Learn by doing

At NHL Stenden, you work on real assignments from the business world. It means you get to develop and test your ideas so that you develop solutions that can actually be applied. You’ll often learn the theory you need as you progress through the assignment, on a kind of need-to-know basis. By putting the theory and your instinct into practice, it becomes knowledge, knowledge that you retain and can apply in different situations. As you work on the assignments in groups, you also get to develop your team and leadership skills while guidance from your personal study coach will keep you on track so you are prepared for your future.

Want to put theory into practice?

Find out what type of university suits you best. University of applied sciences or a research university.

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How learn by doing works

Work in small, interdisciplinary groups on assignments from real clients 
Benefit from sustainable learning where insights become knowledge
Use Design-Based Education (DBE) to develop and refine ideas to create workable solutions 
Put theory you learn into practice in our Learning Companies (the learning company you work in depends on the degree you do)
Use university facilities to explore your own interests, including the Media Lab, free audio-visual equipment rental, full library facilities, and green screen recording studios
Draw on networking opportunities, from company visits to field trips to internships

Episode 3: What is it like to study in a different country?

In the Good to be here Podcast, four international students from NHL Stenden share their surprise and disbelief, their thoughts and experiences – and come up with some great tips. 

Listen to the podcast series

Our learning companies

Put theory you learn into practice in our Learning Companies depending on the degree you do. For instance, Hotel Management School Leeuwarden students work in Notiz Hotel, Wannee Restaurant or in one of our eateries. Creative Business students work on Matters.frl. and students from the field of communication, media and design get to work at the Media Innovation Campus (MICA).

Check out what else we offer

Endless international opportunities

In an international community in the Netherlands and with opportunities throughout your studies to work, study and travel to other countries.

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Your home away from home

Be yourself in a community where you are known by your name – and call lecturers by their name.

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Explore beyond your studies

Discover where your interests and talents lie with opportunities that take you beyond your direct field of study.

A head start on your career

Gain experience through real-life projects and in-company internships to better understand your field and develop your work mindset.

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Eva, Creative Business student

Working in the production studio just felt so right

"I seriously considered switching degree programmes. I was disappointed by the content of the first semester of my first year. I couldn’t see the point of it."

Read Eva's story