HZ University of Applied Sciences
Bachelor of Science in Information and Communication Technology
Middelburg, Netherlands
BSc
DURATION
4 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2027
TUITION FEES
EUR 2,694 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* EU-students |€9.893 non-EU students
Key Summary
About: HZ University of Applied Sciences offers a Bachelor of Science in Information and Communication Technology (ICT). The program covers programming, cloud, machine learning, data analysis and cybersecurity. You choose a track, Software Engineer or Data Scientist, and work in multidisciplinary teams on projects that train you to translate customer needs into practical solutions. HZ offers personal approach and prepares you for technical or business ICT roles.
Career Outcomes: Graduates join commercial, industrial, IT, healthcare, defense and government employers. Work as IT consultant, data engineer, software/cloud engineer or web developer. Career opportunities strong; about 1 million vacancies in Europe (2020).
Binge watching a series on Netflix, use WhatsApp or listening to Spotify? This is all possible thanks to IT!
Making developments possible
We live in a connected world in which physical objects are massively linked to the internet. Think of a security camera that sends a message to your smartphone when a person walks through your garden. Or AI (artificial intelligence), where a self-learning algorithm learns whether it is safe to cross a street. IT is the field that makes these developments possible and creates them.
Discover which direction suits you best: technical or business
IT often involves programming and system management. But it is so much more than that. Brainstorming about a good software solution for a customer, coming up with a cloud solution, building a new application, collecting and interpreting data to advise a company or tackling cyber security. The possibilities are endless. Whether you want to develop in the direction of the business side or the technical side. In the course of your studies we will help you to discover which direction suits you best and we teach you everything about the latest technologies and trends.
Working in multidisciplinary teams
In addition to developing your own skills, you will often work in multidisciplinary teams. We do this in an agile way. This means not working according to just one described perfect approach. It does mean meeting your customer demand and being able to solve his/her problem in a fast, flexible and creative way together with your team. In precisely the same way as when you join the job market. You not only consider your projects, but also your own development as a professional.
Would you like to work in one of the most innovative and leading sectors of this moment? And do you get a kick out of technology, innovation, creativity and would you like to invent, develop or program things? Then choose for Information and Communication Technology at HZ!
Study tracks
This programme offers two different study tracks:
Software Engineer (SE)
You design and develop appropriate software. Of course, you do this in accordance with the wishes of the customer or the company you work for. You learn programming at the highest level, in different programming languages and according to the latest technologies. You know how to use your knowledge, techniques and skills in the field of software in such a way that you always know how to find a suitable solution.
Data Scientist (DS)
We all produce enormous amounts of data every day. This data is a wealth of information for companies and organizations. As a Data Scientist you convert this data into valuable insights for companies and organisations. Whatever wish or question your customer has, you can convert it into the information they need. Whether it concerns predicting opportunities in the market; saving or earning money, making a work process more efficient or detecting fraud. Or predicting the next flu wave. The possibilities of Data Science are endless. To draw the right conclusions, you use different methods, processes and systems, such as machine learning (development of algorithms and techniques with which computers can learn from data and thereby predict/discover connections). These techniques (also called artificial intelligence or AI) are very fast. We therefore teach you to estimate whether these relationships and predictions are logical and why. As a result you not only have a good knowledge of IT, but you are also able to uncover the information requirement and convert it into solid advice.
Join our events
Whether you're exploring this study programme, looking to connect with students and staff, or want to experience life at HZ firsthand, our events are the perfect opportunity. From Open Days to webinars, there's something for everyone. Check out our upcoming events and register now!
The first two years of the programme are broad so that in addition to solid basic knowledge, you will discover which track suits you best. This will give you a good idea of what options the IT study programme offers you. We help you discover what you really like and what you are good at.
