International Financial Management and Control - English - 4 years - Full-time
During IFMC you’ll break the stereotype of 'boring accountant’. You’ll see finance from both entrepreneurial and socially responsible perspectives and learn all about management and marketing. But the main focus will be on financial and cost accounting, using economic data to make a difference.
In year 1, you’ll get a solid foundation in finance with organisational costs and business administration. In individual and group projects, you’ll set up investment plans for regional, national and international companies.
In your second year, you’ll hit the ground running, solving business issues during hands-on group projects. You’ll also be able to choose a few elective courses.
In year three, you’ll start your journey as a finance professional in an SME, government institution or multinational organisation, right here in the Netherlands, or anywhere in the world.
In your final year, you can choose to go on an exchange at one of our global partner universities, or take our pre-master minor which preps you for the Masters in Accounting and Control at Erasmus University, Rotterdam (and saves you a year in the process!). Finally, you’ll do a second internship researching current business issues at your chosen company.
Structure of International Financial Management and Control - English - 4 years - Full-time
Lectures
20hours per week
Self-study
20hours per week
Projects
10hours per week
Study credits
60in year one
Year 1
The first year is the introductory (propadeutic) year
In your first year you’ll find out why finance is the beating heart of a business. You’ll learn about the financial and non-financial impact of company operations and understand the crucial role of a financial controller. Looking at the numbers, you’ll be able to improve a company’s performance.
Each term has a project, which explores the main theme of that term. You’ll navigate your way through the programme working in groups with people from all over the world. As well as doing lots of calculations, you’ll also gain a knowledge of marketing, Microsoft Excel and Power BI. You’ll improve your business communication and research skills and get a basic understanding of statistics, management and organisations.
Timetable
Year 2
Delve deeper
In the second year, you’ll take a wider look at an organisation, analysing numbers and learning how to turn advice into profits. You’ll work in project groups and use IT tools, such as Excel and SAP, to get a better understanding of a company. It’s not just about cash. You’ll discover how a company can impact the social environment and break cultural barriers.
It’s not all study. There are opportunities to grow as an individual. You can choose minors, or become a first year buddy, tutor or student assistant. You can join the PR team that promotes our programme, student support teams that organise activities and focus groups that evaluate and improve our curriculum. We encourage you to do something extra and bond with your peers outside the class room.
Year 3
Specialisation and exchange
The third year kicks off with a 15-week internship, which you can do right here in the Netherlands, to broaden your local network, or anywhere in the world. You’ll get the chance to apply all the things you have learnt during the first two years.
Our IFMC students make a real difference at our partnering internship organisations. IDEXX, a US company responsible for the health and well-being of people, pets and livestock, gives our IFMC students glowing references: "The students from the IFMC programme at The Hague University of Applied Sciences that have interned with IDEXX have shown excellent attitudes and capabilities. Being eager to both learn and contribute, they bring a contagious positive energy to the team. It’s enjoyable to watch them grow in skills and confidence as their time with us progresses. We’re very happy with our experience with them."
In the second semester, you’ll explore Strategic Management and Risk Management in depth with interactive group projects and related courses.
Year 4
Internship and graduation
In your final year, you can go for another enriching international experience by going on an exchange at one of our international partner universities, or take our pre-masters minor which will prepare you for the Masters in Accounting and Control at Erasmus University, Rotterdam. We also offer specialised minors in Risk Management, Controlling, Blockchain and Circular Business.
You’ll finish off with a second internship researching current business issues at a company of your choice. You could follow in the footsteps of Deniss Korotkovics, one of our first IFMC graduates. He researched how to improve the cash flow at Nutricia, a subsidiary of the Danone Group. His recommendations are still having a positive impact on the financial results of Danone.
Your lecturers
Erik Van Den Ham
Erik Van Den Ham studied Business Administration for the Financial Sector at Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam. He then worked as an IT and business consultant in the retail industry, applying IT solutions to improve financial and business processes.
In 2015, Van Den Ham joined the IFMC programme as a lecturer and researcher. He teaches Excel, Operations Management and other courses with a strong IT component. His research focuses on the future of the finance function where IT has a dominant role.
One of the main tasks of a business controller is making data-driven decisions. Van Den Ham developed the minor Data Science for Business Improvement to teach students how to manipulate and analyse data to make better business decisions.
