Technology is changing your world. Think of robots that would care for the elderly, or boats that run on solar energy, or a machine that fishes plastic out of the ocean. Technical solutions that contribute to a sustainable world are in high demand. Are you curious, resourceful and interested in technology? Find out how you can make a difference with a bachelor in Engineering!

What if you choose Engineering?

If you choose to study Engineering at the HZ, you will be offered broad technical courses to become a real problem solver. You will learn to overcome technical challenges in the most sustainable, climate-neutral and socially responsible way. You will learn how to design with less natural resources, less waste and less energy. During this programme you will learn:

  • Methods by which you learn to solve a problem with technology
  • How to design a product or a process
  • How to improve a product or process
  • How systems work
  • How to use technology to make products or processes sustainable
  • How to make innovative machines and products

During the first year, you get an orientation on what you can do with technology. After obtaining your propaedeutic year, you will choose a field of study: the technical track or the creative track. Later in the programme, you will choose a specific study track.

You will be presented with many assignments, which will require you to think carefully and then get to work. You often work in groups with other students on assignments from real companies. After you have received a theoretical explanation, you will immediately put it into practice. You will learn how to work independently and in a structured manner on a project, how to research an assignment first, make a plan of action, and how to communicate this effectively with your clients and fellow students.

You will become a future-proof engineer that:

  • Has a good technical basis, which you can use in many ways
  • Knows a method with which you design technical solutions
  • Is very aware of the impact on the environment and climate
  • Is inquisitive and resourceful
  • Works independently and in a structured way
  • Has good communication skills
  • Has developed itself into integral design or technically

This is Engineering

During the first year, you will be introduced to broad technical basic skills. In practice, you will carry out assignments that come close to the professional field. This will help you find out which specialization suits you best.

After year one, you will choose a field of study: the technical track [Energy & Process Engineering and Mechatronic Engineering] or the creative track [Commercial Engineering and Product Engineering].

  • In the technical track, you will focus on the underlying technologies and you will strongly concentrate on deepening your beta knowledge.
  • If you choose the creative track, you will mainly focus on realising solutions for people and society with the help of technological developments.

In the third year of the programme, you choose your minor. A minor will enable you to deepen or broaden your knowledge and skills. You can do this at the HZ or at another university of applied sciences at home or abroad.

The HZ offers various minors that complement the Engineering programme:

  • Minor Offshore Renewable Energy Mechatronic
    In this minor you will work on the development of robots and drones. These are used to carry out maintenance on wind farms in the North Sea.
  • Minor Energy Transition
    You will make sure that companies switch to clean fuels, such as hydrogen.
  • Minor Product Design
    Are you a fan of design? Then get started with the minor Product Design

During the other semester, you gain work experience with your do an internship. You can choose whether you stay in the Netherlands or go abroad.

In the final year, you choose one of the 4 study tracks. In the first semester, you will have classes and projects.

In the second half of the year, you will work on your graduation project at a company. You will design and research technical improvements and innovations in a company during your final project. The choice is yours whether to do this in the Netherlands or abroad.

In this year, all your knowledge and skills come together and you can prove you have mastered the profession. With your diploma in your possession, you can start working as an engineer!

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.

Talk to an advisor

Do you have any questions about Engineering or practical matters? A student advisor might come in handy!

Contact them here

Choose the study track

After year one, you will choose a certain field of study. Choose the technical field or the creative field. In year 4 you will choose a specific study track.

Product Engineering

In Product Engineering you learn how to design a product using, for example, biological materials.

Commercial Engineering

In Commercial Engineering, you focus on the business market (B2B) and the consumer market…

Energy & Process Engineering

In this study route, you focus completely on sustainable forms of energy, such as solar and wind…

Mechatronic Engineering

Every company with technical installations has to deal with mechatronics. This is where the…

Middelburg

What our students say

Do you want to know what our students think of the Engineering program and why they choose this program in particular? Read it in their own story.

Paul Grinwis, Regional manager of Equans

Zeeland has a lot to offer international students. They can study at a high-quality college, in a beautiful coastal region with plenty of job opportunities."

Read the full story from Paul Grinwis

Location

You will follow the programme at the HZ location Groene Woud in Middelburg. You work in the laboratories and do research in the adjoining Joint Research Centre Zeeland (JRCZ).

Admission requirements

To be admitted to Engineering programme you need:

  • A qualification equivalent to a Dutch secondary education diploma, which gives you access to higher education.
  • High school graduated in physics and mathematics as part of secondary education diploma.
  • A good command of written and spoken English. Your level of English should be equivalent to an IELTS score of 6.0.

Read more about the admission and language requirements.

Alternative entrance exam

If you don’t have the appropriate secondary school diploma, and if you are at least 21 years old, you may be exempted from this requirement. The HZ provides the possibility of taking an alternative entrance exam.

Course description

Read more detailed course information in the Academic and Examination Regulation.

Fees and finances

Next to the tuition fees and cost of living there are extra costs for your study programme (study materials, excursions and books). In the first two years these costs are approximately €600 - per year. A good laptop is indispensable.

Read more about the fees and finances here.

Pre-arrival information

Visa, health insurance, accommodation and a Dutch bank account. You need to arrange quite some things when you decide to study abroad. Read all about it here. And what’s it like to study in the Netherlands? And what is Middelburg like? Read all about Zeeland, the Netherlands and HZ.

Contact

Do you have any questions or do you need more information about the study programme? Please contact us: study@hz.nl.

After graduation

Congratulations, you've now graduated! From now on you may use the title ‘Bachelor of Science’ or ‘Engineer’. Did you participate in the Honours Programme? You will get an extra certificate with your bachelor's degree.

After graduation, you will be in demand on the job market. You will likely start your career as:

  • Product developer
  • Product engineer
  • Maintenance manager
  • Mechatronics technician
  • Process technologist
  • Environmental expert
  • Project leader
  • Product manager
  • Advising/Consulting engineer

Study in The Netherlands

Are you thinking of studying in Holland? An excellent choice! We tell you why in our brochure.

Projects during the programme

During projects and assignments you often work for real clients. In this way, your study programme fits in well with your future work. Curious about what kind of projects you will be doing? Check it out below!

Joint Research Center Zeeland: a unique research institute

The Joint Research Center Zeeland (JRCZ) is a brand new research institute located next to the HZ…

Hzensor boat

In the coming years, HBO-ICT, Civil Engineering, Engineering and Maritime Officer students will be…

Improve an existing product for healthcare

Engineering students are tasked with improving an existing product so that it helps elderly or…

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