Avans University was founded in 2004 following a merger of two universities of applied sciences: Hogeschool ‘s Hertogenbosch and Hogeschool Brabant. Nowadays, the university is one single unit consisting of 19 schools, 1 learning and innovation centre and 4 support units located in three cities in the south of the Netherlands: Breda, ‘s Hertogenbosch and Tilburg. The university offers 60 different courses and its vision focuses on two core issues: education and applied research. The basic principle of Avans comes from its social environment. To maintain and expand its value within its environment, Avans has to continue to meet the demands of the labour market and companies.

Level of Education

Avans university is a university of applied sciences and therefore focused on practical knowledge and competences. It prepares it students not for academic research, but has a practical approach to the labour market. Avans university is mainly focused on bachelor’s programmes. As its website describes “the Executive Board is keen to increase the current market share of its bachelor’s programmes". However, in the future Avans would like to expand its role in the masters programmes as well. The university has structured its education based on the vision it has to connect to the labour market. Therefore Avans collaborates with several companies and organizations as part of its teaching and research activities.

Scholarships

Avans university offers a scholarship to talented and excellent students. For example, in the 2012-2013 academic year a scholarship of €3,000 will be awarded per suitable student. However, this scholarship is only meant for non-EEA students on the Avans study programmes. Learn more about the scholarship and how to apply for it.

International student programmes

Avans also arranges an introduction programme for international students starting their programme during the same month. During this introduction you will get information on all formalities and help with dealing with it (such as registration as a citizen of your new city and signing the rent contract for your housing facility). Furthermore, you will be given a tour around the city and university campus. When the introduction programme is over and you are starting your studies, you can sign up to get a so called ‘study buddy’. This is a senior student who will make sure you feel at home in your new city and who will help you during the first year in the Netherlands.

Courses and Departments

Avans university of applied sciences offers several programmes for international students. First of all you can choose between a bachelor’s degree programme of 4 years and a short bachelor’s degree programme. Furthermore, you can choose to enrol in a master’s degree programme and if your university is an exchange partner of the Avans university you can choose for their exchange programmes as well. We have listed most of the available programmes for international students below so you can check what is suitable for you.

Bachelor’s degree programmes (4 years)

• Environmental Science for Sustainable Energy and Technology
• Finance and Control
• International Business and Languages
• International Business and Management Studies
• International Business Studies (IBMS Major)
• Asian Business Studies (IBMS Major)
• Cross-cultural Management and Languages (IBMS Major)
• International Maintenance Management

Bachelor’s degree programmes (short)

• Advanced Chemistry
• Environmental Technology and Management
• International Business and Languages
• Degree (IBL)
• Double degree (IBL)
• Medical Research and Biotechnology
• Software Engineering
• Town Planning

Master’s degree programmes

• Master Interior Architechture
• Master of Animation
• Master of Fine Arts
• Master of Graphic Design
• Master of Photography

The (Erasmus) exchange study programmes

• Environmental Consultancy
• Environmental Technology and Management
• European Project Semester
• European Union Policies
• Global Business
• International Entrepreneurship
• International Sales
• International Urban Planning
• Paediatric Physiotherapy
• Procurement
• Software Engineering