NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences
speciality: Marketing

My experience in the Content & Media Strategy master at NHL Stenden has been overall positive a 7/10. The program combines theory with practical, industry oriented work, which helped me understand how content strategies are developed and applied in real contexts. I especially value the international environment and the collaboration with classmates from different backgrounds, as it truly enhances the learning experience. Most lecturers are approachable, knowledgeable, and open to feedback.

One area where I feel there is room for improvement is the level of guidance given for assignments. The program encourages independence, which I appreciate, and they often say they don’t want to “spoon-feed” students. However, sometimes the lack of clear instructions goes a bit too far, especially regarding what is mandatory or expected in certain tasks. Providing just a little more structure or clearer assignment criteria would make the learning process smoother without taking away the intended autonomy. Despite this, the master has helped me to grow academically so far, improve my English communication skills, and gain confidence in strategic content creation. Overall, I would recommend the program to those looking for a hands-on and practical oriented experience in media and content strategy.

I chose NHL Stenden because of their impressive gallery of programmes, multitude of opportunities, club & facilities they offer, and the feeling of a trustful community that they nurture.

Even more so, between the multitude of programmes that they offer in English, I chose Marketing Management. I feel like this choice was a very good one, for me. The curriculum is diverse, you learn things from Digital Marketing, to Pitching and Presenting and Applied Research. I believe it it a nice mix of subjects, that intertwine together and end up creating a programme worth studying. The professors are mostly young, which makes it more engaging to learn from them.

What I would highlight as a minus, would be that sometimes, things seem to go quite fast. You spend a few weeks only on the initial steps of your project, and then speed run in the last couple weeks to finish all the other steps. It can be a lot, but still manageable if you know how to divide your tasks. It’s also nice that you work with complete strangers from your class, which not only helps you learn how to efficiently work in a team, but also to get to know your classmates and get closer to one another.

I’m a first year international student, doing marketing management in Leeuwarden. I chose NHL Stenden because how international and welcoming the atmosphere was and I do not regret my decision. I really enjoy that the university is so practical. We have multiple practical classes a week where we actually apply the knowledge we learned in the theoretical classes. Already from the first weeks we’ve been working with real life companies, which gives us a great advantage and experience in the future. We had to get used to working on our own and the flexible schedules which might be harder for some than others. Overall NHL Stenden provides lots of amazing opportunities for everyone through their courses which include travelling and studying all over the world.

To you who is currently reading this review,

Hi, I am Catarina, a 20-year-old Portuguese girl currently in my first year of Marketing Management in NHL Stenden in Leeuwarden. I hope this review helps clarify any questions you might have and guide you in making the best decision for your future.

I moved to the Netherlands in late August 2024 to start this new adventure. So far, my experience has been extremely positive. The university campus is modern and meets all the students´ need (and wants) by offering technologically equipped classes, different study areas, a large library, several cafeterias with a variety of snacks, and free-access coffee machines to help wake you up during early morning classes.

My program is a perfect balance between theory and practical learning. During classes, we cover all the basics of marketing, which later helps us work with real-life companies by developing product innovations and creating marketing communication strategies for them in the form of a report. This experience has helped us prepare for the corporative professional life, as teamwork is always required. However, a downside of working in teams is the fact that you have to spend a lot of time with the same group to ensure progress on the highly detailed research work. For the first semester, we are working with the same group and company for five months, which sometimes make us feel less motivated over time. Recently, a new company was introduced in our Online Marketing class, which made us having back the excitement we initially felt when we first started working with our current company.

Personally, NHL Stenden reminds me a lot of my experience living in Canada, where teachers build connections with students, making us feel more than just a number on a list. These connections make student more willing to attend classes and engage with the topics. While not all teachers adopt this approach, the majority tries to do so. Additionally, the university’s diversity is notable, with student from many different countries. This diversity is more noticeable in our daily classes, which creates a richer learning environment with different perspectives.

There are only a few downfalls I’ve noticed. While the library sometimes provides the course books needed, they can only be borrowed for a short period, less than a month. Additionally, some of the food in the cafeterias and vending machines seems overpriced. However, other than these minor “issues”, I have no complains.

In conclusion, I recommend my course, the university, or both to anyone with a creative mind who is also passionate about business, like me. NHL Stenden is a great place to grow and learn while enjoying life in the Netherlands. Leeuwarden is a lovely city, though it is more suitable for studying than touristing. Therefor, I recommend you to take advantage of the excellent Dutch public transport system to explore other parts of the country. I hope I’ve helped you in some way 🙂

Attending NHL Stenden University has been one of the most enriching experiences of my life. From the moment I filled out the application form, to finding accommodation, and eventually diving into my studies, each step has contributed to an unforgettable journey.

Several factors make NHL Stenden stand out as an exceptional choice for students:

Global Perspective: NHL Stenden offers a vibrant international environment. The diverse student body and faculty provide a unique opportunity to connect with people from around the world, broadening both cultural understanding and professional networks.

Intimate Learning Environment: The university’s commitment to maintaining small class sizes ensures personalized attention and fosters a close-knit community. This approach enhances learning and allows for meaningful interactions with professors and peers.

Study Abroad Opportunities: One of the highlights of time at NHL Stenden is the chance to study abroad for six months.

Practical Internships: The mandatory internship component provides invaluable real-world experience.

Theory Meets Practice: NHL Stenden excels at integrating theory with practice. The curriculum is designed to ensure that what we learn in the classroom is directly applicable to real-world scenarios, making the learning process both relevant and engaging.

Overall, NHL Stenden has not just been a place of study but a transformative chapter in my life. The combination of international exposure, small class sizes, opportunities to study abroad, and practical internships has made my time here truly special. If you are looking for a university that blends academic rigor with real-world application, NHL Stenden is an outstanding choice.

Master Content & Media Strategy (MCMS) was an emotional rollercoster. From enjoying super fun activities to stressful deadline periods to frustrating and unexpected results.
However, it really is a fun and short master to study if you are interested in marketing and media. Don’t expect too much design related contents, it really is focusing more on the strategy part. But don’t worry, the creative thinking part is also greatly covered.

Be aware of the stress you will most likely encounter. Afterall, it is only one academic year. If you can generally deal with stress in a good way, that will definitely help you. If not, you will probably learn how to deal with it during these studies.

But don’t worry, working on several group projects, youre never alone in the process & have great support around you.
The coaches are also really helpful and always have time for you if you really need it.

Overall, I can really recommend this programme!!

NHL Stenden offers a truly diverse program. I’ve had the chance to learn alongside classmates from over 100 nationalities, which creates a vibrant and enriching environment. The professors are passionate and knowledgeable, and the curriculum incorporates innovative concepts like Design Based Education. This focus on practical application has helped me develop a strong foundation of skills that are relevant to the real world. Overall, NHL Stenden has been an amazing experience that has prepared me not just for a career, but for success in an increasingly globalized world.

I really like and enjoy studying at NHL Stenden for several reasons:
NHL Stenden offers an amazing international environment. In my study program there are many people from different places and you can really learn from different cultures. Moreover, the students have the chance to study abroad for a semester in a different country where you learn new approaches and get a different insight about the international experience.
Also the student do an internship which is not only great for personal growth but also amazing for work experience. The teachers are amazing and really care for their students.

All in one I can say that I would recommend studying at NHL Stenden 🙂