Global Project and Change Management

In your first year, you develop your project management skills within the themes of water and energy.

Semester 1: Water

During the first semester, you work on projects in small teams on a real water-related challenge for an external client. For example, students have worked on solutions to improve the water quality of Lake Veere, explored ways to remove waste from the sea more efficiently and developed educational concepts to raise awareness about plastic pollution among young people.

Semester 2: Energy

In this semester, you apply your knowledge of change management to a real challenge within the energy transition, together with a regional organisation. For example, students have worked on projects focused on small-scale wind energy and ways to address pressure on Zeeland's electricity grid.

In your second year, you work on projects within the themes of vitality and food, alongside organisations from the region.

Semester 1: Vitality

How can neighbourhoods be designed to support healthy, safe and enjoyable living for people of all ages? And how can new technologies help older people stay vital and independent for longer? In this semester, you work together with a regional organisation on a challenge related to vitality. In a small team, you develop solutions that contribute to a healthier society and learn how to bring various interests together to make change happen.

Semester 2: Food

In the second semester, you work independently on a project within the theme of food. You choose a topic that matches your interests and passions, such as sustainable farming, food waste or local food systems. You apply everything you have learned so far about project and change management into practice.

Semester 1: Minor

During the first semester you follow a minor of your choice for half a year. A minor gives you the chance to broaden your knowledge and skills, while gaining an international experience. Many GPCM students choose a minor abroad, but you can also take a minor at HZ or at another university of applied sciences in the Netherlands.

View the full range of HZ minors here.

Semester 2: Value Creation

During the Value Creation project, you work in a small, interdisciplinary team on new and innovative solutions for real challenges in the region. Together with fellow students and stakeholders, you develop a new idea or product that contributes directly to a more sustainable world.

Semester 1: Internship

In the first semester of your final year, you complete a 20-week internship at an organisation of your choice. It could be a governmental institute, a non-profit or a company in the Netherlands or abroad. You work three days a week at your internship, dedicate one day to an individual project and attend classes, and spend one day on meetings and assignments. This semester gives you the chance to discover what kind of work environment suits you best.

Semester 2: Graduation research

You are about to graduate! You carry out your graduation research at an organisation of your choice. This can be the same place where you completed your internship, but it does not have to be. During this semester, you spend about three days a week on your research project. In addition, you spend one day a week supporting the organisation and dedicating another day a week for feedback, meetings and assignments.

HZ Honours Programme

Want an extra challenge alongside your degree? The HZ Honours Programme is an optional programme running alongside your bachelor's that gives you the freedom to tackle a real-world social issue, one you choose yourself. Working with students from different study programmes, you can address national or international challenges, from sustainable production to community development.

Previous Honours students have travelled to destinations including Costa Rica, Zanzibar, Rio de Janeiro, Bali and the Philippines to work on impactful international projects. As an ICT student, you could contribute by building digital platforms, analysing data, developing apps, creating AI solutions or improving smart systems that help organisations and communities solve complex problems.

After completing the programme, you receive an additional Honours certificate alongside your Bachelor of Science degree.

To apply for Global Project and Change Management, you need a qualification equivalent to a Dutch secondary education diploma that gives access to higher education.

Our selection process helps us make sure the programme is the right fit for you and your ambitions. As part of the application process, you:

• submit a motivation letter
• take part in an intake interview

Read more about the admission requirements.

To be admitted to this programme, you need a diploma equivalent to a Dutch secondary education diploma (HAVO, VWO, or MBO level 4).

If your diploma is listed on the internationally recognized diploma list, you are admissible provided that you meet the additional requirements. If your diploma is not listed, you are still welcome to apply, and we will assess your qualification on an individual basis. To ensure a fair evaluation, we work with Nuffic, the Dutch organisation responsible for assessing international diplomas.

If you do not have the required secondary school diploma and are 21 years or older, you may still be eligible for admission. HZ offers the possibility to take an alternative entrance exam.