Leerplan

The foundation year provides the basis and serves as an orientation and selection phase. Given the final qualifications and the study programme's educational vision, this basis is divided along two main areas of focus:

• Focus on plant biology: within the modules Plant & Environment, Plant & Growth and Plant & Cell, taught consecutively in terms 1, 2 and 3, students will receive a thorough grounding in plant processes, the environmental factors that influence plants and the optimisation of plant development.
• Focus on businesses within the sector (and related areas): In the first term, students will get a thorough knowledge of the horticultural and arable farming sector and will gain an insight into current developments and challenges for the sector. In the subsequent two terms, students will be introduced to business economics and marketing.

The modules consist of a mix of lectures, problem-based learning (PBL), practicals and smaller group assignments. In addition to the two main lines described, we also pay attention to developing basic skills such as reporting, presentations and cooperation. 

The second year adds more depth and is focused on application of knowledge. On the one hand this is achieved by studying in more depth in the cultivation-oriented and research-oriented and business modules, on the other hand by explicitly making the connections between theory, practice and skills using project work.

During the second year, students spend one day a week on the 'cultivation project'. This project deepens their knowledge concerning a crop of their choice. In addition, they answer one or more research questions that they have formulated about this crop.

In the third year, students have the opportunity to create their own specialisation profile and gain practical experience. In this study year, the student will participate in one or two internships. In addition, the student can opt for one of the third-year HAS minors or a minor elsewhere (via the Dutch site 'Kies op Maat'). Finally, there is the option to participate in a minor/programme at one of HAS University of Applied Sciences' partner universities, in the Netherlands or abroad.

Students may also choose to participate in an exchange programme with one of the HAS partner universities abroad. Students defend their choice in the personal year plan for year 3 and ask permission to take part. After permission has been granted by the coach, the study programme coordinator decides if the chosen course fits within the study programme. After this permission has been granted, necessary arrangements can be set in motion in consultation with the International Office.

The fourth year of the study programme constitutes the final phase of the study programme. After laying down a basis in the first two years and defining a personal specialisation profile in the third year, students use the final phase of their study programme to prepare themselves for professional life. The specialisations are offered in the first half of the fourth year of study. Students of Tuin en akkerbouw and Horticulture & Business Management follow these specialisations together, in English. In the final half year of the study programme, a so-called professional assignment is carried out as a graduation project.

Specialisations

Within the Horticulture & Business Management programme the following graduation specialisations are on offer:

• Global Trade & Business Management
• Cultivation & Technology
• Applied Plant Research
• Top-class Business Programme