The MIF programme consists of one year (full-time) of study (two years for part-time students). In the first semester all students follow a largely common curriculum designed to provide a firm foundation in finance. Halfway into the first semester students choose their track of specialisation. They can choose the International Finance track, the Mathematical Finance track, the Law and Finance track or the Real Estate Finance track. Each track has four advanced core courses and four electives (see under course schedule). The electives and advanced core courses would be completed halfway June. June, July and August are available for the internship and thesis. The choice of electives and the scheduling of core courses is an important decision but students will be given guidance by MIF staff and faculty.

Final thesis and internship
The final requirement of the MIF programme is a thesis. Most of our full-time students complete this while serving an internship at a European financial firm. The thesis is usually based on the application of concepts from one of the core areas of the programme to a practical project in the student's work environment. This gives students the opportunity to apply their academic knowledge to a practical situation. It also provides invaluable work experience. A significant number of our students have found employment this way.

Structure of the part-time evening programme
The part-time students study under the same regulations as the full-time students save that their taught courses are spread over two years and most part-time students follow the international finance track. In the first semester students will study corporate finance and financial econometrics; in the second semester they will take four or more courses - either core or elective. In their second year these students will start with investments and international economics in the first semester and complete their programme of electives and core courses in the following semester. The thesis is to be submitted before the end of the following August.
All (advanced) core courses will be taught in the evening (mainly on Monday and Thursday evening). Only for some electives and some of the advanced core courses of the Mathematical Finance track we cannot guarantee that the courses will be taught in the evening.  Classes will take up usually between 5 and 8 hours a week (typically two evenings a week). Class preparation, casework and assignments will demand a further 10-12 hours a week.

Typical applicants will expect to embark on a career in areas where a thorough understanding of the complexities of international business is essential, such as multinationals, international consultancy firms, international financial institutions and banks. We help our students in making a sound career choice through our tailor made career services. Our dedicated career services include a training programme to improve cover letter writing, guidance in preparing professional curriculum vitae, and interviewing techniques.

We will provide assistance in seeking out and securing a suitable summer internship or consultancy project, and in co-ordinating job and internship leads offered by companies and institutions. Regularly we organise company presentations and visits, and have on campus interviews with firms and executive search agencies. Our alumni are very helpful in assisting our students to get leads, interviews and good contacts.

Last but not least, for those of you planning to stay in the Netherlands after graduation, the Dutch government has relaxed work permit regulations for graduates from Dutch universities (regardless of nationality). This means that each graduate of The Amsterdam MBA can stay and work in The Netherlands for up to 5 years after graduation, without needing a work permit. There are a few conditions (minimum salary, kind of company), but these are normally easily met by our students.