Defence Management of Compliance and Innovation master’s degree programme

Reasons to opt for this degree programme

The world order is changing rapidly. Wars, tensions with countries such as Russia and China, and new technologies such as drones and artificial intelligence mean new challenges. A lot is also changing in the military. New systems and partnerships are emerging. The armed forces must therefore be flexible and comply with legislation and regulations.

This master’s degree programme teaches you how to handle those changes. You will learn how organisations that operate in the defence and security domain can accelerate innovation while remaining compliant with legal and ethical frameworks. In other words, you will learn how to strike a balance between innovation and compliance. Perhaps legislation and regulations need to be amended or even redrafted. Experimentation and flexibility are necessary, also if something is not entirely compliant.

This degree programme will equip you to meet current requirements and set a strategic course for the future. You will learn how these two sides of the same coin can reinforce each other, for instance in the context of export control and strategic agility. You will prepare to meet and overcome complex security challenges. Upon graduation, you will be admitted to the degree of Master of Science (MSc).

Content of the master’s degree programme

The programme consists of a collective basic programme (40 EC) and two different tracks (20 EC), namely compliance and innovation. You will learn how to strike a strategic balance between innovation and compliance and how to deal effectively with complex security challenges.

You will learn:

• How to lead in a complex and changing world.
• How to apply legislation, ethics and integrity in your work.
• How to use innovations without breaking the law.
• How to help an organisation adopt new technologies.
• How to set up an internal compliance programme (a plan to ensure that an organisation complies with the rules).

The programme consists of three parts:

1. Collective basic programme (approximately 40 EC)
   • Geopolitics and security
   • International law and ethics
   • Organisation and strategy
   • Research methods
2. A choice of two specialisations, or tracks (approximately 20 EC):
   • Compliance: about rules governing the use of strategic technologies and goods.
   • Innovation: about how to foster fast and smart innovation in an organisation.
3. Practical case and thesis: during the programme, you will work on a practical issue taken from your own working environment (‘bring your own field problem’). You will finish with a thesis, for which you will study a problem and work out solutions.

Structure of the master’s degree programme

The part-time programme lasts for two years. The programme consists of 2 x 3 trimesters and includes courses in method (4 EC), literature review (4 EC) and writing a thesis (10 EC). During the first trimester, the programme may include a collective trip abroad.

The lectures (2 x 3 hours a week) are given on Fridays in Breda. The programme entails a self-study load of approximately 12 hours a week. The first cycle of the programme will start in September 2025. The study guide, which can be requested by email to master.dmci@mindef.nl, provides more information about the structure of the master’s degree programme and the individual modules. 

‘The content of the programme is both interesting and relevant and makes a valuable contribution to my daily work’ (second-year CIIMT student).

Admission requirements

At a minimum, candidates must have completed a university bachelor’s degree programme in a relevant field or equivalent programmes such as the ‘old’ long-model programmes of the Royal Naval College (KIM) and Royal Military Academy (KMA) of the Netherlands.

Candidates must be able to provide proof of English proficiency (a language certificate). More information about the admission requirements is provided in the examination regulations. These regulations can be requested by email to master.dmci@mindef.nl.

‘The master’s degree programme has provided me with knowledge about and insight into the complex world of weapons export control, integrity and compliance’ (second-year CIIMT student).

Please note that appropriate prior education and a language certificate do not guarantee admission to the programme. The programme’s board is responsible for the selection, which consists of a mix of students. A committee considers the background, reasons for wishing to participate and experience of each candidate. If you are not admitted to the programme, you can apply again before the start of the following academic year.

Because we do not know in advance how many candidates will apply for admission in the following academic year and what backgrounds and qualifications they have, we cannot comment on your chances of being admitted in the following academic year or on what you could do to improve your chances of being admitted. The waiting list has no particular order and does not automatically say anything about your chances for the next academic year.

At this time, there is no pre-master’s or special programme (remedial programme) for students who do not yet meet the admission requirements.

Other details to take into account

• When enrolling, you must select one of the two specialisations, or tracks. It is not possible to simultaneously pursue more than one track of study. The specific lectures associated with each track are given at the same times and attendance is compulsory. You can, however, take additional courses from another track a year later.
  Attending the lectures is compulsory. You are only allowed to participate in the exams if you have attended more than 75% of the lectures.
• Lectures are in person and on location only. Added value is achieved through interaction between the lecturer and the students and between the students themselves. Remote studying is currently not possible.

Costs

With the exception of costs associated with the books required, the programme is free of charge for employees of the Netherlands Ministry of Defence and NATO.

For other students, the following rates apply (2025-2026 academic year):

• Without a master’s degree: € 2,601 per year.
• With a master’s degree: € 5,202 per year.
• Participation per credit (EC): € 100 or € 200 depending on the candidate’s situation.

These are the statutory full-time tuition fees.

The programme is structured such that deferment due to work or personal circumstances is possible. Deferment of the thesis or any of the courses will affect your graduation date. There may also be financial consequences. If this is the case, you can explore options with the study coordinator. It may mean having to pay for supervision (in the case of a thesis) or for the deferred courses.

Military and civilian employees of the Netherlands Ministry of Defence who are in permanent employment may suspend their studies if required because of work and/or personal circumstances. There are no financial consequences for doing so.

Registration and enrolment

Registration by email to master.dmci@mindef.nl will remain possible until 1 July 2025.
Following registration, you will receive:

• the study guide (only in English);
• the examination regulations (only in English);
• the timetable;
• the registration instructions and form (only in English); and
• information about the English proficiency test.

It is not possible to enrol yourself using the Studielink centralised admissions service. The Faculty of Military Science education office will arrange enrolment for you.

More information

If you have any questions, please contact the Faculty of Military Science education office by email to master.dmci@mindef.nl.