Year 1
You are introduced to the world of IT. You will learn an important skill for solving problems in IT: programming. Just like the corporate world, we use the agile methodology. This means that you evaluate both yourself and your project during biweekly sprints. At the end of year 1, you will be able to develop software in different programming languages. In the first year you focus on the following themes:
- Computer Science
Computer Science is the science that describes how a computer works. You will learn about the history and fundamentals of computer science and how to apply this in practice in your own software. We teach you the basics of programming, taking your level into account. - Game development
In this block you will learn everything about object-oriented programming while developing a game yourself. You work on your programming knowledge, and in the final weeks you will together with your team develop an educational game for primary school children. - Modern Software Development
In order to quickly and securely develop applications such as mobile apps, games or web applications, frameworks like Unity, Java Play and Laravel are used frequently. You are introduced to development within the Laravel framework. You are introduced to the basic functions of the framework, such as MVC, routes and migrations. You directly apply your knowledge in practice by carrying out a project for an external client.
Year 2
Will you come up with an IT solution that suits the needs of your client? This year is dedicated to your own work environment and your client. You frequently work on assignments for real companies in project groups. You use the agile methodology: during biweekly sprints, you evaluate your project, yourself, and your role within your team. You do not only work on your knowledge, but also on your development as a professional. You focus on the following themes:
- Business value creation
During this semester your central focus is on the user. You can do this through Design Thinking, a process in which you focus on the user, work in teams, and which allows you to find creative and innovative solutions for your ICT issue. We also work on Continuous Integration. Looking at how to create value for your company and your client is an important theme during this semester. - Data Science
You work on machine learning, cloud computing and data visualisation. You learn how to determine which requirements an application has to fulfil. During this semester, you will also investigate whether you are interested in entrepreneurship and think about ethics in your field.
Year 3
You choose one of the three study tracks: Software Engineer, Business IT Consultant or Data Scientist. Your minor and internship (in the Netherlands or abroad) are centred on your chosen study track.
Year 4
The first semester is dedicated to your study track. You conclude the programme with a graduation research project at a company in The Netherlands or abroad.
Accredited study programme
In the Netherlands, the standard of higher education is maintained through an accreditation system that ensures legal regulation and quality assurance. All programmes at HZ University of Applied Sciences are examined and approved by the accreditor, the Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders (NVAO). This means that they meet the quality requirements for accredited higher education set by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, ensuring that you are always choosing a programme of high standard.
Scholarships and financial aid options are offered to support our students:
- NL Scholarship – A €5,000 scholarship for non-EEA students enrolling in a full-time bachelor's program. Applications close on 1 May.
- Financial Aid for EU Students – Some EU students may be eligible for Dutch student finance, which includes loans, grants, and a student travel card. Eligibility depends on working hours and residency status in the Netherlands.
Additionally, part-time job opportunities are available to help manage living expenses. These funding options ensure students have financial support to focus on their studies and personal development.
Your possibilities are endless. You can work for commercial companies such as banks and insurance companies, industrial companies, IT companies, and start-ups. There is also a high demand for IT professionals in the non-profit sector, including in healthcare, defence, and local governments. It is expected that there will be 1 million vacancies in Europe around 2020.
IT consultant
The term consultant or advisor includes quite a few positions, such as Information Analyst, Functional Designer, and ERP/CRM consultant. As a consultant, you are the bridge between the IT requirements of an organization and fulfilling these requirements with innovative IT solutions. You chart all the requirements and work together with the development teams that build these solutions, towards the final design. After several years of work experience, you can progress to senior consultant.
Data engineer
As a data engineer, you process large amounts of data from different types of sources (big data) and convert this data into usable insights for a company. This is done using special software and by writing algorithms to retrieve, structure, and analyze data. You do not only have a good understanding of IT but are also able to convert data into solid advice.
Software engineer
As a software engineer, you develop software, applying techniques from computer science in design, development, and testing. You carry out program tests and maintain and optimize the performance of the software. You sometimes also draft the program specifications and application structure.
Cloud engineer
As a Cloud Engineer, you help build (and manage) secure cloud environments. This helps organizations to transform their own (in-house) servers into closed and/or open cloud solutions, for example.
Web developer/Front-end or back-end developer
A web developer is someone who takes care of the technical side of complex websites. The web developer develops the backend and takes care of the link between the back-end and the front-end. As such, a web programmer mostly works on the technical side of the website.
Our open days are the perfect opportunity to discover HZ, otherwise you can also join our webinars from the comfort of your home. Talk to lecturers, meet our students and learn all about studying at HZ
Why choose HZ?
Watch a special message from our international students on how they feel about studying at HZ