Small Business and Entrepreneurship

Rijksuniversiteit Groningen

						
							Study small business and entrepreneurship in Groningen to kickstart your entrepreneurial career, by starting your own firm or contributing to the entrepreneurial spirit and success of another company.


					
open_in_newstudy website

locatieGroningen
diplomaMSc 
typeregulier, 60 EC
start1 februari, 1 september
taalvolledig English
opleidingsduur12 maanden voltijd
accreditatiesNVAO
croho-code60644
numerus fixusnee
honoursnee
What are the challenges technology-oriented start-ups face? How can small firms and family businesses incorporate sustainability and make a positive impact in today’s society? What knowledge and competencies do entrepreneurs need to gain in order to start up? 
Start-ups and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) comprise over 95% of businesses in many countries. At the same time, larger firms aim to become more agile to exploit new opportunities. Thus, the likelihood that you will work for one of these companies is high. We want to prepare you for this!
Many management programmes focus only on large businesses, whereas SMEs and entrepreneurial firms have specific characteristics. The MSc Business Administration - Small Business and Entrepreneurship (BA-SBE) programme stands out by teaching you about the strategic and managerial challenges small business owners and entrepreneurs face. You will learn how small business owners and entrepreneurs can effectively manage their businesses in an increasingly complex business environment. 
We put a lot of emphasis on practice orientation and work together with many entrepreneurs and small business owners with diverse backgrounds (e.g., industry, gender, age, nationality, social goals). There is value to learning from practice and that is why we organize guest lectures and other events where you can connect with business professionals (e.g. during our start-up and small business safari). You will be able to link the specific theories on SMEs and entrepreneurship to practice by working on real-life cases and interviewing small business owners and business challenges. We collaborate with Innokite where you can develop your own business idea.
Our graduates work as entrepreneurs, small business consultants, in entrepreneurial departments of large businesses, and for organizations supporting start-ups and small firms.


					

Waarom aan de University of Groningen?

What is unique in the MSc BA - SBE is putting theory into practice to help find solutions to current challenges. You get to go out in the field, interview small business owners and come up with solutions on relevant themes such as sustainable growth, innovation, and change.

We make sure to connect you with the outside business world by inviting guest speakers from start-ups, SMEs, and larger firms that exploit entrepreneurial opportunities. You work with entrepreneurs in your assignments and apply the theories and concepts we teach you. Also, many start-ups cooperating with us offer internships for you.
We believe that your employability is of utmost importance. We challenge you to develop and use your skills in a practical and relevant way by applying insights on entrepreneurship in real business contexts. Our small business and start-up safari is unique and won the best teaching award (2023). You visit start-ups and meet with entrepreneurs in Groningen and the North of the Netherlands.
From the start, you are part of our SBE tight-knit student community where you will meet like-minded students, build connections and participate in social and career events. The programme has an international group of enthusiastic lecturers and a relatively small group of students (about 50 each year). This results in a personal approach with possibilities for customization.
Our guest lecturing entrepreneurs are from different industries and backgrounds (e.g., age, gender, nationality). We work together with entrepreneurs who put emphasis on developing sustainable products and solutions.
The programme has been internationally accredited by the AACSB and EQUIS, ensuring a high-quality education, which only 1% of universities reach worldwide.

Studieprogramma

	1	2	3
	periode
Entrepreneurship & Small Business Strategy	5 EC
Small Business Management	5 EC
Elective(s) MSc BA SB&E	15 EC
Applied SB&E Projects		5 EC
Research & Skills for MSc BA		5 EC
New Ventures & Entrepreneurship			5 EC
Master's Thesis BA SB&E			20 EC

specialisaties

Future Prosperity and Sustainability Focus Area
Leadership and Governance
Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence Focus Area
Energy Transition and Climate Change Focus Area
Master Internship

specialisatie Future Prosperity and Sustainability Focus Area

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.

specialisatie Leadership and Governance

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.

specialisatie Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence Focus Area

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.

specialisatie Energy Transition and Climate Change Focus Area

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.

specialisatie Master Internship

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.

Onderwijs

taal van onderwijs	100% en
avondonderwijs	n.v.t.
afstandsonderwijs	n.v.t.

onderwijsvormen

case study, group assignment, group discussion, individual assignment, lecture, literature study, research, research project, research proposal, oral presentation, self study, tutorial, working group

objectives

In our programme, we put great emphasis on making a link between education and employability. This means we want students to be prepared for the labour market as best as possible.

On your road to the labour market, we challenge you to confront theory with practice via our award-winning small business and start-up safaris, practice-oriented assignments, guest lectures by active and successful entrepreneurs from a wide range of industries, and an active SB&E student community. Our teaching is personal and interactive. You will join a cohesive and active group of students.

study guidance

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.

study abroad

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 - SBE programme.

Toelating en kosten

startmomenten

1 februari 2026

aanmelding deadline : 15 oktober 2025
collegegeld nog niet bekend

1 september 2025

aanmelding deadline : 1 mei 2025
wettelijk tarief : € 2601 (€1301 in het eerste jaar)
instellingstarief : € 20500
niet-EU/EER studenten : € 21400

1 september 2026

aanmelding deadline : 1 mei 2026
collegegeld nog niet bekend

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

toelatingseisen

vooropleiding
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.

inbegrepen in collegegeld

examination

registration fee

De stad

studievereniging

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.

Master Community - SBE

Make the most of your master by getting to know your fellow students and prepare for your future career.

Keuzehulp

1/28 University of Groningen
Small Business and Entrepreneurship

€ 303 gemiddelde kamerhuur

? eerstejaars

NAN% vrouw

? uur contacttijd/week

100% Engelstalig

instelling	opleiding	instroomeisen
Utrecht University	Leraar VHO algemene economie full-time,part-time educational	+ 30 EC pre-master
Leiden University	Leraar VHO in Bedrijfseconomie educational	geen aanvullende eisen