Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is at the heart of today’s connected world. From apps and smart devices to AI and cybersecurity, IT drives innovation across every sector. Technology shapes how we live, work and communicate. And ICT professionals build that technology. Are you ready to use tech to make a positive impact on the world?

About studying ICT at HZ

Become a highly skilled ICT specialist

By studying ICT at HZ, you learn how to design, build and manage the systems that power our digital lives, and develop solutions that really matter for people, organisations and society. ICT is in almost everything we use every day: from smart device and translation tools to your fitness and payment apps. As an IT professional, you are the expert who devises, builds and continuously improves these technologies. To stay ahead, there is a high demand for highly skilled IT specialists in the Netherlands and worldwide. You will become an IT professional who offers more than just programming skills: you will learn to combine technology, creativity and problem-solving.

You will learn to:

  • Invent, code and build smart software solutions and applications.
  • Use data and AI to improve processes, provide insights and make predictions.
  • Create digital products that are logical, user-friendly and clear.
  • Respond to continuous innovations in programming languages, platforms, and techniques.
  • Collaborate agilely in multidisciplinary teams.

Understanding and applying AI

Increasingly, ICT tools make use of AI technology. Throughout the programme, you learn how this technology is developing and how to use AI in an effective, responsible and ethical manner. You don’t just use AI tools, you understand how they work and how they influence society and organisations.

Agile working on real projects

Throughout your studies, you work on projects of real companies and organisations. For example, you develop educational games for primary school pupils and help organisations with their IT challenges. You often work in multidisciplinary teams and use an agile approach: by listening to the needs of your client, you build, test and improve your product in short, and flexible steps, just like in today’s tech industry.

Meet us

This is Information and Communication Technology

In the first year you develop a broad foundation in IT. From your second year onwards, you will specialise in a study track: Software Engineering or Applied Data Science & AI. In the final two years you broaden and apply your skills through a minor, internships and a graduation project.

The fundamentals of IT

You discover the broad foundations of programming and learn how computers, systems and apps are constructed. You will be introduced to various programming languages and start coding with JavaScript, TypeScript and PHP. You also discover how software is designed and how different parts of an application fit together. By learning the basics of data science and AI, you make your work smarter and more effective.

The projects you work on

You and your team will create an educational game for primary school children. Will you create a game that helps children improve their maths or language skills in a fun way? You also develop a smart software solution for a local organisation.

The start of your study track

You begin with the study track of your choice: Software Engineering or Applied Data Science & AI. Alongside your track, you learn how to work with cloud technology, design user-friendly digital products and understand what organisations need from IT.

The projects you work on

In the first half of the year, you build a solution that helps a company improve its processes. In the second half, you develop a consumer product by building, testing and improving it in short development cycles.

Minor and internship

You choose a minor and complete an internship, either in the Netherlands or abroad. Your minor allows you to explore a subject that interests you, such as cybersecurity or game design. Your internship at a company is connected to your study track and gives you real professional experience.

Graduation research project

In the first semester, you continue working on practical projects within your chosen study track. At the end of the second semester, you conclude the ICT study programme with a graduation research project at a company in The Netherlands or abroad.

The Dutch standard of higher education

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.

Your future in IT starts in the Netherlands

Curious about studying in the Netherlands? Discover our programmes and more in the HZ brochure.

Go to the HZ international brochure

Study tracks

At the end of the first year, you choose one of the following study tracks: Software Engineering or Applied Data Science & AI. The courses in your first year help you discover which direction suits your interests and strengths best.

Software Engineering

You design and develop appropriate software. Of course, you do this in accordance with the wishes…

Applied Data Science & AI

We all produce enormous amounts of data every day. This data is a wealth of information for…

What our students say

Do you want to know what our students think of the IT programme and why they chose this programme? Read the various experiences of our students.

About the programme
Daniils, Information and Communication Technology Student

The teachers have real experience in the field and will prepare me to be a good professional in programming.

Full story from Daniils
About the programme Study at HZ
Aadya, ICT Student

What stood out to me in the information session was the comfortable and helpful environment created by the teachers and senior students

Full story from Aadya

Essential info

Applying

Have you made your choice? Start your application now to join our programme. Discover how to apply and take the next step toward your career in ICT.

Admission requirements

To be admitted to the Information and Communication Technology programme you need:

  • A qualification equivalent to a Dutch secondary education diploma, which gives you access to higher education.
  • 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.

Regulations

Read the regulations and more detailed information of this study programme via this collection of regulations.

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 €400,- per year. A good laptop is indispensable.

Read more about the fees and finances here.

Pre-arrival information and studying in The Netherlands

Visa, health insurance, accommodation and a Dutch bank account. You need to arrange some practicalities when deciding to study abroad. Read all about the practical information here. And what it's like to study in the Netherlands? And what is Middelburg like? Read all about Zeeland, the Netherlands and HZ.

ICT community

As an ICT student at HZ, you are part of a community where everyone should feel welcome. Everyone learns and works in their own way, and there is plenty of room for that within this programme. For example, during projects you can work together in groups, in pairs or alone.

Contact

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

Apply for this study programme

Ready to start your future? Apply now for the Information and Communication Technology study programme and take the next step.

Apply here

After graduation

Bachelor of Science

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

High demand for highly skilled IT specialists

Both in the Netherlands and abroad, there is enormous demand for highly educated IT professionals. You can work for commercial companies such as banks, industrial companies, IT companies and start-ups, as well as in the non-profit sector, including healthcare, defence and local governments. You could work on the systems behind apps, analyse data that guides business decisions, or build cloud solutions used by thousands of users.

  • Data engineer
  • Software engineer
  • Cloud engineer
  • Web developer
  • Front-end or back-end developer

With an HZ bachelor’s degree, you can enrol in a master’s programme at another university. If you want to do this outside of the Netherlands, you can usually start straight away. If you wish to do this at a research university in the Netherlands, you may be required to follow a pre-master’s programme.

Studying in Zeeland: holiday destination and student city in one

Let's be honest, Zeeland is not home to the biggest student cities in the Netherlands, the ones with busy tram lines, skyscrapers and huge nightclubs. But did you know that Zeeland is a unique student area with a university of applied sciences (HZ) as well as a research university (University College Roosevelt)?

Middelburg and Vlissingen, where the HZ campuses are located, are full of Dutch and international students. What attracts them most about studying in Zeeland is the personal touch: here you are not a number and we know each other by name. This is true at HZ, but also in daily life, social and extracurricular activities.

A vibrant student life and warm community is guaranteed!

Middelburg and Vlissingen

Depending on your study programme, you will study in Middelburg or Vlissingen. But did you know that you are always welcome at both locations? To study, to work on a project with fellow students or to relax. Moreover, the distance between Middelburg and Vlissingen is easy to cover by bike or bus.

Discover Middelburg, the city where you will study if you choose this study programme.