If you are interested in security and the Internet of Things, this programme is exactly what you need. With this degree, you may continue in any direction in the field of information and communication technology. The first year enables you to discover your strengths and areas of interest before choosing a specialisation for the second year. This is a practical course based on real-life learning.
This course amounts to a total of 240 ECTS.
EU: 15 August
Non-EU: 31 May
More information
The IT programme in Emmen makes use of the Internet of Things Laboratory (IoT Lab) and has the latest innovative devices available, including a Microsoft Surface Hub, Virtual Reality equipment, and robots. In addition to this lab, there is also MyConcept, a Fabrication Laboratory where you can use 3D printers to print designs in three dimensions.
The Information Technology programme is ideal if you like developing web applications and software for mobile devices, as well as raising awareness and creating solutions for organisations in the area of IT security. The programme gives you the knowledge and skills to become a software developer, programmer, or systems engineer. Information technology jobs use a universal language in a world in which automation and digitalisation are increasingly important. We are well-connected with many prestigious companies where you could do your internship, such as Microsoft, Google, IBM, ING Group, ABN AMRO, Atos, Centric, and many more.
The chances of finding a job after graduating in Information Technology are excellent. IT offers great opportunities for an international career. As a graduate of Information Technology, you could take on positions such as:
To be admitted to one of our 4-year bachelor programmes, you will need to meet the admission requirements as outlined in Dutch Higher Education law. For a 4 -year bachelor programme at NHL Stenden, you need a diploma that is at least equivalent to an NLQF 4/EQF 4 level (Dutch/European Qualifications Framework)* and comparable to the required Dutch diploma.
The Central Student Administration at NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences carries out an assessment on every individual application to our 4-year bachelor programmes. It generally recognises the international qualifications listed here**
If the qualification you will obtain or have obtained is not listed as a recognised qualification, you may still be eligible to study at NHL Stenden and should also apply for the programme through Studielink. Your qualifications will be assessed by an Admissions Officer at the Central Student Administration (CSA) department at NHL Stenden once you have submitted your application.
If it is unclear what the equivalent level of your secondary school diploma is within the Dutch education system, NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences will have your diploma evaluated by Nuffic, a Dutch organisation specialised in the assessment of international qualifications. For an indication of how your educational system compares to the Dutch system, please visit the Nuffic website.
* The European Qualifications Framework (EQF) is a tool for understanding and comparing qualifications awarded in different countries and by different education and training systems. Its eight levels are described in terms of learning outcomes: knowledge, skills and competences. The levels of the Dutch Qualification Framework (NLQF) are linked to the levels of the EQF.
** All applications are assessed on an individual basis by the Central Student Administration (CSA) even if your diploma is listed as a recognised qualification. Although this document has been composed carefully by NHL Stenden, rights cannot be derived from this overview.
All non-EU/EEA applicants are required to submit an English proficiency test with their application to show that their English language skills are at a high enough level to succeed in their studies.
Exceptions can be made for students who have had their preparatory education in a country where English is the only official educational language.
If you are applying for a bachelor degree and hold a diploma from a European institution listed here, and English was included as part of the final exam curriculum, then the additional English language test is not required. The same applies to students who have attained General Certificates of Secondary Education (enough O and A/AS levels with the sufficient score), the European Baccalaureate Certificate, International Baccalaureate Diploma, or an IB career-related programme taught fully in English.
All other applicants need to submit a valid and adequate English language test result with their application.
NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences accepts four kinds of official language tests in accordance with the Code of Conduct International Student in Dutch Higher Education:
• Academic IELTS 6.0 ** (with an advised minimum of 5.0 for each skill)
• TOEFL 550 ** (paper-based), 213 (computer-based) or 80 (internet-based). Original test results must be sent directly from the Educational Testing Service to NHL Stenden. The TOEFL institution code for NHL Stenden is C652.
• Cambridge ESOL score FCE-C (169, or higher).
• TOEIC *670 (Listening and Reading) and 290 (Speaking and Writing).
*We only accept TOEIC® certificates from public programs and not from institutional programs. Public programs are organized in public centers and delivers an official score report which is recognized worldwide.
