Discover which economics programme truly suits you

Full-time
1 year

Student (girl) walking with laptop under arm

Orientation Year Economic Domain

Form: full-time
Duration: 1 year
Language: Dutch, English
Locations: Groningen
Credits: 60 ECTS
Startmonths: Start: September

Business and Economics

Choosing an economics programme is a big step. But what if you are unsure about the content? What if you need guidance, space to reflect, and honest feedback to help you find your path? In the Orientation Year we focus exactly on that, so you can make a solid choice between the associated programmes: International Finance & Control, International Business, or Marketing Management. Dutch-speaking students can also choose: Bedrijfskunde, Commerciële Economie, Finance & Control, Human Resource Management, or Ondernemerschap & Retail Management.

Apply for this programme

What will you be studying?

From day 1, you will delve into the four main themes of the economic programmes at Hanze. You will participate in projects and assignments within and outside of Hanze. The four themes are further explained below.

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Projects with impact

What makes studying at Hanze UAS unique is that you will work on projects for real clients and contribute to concrete solutions for current issues impacting society. Below, you can find some examples of projects our students engage in.

About this orientation year

You’re about to choose a study programme, but you’re still figuring out what really suits you. Are you interested in economics but not quite sure which direction to take? Our Orientation Year might be the perfect starting point for you! In this year we prepare you for the main phase of the follow-up programme. You will explore a variety of economics-related programmes and discover what truly interests you. Whether your strengths lie in finance, commerce, or business management – this programme helps you find your path and develop your talents.

This orientation year is designed for students who, even after attending open days and exploring other options, are still unsure which economics programme suits them best. That’s why we place extra emphasis on guidance and support throughout the assignments — we want to help you find the right fit. Throughout the year, you’ll receive lessons and mentoring from lecturers representing various economics programmes.

Why choose the Orientation Year?

You will have the freedom to explore your strengths and discover where you want to grow. Through a variety of activities, you’ll be guided toward making a well-informed decision about your future study path. You’ll also gain insight into the wide range of opportunities within the field of economics. This will help you understand the differences between programmes and find the direction that suits you best. This is possible in part because you'll receive guidance from lecturers across different programmes. You'll gain essential knowledge and skills from various disciplines through a fun mix of assignments. We also focus on business communication and intercultural competencies.

What you will be studying

CoL groups

During the programme, you will be part of a Community of Learners, also known as CoL. Within this learning community, we work together on both your professional and personal development. You will build a wide range of (study) skills while being part of a supportive and inclusive environment. We create a safe space – a kind of home base – where you are seen and heard, where you are being challenged and where you can make mistakes. Together, we will help you find the study programme that truly fits you.

Period 1

This period focuses on marketing and entrepreneurship. You’ll learn how entrepreneurship creates value and how marketing effectively positions and communicates that value.

The period includes three main assignments: The Impossible Assignment, an entrepreneurial group project and a practical research project.

The Impossible Assignment challenges you to creatively make a difference for a good cause. It’s designed to foster teamwork and strengthen your connection to the programme.
Subsequently, you will collaborate with fellow students on your own business idea focused on multi-value creation. Using Design Thinking and the Lean Model Canvas, you will develop a prototype with a focus on customer insights, positioning, and communication.
Finally, you will conduct applied research into meaningful entrepreneurship. Together, you will analyse production chains, assess risks, and reflect on sustainable alternatives. In doing so, you will develop into a strategic, socially engaged entrepreneur and marketer — someone who creates value for people, the market, and society.

Period 2

This period focuses on the themes of Finance and People & Organisation. You will play the management simulation game TopSIM, where you will act as a company’s management team, making strategic decisions about production, personnel, competition, and finance. You will analyse financial data and justify your decisions both in writing and through presentations.

To support your learning, you will follow a theoretical course covering both Finance and People & Organisation. In the Finance component, you will learn to work with income statements, balance sheets, cash flows, and ratio analyses. In the People & Organisation component, you will explore HRM, work structures, recruitment, wellbeing, and organisational psychology. In addition to the simulation game, you will complete assignments related to both themes and delve into relevant organisational challenges. This will help you develop a solid understanding of business operations as well as people-centred management.

At the end of this period, you will choose two out of four themes — Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Finance, and People & Organisation — to specialise in further during the third module.

Period 3

In this period, you will apply the knowledge and skills from your chosen themes in a practical context. You will work on a professional product that addresses a real-life challenge faced by an organisation.

The period consists of two components:

A practical assignment based on a real-world issue;
Two theoretical courses related to your chosen themes;
Workshops and literature study for additional support.

