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Horticulture & Business Management - EN
During your study
During the English taught bachelor's programme Horticulture & Business Management introduces you to the world of plants and the entire chain from producer to consumer. You will learn technical subjects about innovative cultivation techniques, but also about business management, (international) trade, marketing and sales. DISCOVER IT!
Curriculum
Year 1
The foundation year provides the basis and serves as an orientation and selection phase. Given the final qualifications and the study programme's educational vision, this basis is divided along two main areas of focus:
- Focus on plant biology: within the modules Plant & Environment, Plant & Growth and Plant & Cell, taught consecutively in terms 1, 2 and 3, students will receive a thorough grounding in plant processes, the environmental factors that influence plants and the optimisation of plant development.
- Focus on businesses within the sector (and related areas): In the first term, students will get a thorough knowledge of the horticultural and arable farming sector and will gain an insight into current developments and challenges for the sector. In the subsequent two terms, students will be introduced to business economics and marketing.
The modules consist of a mix of lectures, problem-based learning (PBL), practicals and smaller group assignments. In addition to the two main lines described, we also pay attention to developing basic skills such as reporting, presentations and cooperation.
Year 2
The second year adds more depth and is focused on application of knowledge. On the one hand this is achieved by studying in more depth in the cultivation-oriented and research-oriented and business modules, on the other hand by explicitly making the connections between theory, practice and skills using project work.
During the second year, students spend one day a week on the 'cultivation project'. This project deepens their knowledge concerning a crop of their choice. In addition, they answer one or more research questions that they have formulated about this crop.
Year 3
In the third year, students have the opportunity to create their own specialisation profile and gain practical experience. In this study year, the student will participate in one or two internships. In addition, the student can opt for one of the third-year HAS minors or a minor elsewhere (via the Dutch site 'Kies op Maat'). Finally, there is the option to participate in a minor/programme at one of HAS green academy's partner universities, in the Netherlands or abroad.
Exchange programmes
Students may also choose to participate in an exchange programme with one of the HAS partner universities abroad. Students defend their choice in the personal year plan for year 3 and ask permission to take part. After permission has been granted by the coach, the study programme coordinator decides if the chosen course fits within the study programme. After this permission has been granted, necessary arrangements can be set in motion in consultation with the International Office.
Year 4
The fourth year of the study programme constitutes the final phase of the study programme. After laying down a basis in the first two years and defining a personal specialisation profile in the third year, students use the final phase of their study programme to prepare themselves for professional life. The specialisations are offered in the first half of the fourth year of study. Students of Tuin en akkerbouw and Horticulture & Business Management follow these specialisations together, in English. In the final half year of the study programme, a so-called professional assignment is carried out as a graduation project.
Specialisations
Within the Horticulture & Business Management programme the following graduation specialisations are on offer:
- Global Trade & Management, with the option of a Self-employment module;
- Cultivation & Technology;
- Applied Plant Research.
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Student satisfaction (NSE score 2023)
Good to know
International Student Association
The International Student Association strives to make all students feel at home in ‘s-Hertogenbosch and create a network of friends that will last a lifetime.
Through social and educational events organized throughout the year using themes related to the food industry, the association aims to stimulate students to mingle across various studies and creates an environment for cooperation and philosophical conversation while having fun.
Disability support service
HAS green academy strives to assist students with disabilities to be able to successfully obtain and complete the education of their choice. Our definition of a disability is a physical or mental impairment which may have a delaying effect on a person’s study progress.
We advise (prospective) students with disabilities to timely request an admission interview (BEFORE the summer holidays). During this interview, the type and implications of the disability are discussed. Study competence in relation to the disability will also be talked about. Finally, any adjustments and facilities the student may need during his/her study will be specified to make sure HAS green academy can deliver them.
Campus
About 3,800 students study at HAS green academy in 's-Hertogenbosch. The building has modern and innovative facilities on its own complex, such as a Food Technology Centre, a greenhouse, laboratories, a technical hall, school garden, climate chambers and more.
Student city 's-Hertogenbosch
's-Hertogenbosch, or simply Den Bosch, is the attractive city in the Netherlands. This is not just according to the people in Den Bosch, but is also apparent from various surveys carried out. It’s a perfect place for shopping, offers excellent food in every price range, is a great place to go out and is almost at the top of the list when it comes to theatre, films and festivals. Additionally, two fun student associations are linked to the HAS: Gremio Unio (GU) and Ichtus. In other words, you’ll never be bored in Den Bosch.
New students
The academic year 2024-2025 starts on Tuesday 3 September 2024.
Are you an international student? Then your schoolyear starts a bit earlier with the Welcoming days! These are Thursday, the 29th of August and Friday, the 30th of August.