** IELTS, TOEFL and TOEIC certificates more than 2 years old (at the start date of the study), will not be accepted.
View the comparison of the different scores.
Please note: If you do not yet have the necessary level in English, you may enrol in our Preparatory English Language Course.
“I want to develop my IT knowledge and share it at home.”
The course in Information Technology sheds light on areas such as software, games, web technology, company networks, databases and programming languages. You will be trained as a specialist in these areas over the course of the four-year programme.
The first year is designed to provide you with a solid foundation in your chosen field. In small groups you will work on practical assignments, which may involve anything from designing an online store to creating a multimedia presentation for a company to developing an all-new game. Gradually, you will discover all the specialisations available, so you can pursue the major that best meets your needs and interests.
Topics include:
Webdevelopment, databases, digital graphic design, information management, programming, networkin, security.
General skills:
Intercultural communication, study career coaching, mathematics, communication.
In your second year, you will develop more focused and detailed knowledge of areas such as programming languages and databases. You will work on real-life cases from real companies.
Courses include:
Advanced programming, media production, IT service management, databases, operating systems, data processing, algorithms and data structures, testing, JavaScript
General skills:
Research, English, study career coaching.
During this year, you will continue to put your knowledge and experience into practice and half of the year is spent on an internship in the Netherlands or another country of your choice. This will help you to gain a broad understanding of the various career options in your field.
You may do your internship at companies like Thales, Topicus and HEXA Innovative Energy Solutions (Fortaleza, Brazil). They carry out internship assignments in the area of app development for business purposes, development of automated test set-ups for security testing, development of business portals, or game development.
This year you begin your major, for example:
You will also do a short-term internship. Furthermore, you will be taking on a six-month, practical final-year project for a business or organisation. This might even end up being your future employer! Students graduate at companies like KPN, Mydatafactory, Favoritwizard Lda, Neobird GmbH and work on assignments in the area of machine learning, gaming and web applications.
Information Technology covers a wide range of relevant and interesting topics. In your fourth year, you will have the option to specialise by taking a number of minors: these are electives in which you focus on a specific subject or expand your knowledge by taking an additional subject. This allows you to truly take charge of your education by ‘customising’ your course.
You can do these minors at the Emmen branch or you can also choose from minors offered by other courses and universities of applied sciences – this is all part of broadening your academic skills. Information Technology minors on offer in Emmen:
Certified Ethical Hacking CEH
Are you eager to learn how perimeter defences work and how you can scan and attack (virtual) networks? Would you like to learn more about how to escalate privileges and how to secure a system? Then this minor might be an excellent choice. NHL Stenden is the only university of applied science in Europe to offer the minor Certified Ethical Hacking (CEH). This is a comprehensive ethical hacking and information systems security auditing programme. It focuses on the latest security threats, advanced attack vectors, and practical real-time demonstrations of the latest hacking techniques, methodologies, tools, tricks and security measures
You will first gain an understanding of how perimeter defences work and then move onto the scanning and attacking of networks. Of course, no real network is harmed during this programme. In addition, you will learn how intruders escalate privileges and which steps they should follow to secure a system. CEH consists of several core modules designed to facilitate a comprehensive ethical hacking and penetration testing training.
Studying at NHL Stenden is an exciting new experience. You are encouraged to voice your opinion and take initiative. And you do this in a safe learning environment, where respect for different views and backgrounds is a shared value. You get plenty of opportunities to spend part of your course in a different country by going on an Exchange or a Grand Tour, with the Grand Tour giving you the chance to attend our Grand Tour locations. Whichever route your choose, you are sure to gain a lot of international experience!
In addition to taking technical classes, you will also learn a number of practical skills, such as managing project-based work and end-user communication. In the Fabrication Laboratory (Stenden MyConcept), you will learn to use innovative high-tech equipment like 3D printers, home automation and robotics. These will help you design and implement just about anything and everything.
Design-Based Education is NHL Stenden’s unique education concept. It enables you to apply the design thinking method to real cases, practice-based research and innovation. You work with fellow students, lecturers and researchers from different study programmes and from both within and outside our institution. This helps you develop your own professional identity with which you can deliver sustainable, meaningful solutions for the benefit of society. Ultimately, you are being educated to become a world-wise professional who feels right at home in an international setting.