Fontys University is one of the largest universities of applied sciences of the Netherlands. It hosts about 40,000 students and has colleges in 8 cities throughout the Netherlands: Eindhoven, Venlo, Tilburg, Sittard, Utrecht, Den Bosch, Den Haag and Veghel. The university offers over 100 bachelor courses and 31 master programmes.

Level of Education

Fontys is a University of Applied Sciences, meaning the education focuses on preparing its students for specific professions. To be sure the student receives the best preparation to enter and compete in the labour market, the programmes always include work placements or internships. When you have finished a programme taught at Fontys you will receive a bachelors degree, but it is also possible to do a masters at the university of applied sciences when you have finished your Bachelors programme. In short, the education you will receive at Fontys is focused on practical orientation and competences at both Bachelor and Master level.

Scholarships

Fontys does not grant scholarships to international students. However, the website mentions the Erasmus grants. You can apply for this scholarship when you are currently enrolled in a programme at a European university and when your university has signed an Erasmus bilateral agreement with Fontys. You should check this with the international office of your home university.

International student programmes

Fontys has a special student association for international students in Eindhoven. This association can help you with all the questions you have while staying in the Netherlands and can also be a way of meeting people. The Fontys International Student Association, or ‘FISA’, was established in 2005. It works closely with the International Office and Student Centre of the Fontys school in Eindhoven. Furthermore, it organizes several educational activities and social events. If you would like to receive some more information you can send an e-mail to fisa@fontys.nl.

In Tilburg an international student association exists, called ESN Tilburg, which is not exclusively for Fontys students. This student association aims for all international students living in Tilburg. This student association tries to give international students the best time of their life. For example, it has a mentoring programme in which 7 – 9 international students form groups with 2 Dutch mentors. This way, you will get to know both Dutch and international students and have something to fall back on.

In Venlo, international students gather in the International Student Association (ISA). It provides several services, such as arranging sports events, parties, internships, career opportunities and educational help.

International Students

In the academic year of 2010-2011, Fontys had approximately 40,000 students of which 5,088 students were international. Furthermore, the university had 169 incoming exchange students.

Courses and Departments

Fontys offers over 100 bachelor programmes and 41 master programmes. These are unfortunately not all taught in English. Nevertheless, the university has 35 exchange programmes which are conducted in English, such as:

• Business, Management and Logistics
• Academic Orientation
• Advanced Topics in Management
• Asian Business Studies
• Management Consultancy – Advanced Level
• International Business Consultancy – Advanced Level
• Industrial Psychology
• International Business Economics
• International Business and Management
• Food & Flower management
• Strategic Marketing – Intermediate Level
• International Marketing and Export
• English Language and European Culture – Introductory Programme
• International Marketing – Intermediate Level
• Electronic Engineering
• Integrated Product Development
• Information & Communication Technology
• Ambient Intelligence
• Professional E-skills
• Academy for Circus and Performance Art
• Art, Culture and Research
• Conservatory
• Dance Academy
• Fine Arts, Communication and Design
• Rock Academy
• Bilingual Education / English Stream
• International Education
• Language and Culture Chinese
• Language and Culture Dutch
• Language and Culture English
• International Journalism
• Communication – International Event, Music and Entertainment Studies
• Global Development Issues
• Social Studies
• Sport and Performance Coaching