The relevance of the minor

The minor programme International Sustainable Finance and Management is designed to prepare students for the requirements of financial and other positions in companies and organizations, according to the latest developments

in the business practice: Sustainable Finance and Financing decisions; Sustainable Investment decisions; Management control challenges related to sustainability; Sustainable Reporting and Valuation.

The scandals early this millennium and the financial crisis, forced the financial regulatory institutions to impose stricter rules and regulations on many industries, i.e. financial industry. Also companies to improve internal and external reporting as well as control and risk procedures in order to prevent another significant crisis.

Especially the last years businesses are faced with additional requirements and needs to change their business models. These additional drivers of changes refer to sustainability and circularity. But what is the impact of those on the finance and performance of businesses.

Practitioners, as well as suppliers of high quality education, like Instead, have indicated that companies experience a lack of in-depth finance and management knowledge and ability to apply related innovative trends with qualified business students.

Finance on an international level

Next to this professional problem the minor will also focus on the international component as most of businesses are nowadays in one or the other way exposed to the effects of internationalization, globalization and the need to become sustainable. In order to deal with these identified professional problems the minor International Sustainable Finance & Management will equip students with in-depth knowledge on topics like international sustainable (corporate) finance, valuation and corporate governance, sustainable finance & accounting and management , international auditing, advanced management accounting and management control.

Real-life projects

Further, in the real-life projects, this minor will allow the exploration of innovative business and finance trends and application of knowledge acquired in knowledge modules, and in this way prepare the students for the world of practice.

Project groups are carefully developed every year in cooperation with the Research Center Business Innovation (KBI), companies and organizations to ensure the alignment with the most actual developments (innovative trends) in the business and finance world. Projects allow students to take proactive role in solving real business issues, deepen their knowledge in innovative topics of finance and accounting and stimulate their critical reflection and attitude. In the project groups next to developing their profession related competences (international business awareness, general management and intercultural competences) students are also working on the improvement of their skills related to the application of research methods, communication, co-operation, leadership, planning, comprehensive problem solving, intercultural adaptability, learning and self-development. In this way both profession-related and generic competencies are further developed.

Student comments:

Students from this year (2024- 2025) minor programme:

 Comment from student A:

 “I am very happy that I have chosen to participate in the minor International Sustainable Finance and Management. I have learned a lot about various Finance and Management strategies linked to current sustainability challenges, and it strengthened my wish to pursue a career in this field.

One of my highlights was that we learned a lot about relevant theories and got the possibility to apply the content on hands-on projects with real companies. Moreover, we worked in interdisciplinary and international teams, which was an inspiring experience.

The lecturers, Ms. Knol and Mr. Van Slooten, are experts in the field, sharing in-depth industry knowledge, as well as personal experiences during the interactive and fun lectures.

For everyone interested in the field of finance, management, and sustainability, I can highly recommend joining this program!”

Comment from student B:

“I hope this email finds you well. I want to take a moment to sincerely thank you both for the invaluable knowledge, insights, and wisdom you shared during the Sustainable Finance minor course. I truly enjoyed this minor.

Your passion for the subject and dedication to teaching have truly made an impact on me. I have gained a deeper understanding of sustainable finance, auditing, management accounting and how to apply it in the real world, which I will carry forward in my studies and future career. Your guidance and insightful discussions have been incredibly inspiring, and I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from you.

Once again, thank you for your time, effort, and encouragement throughout the course. I truly appreciate all that you have done to support my learning journey”.

Comment from student C:

“Allereerst wil ik u hartelijk danken voor de inspirerende minor. Uw manier van lesgeven was helder, aangenaam en zeer motiverend, wat het volgen van de minor bijzonder prettig maakte. In tegenstelling tot andere docenten binnen het HR, waardeer ik het dat u niet alleen kritisch bent over de besproken cases, maar ook over de cliënten (Oomen en Breman). Dit vond ik een verfrissende en waardevolle toevoeging aan de minor”.

Students from Past years minor programme:

 Comment from student M.:

“For sure recommend it, super fun minor learning international students and topics of sustainability! And fun

teachers :) “

“For sure can say that it's a very innovative and fun minor!”

Comment from student B.:

“I highly recommend Jako van Slooten's Management Control and Management Accounting class at Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences. As from student n exchange student, I found Jako's engaging teaching style and passion for the subject created a energetic learning atmosphere, making the course both enjoyable and insightful. His collaborative approach ensured a positive and inspiring experience for all students.”

Comment from student D.:

"Since there are a lot of changes going on regarding sustainability, the minor International Sustainable Finance & Accounting prepares you for financial positions within companies & organizations, with a focus on the latest developments regarding sustainability. During the 6 months of the minor I learned a lot about finance, accounting and how sustainability relates to these subject. Now as a financial auditor with new laws & regulations such as the CSRD, I have a starting base of how this impacts my field of work and the economy as a whole. Not only did I learn a

lot during the minor, I also met a lot of new people from all over Europe and had excellent lecturers that made the minor not only a great learning experience, but also a really fun experience."

