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Education Master's and PhD degree programmes DDM International Business and Finance
Header image DDM International Business and Finance

DDM International Business and Finance

Are you interested in an international career in or involving China? Study in Groningen and Shanghai and gain first-hand knowledge and experience of China and its economy, language, and culture.

If you wish to embark on a career as a global economist or business consultant, you will need to have knowledge of the economic and monetary policies and political economics of leading nations and to be able to identify trends in the world economy. The double degree master’s programme with Fudan University equips you with this essential knowledge, focusing on both the world economy and the Chinese market.

This double degree master’s programme is structured in two parts. During year one, you will study one of the one-year Master's degrees at the Faculty of Economics and Business, in Groningen. Year two is spent at the School of Economics at Fudan University in Shanghai where two tracks are offered:

  • International Business (specialized in Chinese Economy) : you can study themes relating to the economic and business strategies, theories, and practices of China.
  • Finance: you can study themes related to finance and China.

The core content of both tracks reflects the increasing globalization and evolution taking place within organizations and in the field of global economics and finance. You can also attend a major international series of cutting-edge business and finance lectures. This is a unique opportunity to gain a global perspective on world economics or finance and graduate with two internationally recognized Master's degrees.

Facts & Figures
Degree
MA/MSc in Economic Development and Globalization, MA/MSc in Economic Development and Globalization
Course type
Double Degree master
Duration
24 months (120 ECTS)
Croho code
60963, 60046
Language of instruction
English
Start
September
Faculty
Economics and Business
Why study this programme in Groningen?
  • For those aspiring to an international business, finance, or economics career in or involving China or Southeast Asia, this double degree offers a unique opportunity to study on 2 continents and gain 2 recognized Master's degrees from 2 world-class universities.
  • During your studies, you learn to identify and analyze trends in the world economy and gain insight into the consequences of globalization for multinationals.
  • The programme has been internationally accredited by both the AACSB and EQUIS, ensuring a high-quality education, which only 1% of universities reach worldwide.
Programme

In year one, you study one of the one-year (60 EC) MSc programmes at the Faculty of Economics and Business in Groningen.

You can prepare for year two by taking extra-curricular courses in Basic Chinese (HSK Mandarin I and II) and participating in extra-curricular Sino-Dutch activities organized in Groningen by the Groningen Confucius Institute (https://www.confuciusgroningen.nl/en/courses). However, knowledge of the Chinese language is not required for admission to the 2nd year of study at Fudan University.

CoursesCourse Catalog >
Study at the University of Groningen (60 EC)

You study at Fudan University (a member of the C9 league, an alliance of nine most prestigious Chinese universities) in one of the two tracks: International Business and Finance. Your study will be based at the School of Economics, with a curriculum focused on a wide range of themes relating to the Chinese economy, its role in Southeast Asia and the global economy, the Chinese economic system and business environment, international trade, finance, public administration, and law. The programme also covers Chinese language courses (up to the intermediate level), field trips, cultural activities, and a three-month part-time internship.

You will write an economics or finance Master's thesis which can build on your Groningen thesis but should relate to the Chinese economy. After finishing the 2-year programme, you will gain:

  • knowledge and expertise in the ways individual, group and organizational factors influence organizational performance, problem-solving, and strategic decision-making;
  • insight into the consequences of globalization for multinational enterprises and the socio-economic and institutional differences between countries, in particular differences between countries in Europe, China and Southeast Asia;
  • the ability to apply the tools of modern economic analysis to issues of economic policy;
  • analytical and business skills in an international context;
  • the capacity to critically evaluate different approaches to development analysis and policy;
  • comprehensive knowledge of the economy, finance, business, law, culture and policies of China.


Upon successful completion of the programme, you will graduate with two nationally and internationally recognized Master's degrees from two outstanding, research-driven institutions in the PR of China and The Netherlands. In addition, you will experience international student life in two different cultures with sufficient time spent in each environment to obtain a thorough understanding of both cultures.

CoursesCourse Catalog >
Study at Fudan University, Shanghai (60 EC)

Curriculum

Check all courses for the Master's programmes at the Faculty of Economics and Business and the courses for Fudan University:

  • MSc Accountancy and Controlling, https://ocasys.rug.nl/current/catalog/programme/60643
  • MSc Business Administration, https://www.rug.nl/feb/mscba
  • MSc Econometrics, Operations Research and Actuarial Studies, https://ocasys.rug.nl/current/catalog/programme/60646
  • MSc Economics, https://ocasys.rug.nl/current/catalog/programme/66401
  • MSc Economic Development and Globalization, https://ocasys.rug.nl/current/catalog/programme/60963
  • MSc Finance, https://ocasys.rug.nl/current/catalog/programme/60046
  • MSc Human Resource Management, https://ocasys.rug.nl/current/catalog/programme/60645
  • MSc International Business and Management,https://ocasys.rug.nl/current/catalog/programme/60649
  • MSc International Financial Management, https://ocasys.rug.nl/current/catalog/programme/60683
  • MSc Marketing, https://ocasys.rug.nl/current/catalog/programme/60048
  • MSc Supply Chain Management, https://ocasys.rug.nl/current/catalog/programme/60093
  • MSc Technology and Operations Management, https://ocasys.rug.nl/current/catalog/programme/66277
  • Fudan: http://www.econ.fudan.edu.cn/ema/

Study abroad

  • Study abroad is required
  • Maximum of 60 EC

Our double degree partner is Fudan University in Shanghai, China http://www.econ.fudan.edu.cn/ema/

Entry requirements

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

To be eligible for admission to this Master, you need to hold an academic Bachelor's or Master's degree from a research university in one of the following - or closely related - fields: Business Economics, Econometrics and Operations Research, Economics and Business Economics, International Business, Technology Management.

