NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences
speciality: Business and Strategy

Back when I was about to finish high school, I spent a lot of time thinking, and honestly overthinking, about what path would truly suit me, and which university would feel right. I had always dreamed of studying abroad, exploring new places, and stepping out of my comfort zone. The hardest part was that my heart was pulling me toward creativity, while my mind was leaning more toward business, but with Creative Business, I never had to choose between the two. This program has already taught me so much. Not just about working on real-life challenges, but also about what it actually means to work in a team. It’s not always easy, we’ve had disagreements, different opinions, and stressful moments—but that’s exactly what made it real. It helped me grow, both professionally and personally, and showed me how to handle situations I know I’ll face in the future too.
What I gained here goes far beyond knowledge or career opportunities. I found friendships that have become really close to my heart, and that’s something I truly value. Because of this university, I feel every day that I’m exactly where I’m meant to be, like somehow everything led me here for a reason. And for that, I’m incredibly grateful.

I decided to do the Creative Business program because after my highschool graduation I didn’t really know what I want from life. I knew I am a creative person so i chose Creative Business. In that sense it really helped me to explore different areas of the creative industry. Every semester you tap into a different field, which really helps to understand what you want and like before moving on to your specialization (minor and internship).
Unfortunately this broadness comes with a lot of unclarity and chaos from the management side. Curriculum changes every semester have the result that sometimes coaches don’t even understand what we need to work on. In general it is nice to have coaches with industry experience but you can feel how the feeling and expertise for how to teach someone is missing. Therefore, you need to work out a lot of things on your own, often resulting in a “figuring out along the way” attitude.
However, NHL offers a lot of opportunities on the side (e.g. student theatre, student council, camera equipment) and the student community in general is very open and proactive, so I think if you are willing to take the extra step this can be one of the most valuable things!
Overall, the best part about NHL is the international and creative open community where you learn and thrive together but if you want a program with structure and clarity, maybe think about different options.

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.

Studying the Creative Business programme at NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences is an invaluable experience. This major offers a great opportunity to explore different aspects of the creative field, ranging from management and marketing to the actual production of films, promotional videos, magazines, and more.

What I really appreciate is the freedom to gain new experiences, as you can always dive deeper into what you are passionate about. In fact, the programme also gives you the space and opportunity to discover what you truly enjoy. In addition, the schedule is very flexible, making it easier to pursue extracurricular activities, side jobs, and experience real student life.

However, when you begin this major, you may notice that it takes a completely different approach to education. At times, it can feel vague, unclear, and even confusing. For some, this may be seen as a downside. Nevertheless, although the approach may be unfamiliar, it ultimately helps you grow as a professional, making you more independent, curious, and better at managing your time.

I study Creative Business at NHL Stenden. I am happy with my choice, since as an 18-year-old moving abroad alone, Leeuwarden is a great city to start! It is small and safe, not too chaotic, yet it still has everything you need – shops, bars, clubs, etc. The perfect student city in my options!
As for the university itself, I really like the Design Based Education. I also like that there is a lot of teamwork and that we work with real-life clients. This comes in handy in future careers. The facilities in the university are great, and the student life is vibrant. Somehow NHL has managed to get all the coolest young adults to study there, and I met some of my best friends at NHL Stenden 🙂 Opportunities for going abroad during your studies are also fantastic, since there are sooo many options!
The downside for the university would maybe be a lack of organisation and internal communication at times. There are a lot of teachers, and they all have different options and expectations for the students. This can cause some misunderstanding in the schoolwork and a lack of structure. However, this might just be that creativity is subjective, and it is harder to grade.

Overall, a nice university with the main campus being in a lovely city with fun student life!

My experience at NHL Stenden has been positive overall. I really like the practical way of learning, because working on real cases helped me understand the subjects better. The lecturers are supportive and easy to approach, which made the classes feel more comfortable. The international environment is also a big plus, since you learn a lot from working with people from different backgrounds.
The only thing that could improve is the organisation, because sometimes communication or schedules are unclear. Still, I feel the programme has helped me grow and prepare for my future. I would recommend it to students who prefer hands on learning and an international atmosphere.