Van Den Ham considers the move from the commercial sector to IFMC as the best decision in his life. He very much enjoys the creativity and interaction with IFMC students.
Feel free to contact him if you are interested in acquiring the IT skills needed to advance your career.Rob Dorpmans
Rob Dorpmans studied Business Administration at Nyenrode Business University in Holland and has an MSc in Strategic Marketing from London School of Business and Finance. He started teaching at THUAS in 2009 after a 20-year career in management functions at various international IT companies. He also ran his own small business in consumer electronics for five years.
Dorpmans co-developed the IFMC three and four year programmes and has taught Business Environment, Strategic Management and Sustainability since the start. He enthusiastically shares his business experience with students on his courses and during various hands-on projects based on real-life company case studies.
Cristiano Giordano
Cristiano Giordano is originally from Rome, where he gained his Bachelors in International Economics. He moved to the Netherlands in 2017 to study a Masters in Policy Economics at Erasmus University, Rotterdam and wrote his thesis on populism and income inequality in Europe, from 2000 to 2018.
During his student career, Giordano worked as a researcher for the International Research Project in Zambia, analysing the impact of foreign direct investment (FDI) on environment, social and political conditions in the field. He also conducted research on corporate governance for six months during his internship as an analyst at Dutch Development Bank.
In February 2020, Giordano was appointed senior lecturer in Research Skills, Corporate Finance and Advanced Finance on the IFMC programme. He enjoys being able to share his knowledge and connect what is taught in class with current worldwide economic, financial and social phenomena. He also dedicates his time to macroeconomic and social research.
Prof. dr. Theo Bosma
In 2010, he joined Megatrend University, Vienna (now known as University John Naisbitt) as a professor, where he received the title Professor Honoris Causa for his exceptional contribution.
In autumn 2014, Prof. Bosma and his family moved back to his native Holland and joined THUAS as a senior lecturer. He predominantly teaches research, management and subjects related to information systems and financial applications. He also mentors graduation year IFMC students through their practical research and bachelor thesis writing. Since 2019, Prof. Bosma has been chief internationalisation officer for IFMC, responsible for developing the international agenda and implementing strategic partnerships with global universities.
Godelieve Alkemade
As a lecturer, Ms. Alkemade adopts a pragmatic and proactive approach. At THUAS she teaches international law, ethics and compliance, data privacy and IT risk management. During IFMC lectures she focuses on what is most important for finance students and encourages discussions on relevant topics. In her lectures, you’ll experience working in an international and multicultural English-speaking business environment with your fellow students.
Robert Adriani
Adriani joined the IFMC programme at THUAS a number of years ago and describes his job as the most satisfying to date. He teaches Business Information Systems, Business Intelligence, Business Processes, Business Statistics, Professional Skills and a few other subjects.
As a native English speaker, he is able to help his students achieve a very high level of fluency in (business) English. He challenges his students, while creating a relaxed classroom environment.
Rachel Dede
Ms. Dede has been working for the IFMC department since 2019. As well as teaching, she works with students on their internship process and post-graduation plans and mentors first year students. She enjoys the fact that every day is exciting and everyone is positive in the IFMC department.
Egbert Willekes
Casper Verschoor
Over the years, Mr. Verschoor has taught a wide range of business communication courses and has carried out many other activities, such as organising introduction weeks and managing the first IFMC International Week 2020.
Since April 2019, Mr. Verschoor has been the programme coordinator for IFMC and is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the course. So, if you have any questions about IFMC, don’t hesitate to get in touch with him. IFMC is relatively small-scale and he really enjoys the social interaction with both students and colleagues. It makes him proud to see students develop during their time on the programme and the international environment really appeals to him.
IrƩnee Dondjio
Dondjio has published Mathematics for Finance, Business and Economics with Wouter Krasser (2012), Managing Your Business with Robert Haafst (2017), various articles (see LinkedIn publications) and is currently writing Doing Business, due in 2025.
He was awarded the accolade of ‘lecturer of the year’ by the IBMS department in 2016.