Comment from student D.:

"The minor International Finance & Accounting at RUAS is a superb study programme that gives great insights into the different facets of the financial environment such as Accounting, Auditing, Corporate Finance and also Sustainable Finance. I appreciated especially the very case-oriented study method and the general practical orientation of the lectures. Furthermore, the lecturers are extremely knowledgeable paired with own experiences in the financial sector. The minor has helped me significantly in my further professional steps and I can definitely recommend this programme to everyone interested in developing more extensive financial knowledge."

Comment from student G.:

“I initially chose the minor in Sustainable Finance & Accounting to delve deeper into the financial aspect that I found lacking in the IB curriculum.

The influence of teachers on student’s interest in a subject cannot be overstated, and this was certainly true in my case. The depth of industry knowledge and passion displayed by Ms. Knol and Mr. Van Slooten not only made the lectures engaging and informative. Their guidance inspired me to continue exploring finance, leading me to pursue a master’s degree at RSM."

Video

Student evaluation: 9.1!

 

Learning outcomes

• At the end of the Minor International Finance and Accounting students should be able to:
• Comprehensively evaluate financial performance of the company and its responsibility centres from different stakeholders’ perspective, applying advanced tools of financial
• Evaluate existing management control systems, including performance measurement, incentive and management compensation systems from the perspective of their ability to support the implementation of company’s strategy and achievement of
• Ability to identify the difference between traditional, circular and sustainable business models and the ability to identify accounting issues in new business
• Ability to make clear what sustainable F&A means from an impact and management point of
• Explain the management of acquiring and analysing relevant information in order to support value creating decisions
• Apply and evaluate the effects of the accounting systems differences on the process of company valuation.
• Apply and analyse concepts and models of traditional corporate finance, alternative finance and sustainable finance to make a contribution to strategic financing decision
• Explore the risks involved in using alternative financing for SME’s
• Illustrate how the auditing process (external control process) contributes to a fair view of the financial statements and to fraud protection
• Create (design and produce) a report providing recommendations for dealing with international sustainable finance and management challenges in the real life cases (company or organizations), by conducting comprehensive, business, strategic, accounting and financial analysis and
• Differentiate, analyse and evaluate performance measurement and management control alternatives (results, action, personnel and cultural controls).
• Illustrate and argue how a management control system contributes to a fair view of the financial statements and to fraud protection
• Explain and apply contingency approach of internal control
• Critically reflect on the process of working in the group and creating a report for the innovative project and come up with the ways for its improvement.

Prerequisites

Students of the University of Applied Sciences Rotterdam, as well as from other universities of applied sciences and exchange students are eligible for this minor. In general terms, students must comply with the IB criteria for admission to the minor programme. As outlined in the Rotterdam University Handbook. It is ideal if the students have completed the basic courses in Finance and accounting in their previous education and have basic understanding of financial statements and main items. However, it is also possible to conduct self - study to gain needed knowledge prior to the start of the Minor, using the literature advised by the lecturers. During the Minor, especially in the first weeks, in the interactive lectures the level of knowledge of students is assessed, and some basic concepts are refreshed in order to bring all the students to the same start level to enable optimal dynamics in the class. Modules regarding research methods and project management are useful for successfully completing the projects.

Students will be informed about literature requirements at the beginning of the minor

Programme and assessment

 

Block 1

 

Course name

 

Contact Time

 

Assessment

 

Corporate Finance and International Risk Management (5)

 

24

 

Written Exam (WR)

 

Sustainable Finance & Accounting and Management (5)

 

24

 

Report (RP)

 

Finance & Accounting and Management Project 1 (5)

 

16

 

Report (RP)

 

Block 2

 

Course name

 

 

Assessment

 

Auditing, Corporate Governance & International Auditing (5)

 

24

 

Written Exam (WR)

 

Management Accounting and Management Control (5)

 

24

 

Written Exam (WR)

 

Auditing & Accounting and Control Project 2 (5)

 

16

 

Report (RP)

Study load and weekly planning:

One day a week offline theoretical lectures are provided for. Students will also spend 2 to 2 ½ days a week at the Kralingse Zoom on project group work, project group meetings with the project coach, preparation for central lectures etc. Overall the study load will be around 25 hours per a week.

Assignments

See the included programme for assessment per module.

In order to support students in their project assignments, guest lectures are offered by experts and practitioners in the field. Weekly coach meetings are organized per project group.

Are you a student from another educational institution and you want to take a minor at Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, you can apply in 2 steps as follows:

1) Register for the minor of your choice via the blue button Enroll. You can find this button at the top right of the minor's page.
Download and fill in the learning agreement
Submit this learning agreement to the Exam Board of your study programme.
Once the Board of Examiners has given its approval, please register for the minor in step 2 no later than 23-05-2025

2) After approval, register in OSIRIS Aanmelding of Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences via the link below (create an account first). https://osiris.hr.nl/osiris_aanmeld_hrprd/WelkomPagina.do?proces=KOM2509&opleiding=MINOR-RBS-VT+00

Part of the registration process is to upload the following documents:
- The learning agreement signed by you and by your institution;
- A scan or photo of your passport or ID card;
You will receive a message from Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences whether your application has been positively assessed or not.

In OSIRIS Aanmelding, you must also upload the Evidence Paid Tuition Fee (BBC) for the academic year in which you want to follow the minor. You can request the BBC from your institution after you have signed or issued an authorization for the payment of the tuition fees for the academic year in which you want to take the minor.

You will receive a message from Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences when your application has been approved.

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