Avans University of Applied Sciences
Introduction
Avans is the best large university of applied sciences in the Netherlands for 11 consecutive years (2013 – 2024) (Source: KeuzegidsHbo).
Our international campuses are based in the cities of Breda and Den Bosch in the Province of Noord-Brabant. This province is known as the Brainport region, the most innovative technology region in Europe.
Being a large institution, Avans excels in a small-scaled personal approach and its tailored learning path for individual students. There are over 1,000 international students who help to grow our international community. At Avans, students pursue competency-based learning through a practical approach, tackle real projects and problem-based study, form close connections and cooperation with industries, and complete a one-year internship during their programme — all of which naturally lead to great career opportunities.
Organization Avans University of Applied Sciences
At Avans University of Applied Sciences, our own brand is a verb: Avans yourself. We are ambitious and we show it. We convey what we do, why we do it and how we do it. By turning Avans into a verb, we claim our ambition and pride.
We educate agile and resilient professionals. It means students who make a difference and create an impact. Avans puts you ahead, your whole life. That is what we bring to the world. What are you waiting for? Avans yourself.
Our Mission
Training agile and resilient professionals who develop throughout their lives and contribute to a sustainable future.
Our Vision
Society, the labour market and our students are changing. We live in a world that is constantly in motion and never stands still. This requires flexibility and collaboration. Demand-driven work with the support of data and technology. With agile employees. This is how we remain valuable, for our students, the field of work and our society. For now and in the future.
Our Values
To achieve our ambitions, we must remain true to our values: socially involved, ambitious, and personal. These 3 qualities are typical of the identity of Avans. They form our DNA.
We always go the extra mile. At Avans, we do this based on trust, accountability, personal leadership and learning ability. In a small-scale environment where we see, recognize and acknowledge each other.
Campus Features
Naturally, you are looking first and foremost for information on the contents of the many courses on offer. But you also want to know what facilities Avans University of Applied Sciences has to offer. We have state-of-the-art learning facilities, including technical equipment, research laboratories, and extensive libraries, as well as first-class group and individual workspaces. Furthermore, you can relax at our Avans café and restaurant, canteen, sports facilities or student associations.
Work spaces
Student workspaces: Avans prides itself in the number of workspaces available for students. You will find the most workspaces in OpenX and Xplora. Other areas of the teaching buildings offer various types of spaces for working individually or with a group.
OpenX is Avans’ up-to-date learning environment in Breda. Here, you will find plenty of workstations. In OpenX, you can work individually or in project groups with the support of different facilities in place. OpenX is a multifunctional meeting place. And whether at the desk or online, our staff members are always happy to help you. OpenX is also the home of the Avans International Community (AIC). On the second floor, students can connect with one another and share experiences. It is a place where everyone feels welcome and at home.
Canteen and Grand Café
Every Avans campus has a canteen where you can get food and drinks. Various options for a hot lunch or dinner are available every day. There are also coffee and snack vending machines in every building. In addition, every main building on the campus has a Grand Café. Visit avans.nl/international for an overview of all the facilities we offer in each building.
Multimedia
At every study area, you will find computers where you can work individually, in small groups and in different settings. Internet, word processing, spreadsheets and access to automated catalogues and databases are all standard options. In addition to the traditional books, magazines and reference works, the multimedia library also offers dissertations and audiovisual materials entirely geared towards your study programme. Other facilities, such as a photocopier, scanner and printer are also available.
Professional staff members are happy to help you on the way using the in-house collection and many other sources of information. The multimedia library is part of the interlibrary network enabling you - at a fee - to also retrieve material from other Dutch libraries.
PC rooms
All Avans campuses offer a number of PC rooms that you can access. You can work on projects, surf the web and e-mail. Assistants are sometimes available to help you with any of your ICT enquiries.
Research laboratories
If you are a student of one of our environmental programmes, you also get access to our research laboratories. These rooms can only be entered with a lab coat and are used to complete experiments related to the study programme.
Multimedia studio
Are you ready to get creative? Avans has a multimedia studio available for its students. Students can create a podcast or video here, to support their assignments.
Student support
Within the university, the student counsellor guides students in respect of their choice of study programme or other important study-related matters. In addition, the counsellor can help you in many other ways, for example: in the event of problems with the examination or education committee, or if you have dyslexia etc.
Students are free to make an appointment with a counsellor to discuss their study or important study-related subjects. An appointment with a student counsellor can be made at each campus via Student Support.
Gallery
Admissions
Before you apply to Avans University of Applied Sciences for a study programme, you should read through the applicable admission requirements carefully to ensure that you can meet all of these requirements.
Check the specific requirements for your study programme. Check the information below on diploma requirements, English language requirements and Dutch language requirements in case you intend to apply for a programme in Dutch.
