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

Change Management

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

How can you use change management techniques to embed sustainability goals and practices into an organization's culture? What steps can you take to navigate potential pushback from employees during digital transformation? In today's dynamic landscape, organizations must transform to thrive. Over the past two decades, rapid shifts like digitalization, global demands for sustainability, and various crises have reshaped the world. In the MSc Business Administration - Change Management, you learn how to apply the latest insights from research, theory, and practice in change management to make a positive impact on the business and society.

Organizations rely on change management for survival, creating an exciting demand for skilled change experts who can craft and manage these impactful transformations in business and our society. In Groningen, you will learn to deal with the complexity of change as a dynamic interplay of organizational, technological, cultural, and human factors. You study in an international and challenging environment in which you develop a solid understanding of the diversity in theories and approaches but also learn from practice. You get to apply in real-life situations what you study by conducting company-based research, attending guest lectures, and working on business cases given by various organizations.

The programme is proud to have a lively and active community with students from many different countries and lecturers and alumni who are open to sharing their knowledge and expertise to prepare you for your future career.

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

Focus areas in Energy, Sustainable Society and Digital Business

The programme offers many opportunities to specialise in a certain field by taking a Focus area in Energy, Sustainable Society, or Digital Business. Dive deeper into these highly relevant topics in our society and your future career.

Read more
Why study this programme in Groningen?
  • The programme in Groningen is academically rigorous and societally relevant and you gain a deep understanding of change management through diverse theoretical and practical lenses. You learn about the complexity of change as a dynamic interplay of organizational, technological, cultural, environmental, and human factors.
  • The programme is designed for you to learn core approaches to change management and develop key competencies to navigate change complexities in today's challenges, such a
  • We empower you to become a change expert who knows how to design and lead change processes. That is why, during your study, you put theory into practice by working on projects outside the classroom and learning from the business professionals out in the workplace. You can also embark on extracurricular challenges like the Master internship, where you gain experience at a company of your choice.
  • From the start, you will become part of a lively learning community of dedicated staff, students, and expert practitioners that will prepare you for a career in a globalizing 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

In the first semester, you will learn about different change strategies and theories that have been developed to deal with the complex reality of organizational change, including intervention tools. You develop critical thinking skills by studying approaches from a theoretical, philosophical, and historical context. To learn from change management in practice, you will conduct company-based research and analyze your findings with your research team.

In the second semester, you will learn about change agents and their roles and how you can manage technological adoption and resistance behaviours. For example, you might analyze how a company adopted digital tools to transform its operations or explore strategies for cultural integration after a merger. You finish by writing a master's thesis on topics such as digital inclusion in digitally-enabled societies, transformation in SMEs, CEOs as leaderships of change, implementation of sustainability strategies within organizations, technological innovation in healthcare, collaborative strategies for innovation and change, data spaces for a circular economy, humour and inclusion in the workplace, among others.

Throughout the year, you can take elective courses in business ethics, sustainability, energy transition, digital transformation strategy, and stress and health in the workplace, just to name a few. Check the course catalogue for the complete list.

Semesters
CoursesCourse Catalog >1a1b2a2b
Change and Human Factors (5 EC)
Theories and Approaches of Change Management (5 EC)
Electives MSc BA Change Management (15 EC)

A few examples are: Sustainability: Strategies, Innovation & Change; Digital Transformation Strategy; E-Health; Energy Transition & Innovation; Business Research and Consulting; Stress, Work Design and Team Processes. The full list of electives can be found on Ocasys.

Research and Skills for MSc BA (5 EC)
Agents and Instruments of Change (5 EC)
Managing Technological Change (5 EC)
Master's Thesis BA Change Management (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

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

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 one additional semester. Please discuss this with the programme coordinator as study exchanges are not arranged by the MSc BA - CM programme. You would need to arrange the exchange independently.

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
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
Industrial Engineering and ManagementUniversity of GroningenNo additional requirements
PsychologyUniversity of Groningen

Via a pre-master with a maximum of 25 EC

More information:

In addition to your BSc programme, you need 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-change-management.

SociologyUniversity of Groningen

Via a pre-master with a maximum of 25 EC

More information:

In addition to your BSc programme, you need 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-change-management.

Study programmeOrganizationTransition
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
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
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.

International BusinessMaastricht UniversityNo additional requirements
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
Fiscale EconomieTilburg 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
International Business AdministrationUniversity of TwenteNo additional requirements
Study programmeOrganizationTransition
Economics and Business EconomicsUtrecht UniversityNo additional requirements
Study programmeOrganizationTransition
Management and Consumer StudiesWageningen UniversityNo additional requirements
Economics and GovernanceWageningen 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

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 students01 May 202401 September 2024
15 October 202401 February 2025
01 May 202501 September 2025
15 October 202501 February 2026
EU/EEA students01 May 202401 September 2024
15 October 202401 February 2025
01 May 202501 September 2025
15 October 202501 February 2026
non-EU/EEA students01 May 202401 September 2024
15 October 202401 February 2025
01 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.

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 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 202401 September 2024
15 October 202401 February 2025
01 May 202501 September 2025
15 October 202501 February 2026
EU/EEA students01 May 202401 September 2024
15 October 202401 February 2025
01 May 202501 September 2025
15 October 202501 February 2026
non-EU/EEA students01 May 202401 September 2024
15 October 202401 February 2025
01 May 202501 September 2025
15 October 202501 February 2026
Tuition fees
NationalityYearFeeProgramme form
EU/EEA2023-2024€ 2314full-time
non-EU/EEA2023-2024€ 17800full-time
EU/EEA2024-2025€ 2530full-time
non-EU/EEA2024-2025€ 20800full-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 organizations. Employers value a change management profile who can bring specialized knowledge and skills to handle the interplay of the organizational and human sides of change, including communication, stakeholder engagement, and mitigating resistance. Graduates of Change Management are particularly good at combining strategic thinking, interpersonal skills, and practical implementation to guide organizations through successful and sustainable transformations.

Job prospects

An important share of all graduates of Business Administration find jobs in consultancy. They play a pivotal role in guiding clients through organizational change and helping them achieve their strategic objectives.

As a change or transformation expert, you lead organizational transformations, ensuring smooth transitions during technological, structural, or cultural changes. You can also choose to specialize in consulting companies on how to align business goals with societal and environmental contributions.

But consultancy is not the only option for the graduates of Change Management. Our alumni fulfill/have fulfilled different job positions in a variety of organizations and sectors, among others:

  • Examples of job positions: Senior analyst, Transformation consultant, Management trainee, HR administrator, International business development manager, Head of implementation, Project lead, and Organisational advisor.
  • Examples of organisations and companies: ING, Permata Bank, NIBC, Linda Gallery, Sligro, Toyota, Jacobs Douwe Egberts, UMCG, BlinkLane Consulting.
  • Examples of industry sectors: Automotive manufacturing and services, Banking and consumer lending, Financial Services, Healthcare, Performing and Fine Arts, Trade, and Transportation.
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, strategic leadership, and governance, change implementation strategies, technology-induced changes like digital transformation, 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 path. 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 change management professional.

Would you like to find out more about our research? Check the FEB Research Institute (FEBRI).

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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. 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.