Marcel Veloo
Testimonials
On the professional environment
Daan Klein Schiphorst
āWhat really stands out for me, is the level of professionalism in this programme. Fellow students are very motivated and we really strive to bring out the best in ourselves and each other. During my first internship, I was in a suit every day, had quite a lot of responsibilities and worked with highly educated people. Everyone has been so willing to help, both at the internship company, but also in school. Everybody knows each other and the atmosphere is very sociable and friendly.ā
On the variety in internships
Arnoud van der Ark
āAt IFMC you have the opportunity to try many aspects of business life. My first internship was at Microsoft. Here I learned what corporate life is like, how to work in teams and of course about the IT sector. For my second internship, I deliberately chose a very small company, so that I could feel the difference. Iām now at a consultancy company for mergers and acquisitions. Coincidentally, they aim for clients in the IT sector, so my experience at Microsoft helps a lot.ā
Minors
Shape your degree
In the first semester of year four, you can choose a minor at THUAS - or another international university - and get a head start as a financial controller.
Our minor in Risk Management equips you with tools to help an organisation meet its long term goals with minimal risks. You’ll learn why some businesses have failed in the past and how to prevent this from happening.
Or, you might want to choose our Controlling minor and find out how management oversees an organisation. You’ll be able to help managers implement the right strategy to keep them on track.
We also offer two brand new minors which support the foundations of the IFMC programme - technical innovation and multiple value creation. Our popular Blockchain minor will give you invaluable knowledge about this revolutionary technology and how to use it. You’ll learn that there’s much more in the world than making money in the Circular Business minor, which prepares you to become a groundbreaking finance professional, aware of your surroundings.
The pre-master minor we offer in cooperation with Erasmus University, Rotterdam, gives you the opportunity to get a masters degree in one year. Take specialist courses in Statistics, Mathematics and Finance and skip the pre-master at Erasmus to go straight to their Masters in Accounting, Auditing and Control.
Working methods
Lectures, seminars, study visits, self-study, group activities and project work
Each term we invite specialists from the business world to be guest lecturers. Recently, we organised a forum on Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility where professionals from renowned companies, like C&A, Shell and Signify, shared their knowledge. We like to get things done and that’s what makes IFMC stand out from an academic university. For example, year one will make you an Excel wizard with an Advanced Microsoft Office diploma. Hands-on learning in new technologies will give you a head start and could land you that dream job.
News and Events
Contact the programme
If you have any further questions about admission requirements, enrollment or about following the IFMC programme, please make use of our contact form.
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Contact a current student
Yogesh Hingorani
My name is Yogesh Hingorani (20) from St Maarten and I am in the final year of the 4-year IFMC programme (2019-2020). If you have any questions relating to The Hague University, for example: what is the atmosphere in the school, or questions regarding the study, for example: how are the lessons carried out, or even about The Hague in general, then don't hesitate to send an email in the form below and you will receive an answer by me personally as soon as possible.
Ask Yogesh a questionJari Hazenoot
Hello, my name is Jari Hazenoot, I'm 22 years old and I'm studying IFMC at the Hague University of applied sciences. Currently I'm in my 4th year. This whole program has been a great experience already from the start. I recommend IFMC to everyone who likes finance and is open for new international experiences. If you have any questions about the program? Send me a message!
Ask Jari a questionAssistance during your studies
Study coaching and advice
We assume your time at IFMC will run smoothly. However, we do offer personal assistance if you are experiencing any problems. You’ll be allocated a mentor who can help you keep track of your progress. They can help you improve your time management skills, or find the right people within the programme to answer more complicated questions. They’ll also support you if you have any personal problems that can impact your study.
Collect ECTS
Binding Study Advice (BSA)
To continue your degree programme after the first year, you need to earn 50 of the 60 credits (EC or Credits). In some cases, the degree programme may also require that you pass a specific subject as European art of the credit requirements. We call this a qualitative requirement. If you meet the credit requirements as well as the qualitative requirement where applicable, you will receive a positive binding study advice (BSA) from the Examination Board at the end of your first year and you will be able to continue your degree programme.
If you earn less than 50 credits or don’t meet the qualitative requirements where applicable, you will receive a negative binding study advice and will have to leave the degree programme. This is why this advice is called a Negative Binding Study Advice (NBSA).
Your academic progress may be affected by personal circumstances such as illness or the professional practice of a sport. It is important that you inform the Examination Board immediately of any personal circumstances that might apply to you. The Board can take these into account when issuing its study advice.
Read all the rules for the binding study advice in Chapter 7 of the Education and Examination Rules and Regulations (OER) for your degree programme.