Entry requirements

Transfer options

Transferring from...

Study programmeOrganizationTransition
Business AdministrationUniversity of GroningenNo additional requirements
Econometrics and Operations ResearchUniversity of GroningenNo additional requirements
Economics and Business EconomicsUniversity of GroningenNo additional requirements
International BusinessUniversity of GroningenNo additional requirements
Human Movement SciencesUniversity of Groningen

Via a pre-master with a maximum of 25 EC

More information:

There is a customized entry package for students with a university-level background in movement sciences. More information: https://www.rug.nl/feb/education/study-programmes/pre-msc/mscba-health-entrypackage

PharmacyUniversity of Groningen

Via a pre-master with a maximum of 25 EC

More information:

There is a customized entry package for students with a university-level background in pharmacy. More information: https://www.rug.nl/feb/education/study-programmes/pre-msc/mscba-health-entrypackage

Life Science and TechnologyUniversity of Groningen

Via a pre-master with a maximum of 25 EC

More information:

There is a customized entry package for students with a university-level background in life sciences. More information: https://www.rug.nl/feb/education/study-programmes/pre-msc/mscba-health-entrypackage

DentistryUniversity of Groningen

Via a pre-master with a maximum of 25 EC

More information:

There is a customised entry package for students with a university-level background in dentistry. More information: https://www.rug.nl/feb/education/study-programmes/pre-msc/mscba-health-entrypackage

MedicineUniversity of Groningen

Via a pre-master with a maximum of 25 EC

More information:

Deficiency program with a maximum of 25 EC

More information: There is a customized entry package for students with a university-level background in medicine. More information: https://www.rug.nl/feb/education/study-programmes/pre-msc/mscba-health-entrypackage

Industrial Engineering and ManagementUniversity of GroningenNo 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.

SociologyUniversity 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.

Study programmeOrganizationTransition
GezondheidswetenschappenErasmus University RotterdamNo additional requirements
Econometrics and Operations ResearchErasmus University RotterdamNo additional requirements
Economics and Business EconomicsErasmus University RotterdamNo additional requirements
Fiscale EconomieErasmus University RotterdamNo additional requirements
International Business AdministrationErasmus University RotterdamNo additional requirements
Business AdministrationErasmus University RotterdamNo additional requirements
Study programmeOrganizationTransition
GezondheidswetenschappenUniversity of TwenteNo additional requirements
International Business AdministrationUniversity of TwenteNo additional requirements
Study programmeOrganizationTransition
Public Administration ScienceLeiden University

No additional requirements

More information:

For profile Economics, Public Administration and Management.

Computer ScienceLeiden University

No additional requirements

More information:

For profile Informatica & Economie.

Study programmeOrganizationTransition
Business AnalyticsMaastricht UniversityNo additional requirements
Business EngineeringMaastricht UniversityNo additional requirements
Econometrics and Operations ResearchMaastricht UniversityNo additional requirements
Economics and Business EconomicsMaastricht UniversityNo additional requirements
Fiscale EconomieMaastricht UniversityNo additional requirements
International BusinessMaastricht UniversityNo additional requirements
Global StudiesMaastricht 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.

Study programmeOrganizationTransition
AccountancyNyenrode New Business SchoolNo additional requirements
Business AdministrationNyenrode New Business SchoolNo additional requirements
Study programmeOrganizationTransition
Business AdministrationRadboud University NijmegenNo additional requirements
Economics and Business EconomicsRadboud University NijmegenNo additional requirements
Study programmeOrganizationTransition
International Business AdministrationTilburg UniversityNo additional requirements
EconomicsTilburg UniversityNo additional requirements
Entrepreneurship and Business InnovationTilburg UniversityNo additional requirements
Econometrics and Operations ResearchTilburg UniversityNo additional requirements
Economics of TaxationTilburg UniversityNo additional requirements
Study programmeOrganizationTransition
Actuarial ScienceUniversity of AmsterdamNo additional requirements
Business AdministrationUniversity of AmsterdamNo additional requirements
Business AnalyticsUniversity of AmsterdamNo additional requirements
Econometrics and Data ScienceUniversity of AmsterdamNo additional requirements
Economics and Business EconomicsUniversity of AmsterdamNo additional requirements
Fiscale EconomieUniversity of AmsterdamNo additional requirements
Study programmeOrganizationTransition
Economics and Business EconomicsUtrecht UniversityNo additional requirements
Study programmeOrganizationTransition
Business AnalyticsVU University AmsterdamNo additional requirements
Econometrics and Operations ResearchVU University AmsterdamNo additional requirements
Economics and Business EconomicsVU University AmsterdamNo additional requirements
International Business AdministrationVU University AmsterdamNo additional requirements
Business AdministrationVU University AmsterdamNo additional requirements
Study programmeOrganizationTransition
Management and Consumer StudiesWageningen UniversityNo additional requirements
Economics and GovernanceWageningen UniversityNo additional requirements
Study programmeOrganizationTransition
Biomedical EngineeringAll Research universities

