NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences
speciality: Business and Strategy

I am really satisfied with my Business Administration studies at NHL Stenden. Currently, I am finishing my second year at university and throughout this time I’ve gained so much practical knowledge regarding business processes and operations. In my opinion, what stands out in this course is the practical approach and detailed subjects related to business, it is not too general, but perfect whether you want to be an entrepreneur or work in any company in a business position. This study allows you to work with real business clients and solve their problems. I think this approach is really useful, especially for business professionals, which allows to actually learn and practice at the same time. The subjects taught in this program are really useful and connected within the duration of your studies, like Information Management, Strategic Management, Organisational Behavior, etc., covering almost all the business subjects needed for future job or entrepreneurial activities.

As a first-year Business Administration student at NHL Stenden, my journey so far has been exciting, challenging, and full of growth. One of the highlights for me has been working on real projects, like collaborating with companies to tackle actual business problems. It’s amazing to see how what we learn in the classroom connects directly to the challenges businesses face today. What I really love about NHL Stenden is its international environment. The city of Leeuwarden, where the university is located, is vibrant and full of international students. This makes it so easy to make connections with people from all over the world. Whether it’s working together on group projects or just grabbing coffee after class, we’re constantly meeting people with different culture. Of course, no program is perfect. NHL Stenden uses a unique teaching method called Design-Based Education, which focuses a lot on self-directed learning and working in teams. It can sometimes feel a bit confusing or overwhelming, especially in the beginning. There are moments when you might feel lost or unsure of what’s expected, but after sometimes you can take the lead and figure out everything.
Overall, my experience has been incredibly rewarding. The mix of practical learning, the supportive environment, and the chance to meet people from around the world makes it a very special program specially for people who wants to build a strong foundation in business while growing personally and professionally.

NHL Stenden offers a unique and practical study program, Creative Business. The study program is offered in a few other universities however it stands out.
The uni is home to many creative studios, such as recording and photography. Alongside it we as students get the chance to use these studios and other professional equipment (cameras, microphones, media labs) to make our content and fulfill our assignments. These factors make the university a stand out as we get to have a more hands on approach to using this technology.
As an addition, the university is very international which allows for networking and meeting new cultures and people. My program is very popular so I have had the pleasure of meeting talented people from all over the world.

My time as a Business Administration student at NHL Stenden has been fantastic. The hands-on learning approach, where we work on real projects with actual businesses, makes everything feel practical and useful. It’s not just sitting in lectures-you’re actively solving problems and thinking critically. The international vibe here is another highlight. Working with students from all over the world and having opportunities to study abroad is such a unique experience. It really prepares you for the global business world. Additionally, the teachers are super supportive and bring a lot of real-world knowledge to the table. Plus, the school’s strong ties with companies, which means plenty of chances to network and get career advice. The campus itself is modern and welcoming, with lots of events and student organisations to keep things fun and balanced. Overall, NHL Stenden is a great place to study if you’re serious about building a career in business!

From the very beginning, I felt really welcomed at NHL Stenden. The application process was easy to follow, and whenever I had questions, the staff replied quickly and were always friendly and helpful. Communication with the university feels very personal and respectful, which made starting my studies much less stressful.
Since starting the Creative Business programme, I’ve noticed how many opportunities there are to get involved and actually do things instead of only learning theory. One of the best parts is that we work with real clients from early on in the programme, which gives you practical experience and helps you understand how things work in real life.
I also really like that the programme gives space for personal development. During the semester there are moments where students reflect on their progress, goals, and strengths, which I think is very valuable.
Overall, the university is very supportive. If students face challenges – whether personal, health-related, or financial – there are people who are willing to listen and help find solutions.
I would definitely recommend NHL Stenden. It’s a place where you feel supported, motivated, and comfortable as a student.

So far the study has been mostly enjoyable, with interesting assignments. However, there are a few issues such as the coaches/professors not willing to answer questions because ‘figure it out yourself while also not giving enough information. Some of the assignments require knowledge and skills that weren’t taught to us beforehand or barely at all, such as film production.

I would recommend the course to my peers but with those disclaimers because it may be hard for some people to not feel lost and frustrated.

The most unique thing about Creative Business at NHL is definitely the DBE model, which teaches students mainly by learning by doing. It focuses a lot on teamwork, prototyping and feedback which I personally really enjoy!! It really prepares you for the job world in a different way than a conventional study course would!! It sometimes gets a bit chaotic because of that as well because the students have so much creative freedom and the coaches sometimes aren’t really sure either what the best solution would be. But I guess that’s pretty common with creative studies anyway. Overall I really enjoy the unconventional ways that NHL teaches.

I would 10/10 recommend Creative Business at NHL Stenden. It’s a little disorganized at times but overall amazing, the teachers are experienced and friendly, and the amount of help we get for both university but also individual projects is amazing.

Disclaimer: this review is about my course Creative Business, I don’t know if it applies to other programmes as well.

What I like: a wide variety of things are being taught and the study programme is very broad: I really feel like I can go in lots of different directions with my future career after finishing these studies. I also like the fact that there isn’t an extreme amount of contact hours: you get enough time to finish your assignments before the deadline and still have a life besides school.

What I don’t like: the fact that we change classes every 2/3 months. I understand why they do this and that it’s because you get to know lots of different people this way, but I’d prefer it if we’d switch classes every 2 modules instead of 1: this way you get to know your classmates a bit deeper instead of just on a surface level. I also don’t like the fact that we have to work in groups pretty much all of the time (so far at least, I’m only in my first year), I would like it if we’d have to work alone or in pairs now and then as well for a change.

I like the diversity and the atmosphere. I also like how the professors teach and they’re easy going but effective methods! that’s the Dutch for you!. I dislike that it is all the way in the north where it is a little quiet in comparison to Randstad cities.