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Why this programme?

Supply Chain Management

It has never been a more exciting time to delve into the logistical challenges facing the international economy. Society is changing, and there's a trend of creating your own products and services. Innovations like 3D printing, solar panels, self-diagnosis devices and online shopping are leading to home manufacturing, power generation, reduced healthcare costs and shopping convenience. The middleman is vanishing from economic transactions, and even the physical store is becoming archaic as cities have trouble filling empty retail spaces because of online shopping. Concepts like the Internet of Things, Industry 4.0, Virtualisation, The Maker Movement and Peer-to-Peer economics have sent ripples through society, especially for those working in logistics and SCM, who will be essential in the coming years as product delivery and logistical processes become more competitive.

Supply Chain Management covers all aspects of maintaining a supply chain in the competitive global economy, from new product development to the management and planning of international supply chains to cooperation with suppliers and distributors. Moving products from development to distribution is a complex, international process, and it often means the difference between a company's success and failure. The Supply Chain Management programme devotes a great deal of time to value creation, not only with the optimisation of purchasing, logistics and marketing processes, but also when it comes to strategic cooperation with suppliers, distributors and customers. The end goal is to deliver on the promises made to consumers and to meet their demands.

The Supply Chain Management specialisation is taught in Maastricht amid the other specialisations of the International Business programme, so you will benefit from the interaction between the various business disciplines.

Student profile

Overseeing supply chains is all about changing focus: being able to zoom in to particular links on the chain while simultaneously overseeing the entire process. Supply chains are the means by which products and services are ultimately transported to customers. It entails purchasing, logistics, operations management and supply chain management. You should have good interpersonal and communication skills and be customer-oriented, able to talk with a wide range of people in various positions. Managing and improving supply chains requires the ability to look at problems analytically and creatively, so a flexible and open-minded attitude is essential.

SBE MA Tapijn

World-class education

It's never business as usual at Maastricht University. Not only do our academic programmes incorporate the latest developments in each field, but we also focus on research and innovation in education itself. One of our three university-wide research themes is Learning & Innovation. With the creation of EdLab and the continuing improvement of our education strategies, you can be confident that not only will you know your chosen discipline inside and out, but you will also have the best learning experience possible.

Small groups = big advantages

Problem-Based Learning

As with most UM programmes, the School of Business and Economics uses Problem-Based Learning (PBL). In small tutorial groups of no more than 15 students, you seek solutions to ‘problems’ taken from real-world situations. Instructors only give help as needed, allowing you to develop independence and problem-solving skills useful to your career. This dynamic, collaborative system has one of the highest knowledge retention rates of any teaching method.

Maastricht University students on Problem-Based Learning

Amazing education opportunities @ SBE

Excellence programmes

To help students to excel, we developed the following excellence programmes:

  • International Triangle Programme
  • Dual Degree Programmes
  • Global Innovation Challenge
  • MARBLE Programme
  • PREMIUM Honours Programme
Learn more about our excellence programmes

Internships Office & TIP

The Internship Office has an extensive database of internship opportunities and is on hand for guidance and counselling. Students also have the option of combining their thesis and internship. During the Thesis-Internship Programme (TIP), your thesis will be written on a topic relevant to a company or organisation during a part-time internship. 

More about internships

Career development & Maastricht Business Days

We believe that partnerships, networking and Problem-Based Learning are crucial to connect our students to the business world. Together with our partners and alumni, we organise events to support students in their development and expand their networks. 

  • Career and Development Days
  • Maastricht Business Days

International experience

Maastricht University is among the top 15 most international universities in the world. We encourage our students to see themselves as world citizens, and our educational programmes encourage study abroad, multilingualism, cultural exchange and sensitivity, and international career goals.

SBE-CLASSROOM

The International Classroom

UM embraces the International Classroom, an environment where our differences become our strengths. From day one, you’ll be challenged with differing viewpoints and experiences as you interact with staff and students from all over the world. This kind of interaction brings you closer to the programme’s goal of teaching you not only facts and concepts but also international accessibility and understanding. SBE is one of the most international faculties at Maastricht University, with over 60% of students and 55% of the academic staff coming from abroad, representing roughly 60 different nationalities.

Study abroad and get to know new people

MA exchange

Students from every one-year, full-time SBE master’s programme can apply for a master’s exchange semester. However, a master's exchange is only possible if you have 100% study progress. Students who will be doing their exchange in a third, extended, semester will take priority over students who will run into more of a study delay. Competition for exchange positions is high, and applying for a semester abroad does not guarantee a spot or that you will be allocated to your preferred choice. SBE will consider your study progress, motivation, academic achievements and curriculum vitae in the selection process.

  • For more information, please contact the International Relations Office.
  • If you are already an SBE student, you can find more information in the student portal.
Triple Crown Accreditation School of Business and Economics Maastricht University

Take your degree anywhere!

The SBE has the ‘Triple Crown’ of accreditations: from the American AASCB, the British AMBA and the European-wide EQUIS. This means your degree is recognised in many places throughout the world: perfect for an international career or postgraduate studies abroad.

One master, TWO degrees! - Double Degree programme

The Dual Degree programme at the School of Business and Economics lets you study at two universities and earn two master’s degrees.

You can participate at the beginning of the academic year in September, completing part of your master's programme at an institution abroad and part at SBE. After completing all the requirements of both master's programmes, you will be awarded a degree from each university. Almost all Dual Degree programmes can be completed with little or no delay in your studies and with minimal extra fees. The Dual Degree programme has carefully selected partner universities that are high-profile, research-oriented and preferably accredited by both EQUIS and AACSB.

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Dual degree

Learn more about all of our Dual Degree programmes

Global Innovation Challenge

The Global Innovation Challenge (GIB) offers MSc. International Business students a new opportunity to study in an international environment and gain practical experience with companies. The School of Business and Economics offers this excellence programme as a project-based course in which international master students work as external consultants on a business challenge of a given company or business unit that requires innovation and transformational approach. Thie Global Innovation Challenge is a part of the IBS network and aims to enhance students' innovation and creativity skills, knowledge in transformation, change management and creating business solutions with global impact

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Global Innovation Challenge

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