Via a pre-master with a maximum of 25 EC

More information:

Are you interested in the MSc Business Administration – Health, but do you not meet the requirements for direct entry? We offer a customised entry package of 25 EC. For more information, visit https://www.rug.nl/feb/education/study-programmes/pre-msc/customized-entry-packages/msc-ba-health?lang=en

DentistryAll Research universities

Via a pre-master with a maximum of 25 EC

More information:

Are you interested in the MSc Business Administration – Health, but do you not meet the requirements for direct entry? We offer a customised entry package of 25 EC. For more information, visit https://www.rug.nl/feb/education/study-programmes/pre-msc/customized-entry-packages/msc-ba-health?lang=en

Human Movement SciencesAll Research universities

Via a pre-master with a maximum of 25 EC

More information:

Are you interested in the MSc Business Administration – Health, but do you not meet the requirements for direct entry? We offer a customised entry package of 25 EC. For more information, visit https://www.rug.nl/feb/education/study-programmes/pre-msc/customized-entry-packages/msc-ba-health?lang=en

Life Science and TechnologyAll Research universities

Via a pre-master with a maximum of 25 EC

More information:

Are you interested in the MSc Business Administration – Health, but do you not meet the requirements for direct entry? We offer a customised entry package of 25 EC. For more information, visit https://www.rug.nl/feb/education/study-programmes/pre-msc/customized-entry-packages/msc-ba-health?lang=en

MedicineAll Research universities

Via a pre-master with a maximum of 25 EC

More information:

Are you interested in the MSc Business Administration – Health, but do you not meet the requirements for direct entry? We offer a customised entry package of 25 EC. For more information, visit https://www.rug.nl/feb/education/study-programmes/pre-msc/customized-entry-packages/msc-ba-health?lang=en

PharmacyAll Research universities

Via a pre-master with a maximum of 25 EC

More information:

Are you interested in the MSc Business Administration – Health, but do you not meet the requirements for direct entry? We offer a customised entry package of 25 EC. For more information, visit https://www.rug.nl/feb/education/study-programmes/pre-msc/customized-entry-packages/msc-ba-health?lang=en

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore 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 Administration, Econometrics and Operations Research, Economics and Business Economics, International Business.

There is a customized entry package for students with a university-level background in movement sciences, biomedical sciences, life sciences, medical sciences, pharmacy, or dentistry. More information: https://www.rug.nl/feb/education/study-programmes/pre-msc/mscba-health-entrypackage

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.

other admission requirements

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.

Registration procedure

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

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students01 May 202501 September 2025
15 October 202501 February 2026
EU/EEA students01 May 202501 September 2025
15 October 202501 February 2026
non-EU/EEA students01 May 202501 September 2025
15 October 202501 February 2026

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore 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 Administration,Business Economics, Econometrics and Operations Research, Economics and Business Economics, International Business, Technology Management.

There is a customized entry package for students with a university-level background in movement sciences, biomedical sciences, life sciences, medical sciences, pharmacy, or dentistry. More information: https://www.rug.nl/feb/education/study-programmes/pre-msc/mscba-health-entrypackage

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.

certified competences

A GMAT/GRE test is required from all candidates who obtained their bachelor's degree from a university in a non-EU/EEA country. For specific scores and exemptions, please see https://www.rug.nl/feb/gmat-gre.

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 regular 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 studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students01 May 202501 September 2025
15 October 202501 February 2026
EU/EEA students01 May 202501 September 2025
15 October 202501 February 2026
non-EU/EEA students01 May 202501 September 2025
15 October 202501 February 2026
Tuition fees
NationalityYearFeeProgramme form
EU/EEA2024-2025€ 2530full-time
non-EU/EEA2024-2025€ 20800full-time

Practical information for:

After your studies

Job prospects

Across Europe, healthcare expenditures are high and health services are still growing as an employment sector. Therefore, managerial knowledge is in high demand to organize all the disciplines and stakeholders involved and motivate them into a coordinated effort. As a graduate of MSc BA Health, you will have the analytic and stakeholder management skills crucial in diagnosing and intervening in the organization of care and issuing advice about its economic environment.

Future employment opportunities may include healthcare organizations such as hospitals and homecare organizations, (inter-)national pharmaceutical companies, consultancy agencies, insurance companies, (semi-)governmental organizations, health technology suppliers, and research institutes.

