FACULTY OF ACCOUNTING, FINANCE AND MARKETING (FEF)

ABOUT US

The Faculty of Accounting, Finance and Marketing of the University of Aruba (FEF) is an educational institute that offers acknowledged bachelor programs in applied sciences. Our curriculum is structured and updated with the latest trends and developments of both the Aruban business community as well as the international academic community. With a balanced mix of professional lecturers and academic lecturers, we aim to stimulate students to broaden their scope internationally and to explore and cultivate their passions and talents.

The Faculty of Accounting, Finance and Marketing of the University of Aruba (established in 1993) offers bachelor degree programs in Accounting & Finance (HBO-Bedrijfseconomie) and in Marketing (HBO-Commerciële Economie). Since 1997, approximately 200 students have graduated at this faculty and have gained professional business skills and attitudes that easily meet labor market requirements. Therefore our graduates have ample employment opportunities in almost every industry sector and graduates who wish to continue their studies can either enroll for the MBA program at the University of Aruba or other master programs abroad. Our graduates who have decided to stay and work on Aruba are employed in different segments of the market: accounting firms, tax authorities, international import and export trade companies, hotels and the tourism industry, real estate businesses, marketing and research firms, and in commercial banks.

EDUCATION

Information for prospective students

General

The Faculty of Accounting, Finance and Marketing offers a dynamic 4-year program filled with theoretical courses and practical assignments. The theoretical courses assure a solid fundamental knowledge and the practical (group) assignments provide a realistic and professional framework in which the theory is applied. Our courses are given in either Dutch or English and they emphasize the international environment of the Aruban business community. To create the optimal learning experience, we have academic lecturers, professional lecturers from the Aruban business community and visiting lecturers from various other universities to stimulate the students’ minds.

Our program is constructed in a general first year called the propaedeutic year (‘Propedeuse jaar’) followed by a 3 year program in either Accounting & Finance (BE) or in Marketing (CE). Both programs offer a diversified curriculum in which theoretical courses are varied with internships and advanced elective courses. The final thesis of both programs concerns a research assignment at an organization. Upon successful completion of the program, students will be awarded with the title ‘Bachelor of Economics’.
The Faculty of Accounting, Finance and Marketing of the University of Aruba offers small classes with personal attention for each student. This enhances active participation in class and provides an optimal learning environment for shared learning among students. Additionally, as part of our curriculum we require that our students explore the business community via their internship and final research assignment. Furthermore, we offer high quality programs that are well acknowledged by the NIVRA and NOvA in the Netherlands and by the major universities in the Netherlands, such as the Erasmus University of Rotterdam and the Tilburg University.

Candidates who meet the admission requirements can register by using a registration form which is available at the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) at the University of Aruba or by clicking here. Candidates who have reached the age of twenty-one and do not meet the admission requirements can be admitted by the Minister of Education after having demonstrated the required capabilities and general knowledge via an admission exam (Colloquium Doctum).

For more information about student life at the University of Aruba, financial information, admission requirements and/or exchange/internship possibilities, please review our study guide (Dutch only) or contact the Coordinator of the Office of Student Affairs, at (297) 588-9946 ext. 257.

Academic programs

Bachelor degree in Accounting & Finance (HBO-Bedrijfseconomie)
Students of this program are taught fundamental skills of accounting, financial economics, information management, supervising and consulting and management tasks. Accounting & Finance graduates have favorable employment opportunities and are almost assured of work. No matter what type of organization – whether it is a private organization or a governmental entity – there is always the need for financial control within organizations.

Bachelor degree in Marketing (HBO-Commerciële Economie)
The activities of a Marketing graduate focus more on the management of relationships between an organization and its environment. This relates mostly to sales and marketing activities. As we are living in a dynamic environment, organizations are constantly in need of people that are creative, that know how to manage projects and that can very easily understand someone else’s needs and wants. Therefore, Marketing graduates easily add value to profit as well as nonprofit organizations.

Admission requirements:

• Diploma of an advanced secondary education (VWO)
• Diploma of a secondary education (HAVO), if graduated with at least two of the following subjects: Mathematics (Wiskunde-A or Wiskunde-B), Management and Organization (Management & Organisatie), and Economics (Economie)
• E.P.I., Economic Sector, profile: administrative and/or commercial services (at level 4)
• Successful completion of a first-year exam (‘Propedeuse jaar’) at a higher professional education school (HBO-opleiding)

EDUCATION

Information for current students

• News & Events
• General (Re-) Application Form 2011-2012
• Study Guide 2011-2012
• Study Guide 2011-2012 (view online)
• Literature list 2011-2012
• Class schedules (‘Roosters’)
• Exam schedules (‘Tentamen roosters’)

RESEARCH & SOCIAL SERVICES

Higher education institutes cannot do without research these days. Almost all of our conducted research is dedicated to the Aruban society. Students, lecturers and our scientific associates analyze and assess important (economic) trends with regard to their significance to the Aruban community. The Faculty of Accounting, Finance and Marketing also organizes many activities that benefit the society as a whole. Examples of these activities are i.e. projects benefiting our cultural heritage and projects regarding sustainable entrepreneurship on Aruba. Our students are also actively involved in Circle K activities and in the Red Cross of Aruba.
For more information about the faculty’s research & social services, please contact the faculty Dean at joost.jacobs@ua.aw.

CONTACT US

Address: J. Irausquinplein 4
P.O. Box 5
Oranjestad
Aruba
Tel.: (297) 582-3901 ext. 306 (Information regarding the FEF)
Tel.: (297) 588-9946 ext. 257 (Information regarding the admission)
Fax: (297) 583-1770
E-mail: joost.jacobs@ua.aw