Information Technology course summary
Over the four years of the Information Technology programme you’ll be trained as a professional who addresses digital and societal challenges with software and Artificial Intelligence (AI) as driving forces. You’ll learn how to apply AI to develop smart, user-friendly applications, analyse data, and build software that truly makes an impact, such as:
Apps and websites that really work for people – from practical tools for businesses to apps that make healthcare more accessible.
Smart use of data – making information understandable so organisations can make better decisions.
Secure digital environments – ensuring that systems and apps remain reliable, even as AI creates both opportunities and risks.
Collaborative, creative solutions – working in teams with fellow students and companies to design products that are technically sound, user-friendly and well designed.
Contributions to social innovation – from smart energy solutions to digital tools in healthcare or safe online platforms.
The programme for Information Technology
From day one you will work on challenging projects, such as integrating AI into apps and systems to provide users with greater service and convenience. In your second year you will collaborate in project teams for real organisations and companies, jointly creating responsible and innovative solutions. From the third year onwards, you will choose a specialisation that suits your interests.
In Emmen you can specialise in cybersecurity, with unique minors such as Certified Ethical Hacking and Hack@Sea, or deepen your knowledge in Secure Programming or AI applications in automated crypto and currency trading. In this way, you personalise your studies to match your passion and respond to the demands of an AI-driven future.
In your first year, you explore the different aspects of Information Technology and establish a solid foundation as a software engineer. The programme consists of four periods, each covering a different topic. You will work in small groups on practical assignments, supported throughout the year by academic staff and your study career coach, who will help you to develop your professional skills.
The emphasis in this year is on the craftsmanship of software development: learning to programme, understanding how databases and networks operate, and experiencing how to build reliable software. This foundation is indispensable, because without thorough knowledge of IT fundamentals you cannot apply AI in an intelligent or responsible way.
Module 1: Web Development and Design
Develop your programming skills in the Web Development module, learning PHP and HTML/CSS. Apply your new knowledge in the project Web Development and Design, with a strong focus on user experience.
Module 2: Database Engineering
Learn the principles of setting up and maintaining a network and install a web server with a database in the project Database Application Management. Deepen your understanding of database design and use SQL to manage, query and connect data seamlessly to a PHP-based web application.
Module 3: Project Battlebot
Take your first step into software application development by learning object-oriented programming in Java. Work with your teammates to build an intelligent robot and compete in the exciting RaceDay event where your robot faces others.
Video impression Battlebot race
Module 4: Project Innovate
Bring your ideas to life in a project where you design AI-driven apps or programme hardware such as robots and Raspberry Pi devices. You’ll deepen your Java skills and explore AI techniques such as pattern recognition and automation.
Subjects:
Study load: 20 contact hours, 20 self study hours | 60 ECTS per year
In your second year, you apply your foundational knowledge in AI-driven projects for real organisations, learning how AI can improve user experiences and optimise business processes. Collaborating with clients, you create digital solutions with immediate impact, such as AI-enhanced applications or data-driven insights.
Module 1: Object Oriented Programming 2
Expand your knowledge of Java and work on a project for an external client. Learn to apply AI-inspired design patterns and data structures, for example to develop applications with intelligent features such as recommendation systems.
Module 2: Data Processing
Gain insight into interpreting and visualising complex datasets. You’ll explore methodologies for data manipulation and analysis, often linked to AI applications where data and algorithms reinforce each other.
Module 3: Software Quality
Learn how to make software reliable and sustainable. You’ll apply testing methodologies, quality assurance, debugging and optimisation techniques, ensuring that your solutions are not only intelligent but also stable and user-friendly.
Module 4: App Development
Combine innovation and functionality to design intuitive mobile applications. Through hands-on projects, you’ll learn UI/UX, integration of front-end and back-end, and cross-platform development, while recognising how AI increasingly shapes modern apps.
Subjects:
Study load: 20 contact hours, 20 self study hours | 60 ECTS per year
In your third year, you focus on your development as a professional. You’ll do a five-month internship and then select a minor that matches your ambitions, giving your study a personal direction and enhancing your career prospects.