Job examples

  • Management trainee in a larger healthcare organization
  • Manager within a healthcare organization, such as a hospital, mental health institute, nursing and care home, or primary care network
  • Consultant specialized in the health sector
  • Healthcare purchaser, e.g. for a municipality or health insurer
  • Project manager for a health insurance company
  • Policy analyst or advisor within a government agency
Research

Linking education to research and career preparation

Our education is research-driven, leading to fresh insights being fed into the courses. An analytical, critical mind and problem-solving capabilities are important qualities in any career our students aspire to. To develop such qualities, we work with lecturers who are active in research and discuss academic research right from the start of the degree programme.

In doing so, clear links with professional practices are made. Through case assignments, guest lectures, and other activities, students apply what they learn to practical healthcare management and health economics problems. As such, you engage in your development as a future professional.

In collaboration with external partners, the faculty conducts research on topical issues such as improving patient logistics; the effectiveness of organizational interventions; implementation and adoption of technological and managerial innovations; continuous quality improvement in healthcare; buyer/supplier relationships between insurance companies and healthcare providers; reducing health inequalities; economic evaluation of innovations or treatments; prevention management issues considering early life conditions and later-life health.

Much of this research is conducted in the Centre of Expertise Healthwise, providing students with numerous links to the outside world. Moreover, many of the lecturers participate in the Aletta School of Public Health, a large multidisciplinary research community .

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Master's Weekdiverse locatiesMore information

Contact

Learn about organizational management in the context of our healthcare system (Maurits Cosijn)

During my studies in Medicine, I wanted to broaden my interests and learn more about the business and management aspects of a doctor’s duties. I decided to first register for electives at the FEB faculty during my BSc Medicine. Through the COVID-19 pandemic, our healthcare system has shown incredible resilience and expertise, but it has also shown its shortcomings. These developments have rekindled my eagerness to learn about organizational management in the context of our healthcare system, and have led me to pursue a Master's degree in Business Administration (BA) Health.

The MSc BA Health programme in Groningen is versatile ranging from innovation management topics to healthcare operations management. This leads to a broad understanding of the inner workings of healthcare organizations. The medical professionals lecturing us showed how our efforts connect to real-world problems, which was very helpful in understanding those efforts. It is important to know that this Master’s degree will provide you with a unique view on healthcare, which can be really supplemental in understanding healthcare organizations. I would really recommend it to everyone, especially Medicine students looking for an exciting new perspective in their studies.

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The MSc BA Health has played a crucial role in my professional growth (Mente Laven)

After completing my bachelor's degree in American Studies, I realized that a career in the arts did not fully align with my personal ambitions. I discovered that my true passion lies in the healthcare sector, particularly in a strategic and policy-oriented role. This realization ultimately led me to pursue the MSc BA Health.

This decision emerged from deep self-reflection, where I concluded that my contribution to healthcare would not be through direct patient contact, but rather behind the scenes, utilizing my skills to improve care delivery. My choice for this new path was further solidified by my internship at Wilhelmina Hospital in Assen (WZA), where I gained not only practical experience, but also valuable insights into the complexities of the healthcare sector

After my internship, I continued working at the WZA as project contributor and, later on, as project manager of various projects. After completing my studies, I deliberately chose to focus on further professional development within the healthcare sector, as I wanted to gain experience beyond just hospital care. This led to my role at P5COM, a leading consulting firm in healthcare, where I have the opportunity to broaden my expertise and gain practical experience across a variety of projects in different healthcare subfields.

The MSc BA Health has played a crucial role in my professional growth by providing me with a solid theoretical framework and practical skills that are directly applicable within the healthcare context. The focus on policy analysis, management and strategic planning has enabled me to effectively contribute to complex challenges within the industry. In retrospect, I can say with certainty that the MSc BA Health has been a valuable investment in my professional development. The relevance of the content, combined with its practical applicability of it, underlines the importance and necessity of this program within the broader landscape of healthcare. My personal experiences confirm the value of the MSc BA Health program and for individual students as well as the healthcare industry in het Netherlands.
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Study associations

EBF

The Economics and Business Faculty association (EBF) is the faculty association for all students studying at the faculty of Economics and Business of the University of Groningen.
The EBF is your partner during your time in Groningen by organising events that support you with your studies and help you prepare for your future career.
https://www.ebfgroningen.nl/
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Study support

Studying means working independently and planning your studies yourself. However successful studying depends on many different factors, so it is understandable that you may need to consult an impartial expert to discuss your study progress and personal circumstances that influence your studies. The faculty's study advisors are available to help you. Obviously, everything discussed with the study advisor remains confidential.