Are you a born organiser, do you like working with people, and do you have a flexible attitude? Is it your dream to work in the leisure industry or are you looking towards the next step in your career? Getting an associate degree in Leisure & Events Management is the perfect choice for you.
EU students: 15 January/15 August
non-EU students: 31 October/31 May
As a graduate of the associate degree programme in Leisure & Events Management, you will be eligible to work as an assistant manager or coordinator at an event management company, theme park or amusement park, sports organisation, the government, a museum, or one of many other possibilities.
Careers open to graduates include:
To be admitted to one of the bachelor programmes you have to meet certain admission requirements. NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences recognises the following general international qualifications:
Furthermore, some of our bachelor programmes demand additional entry requirements. These can be found in the list of admissible diplomas. If your diploma is not mentioned in this list, please contact our Information and Registration Centre.
All non-EU/EEA applicants are required to submit an English proficiency test with their application. Exceptions can be made for students who have had their preparatory education in a country where English is the only official educational language.
The language requirements for EU/EEA students are the same as for Dutch students. If your diploma is mentioned in this list, and English is included as part of the final exam curriculum, the additional English language test is not required. The same goes for students who followed the English language programme of the European Baccalaureate or International Baccalaureate and have subsequently received the EB-Certificate or IB-Diploma.
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:
View the comparison between the different scores.
Please note: If you do not have the appropriate level, it is possible to enrol in our English Preparatory Language Course.
Three of our professorships of applied sciences and their research groups are connected to this course. This way, we share research data and knowledge across our educational institute and in practice. These are the professorships:
Additionally, this study programme is part of the Centre of Expertise Leisure, Tourism and Hospitality (CELTH).
Leisure & Events Management has the following accreditation and quality labels:
Leisure & Events Management is a true management course that mainly focuses on organising ongoing adventures and events. You learn that leisure activities are more than simply fun and entertainment. You also lay a sound foundation in the fields of marketing, business economics, new media, project management, corporate social responsibility, and communication. Current industry trends such as healthy ageing and well-being in general also play an important role.
Additionally, you will gain knowledge and practical skills in the leisure industry. The focus is on events, but you will also explore the fields of sports, arts and culture, leisure, tourism, and media. You will use this new-found knowledge to your advantage when independently carrying out a project.
Introduction to the leisure industry
In the first semester, you will go on an expedition. Your Leisure & Events backpack will be filled with the necessary knowledge of leisure theories, trends, and developments in the sector. You will get acquainted with Leisure & Events companies through inspirational classes and workshops and by going on field trips to industry players like Openlucht Musem Arnhem, het Museum voor Beeld en Geluid in Hilversum, or amusement parks like Walibi Holland or the Efteling. You will also go on an 'urban safari' to test your organisational skills in an event game.
The second semester is all about choosing your own path. You will start your own company, which teaches you all the aspects related to entrepreneurship. It is up to you whether you market a product, a service, or event. The semester will conclude by organising your own leisure-themed event.
More in-depth study
In the second year you will look at the leisure industry from a tactical management perspective and learn about all aspects involved in event organisation. You will be tasked with organising an event or project for a client in your future field and will enrich your student experience by meeting industry professionals who have created experience concepts. In addition, you will explore the intricacies of project management, imagineering, concept development and research. You will conclude your studies with a research project focusing on the leisure sector, including topics such as sustainability, the future of leisure and innovation. In addition, you will also do an internship for one day per week at a leisure company. During the research project you will learn relevant techniques and tools such as social media, scenario planning and creative thinking and how to apply these. At the end of the year you will have to present the results of this research.
All NHL Stenden programmes are working towards a system of Design Based Education (DBE), which puts co-creation with professionals in the field front and centre. You will be working in small teams of students, teachers, researchers, and industry professionals.