Internship
During a five-month internship in the Netherlands or abroad, you’ll work on challenging projects such as integrating AI into apps to improve user experience, developing smart monitoring systems, or automating business processes. With the support of staff, you will find a placement that matches your interests, contributing as a valued professional to innovative and responsible solutions. Our students have completed internships at leading organisations such as ASML, Bosch, BMW, Philips, Siemens and Swisscom, as well as smaller companies, start-ups and local organisations.
Minor
In the second semester, you’ll choose a minor to specialise or broaden your expertise. In Emmen. you can opt for unique minors such as Certified Ethical Hacking or Hack@Sea, focusing on AI in cybersecurity, or explore AI applications in financial trading through Intro to Coding in Crypto and Forex Trading. You can also deepen your skills in Computer Vision & Data Science, preparing for advanced AI applications such as image recognition and data-driven decision making. Alternatively, you may follow a minor at another university, either in the Netherlands or abroad.
60 ECTS per year
In your final year, you’ll demonstrate that you are ready for a career as an AI-specialised software professional. You will work on a major Applied AI project and complete your graduation assignment, applying your skills to real challenges such as improving user experiences or automating business processes.
Applied AI
In the first semester, you’ll collaborate in a project group on a substantial assignment for an external client, focusing on the integration of AI in business applications. Examples include intelligent search and recommendation systems, automated workflows, or data-driven machine learning applications. You’ll apply modern software techniques, design patterns and IT architecture to deliver future-proof solutions, while working with the Scrum methodology to strengthen both your technical and project management skills.
Graduation Project
In the second semester, you’ll carry out your graduation assignment. Most students focus on implementing AI within companies, such as enhancing existing applications, improving user experiences or automating processes. As you work on a real issue in a professional environment, you’ll demonstrate your readiness to step directly into the field after graduation.
60 ECTS per year
The degree at a glance
Download the brochure to get a really useful one-page overview of the curriculum with a description of the modules and a list of subjects per year, the study load and the ECTS you can earn. Use it to compare the programme with other studies you’re interested in.
Minors and specialisations for Information Technology
In your fourth year of Information Technology, you get to specialise by taking a number of minors.
- Certified Ethical Hacking (Emmen, The Netherlands)
Learn how to help companies guard against cyber attacks with this unique minor in Certified Ethical Hacking. Learn how attackers work and the steps you need to take to protect a system. - Secure Programming (Emmen, The Netherlands)
Offering insights into the software development life cycle and how secure programming can be made part of the cycle. - Hack@Sea (Leeuwarden, The Netherlands)
Carry out research in the context of maritime cyber security looking into areas such as AIS spoofing, port systems and cyber awareness for maritime employees. - Cyber resilience of citizens and organisations (Leeuwarden, The Netherlands)
Look at cyber safety and cyber security in an integrated way. Together we will explore possibilities for human, organisational and technological measures. In this way we make citizens and organisations digitally resilient.
Video Certified Ethical Hacking
Video Hack@Sea
Course catalogue
Practical approach of Information Technology
We aim to help you put theory into practice as quickly as possible. Through our educational concept, Design-Based Education (DBE), you work in small teams of students, teachers, researchers and industry professionals. You tackle current, real-life issues developing and adapting your visions and ideas to form a solid solution.
Student Association
Our student association Think Wireless is where fun and learning meet in our students’ lives. Along with organising activities that will help you with your studies, Think Wireless also puts on hackathons, sports activities and day trips to other places in the Netherlands. It's a collective of students that help make your time as a student even more enjoyable.
International opportunities
We want to prepare you for an international, intercultural, and ever-changing environment, so that you can dive into the unknown and gain experience in an international context. It is possible with our Grand Tour, Exchange programme or one of our mobility options offered by RUN-EU. Or you can choose to do your internship abroad. You’ll be able to put together the right combination of courses and internships to develop both your professional and personal skills – and develop your own network for the future.
Is this the degree for you?
If you're confident this degree is the one for you, then why not apply online straightaway? Or pick one of the other options to help you take the next step.