Information on the literature you will need, laptop requirements, introduction programme can be found on this page:
#StudyOrientation #Events
After your study
DO IT! After graduating, you will receive a Bachelor of Science. Horticulture & Business Management is top of the list when it comes to great career perspectives. The horticultural industry eagerly awaits graduates from HAS green academy, and many students receive job offers even before they officially graduate. They meet their future employer during their studies, traineeships or during the company assignment in the final year.
Your career
Production consultant
The specialist to the rescue! A production consultant is a technical expert who helps his customers optimise their products and production processes. You combine excellent technical knowledge with people skills and a sharp analytical mind. You know how to get to the bottom of your customer’s assignment and how to translate your findings into a recommendation. You might also work as a production manager within a company, and work on more sustainable and more efficient production. A job for the technical analyst with a green thumb!
Breeder
Avocados with tiny stones. Tasty snack tomatoes. Purple paprika. Drought resistant crops. A breeder is a visionary who constantly seeks and detects new possibilities to improve and diversify our food and non-food crops. By using your knowledge to develop new and improved products, you work towards better quality and higher variety on shop shelves, in our gardens and on our fields. You achieve this by starting your own business or by working for a (multinational) breeding company. A rewarding profession for the creative scientist inside you!
Export manager
As export manager you are the link between supply at home and demand abroad. You have technical knowledge of the industry anda knack for business. By watching market trends, you know which products will be in high demand in future. You also recognise a top-quality product. You negotiate with your local producers to buy these top notch products, and afterwards you make sure you sell them to retailers in your world-wide network of customers. An international career for an ambitious globetrotter!
Entrepreneur
Be your own boss! Perhaps your parents own a horticultural company and you want to take over and innovate the family business. Or maybe you are keen to develop a ground-breaking idea during your studies and turn it into a lucrative business after you graduate. If you see yourself as a future entrepreneur, HAS green academy is the best place to get ready. Entrepreneurship is in our DNA; it is part of our education philosophy and incorporated in everything we teach. If you study with us, every day you will experience that we live and encourage your entrepreneurial spirit!
Continue studying
Master
Horticulture & Business Management post-graduate courses
For graduates with a BSc in Horticulture & Business Management, these are some of the post-graduate courses available:
- MSc Management, Economics and Consumer Studies, Wageningen UR
- MSc Plant Sciences, Wageningen UR
- Master’s in Management, Nyenrode Business University
The relevant educational institution determines whether you are admissible for the master programme. HAS green academy has no participation in this.
Facts & figures 1,5 year after graduation
Curious about other English taught courses with business?
Admission
Before applying for the study programme Horticulture & Business Management, check out the admission requirement, language requirement and Study Choice Check below.
Admission requirements
Admission requirement
The admission requirement for this 4-year Bachelor programme is a secondary school diploma, equivalent to the Dutch HAVO diploma or higher, with the final-year subjects English, mathematics and chemistry included. The level of the admission diploma is always assessed after the HAS has received a complete application form. Practical (work) experience is useful but not mandatory. With your application, you will have to fill in an online motivation form and in case of questions you will be invited for an intake interview by the study advisor.
If you want to know how your high school diploma is valued in the Netherlands before you apply, check the information in the Nuffic Foreign education systems.
Language requirement
If your previous education was not completely taught in English, you also need to be able to prove that you are proficient in the English language. HAS green academy accepts the following language tests:
- IELTS (Preferred)
Academic programme: 6.0 (overall band score)
Find a test centre near you! - TOEFL
Internet-based test: 80
Computer-based test: 213
Paper-based test: 550
Find a test location near you! - Cambridge ESOL Certificate: B2
Find a test location near you!
Deadline to prove English language proficiency 1 juli
- Exemption English language test
International students are exempted from having to take a mandatory language test in case the student obtained a diploma of secondary education in a country listed in the diploma list drawn up on behalf of the associations of institutions of higher education, as published on the website of the Code of Conduct.
Requirement British and German students
For British students the following admission requirements apply:
GCSE in at least 4 subjects (grade A-C) and GCE with at least 2 subjects at advanced subsidiary level (in 6 different subjects).
Specific requirements
- GCSE level : Mathematics and Chemistry should be at least GCSE level.
or
- BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (sector Land-based and Environment)
For German students:
You are admitted to the programme if you have been awarded your Abitur.
Please note that we always need to assess the value of your diploma. Nuffic will check your diploma for authenticity and academic level.
No mathematics or chemistry in your final year?
If you are deficient in Mathematics and/or Chemistry as an international student you have the opportunity to participate in an online Mathematics and/or Chemistry deficiency test of HAS green academy. You will receive more information about the test from the International Office if you are deficient.
Test dates:
- 5 March 2024
- 16 April 2024
- 14 May 2024
- 18 June 2024
Once you start the test you will have 1 hour to complete it. You need a reliable internet connection to take the test. Costs of the test are €35,-. You will need to pay this fee at least 1 week before the start of the test. Please note that you can only take the test once, there is no re-take possibility.
