Fontys University of Applied Sciences (reviews)

I had a year of studies in Fontys Academy. I still don’t understand the structure of the degree I was in. I had observations and encounters which made me believe there was something amiss with this particular study and the lecturers. This is mostly due to the quality of the personnel and environment, tools offered to students. I had hopes for a better experience but I can not recommend the institution. Obvious and verifiable reasons are as follows:

1- The study openly offers courses with context in engineering and business but it is named as a science one which is highly unusual to standards.

2- The study is offered by a high school and not a research university for that reason the research offered doesn’t pass above Technology Readiness Level 3, which indicates only introductory curriculum and nothing regarding other 6 levels which includes prototyping and patenting.

3- The study is regulated by unknown factors. Policies are set by lecturers who are doing the teaching as their second job, they openly state that they do not have time for teaching students. The alumni accredit this degree but they themselves lack the qualification to do it which is a loophole in itself.

4- The lecturers (assessors) are either an overfit or underfit to this degree. An example I had was where an editor assessed my paper based on the readability. Student charter dictates you get assessed based on your learning. This lacks academic ethics.

5- The institution failed to provide work placement for students. I found my own. They have no real connections in any field but loose leads as we call “bread crumbs”. Students are always expected to do major lifting of the educational work where there is hardly any practical knowledge over any field provided. It feels more like a kick-starter agency or consultation firm without an actual, tangible business focus.

Following is mostly my personal view:

The teachers were unapproachable for me.
There was a tense and competitive habitat for me as a student, being among others.
Most of my classmates who can’t understand what is wanted dropped-out, outright. The teachers answers are always quizzical, there is an unseen, unspoken bias. I tried various professional communication methods, trying to be convincing, understanding and many others to no avail for a dialogue. In the name of being unbiased they stay distant and indifferent.
When it comes to a situation where you might be seeking your rights, you are ignored. Worst part is there is nobody you can talk about this. Student councilors, therapists and coaches are there only on paper. They won’t help you. I have had classmates with neural divergency which couldn’t get support and ones that had psychologic conditions during their time in the place including myself.
The work they put you through is massive, for no reason. There is a very strict grasp on so called “professionalism” and “master” level which sums up nothing to but present-ability and pretentiousness. I was in doctorate level studies, had worldly accepted research, worked for ministry contracts, did a whole year of studies in best institutions with grants. This lowliness was there to top all of it.
I “failed” a study which is not really possible to fail due to many more factors. I was excommunicated because of my character and my ethical values. I did all the work myself throughout the year, I have proven capability in language yet they say that my work is nonassessable implying that I used AI which is an absurd claim that I don’t understand based on what.
There is some oddity but it is not the usual Dutch narrowmindedness, it is just self-interest at all times based on that.
This is my experience, you may have yours but I wouldn’t suggest you try. Most of my classmates responses without me inquiring about it was, now I quote: “I wouldn’t join to this study if I had another chance.”
I do not see the programme lasting long with their approach in such a mindset where you are a non-key client and when you can’t keep up, you are just a casualty. They treat the business aspect the same, application over immediate resolution and a cure for symptoms and not underlying conditions, there is nothing for preventive side which is the most vital case. For this I recommend that you check out master programmes of Global Foresight and Technology Management or Strategic Innovation Management. Credible institutions such as THI(Germany) or SPRU(UK).
I don’t think I make unreasonable claims here, I provide the work I did during my time in my professional socials where you may check them and judge by yourself.

Overall, I had a positive experience at Fontys. I really liked the practical approach to education, with lots of projects, practical assignments and teamwork. The facilities were also good, and overall I think it is a solid university.

Most of the teachers were good, and some were genuinely amazing. There are still teachers I remember to this day because of how much they helped and supported me.

However, the quality of the teaching staff was somewhat inconsistent. There were also a few teachers who seemed to have little passion for teaching and were simply doing their job without much interest in helping students. I also had an unpleasant experience with a couple of teachers who seemed to deliberately make things harder for students, although this was around five years ago.

I completed my History (Teacher Training) degree at Fontys in Tilburg, and I can say with confidence that it was a fantastic and formative experience. The university provides a high-quality learning environment, and I would highly recommend it to prospective students.

The heart of the program was, without a doubt, the teaching staff. The lecturers were not only incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about history, but also genuinely approachable and invested in their students’ success. Their enthusiasm made the subject matter come alive and created a very supportive atmosphere in the classroom.

However, the absolute highlight for me was the opportunity Fontys offered to study abroad. I was able to participate in an exchange program with Kindai University in Osaka. This experience was truly life-changing. It gave me the chance to immerse myself in a new culture and is the very reason I discovered my deep love for Japan. I am incredibly grateful to Fontys for facilitating this unforgettable journey.

My only point of constructive criticism would be the support for neurodivergent students. While individual teachers were often understanding, I felt that the overall institutional guidance and tailored support systems could be improved. Navigating the program could be challenging at times, and more proactive and structured support for students with neurodivergent minds would be a valuable addition.

Overall, my time at Fontys was overwhelmingly positive. It’s an excellent university that offers not just a solid education, but also incredible opportunities for personal growth.

Fontys University is a fantastic university for anyone who’s passionate about academic research, even as an undergraduate. It gives you a solid foundation for future studies while making sure you’ve got the basics down. What really stands out is the staff, they’re incredibly supportive, always available to help, and genuinely care about helping you get the most out of your time there.