Students have more responsibility at a University of Applied Sciences than they had in their previous school. This means that students do get homework, but that they have to make their own schedule when to study this material. In general there are no interim exams. The students should plan their workload in such a way that they will command the subject at the exam. Usually there are written exams at the end of 8-10 weeks, a s0-called period. A year is divided into four periods, during which a student studies approximately four subjects each.
Learning a profession
At Hanze UAS, students are trained for a profession. This is the most important difference with scientific education and is expressed by the work placement that students undertake. The studies are often completed with a work placement resulting in a graduation paper.
Learning to cooperate in projects
At Hanze UAS students work in teams regularly. In projects students learn to apply theory. Teachers from the study programme coach the students during these projects. Sometimes a project is carried out for a company or institution. In that case, they, too, will give feedback. A project is usually finished with a report and a final presentation for the company and the teachers involved.
Contact hours & subject material
During their studies at Hanze UAS, students have approximately 14 to 18 hours. The remaining time should be used for assignments, group work and studying material. At the beginning of a period, students are handed out a schedule distributing the subject material over the weeks so that they will have command of the subject at the end of the period. Students, however, do not have to keep to this schedule but can make their own. It is their own responsibility. Understandably, first year students find this hard sometimes. That’s why each student will receive academic counselling.
Competence based education
Hanze UAS educates students on the basis of competences. Competences are achieved by the knowledge, skills, values and personal attitude that graduates should apply in order to function well as a future professional. Your child will need specific competences. Each programme and each profession demands different competences, which are incorporated in the educational programmes.