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Education Master's and PhD degree programmes Business Administration Change management
Header image Change management

Change management

Study in Groningen how to best manage organizational change in the era of transformations.

We live in an ever-changing environment characterised by great developments, such as technological, cultural, digital, and sustainability transformations. That is why change management is essential for the survival of today's organisations. This creates a need for change experts who know how to design and lead change processes.

In the MSc Business Administration - Change Management, which is both academically rigorous and societally relevant, you will learn to deal with the complexity of organisational change as a dynamic interplay of organisational, technological, cultural and human factors. You will develop a solid understanding of the diversity in paradigms, theories and approaches that characterise the international scientific and professional field of change management as well as critical academic thinking as core elements of your professional toolkit. The programme offers you a diverse and challenging environment in which you actively and responsibly co-create your learning experiences. You will be a member of a lively learning community of -dedicated students (approx. 80-90 students), staff and expert practitioners that prepares you for a career in a changing world.

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
AACSB Accredited
Why study this programme in Groningen?
  • The programme offers a richness in theoretical approaches and acknowledges the complexity of organizational change as a dynamic interplay of organizational, technological, cultural and human factors.
  • Dedicated staff, students and expert practitioners form a lively learning community that prepares you for a career in a globalising and transformative world.
  • The programme has been internationally accredited by the AACSB and EQUIS, ensuring a high-quality education, which only 1% of universities reach worldwide.
Programme

During the MSc Business Administration - Change Management programme you will learn about different change strategies that have been developed to deal with the complex reality of organisational change, including intervention tools that are helpful for implementing those strategies. You will develop a solid understanding of the diversity in theories and approaches that characterise the international scientific and professional field of change management as well as the competence of critical acade

To fulfil the programme requirements, you need to follow:

1) five mandatory courses (5 EC each, 25 EC in total):

  • Theories and Approaches of Change Management
  • Change and Human factors
  • Managing Technological Change
  • Agents and Instruments of Change
  • Research and Skills for MSc BA

2) three electives of 5 EC each which enables you to specialise further in fields such as healthcare, strategy and ICT. 3) You should write and successfully defend your Master's thesis.

CoursesCourse Catalog >
Agents and Instruments of Change (5 EC)
Change and Human Factors (5 EC)
Electives MSc BA Change Management (15 EC)
Managing Technological Change (5 EC)
Master's Thesis BA Change Management (20 EC)
Research and Skills for MSc BA (5 EC)
Theories and Approaches of Change Management (5 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

Sustainable Society Focus Area (specialization)

Focus your MSc on Sustainable Society and gain specialised knowledge in the field. There are two steps to the Sustainable Society Focus Area-

1) complete two electives from a predetermined list 2) write and round off an MSc thesis on a sustainable society topic

More information about this option

Digital Business Focus Area (specialization)

Focus your MSc on Digital Business and gain specialised knowledge in the field. There are two steps to the Digital Business Focus Area-

1) complete two of eight chosen electives 2) write and round off a MSc thesis on a digital business topic

More information about this option

Energy Focus Area (specialization)

Focus your MSc on Energy and open up extra career opportunities. There are two steps to the Energy Focus Area-

1) complete two of four chosen electives 2) write and round off a MSc thesis on an energy topic

More information about this option

Study abroad

  • Study abroad is optional

All tracks facilitate but do not organize an international exchange.

Entry requirements

Transfer options

Transferring from...

Study programmeOrganizationTransition
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 programmeOrganizationTransition
Econometrics and Operations ResearchUniversity of GroningenNo additional requirements
Economics and Business EconomicsUniversity of GroningenNo additional requirements
International BusinessUniversity of GroningenNo additional requirements
Business AdministrationUniversity of GroningenNo additional requirements
Industrial Engineering and ManagementUniversity of GroningenNo additional requirements
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.

