NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences (reviews)

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.

In a dictionary, this degree’s name can stand right next to the definition of chaos.
The best part about this degree is the customisation it offers for every student. No matter what creative skill or interest you have, you can explore it even further in this degree, while still also navigating how to get hired by professional companies for those skills. If you just want to focus on management and business side, that is also possible. The downside is that not every coach has the same approach to the degree, so this creative vs business part is felt here the most. What helps is that you can figure out what most coaches want. So you end up learning both, even if you came just for one side of it.

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.