To assess whether your educational/academic background meets the specific programme requirements, we will consider the level and curriculum of your previous studies, and the grades that you have obtained.

For more information, see: https://www.rug.nl/feb/apply-msc

If you have any questions concerning admission, please contact our Admissions Office: https://www.rug.nl/admissions

Due to Chinese government rules, we are not allowed to accept students of Chinese nationality.

Registration procedure

You can directly apply for any interested master's programme at the Faculty of Economics and Business. The application for the second-year study at Fudan University is separate and opens in December each year. Details regarding the application and admission process will be provided in October. Please note that final admission to the second-year study at Fudan is conditional on successful completion of the first-year study at FEB.

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students01 May 202501 September 2025
EU/EEA students01 May 202501 September 2025
non-EU/EEA students01 May 202501 September 2025

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

To be eligible for admission to this Master, you need to hold an academic Bachelor's or Master's degree from a research university in one of the following - or closely related - fields: Business Economics, Econometrics and Operations Research, Economics and Business Economics, International Business,Technology Management.

To assess whether your educational/academic background meets the specific programme requirements, we will consider the level and curriculum of your previous studies, and the grades that you have obtained.

For more information, see: https://www.rug.nl/feb/apply-msc

If you have any questions concerning admission, please contact our Admissions Office: https://www.rug.nl/admissions

Due to Chinese government rules, we are not allowed to accept students of Chinese nationality.

certified competences

A GMAT/GRE test is required from all candidates who obtained their bachelor's degree from a university in a non-EU/EEA country. For specific scores and exemptions, please see https://www.rug.nl/feb/gmat-gre.

language test

IELTS Academic overall score 6.5 (Speaking 6, Writing 6.5); TOEFL internet-based overall score 90 (Speaking 20, Writing 24); Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency (overall score 176, Speaking 169, Writing 176).

Registration procedure

You can directly apply for any interested master's programme at the Faculty of Economics and Business. The application for the second-year study at Fudan University is separate and opens in December each year. Details regarding the application and admission process will be provided in October. Please note that final admission to the second-year study at Fudan is conditional on successful completion of the first-year study at FEB.

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students01 May 202501 September 2025
EU/EEA students01 May 202501 September 2025
non-EU/EEA students01 May 202501 September 2025
Tuition fees
NationalityYearFeeProgramme form
EU/EEA2024-2025€ 2530full-time
non-EU/EEA2024-2025€ 20800full-time
EU/EEA2025-2026€ 2601full-time
non-EU/EEA2025-2026€ 21400full-time

The tuition fees above are for the one year studying in Groningen. For the tuition fees in the second year and information on scholarships, please visit the webpage of Fudan University.

Practical information for:

After your studies

Job prospects

This double degree programme has been designed for individuals who aspire to a career in national, international, multinational or transnational institutions and enterprises such as:

  • international economist and strategy expert in a multinational corporation or financial institution;

  • staff member, with an (inter)national governmental organization such as IMF, World Bank, OECD, WTO, ECB, ODI or the EU;

  • professional economist on development, Chinese and East Asian transition economic issues in international agencies, governments or the private sector;

  • economic consultant with an (inter)national governmental organization;

  • business consultant with an internationally operating consultancy firm;

  • academic researcher at a university or research institute.

As a graduate, your degrees will be highly valued in the labor market. The Faculty of Economics and Business is internationally accredited and belongs to the 1% of business schools around the world accredited by both EQUIS and AACSB. Fudan University ranked 39th according to the 2025 QS World University Rankings. Its Economics and Econometrics subject ranked 45th and Accounting and Finance subject ranked 51st globally.

Research

Linking education to research and career preparation

Our research-driven education is strongly rooted in business practices and society. Our teaching approach centers on interdisciplinary research. In collaboration with external partners, students and professors work on projects addressing pressing societal issues, including:

  • healthy society and the economics of healthcare systems

  • digitalization and the impact of AI on business and societies

  • leadership, governance, pathways to future prosperity and sustainability

  • climate change and the transition to renewable energy.

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Study associations

EBF

The Economics and Business Faculty association (EBF) is the faculty association for all students studying at the faculty of Economics and Business of the University of Groningen.
The EBF is your partner during your time in Groningen by organising events that support you with your studies and help you prepare for your future career.
https://www.ebfgroningen.nl/

Master Community - IBM

Make the most of your master by getting to know your fellow students and prepare for your future career.
https://www.ebfgroningen.nl/committees
Read more
Study support

Studying means working independently and planning your studies yourself. But successful studying depends on many different factors, so it is understandable that you may need to consult an impartial expert to discuss your study progress and personal circumstances that influence your studies. The faculty's study advisors are available to help you. Obviously, everything discussed with the study advisor remains confidential.