PsychologyUniversity 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
Fiscale EconomieTilburg UniversityNo additional requirements
EconomicsTilburg UniversityNo additional requirements
Entrepreneurship and Business InnovationTilburg UniversityNo additional requirements
International Business AdministrationTilburg UniversityNo additional requirements
Econometrics and Operations ResearchTilburg UniversityNo additional requirements
Study programmeOrganizationTransition
Economics and Business EconomicsUniversity of AmsterdamNo additional requirements
Business AdministrationUniversity of AmsterdamNo additional requirements
Actuarial ScienceUniversity of AmsterdamNo additional requirements
Business AnalyticsUniversity of AmsterdamNo additional requirements
Econometrics and Data ScienceUniversity of AmsterdamNo additional requirements
Fiscale EconomieUniversity of AmsterdamNo additional requirements
Study programmeOrganizationTransition
Business AdministrationErasmus University RotterdamNo additional requirements
International Business AdministrationErasmus University RotterdamNo additional requirements
Econometrics and Operations ResearchErasmus University RotterdamNo additional requirements
Fiscale EconomieErasmus University RotterdamNo additional requirements
Economics and Business EconomicsErasmus University RotterdamNo additional requirements
Study programmeOrganizationTransition
International Business AdministrationUniversity of TwenteNo additional requirements
Study programmeOrganizationTransition
Econometrics and Operations ResearchVU University AmsterdamNo additional requirements
International Business AdministrationVU University AmsterdamNo additional requirements
Business AdministrationVU University AmsterdamNo additional requirements
Business AnalyticsVU University AmsterdamNo additional requirements
Economics and Business EconomicsVU University AmsterdamNo additional requirements
Study programmeOrganizationTransition
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.

Business EngineeringMaastricht UniversityNo additional requirements
Economics and Business EconomicsMaastricht UniversityNo additional requirements
International BusinessMaastricht UniversityNo additional requirements
Business AnalyticsMaastricht UniversityNo additional requirements
Econometrics and Operations ResearchMaastricht UniversityNo additional requirements
Fiscale EconomieMaastricht UniversityNo additional requirements
Study programmeOrganizationTransition
Economics and Business EconomicsUtrecht UniversityNo additional requirements
Study programmeOrganizationTransition
Economics and Business EconomicsRadboud University NijmegenNo additional requirements
Business AdministrationRadboud University NijmegenNo additional requirements
Study programmeOrganizationTransition
Economics and GovernanceWageningen UniversityNo additional requirements
Management and Consumer StudiesWageningen UniversityNo 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
AccountancyNyenrode New Business SchoolNo additional requirements
Business AdministrationNyenrode New Business SchoolNo additional requirements

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.

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 students15 October 202301 February 2024
01 May 202401 September 2024
15 October 202401 February 2025
EU/EEA students15 October 202301 February 2024
01 May 202401 September 2024
15 October 202401 February 2025
non-EU/EEA students15 October 202301 February 2024
01 May 202401 September 2024
15 October 202401 February 2025

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.

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 pre-Master programmes .

Registration procedure

Students have to apply via Studielink and the 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 students15 October 202301 February 2024
01 May 202401 September 2024
15 October 202401 February 2025
EU/EEA students15 October 202301 February 2024
01 May 202401 September 2024
15 October 202401 February 2025
non-EU/EEA students15 October 202301 February 2024
01 May 202401 September 2024
15 October 202401 February 2025
Tuition fees
NationalityYearFeeProgramme form
EU/EEA2023-2024€ 2314full-time
non-EU/EEA2023-2024€ 17800full-time

Practical information for:

After your studies

As a graduate of Change Management you are much in demand, both in for-profit and non-profit organisations. You are flexible and can develop yourself in many directions, for example through consultancy projects. A quarter of all graduates of Business Administration find jobs in consultancy. Graduates of Change Management are particularly well equipped for this.

Job prospects

As a graduate, your degree will be highly valued in the labour market. The Faculty of Economics and Business is internationally accredited and belongs to the 1% of business schools around the world accredited by both EQUIS and AACSB.

FEB Career Services
When you become a student at the faculty, we want to support you in developing your career and strengthening your employability skills. You can count on a dedicated on-campus Career Services team offering you a wide range of courses, workshops, events and career-related support during your studies. Everything you need to enter the labour market.

Job examples

  • Change manager
  • Transformation consultant
  • Policy consultant
  • Member of a project team in profit as well as non-profit organizations
  • Management trainee
Research

Linking education to research and career preparation

Our education is research-driven and incorporates the latest developments in the field. You will be taught by renowned researchers who actively conduct research into various aspects of organizational change and change management in diverse sectors.

Important topics are, for example, stakeholder and issue management, duality management, leadership and governance for change, change implementation strategies, technology-induced change and post-adoption behaviour. Students’ thesis subjects can be related to staff research projects. However, the aim of the program is, primarily, not to train researchers. The main objective is to work with and discuss academic research as a means to develop state-of-the-art knowledge, an analytical and critical mind, as well as problem-solving capabilities that are key to any career students, aspire to. Next to that, through case-based assignments, simulation, guest lectures, and other activities, students apply what they learn to practical change situations. In this way, you actively co-produce your development as a future professional.

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Contact

Study associations

Master Community - Change

Make the most of your master by getting to know your fellow students and prepare for your future career.
https://www.ebfgroningen.nl/committees

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/
Read more
Study support

Studying means working independently and planning your studies yourself. But 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.