Answering Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) of Master in Management students
Finding a degree that suits your needs and prepares you for the future that you are working towards can be a lengthy process of comparing degrees and institutions. To help you speed up the process we have compiled some of the most common questions we receive, in the form of this Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) blog. We hope to give you a quick, clear and easy overview of the Master in Management program at MSM and to help you decide if this is the right program for you.
What are the main differences between MSM’s MBA and Master in Management degree?
Since the Master in Management was originally based on the MBA curriculum, there is a strong overlap in topics. Although there are many subtle differences between the 2 programs, the three main differences boil down to the work experience required, the thesis set-up and a difference in the amount of ECTS credits per program thanks in part to the MBA specialization phase. Both programs have a practical approach however, the Full-Time MBA program at MSM requires at least 3 years of working experience (although the average working experience is about 8 years), whereas the Master in Management (MM) program does not require any work experience or work experience up to maximum 3 years. MSM’s MBA programs also include a specialization phase, which is not part of the MM curriculum. However, don’t worry, if you are interested in joining our MBA specialization phase, eligible Master in Management students can apply for this additionally during their year at MSM.
Am I eligible to apply for the Master in Management program?
You can easily find out by doing the free CV assessment on our website. Our recruitment team will review your CV and answers and will get in touch with you to discuss which program would fit your profile best.
What documents do I need to apply for the Master in Management program?
Below you find the documents that you need to upload in our portal. But first you need to create a profile in campus, you will then be able to upload all the needed documents. Your application will be reviewed as soon as possible, but keep in mind that it can take up to three weeks. We therefore recommend starting your application process as soon as possible.
- Bachelor's diploma or statement of expected date of graduation
- Official transcripts or a copy of your (temporary) list of grades.
- Personal résumé / CV
- Letter of recommendation (a reference request can be sent directly via our application portal)
- A letter of motivation: > instructions motivation letter
- Proof of English proficiency: Have a look at our English proficiency requirements
- Copy of your passport or your EU identity card
How do I write a strong motivational letter?
We have created a special document to help you write your motivational letter, click here for the document. Or in case you prefer to watch a video, click here for the 9-minute video where Hermina Kooyman goes through the writing process with you.
When am I eligible to waive the English exam?
If you have completed your previous studies in English, the English proficiency exam can be waived. Your English will also be assessed during the admission interview.
Do I need a GMAT/GRE?
No, these exams are not mandatory. MSM has created an in-house alternative that serves the same purpose as the GMAT/GRE, namely to ensure a certain level of knowledge before starting the program. If you are not planning to/ have not had the opportunity to pass your GMAT/GRE you will be required to complete and pass our free online levelling courses. The leveling courses login will be shared with you once you have been accepted to, and paid the first installment of the Master in Management program. It is compulsory to complete these courses (or the GMAT/ GRE) before the start of the program.
What is the application deadline for the Master in Management program?
For the September 2021 intake as a non-EU student you will have to apply before 15 July 2021. As an EU student you will have to apply before 15 September 2021.
Keep in mind that the admissions process can take up to 3 weeks and once admitted you will have to complete the leveling courses which will also take up some of your time. Therefore, we recommend applying early, you will be all ready to go without any last-minute stress.
Is there a full scholarship available for the Master in Management program?
The Dutch Government has created a full scholarship program for eligible students to come study in the Netherlands. This scholarship, namely, the Orange Knowledge Programme Scholarship, or better known as the OKP Scholarship, is also available for students wishing to apply to the MSM Master in Management program. We advise to carefully read the information on our website about eligibility and applying for this scholarship.
Are there partial scholarships available for the Master in Management program?
Yes, we have several partial scholarships. One of them is the Dean’s Development Fund which is a scholarship that lowers the tuition fee based on your nationality. Below you can find a list with other partial scholarships. These kind of scholarships can be combined up to 50% of the full tuition fee. For more information about our scholarships in general please click here.
- Academic Excellence Scholarship: Up to 50%
- Women Ambassadorship Scholarship: Up to 50%
- SDG Change-Maker (TBC) Scholarship: Up to 25%
- Regional Fund: 25 %
- Orange Tulip Scholarship (for selected countries): 60%
Can I pay the tuition fee in installments?
Yes, paying in installments is possible. However, to be able to start working on your visa, by mid-July, you will have needed to pay 50% of the tuition fee (+ a few small additional health insurance visa costs). The rest of the tuition fee can be paid in December.
How long does the admission process take?
The admission process can take up to 3 weeks after having uploaded the required documents and having submitted the application to our admissions team. The admissions officer will review your documents and when the uploaded documents comply, you will be invited for an interview. This interview will take around 30 minutes and you will receive feedback on your application within the week following your interview.
Do I have to prepare for the admissions interview?
When applying for the Master in Management program you most likely know why you want to start this degree, what your future goals are etc. During the interview, 2 MSM staff members will interview you and ask you about your motivation behind applying for the program. We do like to see why you think MSM would be a good match for you and how it could help you achieve your goals. The main aim of the admissions interview is to find out more about you as a person and to see if what you are looking for is a good fit with the program.
Once I have been admitted, what are the next steps?
Together with your admission letter, you will receive an invoice to pay the tuition fee. Once your payment has been received, you will receive the link to the leveling courses, if you have not completed/ are not planning to complete the GMAT/GRE test. These courses will test your level on certain topics and help you prepare and understand the basics for your finance, accounting, economics and statistics classes. The leveling courses need to be completed before the start of the program.
Furthermore, our admissions team will get in contact with you to start the visa application.
How can I find an accommodation in Maastricht?
We have gathered housing tips from previous MSM students for you in this document. Furthermore, we have good contact with student housing and student hotels such as Aparthotel Randwyck, The Student Hotel Maastricht, Housing XL and Xior student housing. We also recommend checking Facebook groups about student housing in Maastricht. On our website we have listed all websites and pages we recommend you to check. Click here to visit the MSM webpage on housing.
Due to unforeseen circumstances I can’t join the program, what is the procedure for this?
We have two options available for you in the case of unforeseen circumstances:
- You can defer starting the program as originally intended and instead join the next academic intake without having to go through the admissions process again. Your admission letter is valid for one year. However, if you want to retain the same tuition fee and scholarships, a 1000 euro down-payment is required,
- You can get a refund. However, we do recommend you reading our refund policy carefully.
I graduated, what’s next?
After successfully finishing your Master in Management program at the campus of Maastricht School of Management in Maastricht you are eligible for a one-year orientation year permit. This permit will allow you to stay in the Netherlands for one year after graduation to find a job. This permit is also called a “zoekjaar” in Dutch.
Did we answer all your Master in Management related questions? Yes? great! No? You can always reach out to us in case you have any other questions, or when something is still not clear to you. For program related questions we recommend to reach out to our recruitment team via recruitment_group@msm.nl, for admission related questions, our admissions team is happy to help you via admissions@msm.nl.
