The Dutch Research Master F A C U L T Y O F E C O N O M I C S A N D B U S I N E S S A D M I N I S T R A T I O N

Transcription

1 The Dutch Research Master

2 Introduction Jet de Ranitz Master of Arts in French Language and Literature Managing Director of Faculty of Economics and Business Administration Before that Administrative Director of the CentER Research and Graduate School of the same faculty Responsible for accreditation of two research master programs in 2003: MPhil in Economics and MPhil in Business

3

4 Tilburg University Founded in 1927 Six Faculties Campus based 10,000 Students 300 Full Professors Tilburg University campus west-side

5 Faculties Economics and Business Administration Law Social and Behavioural Sciences Arts Philosophy Tjalling C. Koopmans Building (FEB) in wintertime Theology

6 CentER Belongs to European top in Economics and Business, according to independent surveys Accredited research school of the Faculty Founded in 1988, it now covers all fields in economics and business administration One of the best Dutch research schools in social sciences, according to recently held surveys under the authority by the Ministry of Education Graduate or research school: 5-year PhD programs 2-year Research Master programs (MPhil) 3-year Dissertation Phase (PhD)

7 The Dutch System before Bologna Used to consist of a 4 year programme following preparatory education leading to the degree of doctorandus (drs.) or engineer (ir.) For Medicin and Engineering, this programme lasted 5 years The drs. or ir. degree (equivalent to Master level) gave access to PhD studies, which would last 4 years PhD students are employees of the university Since the introduction of research schools in 1992, cursory programmes are offered to PhD students, usually in the first year of a 4-year contract Accreditation research school necessary every 6 years

8 Reform following Bologna summit Official start Bachelor-Master system in 2002 Abolishment of drs. and ir. degrees No more 4/5 + 4 year structure 3 years of study lead to Bachelor degree Next 1 year of study leads to Master degree 2-3 years for a Master in Medicin or Engineering Introduction ECTS system; 1 year = 60 ECTS Reform of second and third cycles Introduction of Top or Research Master concept in 2002 (advice Committee Reneman)

9 The Research Master In Medicin and Engineering all course work preparing for dissertation work was already concentrated in 2 nd cycle Elsewhere course work forms part of 3 rd cycle (usually the first year) Actual dissertation work for arts, humanities and social sciences lasts 3 years By integrating PhD preparatory course work into a two-year programme this would Yield broad as well as pointed preparation Integrate course work into 2 nd cycle across all disciplines

10 Implementation Schools that have a two-year (120 ECTS) research master, may shorten the dissertation phase to three years (optional) This happens most in arts and humanities Only accredited programmes can call themselves research master Open for accreditation by Dutch Flemish Accreditation Organization (NVAO) since 2003 Dicussion over title to be awarded upon graduation Proposal: Master of Philosophy (MPhil)

11 New Dutch Education System Year Old style New style 1 st -3 rd year Drs. Bachelor 4 th year 5 th year Master MPhil 6 th 8 th year PhD PhD

12 Engineering and Medicin Year Old style Engineering Medicin 1 st -3 rd year Drs. or Ir. Bachelor Bachelor 4 th year 5 th year Master Master 6 th year 7 th 9 th year PhD PhD PhD 10 th year

13 How different is this? Formal status of the student changes fundamentally When taking part in course work, one is a student at Master level (MPhil) not yet PhD When taking part in dissertation work, one becomes an employee One year later than was formerly the case Actual PhD programme remains more or less the same and lasts 5 years in total when counted from BSc Still 1-2 years preparatory course work, depending on previous education/experience

14 Schematic set-up PhD programme BSc/BA MSc/MA Old style Course work year 1 Course work year 2 Dissertation work Years 3 4 New style Course work year 1 Course work year 2 Dissertation work Years 3 4 MSc MPhil 5 5 PhD

15 Two MPhil programmes at CentER MPhil in Economics: 120 ECTS in total Econometrics Macroeconomics Microeconomics MPhil in Business : 120 ECTS in total Accounting Finance Marketing Organization Operations Research

16 General set-up Core courses: obligatory (6 ECTS per course) Methodology Economics: courses in all three disciplines Business: set of core courses per track Field courses (electives, 6 ECTS per course) Specialization Offered through networks with other universities (to gain critical mass and broad coverage) Topics courses (currently hot topics, 3 ECTS) 1 st year thesis and final thesis (equal to publishable paper for international journal)

17 Admission Requirements Bachelor in the Arts or Sciences Quantitative background recommended Performance in the top 10% on the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) for Business or the Princeton Graduate Record Exam (GRE) for Economics Written work (e.g. thesis) Two academic references Fluency in English (IELTS test : 6.5 or TOEFL test : 575 / 233)

18 Positive characteristics More coherent education programmes across disciplines within Economics and Business Clear to all students what to expect and what is demanded of them; fixed study load Those who decide not to continue for a PhD are left with an official diploma and title instead of aborted studies Students can start the PhD programme directly following Bachelor studies There is a clear break between course work and dissertation work allowing for stricter selection of those who will get a paid position

19 Less positive experiences Potential students are still used to former system (with paid position as of 2 nd year) and find it hard to adjust Student status during MPhil with limited financial aid is less attractive for some System is not introduced in the same way at all Dutch schools, even within Economics and Business Some competitors still offer 4 year positions and lure away students (competition in money instead of quality) Bachelor students are often too young to know if they want to do a PhD and so fail to opt for the MPhil Side-influx to 2 nd year Mphil, after MSc diploma, often leads to delays (exemptions not always possible)

20 Doubts What will become the dominant system in the Netherlands, and more importantly, Europe? Transatlantic model (PhD students) Continental model (PhD employees) What will the competition do? In the US, but also in the Netherlands and across Europe? Are we attractive enough for competition on the international student market? Will the new Dutch model lead to better dissertations; better placement?

21