Studying Creative Business at NHL Stenden has given me a broad mix of experiences. It’s not just academic learning—there’s a lot of real-life insight and plenty of room for personal growth and creativity. As an international student, I’ve felt genuinely welcomed and supported, especially because there are so many other international students around. The university has a strong sense of community, and the environment is modern, cozy, and filled with helpful staff and coaches.
What I like about the CB program is its focus on practical learning, extracurriculars, and networking. With access to well-equipped studios, we get hands-on experience in production. In just my first three months, I’ve already worked on production projects, created social media content, and even taken part in a film festival. Working with real companies and collaborating in teams makes the study program feel both exciting and relevant.
A lot of times the workload can be intense, deadlines are short, and you’re expected to be quite independent. But these challenges help you grow professionally. Over time it gets easier, especially thanks to the supportive and empathetic coaches. You really start to feel like a young professional, developing leadership, communication, and personal skills along the way.
If you’re open-minded, creative, enjoy working in teams and ready to challenge yourself, Creative Business is definitely a great choice!

When I cam to study abroad from Bulgaria, I did not realise all the opportunities the Creative business course will introduce me to. It is generally a very broad course and you can go in many directions with it – business, production, marketing and branding, publishing, and more. I got the chance to explore through different projects and assignments what I like, dislike, and what I see myself doing in the future. While this is nice for the most part, sometimes it can feel a little too broad and unspecialised. For example, you have production assignments, but CB is not a film course so you do not go as in depth quality wise, as you can. However, I try to tackle this concern of mine by joining different clubs and projects of my interest, that expand my knowledge and skillset. On that note, the ODP approach of the programme (basically mandatory extra credit projects) is rather nice in the sense that it pushes you to explore and try.

The good thing about this course is that it will make you go out of your comfort zone – from cold messaging media companies for interviews and viewings, to talking to clients and presenting in front of people. You learn to rely on yourself and shape your own learning path and goals. At times, it can feel overwhelming to keep up with everything and you may feel like you’re crashing and burning rather than moving forward. That is usually when I turn to my coaches and assigned mentor for support. Coming here, I did not expect my professors and lecturers to be so open-minded, enthusiastic, and helpful. They taught me that it is okay to ask for help when you need it.

To summarise, my experience in CB has been very positive and incredibly valuable for getting to know myself and for my overall personal development.

I came to study Creative Business from Austria after having attended university in Vienna, and I must say, I was pleasantly surprised. The structure of the classes, the close support from the teachers and the modern architecture really ensured me early on that I had made the right choice (for me). The university offers design-based education for many courses. This approach is highly valuable in my eyes and taught me things that I needed even for my entrepreneurial journey. One disadvantage of Creative Business is the chaos that sometimes shines through. It is a programme that is updated and improved yearly, which is good, but also leads to a lot of confusion and a lack of support from older students, as their help may not apply. NHL makes up for this, however, with the helpful coaches and many different opportunities to get support – emotional, academic, but also financial information. Since the university is so modern, it is involved in many events around the world (BIP, Erasmus, EIA, RUN-EU, etc.) that allow you to grow and expand your CV if you take advantage of them.
All in all, I can really recommend this university if you are tired of traditional teaching methods and have the discipline to push yourself.

I’m a second-year Creative Business (CB) student and I really enjoy my study programme. What I like most about CB is its versatility. You get to learn a bit about everything: business, marketing, production, editing and much more. The learning style is very practical, which makes it easier to connect new information to real-life situations. Thanks to the design-based education, there is a lot of group work, reflection and space to make mistakes and improve from them.
One thing that makes this uni experience even better is the beautiful university buildings, with amazing places to sit and study or to have a chat with your friends. Another thing is that all the coaches are very open and friendly, which creates a more relaxed atmosphere.

Overall, it’s a programme where you can try out different things and discover what you enjoy. However, there are still areas that could be improved, such as communication between the academy, coaches and students. Despite that, my experience so far has been very positive and I’m happy I chose this study!