Admission criteria     Application and admission
Language of instruction     English
Duration of programme     1 year; part-time study enrolment possible
Track     of Information Studies
Title     Master of Science (MSc)
CROHO-code     60229 (Information Studies)
Business Information Systems
Why opt for Business Information Systems?

You have an inquisitive mind and enjoy the challenge of information related issues that go to the heart of an organisation for which as yet no solutions exist. You are interested in how people exchange information within organisations and the various ways in which organisations generate and retain knowledge. You‘re eager to learn  how information systems can contribute to these processes and what the limitations are. You want to discover business strategies for ICT enabled innovation and the various related potential bottlenecks and problems involved.

You combine an interest in social sciences (such as Business Studies and Sociology) with an interest in ICT and are prepared to familiarise yourself with social science research methods.
What can Business Information Systems offer you?

Business Information Systems is an interdisciplinary field of study at the cutting edge between Social Sciences, Business Studies and ICT. The main emphasis is on ‘Business and Information’ rather than on ‘Systems’. The Business Information Systems programme offered by the University of Amsterdam is unique in that is has:

a strong emphasis on the ability to solve practical problems by applying social sciences theory;
a learning philosophy centred around knowledge, skills and attitude;
an extensive network of committed (guest) lecturers from the world of business, government and research;
highly motivated fellow students with backgrounds in a broad range of preparatory programmes and diverse work experience.

Your training will primarily focus on the academic professional practice, providing the skills needed to analyse concrete business situations, design complex and innovative systems and understand how these systems affect the organisation.
What our students say

Business Information Systems on a part-time basis

This Master’s programme is also available on a part-time basis. For more details on the part-time version of this Master’s programme, please follow the link below.
Refer to
More information about the part-time programme
Accreditation and degree

Business Information Systems is a track of the Master’s programme in Information Studies. Upon successful completion of the programme, students will receive a legally accredited Master’s degree in Information Studies and the title of Master of Science (MSc).

Information on accreditation and degrees is available via the links below.
Refer to
Information on accreditation and degrees (in Dutch)
Information on accreditation and degrees (Information for international students)
Source: Master Business Information Systems
msc-business-information-systems@uva.nl

Amsterdam Merit Scholarships (AMS)
Scholarships for excellent students

The University of Amsterdam aims to attract the world’s brightest students to its international classrooms. Outstanding students from outside the European Economic Area can apply for an Amsterdam Merit Scholarship.
Refer to
Overview EU and EEA countries
Requirements for eligibility

Candidates wishing to take part in the Amsterdam Merit Scholarship programme must meet the following requirements:

Hold a non-EU/EEA passport and not be eligible for support under the Dutch system of study grants and loans (“Studiefinanciering”; for more information please refer to: www.ib-groep.nl). The scholarship office should be notified as soon as possible of any change in nationality, type of residence permit, and/or possible “Studiefinanciering” support, throughout the academic year.
Be fully admitted to a degree programme at the Universiteit van Amsterdam which is registered at the Central Register of Higher Education Programmes (CROHO; for more information refer to: www.ib-groep.nl).
For more information about general application requirements, please consult the individual programme descriptions at www.uva.nl/isp for study programmes taught in English, or www.uva.nl/application for study programmes taught in Dutch.
Scholarship continuation is not guaranteed when a candidate changes his or her degree programme.
Be admitted to a bachelor’s or master’s programme at the Universiteit van Amsterdam for the first time. AMS will not be awarded to candidates who are admitted for a second bachelor’s or master’s programme at the Universiteit van Amsterdam.
Be able to comply with Dutch visa regulations (follow the link to the IND website below).
Be enrolled at the UvA as full-time student for the academic year and the programme for which the scholarship is awarded.
The candidate should not receive a full coverage scholarship for the same period of study as the AMS scholarship. Notify the scholarships office when another full scholarship such as HSP, Alban, NFP, etc. has been awarded and which scholarship has been chosen to accept.
Scholarship continuation for subsequent year(s) of study depends upon satisfactory study progress. The programme you will be enrolled in, as it depends on the curriculum and rules and regulations of the department, sets the standard for satisfactory progress, the time and manner in which progress will be measured. Please be advised that you are expected to gain approximately 80% of credits in any one year.

The programme you wish to apply for might set extra requirements such as academic and language requirements. Please see the faculty information below for more information.