You will explore relevant topics within your selected themes to help confirm your study direction:

Marketing: Learn to communicate in a customer-oriented way through social media, offline marketing, and customer journey analysis.
Entrepreneurship: Develop skills to start your own business or create value within an existing organisation.
Finance: Gain insight into business administration and the impact of financial transactions.
People & Organisation: Deepen your understanding of HRM, motivation, organisational psychology, and the alignment between individuals and organisations.

At the end of this period, you will make your final degree programme choice.

Period 4

This period marks the completion of the orientation year. You will prepare for your chosen follow-up programme within the economic domain. At the heart of this module is a group project in which you conduct practice-based, quantitative research. You will work with both primary data (through your own survey) and secondary data, applying statistical techniques such as correlation and regression analysis. Although the project is carried out in groups, the assessment is individual.

In addition, you will take advanced courses that align with your chosen specialisation:

Strategic HRM: Students learn how HR policies contribute to organisational goals. Key topics include organisational culture, leadership, and the ‘fit’ between people and the organisation.
Sales: The focus is on customer-oriented selling, relationship management, and sales techniques. Students work on practical assignments and learn how sales contribute to commercial success.
Management Accounting: Students learn how financial information supports internal decision-making. Topics include cost calculation, budgeting, and profit analysis.
Process Management: Students learn what processes are, how to map them, identify the gap between the current and desired situation, spot bottlenecks, and propose solutions.

This period combines theory, practice and reflection, and prepares you for a well-informed and confident start to your preferred bachelor programme.

After the orientation year

After finishing this orientation year, you can progress to the second year of one of the following programmes:

Dutch-speaking students can also progress to:

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Application

Is the Orientation Year Economic Domain the right fit for you?

You’re still deciding between two or more economics programmes, but you’re ready to start studying.
You have thoroughly explored the different programmes, but haven’t been able to make a final decision — and you would like support in making a choice.
You want to experience which study programme suits you best.
Through personal coaching, assignments, workshops, real-world business projects, and assessments, you will find your way to the programme that matches your interests and ambitions.
You want to explore your personal interests and talents.
In a Community of Learners (CoL) with fellow students and coaches, you will work on your personal development throughout the orientation year and make a well-informed decision about your future study programme.

Apply via Studielink before 1 May

If you want to apply for the orientation year, make sure to register for the programme ‘B Business Administration – Orientation Year’ (B Bedrijfskunde: oriëntatiepropedeuse) via our national registration system Studielink. You will already be asked a few questions during the application process. After this, we will start the admissions process through our own application system 'Hanze Apply'.

Invitation

Based on the information you provide in Studielink, Hanze will determine whether you are eligible to join the orientation year. If there are enough applicants, Hanze will assess whether everyone can be placed.

Have you been accepted into the programme? Congratulations, and welcome to Hanze! ➤ If you’re admitted, please make sure to withdraw via Studielink from any other programmes you’ve applied for.
Not accepted? That’s unfortunate — but we’re here to help. We’d be happy to talk with you and help you find a study programme that suits you.

To enrol for the Orientation Year Economic Domain, you will need a secondary school diploma comparable to a Dutch HAVO (General Secondary Education), VWO (pre-university) or MBO-4 (Secondary Vocational Education) diploma and proof of English language proficiency. If we are not familiar with your foreign diploma, we will have it verified by our national agency, NUFFIC, or by ECCTIS.

If you want to know more about the value of your own diploma, you can also check the diploma comparison site of our national agency NUFFIC.

Depending on where you received your previous education, you might have to provide proof of English proficiency. Please check this very carefully! These language requirements are set nationally, and we are not allowed to give any exemptions (beyond the existing agreed exemptions shown via the link below).

First check if you are exempt from needing an English proficiency certificate by going to this page and scrolling down to the last section.

If you are not exempt, you must take one of the following English exams (minimum required scores listed):

IELTS – 6.0 average, no sub scores lower than 5.5, and no more than two 5.5 sub scores.
TOEFL paper – 550
TOEFL Internet – 80, no sub score below 17
Cambridge ESOL – 169
TOEIC – Listening & Reading 670, Speaking & Writing 290
LanguageCert Academic – 65
Pearson PTE Academic - 61

Your certificate must not be older than two years at the time of submission.

Are you 18 years old or older and do you not have an international equivalent of the Dutch HAVO, VWO or MBO4 diploma? In that case, you may still be admitted after an admission interview and successfully passing the entrance exams in economics and mathematics. Want to know more? Then please contact Lidwien Balm via email or phone at +31(0)50 595 3285. The application deadline for this exam is 1 May.

Ready to start

At www.myhanze.nl/readytostart you can find all the information you need for a great start to the orientation year – including required materials, your laptop, information about your first week of classes, and the introduction programme.