Testimonials

The programme taught me to question things

"After my Bachelor’s in Industrial Engineering and seven years working in sales, marketing, and business development, I wanted to understand the bigger picture: how businesses are built, financed, scaled, and how decisions are actually made. When I was looking looking for a Master's programme, I wanted something that would challenge me beyond the things I could simply learn from YouTube. 

That is what I found in this programme. One day you are discussing a startup’s value proposition, and the next you are thinking about econometrics, finance, sustainability, or how multinational organisations manage stakeholders. I especially appreciated that money was not treated as an afterthought. Learning about finance, bootstrapping, and the economics behind building a company gave me a much more realistic view of entrepreneurship.

Some of these lessons still follow me in my work today. I use what I learned in econometrics when analysing data and reports, while the group projects taught me how to work with different personalities and perspectives.

And perhaps most importantly, the programme taught me to question things. The professors encouraged us to challenge research, assumptions, and even their own opinions. Combined with how accessible they were, it created an environment where learning felt less like memorising answers and more like truly understanding how to think."

Alumnus Mahshad Sharoleslam (Iran)

Countless new doors have opened up to take the next step in my career

"I chose the Business Development and Entrepreneurship course to take the next step in my career. I was hoping to learn more about entrepreneurship, to build a network in Utrecht and redirect my career in a new direction. All of my expectations were exceeded at Utrecht University. 

During the programme, we were led through a series of courses which put entrepreneurship as a central focus point and examined the topic from theoretical, practical and data-driven perspectives. The programme also helped me to find my way to the student startup incubator: Utrecht Inc. Students. At Utrecht Inc. Students, myself and our team tested our business model on the market. 

If you are aiming to further your education, while also looking to learn more about data, entrepreneurship and to take the next step in your career, I would highly recommend the Business Development and Entrepreneurship course at Utrecht University. I have learned more than I could have hoped for. I am now close to signing a contract for an extremely interesting job and have been offered several more positions. Countless new doors have opened up and I can attribute it to the guidance received from those within the Economics faculty at Utrecht University."

Alumnus Robert McDonald (Ireland)