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Education Master's and PhD degree programmes Business Administration Small Business and Entrepreneurship
Header image Small Business and Entrepreneurship

Small Business and Entrepreneurship

Study in Groningen what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur and how small businesses add value to society.

Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) comprise over 95% of businesses in many countries. SMEs are renowned for their entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurial activities allow firms to remain competitive, they can create economic growth and innovation, and they can solve societal problems.

You learn to understand the role SMEs and entrepreneurial firms are playing in the modern entrepreneurial economy, more importantly, the strategic and managerial challenges small business owners and entrepreneurs face. Many management programmes focus on large businesses, whereas SMEs and entrepreneurial firms have specific characteristics. You will learn about them and how small business owners and entrepreneurs can effectively manage their businesses in an increasingly complex business environment.

You will link the specific theories on SMEs and entrepreneurship to practice by means of assignments and guest lectures. The programme has an international group of enthusiastic, highly-reputed lecturers with research experience and contacts in the professional field. Besides, the relatively small group of students (about 50-60 each year) results in a personal approach with possibilities for customization.

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?
  • More than 95% of the business community consists of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Yet most management programmes focus on large businesses. In the MSc SB&E, you learn more about the management of SMEs, about the entrepreneurial economy and the challenges entrepreneurs are facing.
  • The programme has been internationally accredited by the AACSB and EQUIS, ensuring a high-quality education, which only 1% of universities reach worldwide.
Programme

The specific organisational characteristics of smaller firms are discussed, so basically all subdisciplines of management and organisation. Moreover, questions such as 'what factors affect the successful launching of new ventures and the management of entrepreneurial firms?', 'how can established small and large firms keep their entrepreneurial orientation?' and issues of consultancy are addressed.

These are topics in compulsory courses. With electives, you specialise in fields like strategy, marketing and management of technology. Furthermore, a part of the programme is devoted to writing a thesis including doing research.

CoursesCourse Catalog >
Business Diagnosis and Design (5 EC)
Elective(s) MSc BA SB&E (15 EC)
Master's Thesis BA SB&E (20 EC)
New Ventures & Entrepreneurship (5 EC)
Research & Skills for MSc BA (5 EC)
Small Business Management (5 EC)
Strategic Analysis for Small Business (5 EC)
Programme options
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 an 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 an MSc thesis on an energy topic

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

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
Business AdministrationUniversity of GroningenNo additional requirements
Econometrics and Operations ResearchUniversity of GroningenNo additional requirements
International BusinessUniversity of GroningenNo additional requirements
Economics and Business EconomicsUniversity of GroningenNo additional requirements
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.

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.

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

Business EngineeringMaastricht UniversityNo additional requirements
Economics and Business EconomicsMaastricht UniversityNo additional requirements
Econometrics and Operations ResearchMaastricht UniversityNo additional requirements
Fiscale EconomieMaastricht 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
International Business AdministrationUniversity of TwenteNo additional requirements
Study programmeOrganizationTransition
Economics and GovernanceWageningen UniversityNo additional requirements
Management and Consumer StudiesWageningen UniversityNo additional requirements
Study programmeOrganizationTransition
AccountancyNyenrode New Business SchoolNo additional requirements
Business AdministrationNyenrode New Business SchoolNo additional requirements
Study programmeOrganizationTransition
Economics and Business EconomicsUtrecht UniversityNo 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 Economics, Business Administration, 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 the MSc programme Small Business and Entrepreneurship, you may find employment in several positions such as entrepreneur, SME manager, corporate entrepreneur, or SME consultant.

Job prospects

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

  • Entrepreneur in large organisations (corporate entrepreneurship)
  • 'All-round' manager in an SME
  • Manager in large organisations (corporate entrepreneurship)
  • Manager in large organisations that deal with SMEs and entrepreneurs

    such as banks, consulting firms, venture capitalists/financial investors, governmental organizations at different levels, franchising firms, platform organizations, or accounting firms

  • Entrepreneur: start your own business or work for an entrepreneurial business
  • Consultant for SMEs and entrepreneurial firms
Research

Linking education to research and career preparation

Our education is research-driven. This means that you will be taught by top researchers, who are actively engaged in studying small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurship in different industries.

Important topics are, for example, entrepreneurial skills, SME strategy and management, corporate entrepreneurship, start-ups, family firms, venture capital, entrepreneurial finance, collaborative networks of entrepreneurs/SMEs, institutions, and entrepreneurship and small business policies.

Your education will be informed by the latest research developments in the SB&E field. The aim is not to primarily train researchers. Instead, the purpose is to give students a state-of-the-art perspective on the field, which can be applied in a practical context, while at the same time developing analytical and problem-solving capabilities.

Apply nowBrochureEventsContact

Contact

  • Ask Your Question (FEB) (Please fill in this contact form. We will answer your question within 72 hours.)
  • Dr. Michael Wyrwich (Programme coordinator)
    Email: m.wyrwich rug.nl

Get the chance to cooperate with companies

Coming from an entrepreneurial family, I want to start my own business in the future. Therefore the MSc in Small Business and Entrepreneurship was the first programme that came into my mind.

The study contains many practical assignments, where I get the chance to cooperate with small companies. Thereby I learn more about the companies and understand how they work. Moreover, through cooperation with the companies and guest speakers on campus, I get the opportunity to get in touch with many professionals. Essentially the programme helps me to build a good network and to get a clearer picture of what my future can look like. (Roelof Geert Schuurman | MSc BA - Small Business and Entrepreneurship)

Read more

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/

Master Community - SBE

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