Hbo pre-Master’s programs Tilburg School of Economics and Management (TiSEM)
The hbo pre-Master’s programs of Tilburg School of Economics and Management (TiSEM) offer the connection between economics, business, and management-related Bachelor’s programs of Dutch Universities of Applied Sciences (hbo) and our academic Master’s programs.
The TiSEM pre-Master's for hbo graduates in brief
- The pre-Master's program for hbo graduates builds on the practically-oriented knowledge you acquired during your Bachelor's by enhancing your theoretical knowledge as well as your capacity for conceptual thinking.
- There are two options* to choose from:
- Fast track: a half-year pre-Master's program. The Fast track always begins in September and runs until January.
- Regular track: a one-year pre-Master's program. You can start the Regular track in either September or February.
- Each variant includes 30 credits, and the course content is identical. The admission requirements are also the same for both variants. You choose between the Fast track and the Regular track in advance.
- For both variants, it is necessary to complete them within the specified time frame: half a year for the Fast track and a whole year for the Regular track. If you do not meet this requirement, you will not be allowed to enroll in the same pre-Master's program or any other TiSEM hbo pre-Master's program.
- During the pre-Master's program it is not possible to switch from one variant to another.
- The language of instruction for the hbo pre-Master’s program is English, except Tax Economics (Fiscale Economie).
After a successful fulfillment of the pre-Master's program, you are eligible for admission to the connecting Master's program in February or September (except for MSc Finance which always starts in September).
* Please note that the pre-Master's program Fiscale Economie only has a fast track and always starts in September.
Which Master’s offer a pre-Master’s program for hbo graduates?
The following academic Master’s program offer a pre-Master’s program:
* The content of the Marketing Management and Marketing Analytics pre-Master’s programs is the same. Due to differences in content in the Master's programs, there are variations in which Dutch hbo Bachelor's programs are eligible. Therefore, look carefully at the list of eligible hbo Bachelor's programs for each Master's program.
Which hbo-programs offer admission?
Admission is only possible on the basis of a completed 4-year hbo Bachelor’s degree at a Dutch Universities of Applied Sciences with a minimum of 240 credits.
- Whether you are admissible to a pre-Master’s program depends on your hbo program. View the list of hbo programs that offer admission to pre-master programs at Tilburg School of Economics and Management.
- The application procedure is listed on the 'Application and admission' page of the relevant Master’s program.
- If your program is indicated as 'inadmissible', unfortunately for you, no exceptions are possible.
- Are you interested in International Management? This (pre)master will be more widely accessible under certain conditions. Check the admission options applicable to you on the International Management application page.
The pre-Master’s program as a minor during your hbo program
Tilburg School of Economics and Management has a partnership with several institutions at program level about the pre-Master as a minor*. After successfully finishing the minor, you can start the master directly after graduation.
To take part in the pre-Master's program as a minor during your hbo program, you must at least meet the entrance requirements:
- Your program must connect to the (pre-)Master’s program. See the admission chart for this.
- A weighted grade point average (GPA) of at least a 7 over the two years preceding the minor year. These are years 1 and 2 or years 2 and 3, depending on your minor year.
Do you meet this requirement and would you like to pursue a minor in one of the pre-Master's programs? Please contact your study advisor / Slb-er / Coach at the university. They have an overview of participating colleges and take care of the internal communication and selection of students. Only they can register you at Tilburg University.
*If no agreements have been made between your program and Tilburg University, following the pre-master as a minor is unfortunately not yet possible. To possibly enter into an agreement, your study or university will have to contact us via tisem-pm-hbo@tilburguniversity.edu
Interested in International Management? Then you may need a GMAT score!
Are you interested in the (pre-)Master’s program in International Management? Then you may be required to take a GMAT test, which requires a minimum score of 565. More information about the content of the GMAT test can be found in the FAQ below.
The GMAT test is required for: students with an hbo program that doesn't offer direct access to International Management, marked as "GMAT" in the overview below.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I sign up?
Follow the following steps to sign up:
1. Check your eligibility in the admissions chart.
2. Register for the pre-Master’s program in question in Studielink.
Within a few weeks you will receive a provisional (conditional) admission at the e-mail address you provided with information about the documents to be delivered and the procedure to be followed.
Why doesn't my hbo program give admission to my desired pre-Master’s program?
Your hbo education unfortunately does not provide a good basis for that (pre-) Master. The admissions committee has ruled that the gap between your program and the master's is too large to bridge that with a pre-Master’s program. However, you are welcome to apply for a pre-master marked as "eligible."
Why can anyone follow the pre-Master‘s program International Management. Is that program easier?
International Management has a somewhat more generic character than the other - more specialized - master's programs. This does not detract from the quality, but it does make it more accessible to students with little (business) economics background. In order to offer students with different backgrounds the opportunity to acquire management theory and skills at an academic level, but at the same time guarantee the quality of the (pre-)Master’s program, in certain cases we ask for a GMAT test with a score of at least 565. Please refer to the list of admissible bachelor programs or the application page of the Master’s program International Management.
What exactly does the GMAT for International Management mean?
The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a computer test used by universities and business schools to select students for (pre-)Master and MBA programs. It gives universities an objective insight into a student's capabilities. More information on preparation, registration and test locations.
I have already done an academic pre-Master elsewhere. Can I use this to directly enter your Master’s program?
In case you have already done an academic pre-Master’s program somewhere else, you are welcome to have your background checked for the possibility of direct entry. You do this by choosing the Academic Bachelor's degree form under "Submit an online application for admission" on the application and admission page. The admissions committee will then determine whether you still need to do a pre-Master (possibly with some exemptions), or can directly enter the Master's program. Note: your hbo degree must be on the list of admissible hbo programs. A pre-Master’s degree already taken does not change this.
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