Please note that after you have passed the deficiency test(s) you will not receive a diploma or certificate. To pass the test you need to have obtained at least 5.5 points on a scale of 1-10. If you pass the test(s), you will meet the admission requirements of HAS green academy and will therefore be admitted to the programme if you also meet all other admission requirements. The results of the test(s) cannot be used to meet the admission requirements at other universities in the Netherlands.
If you want more information about the deficiency tests please contact our International Office.
Apply
You can register for the bachelor’s study programme Horticulture & Business Management at HAS green academy in 's-Hertogenbosch (CROHO number 34868), via Studielink from 1 October . You must complete your application before the 1st of May , in order to have admission right (if you meet the admission requirements).
Application process
You can register via Studielink from October 2025. You must complete your application before the 1st of May, in order to have admission right (if you meet the admission requirements).
You will find more information about Dutch CROHO accreditation on the website of the Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders (NVAO).
Step by step
Create a studielink account
You can set up a Studielink account via www.studielink.nl and log in directly.
NOTE: If you are a Dutch citizen or have a Dutch Citizen Service Number (BSN), use your DigiD code to log in.
If you are a Dutch citizen or have a Dutch BSN and do not yet have a DigiD, you should apply for one here. You will find your BSN on your passport or Dutch ID card.
When using Studielink for the first time, we recommend you look at the Studielink Help section.
Register via Studielink
Once you have chosen your study programme and have set up your Studielink account, the next step is to complete your registration via Studielink by filling in your personal data.
The CROHO number (from the Dutch Central Registry of Higher Education Programmes) for your chosen study programme Horticulture & Business Management is 34868.
Upload required documents
We will send you an email containing a personal link taking you to a web-based application with instructions on how to upload the required documents.
You need to upload the following documents within 4 weeks after your registration in Studielink, ultimately before the 1st of June:(If you apply after 1 May, you need to send us all required documents within 72 hours after registration)
- A recent passport photo in colour (scanned as separate .jpg file, 3x4 cm, 200x300 pixels, max. 50 mb, 200 DPI. We cannot use a photo in pdf file.)
- A copy of your valid passport or ID card (front and back)
- A copy of your Dutch residence permit (if applicable)
- Your curriculum vitae
- A copy of your list of marks (If you have not yet graduated, you need to upload a list of marks including your results so far)
- A certified copy of your secondary school diploma or other prior education diploma or certificate (The certified copy of your secondary school diploma is required, but may be uploaded later if you have not yet graduated. Deadline: Before 15 August. Important: please specify the exact name of your diploma in the title of the scanned document.
- Your IELTS/ TOEFL / Cambridge ESOL test results (The test result is required, but may be uploaded later if you have not yet obtained it. Deadline: Before 1 July. Important: This is not applicable if you have completed your entire prior education in English or if you have obtained a diploma of secondary education that is listed on the Diploma List.)
If you can’t provide us with a certificate of your language proficiency due to the Corona-crisis before 1st of July, please inform us on international@has.nl.
Once you are admitted: pay tuition fees
Before you can start your study programme at HAS green academy, you will need to pay your tuition fees.
If you are an EU student you can submit an authorisation for direct debit via Studielink from 1 June. You need to set up the Direct Debit before 1 July.
If you are a non-EU student you will receive an invoice by email together with your (provisional) admission letter.
You can find more information about tuition fees and other costs, as well as information on payment details on our Payment of tuition fees page.
Practical preperations
Once you are admitted you can start your practical preparations, for instance:
- Looking for a place to stay. More information can be found on our Housing page.
- Preparing the documents for your visa application (if applicable). More information can be found on our Immigration formalities page.
Note: The International Office will contact you before the summer holidays with up-to-date practical information on:
- Welcome Days (mandatory for all new full-degree international students)
- Registering in the Netherlands
- Academic Calendar
- Required literature and requirements for your laptop
FAQ
Can I visit HAS green academy?
Yes, if you are interested in the various English-taught Bachelor study programmes we offer, you can visit HAS green academy amongst others during our Open Days. Information can be found on our website in the Study events section.
I'm not sure which study programme suits me best. What can I do?
We would like to help you in choosing a study programme that suits you best. At HAS green academy, we offer various study events to make the right choice. For example, you can visit our Open Days. Check out or Study events section for more information.
Is this programme available online?
No, at HAS green academy we don't offer online programmes.
What are the costs for living in the Netherlands?
We have made an overview for you to get an idea of the costs for studying in the Netherlands, including living expenses such as rent, food and public transportation. You can find it under 'Financial matters'.
Does HAS green academy arrange a room for me?
HAS green academy has no on-campus accommodation. Under certain circumstances, we are able to help 1st year international students on English study programmes to find a room for the 1st year of their studies. Please check the information under 'Studying in 's Hertogenbosch'.