Nyenrode is the only private university in the Netherlands. The university offers graduate level programs in the fields of general management, law, and accountancy and controlling. Being highly selective, with a focus on candidates’ motivation and social skills, Nyenrode Business Universiteit has created an environment in which students and faculty are all dedicated to bridging the gap between academic rigor and daily business practice.
Roots
The roots of Nyenrode date back to 1946, when captains of industry from leading Dutch corporations as Shell, Unilever, Philips and Akzo, supported up by the late queen’s consort Prince Bernhard, took the initiative of starting an educational institute for young, talented, internationally oriented students, looking to become entrepreneurial m …
Nyenrode is the only private university in the Netherlands. The university offers graduate level programs in the fields of general management, law, and accountancy and controlling. Being highly selective, with a focus on candidates’ motivation and social skills, Nyenrode Business Universiteit has created an environment in which students and faculty are all dedicated to bridging the gap between academic rigor and daily business practice.
Roots
The roots of Nyenrode date back to 1946, when captains of industry from leading Dutch corporations as Shell, Unilever, Philips and Akzo, supported up by the late queen’s consort Prince Bernhard, took the initiative of starting an educational institute for young, talented, internationally oriented students, looking to become entrepreneurial managers. The goal was to offer them an intensive business education experience that had no equal. The for business, by business ethos guaranteed that practical relevance would flow through the veins of the institute. The founding fathers chose Nyenrode Castle, alongside the River Vecht, which was built centuries ago to take advantage of the important trade routes on and along the river. Business thinking is therefore not only in every vein, but also in every stone on the estate.
Master of Science in Management
For five decades, the core program of Nyenrode Business Universiteit had been the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA). A three-year long program that prepared students for the international business arena and encouraged lifelong friendships. Alumni from the early years are still very involved with their Alma Mater. In 1992 however, the government halted subsidies for the BBA, and the program was subsequently discontinued. The half-century of expertise was then brought together to create the Master of Science in Management, a sixteen-month program for those with a bachelor degree, which is offered today on a full and part-time basis. Nyenrode Business Universiteit became a graduate school, and remains such today.
International MBA
Nyenrode offers the International MBA as one of its core programs. Founded in 1982, the year Nyenrode received official university status, the program has worked itself up the international rankings. It nowadays appeals to an international community of students, attracting candidates from over 20 countries each year and making the Nyenrode network more multicultural than ever before. In 2004, the International MBA strengthened its ties with the Kellogg School of Management, one of the leading business schools in the world. The program is also offered on a part-time basis. Next to the cooperation with Kellogg, the Part-time MBA also maintains a strong relationship with the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa.
Accountancy and Controlling
Nyenrode has since 1995 established a joint venture with educational partner NIVRA to found a school in the field of accountancy and controlling: the NIVRA-Nyenrode School of Accountancy and Controlling. NIVRA-Nyenrode offers academic part-time accountancy Bachelor of Science and Master of Science programs, education in forensic accountancy, managerial controlling, a Master of Science in Controlling and a post-academic controllers program. Furthermore, NIVRA-Nyenrode provides short courses (Permanent Education) to update the necessary knowledge for controllers, accountants and other financial experts.
Executive education
An important pillar of the university is also formed by activities in the field of executive education. In addition to the activities of the different research and knowledge centers in specific areas of expertise, the Nyenrode Executive Management Development Center (EMDC) offers non-degree management programs. The three key programs, all delivered in Dutch, are the Young Management Program (for young talent that is growing towards a management role), the Foundations of Management Program (bringing the basics of management and entrepreneurship to participants with very different backgrounds) and the Advanced Management Program (for senior managers and entrepreneurs). On occasion, special programs and master classes are customized according to current themes. Furthermore, the EMDC develops tailor-made programs for a wide range of clients. These in company programs address specific organizational, entrepreneurial and managerial challenges in the clients’ markets. Jewels in the crown of the Nyenrode executive education are in company MBA programs that have been developed for the Rabobank (together with the Vrije Universiteit) and for PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Rankings
Nyenrode is consistently committed to delivering high quality programs which is reflected in this years global ranking for MBA programs. In the Financial Times Global Ranking for 2007, Nyenrode was given an overall position of 85 out of the top 100 business schools. With regards to the international mobility of students following graduation and the international experience gained during the course, Nyenrode was ranked 8th. With a 39% count of female students, Nyenrode is among the top 10 worldwide, and placed 16th in the category of value for money . The Economist Intelligence Unit for 2007 awarded the university 89th place, whilst the United Kingdom Government listed Nyenrode among the top 50 business schools in the world.
Nyenrode today
Nyenrode Business Universiteit today is still loyal to its 1946 mission; to provide talented and motivated men and women with a learning experience, in preparation for entrepreneurial management positions all over the world. As a private university for and by business, Nyenrode is also a (not for profit) business itself. While maintaining academic rigor and independence, most research done by Nyenrode faculty has an immediate practical relevance and has sponsors and supporters in the business community. Exploring new opportunities in the national and international markets and driving business development are essential. Most important, however, is student satisfaction, brought about by the high quality of the programs, the level of the facilities and the labor market perspectives after graduation. Nyenrode is an entrepreneurial enterprise, and students have to be entrepreneurs themselves; willing to take the Nyenrode challenge. The return on investment of completing a program at Nyenrode has to be high. In this regard, Nyenrode has a reputation as solid as its castle.
Netherlands
