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
More information
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 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 an associate 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.
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.