Diploma Requirements
If you want to enrol on a study programme at Avans University of Applied Sciences, you generally require a Dutch higher general secondary education, pre-university level or intermediate vocational education diploma or equivalent international diploma.
Secondary Education Diploma
If there is any doubt whether your secondary school diploma is equivalent to one of the Dutch diploma types, Avans will have your diploma evaluated by the Netherlands Organization for International Cooperation in Higher Education Nuffic.
English Language Requirements
Avans has set minimum English language requirements for foreign students. These requirements will vary depending on whether you plan to join us as an exchange student or a degree-seeking student.
Requirements for Foreign Degree-Seeking Students
To maintain high standards of English language competencies in our international classrooms and in compliance with Dutch national guidelines, Avans has set minimum language requirements for foreign degree-seeking students. It is your responsibility to ensure that you meet these requirements.
As a degree-seeking student for an English-taught degree programme, you must provide evidence of your language competence in the form of an official certificate: IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC or Cambridge ESOL. The minimum prerequisite for IELTS is an overall band score of at least 6.0. For TOEIC, you must have successfully passed the 'speaking and writing' and 'listening and reading' components.
Visa Requirements
Visa and Residence Permit
If you hold a nationality from outside the European Union and you want to reside in the Netherlands for a period exceeding 3 months, you must obtain a visa and/or residence permit prior to your departure to the Netherlands.
The visa is an authorisation to enter the Netherlands. It is an official sticker placed on your passport by the Dutch Embassy or Consulate in your country. The residence permit is the physical proof of your (temporary) resident status in the Netherlands. You will receive it approximately 3 weeks after you have entered the Netherlands.
Note that you cannot apply for a visa and/or residence permit for the purpose of ‘study’ by yourself. Only the Avans International Office is authorised to apply for this document and does so on your behalf if you are eligible.
If you have a valid residence permit, which specifically states it is for study purposes, issued by another Member State of the European Union and you want to pursue part of your study programme in the Netherlands, then you may be eligible for Intra EU-mobility.
Applying for a Visa and/or Residence Permit
The Avans International Office applies for the visa and/or residence permit on behalf of eligible prospective students. In order to start this procedure, you must be formally admitted to one of our full-time study programmes beforehand (so not ‘dual’ or ‘deleted’- part-time study programmes). Note! For degree-seeking students a few extra conditions apply in order to be considered eligible for a study visa and/or residence permit: A positive advice on your intake (motivational interview + study check); you need to have paid your tuition fees for the first year in full by bank transfer before June 15.
If you fail to meet the conditions and requirements the International Office will not start the visa application procedure on your behalf. In that case, your application at Avans University of Applied Sciences will be cancelled.
Join our Orientation Webinar on October 10th!
Get to know our bachelor study programmes
Campus Life & Facilities
Feeling at home
At Avans, we are aware that studying abroad is a significant step. We believe that it is our responsibility to help you feel at home as much as possible. The staff of Avans is committed to supporting you before and during your stay in the Netherlands. With our Avans International Community (AIC), together with students, lecturers and businesses, we are creating something really special. It’s about that sense of belonging and feeling at home.
Student life
Breda and Den Bosch are vibrant student cities. Student associations bring students together for a range of exciting activities, including excursions, sports events and Christmas gala balls. The Erasmus Student Network (ESN) enriches your experience with international connections for life, across study programmes, universities, cities and countries. Concerts and festivals are hosted in both cities regularly. Students in Breda and Den Bosch can make use of the local sports facilities and join one of the many different sports clubs.
Accommodation
When it comes to studying at Avans University of Applied Sciences, there are many things to arrange. Finding suitable accommodation is one of them. With the current shortage of student housing, it is important to approach this task thoughtfully.
Finding the right place to live is crucial for a smooth start to your study at Avans. Starting your search for accommodation early is key, as it takes time and effort. Please keep in mind that we will assist you to the best of our ability, but it is important to understand that finding accommodation is your own responsibility.
Explore the Avans Campus
If you plan to travel to the Netherlands, you are more than welcome to explore Avans via an on-site campus tour. After all, this is the best way to experience the atmosphere at Avans yourself. Whether you’re just starting to inform yourself about your future studies, or you have already made your decision and want to ensure it's the right one, a campus tour is a fantastic way to get a feel for the campus.
Depending on your wishes, a current student of the programme you are interested in can show you around the campus, you can speak to a teacher of the programme and you can make an appointment with a staff member and ask questions related to the application process, admission, housing, student finance and other practical matters.
During the campus tour, one of our students will show you our classrooms, multimedia studio, research laboratories, student support, multifunctional study areas, the international community, canteens and grand café.