Bachelors

Trend Research & Concept Creation in Lifestyle

  • 4 year
  • English
  • Bachelor
  • Full-time
Tilburg

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Are you interested in Trends, market developments and human behaviour, from a diverse creative perspective? Are you wondering what our world will look like in the future and how we can create a sustainable and humane future for everybody? In that case, the programme of Trend Research & Concept Creation in Lifestyle is the right choice for you.

About

This creative study programme lets you work on concepts that bring about a sustainable and liveable future for all people. The central concept we focus on is quality of life. Learn how to design and shape lifestyle concepts by working on actual issues from the practical field, enhancing the quality of life on both individual and social level. You always work on the basis of research, trend analysis and future-thinking. These skill are then applied to the benefit of the companies, organisations, institutions and governments that shape the necessary transformation of our economy and society. Think of the coming shift in our energy sources or the transition of the healthcare sector. As TCL student, you can personally contribute to shaping the economy of the future: the creative economy.

Why study Trend Research & Concept Creation in Lifestyle in the Netherlands?

  • Work on meaningful creative concepts that enhance the quality of life.
  • Learn how you can contribute to a more vital, sustainable and inclusive society.
  • Learn how to combine your creative skills with social responsibility and professional business skills.
  • Work on actual practical challenges for clients from the practical field, both profit and non-profit.
  • The programme offers you both a solid theoretical knowledge base and practical skills, while developing your own personal vision.
  • Gain lots of international experience.
  • Work with students and teachers from other programmes in multidisciplinary teams while cooperating on practical projects in the Crossover Labs.
 

What will you learn?

Become a concept developer and researcher who can use creative, entrepreneurial and social skills to develop and realise meaningful lifestyle concepts. Lean how to analyse and interpret trends and translate your insights into innovative and future-proof concepts. This includes learning how to visualise analysis insights, create concepts designs and test them on your target groups.

  • The programme offers a mix of real-life assignments from practice, fascinating workshops and personal projects.
  • Acquire the following skills: trend research, concept creation and realisation, advising and reflecting.
  • Your fields of expertise: concept development, creative thinking, creative techniques, trend research, future thinking, lifestyle research, designing, marketing, branding, professional communication, language skills, imagery, presentation techniques, consultation techniques, cooperation and project management, anthropology, ethics.
  • Explore the sectors that contribute to quality of life, such as Health, Leisure, Appearance, Food, Human Movement, Living and Work.
 

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How does your week look?

Studying is hard work. That’s okay, as long as there’s diversity in what you do. This is exactly what the Trend Research & Concept Creation in Lifestyle course will give you. One minute you’re working in a team on a trend report or a concept, the next you’re getting to know all lifestyle sectors within the programme: appearance, living, food, human movement, health, leisure, and work. 

 

Romee studies Trend Research & Concept Creation in Lifestyle

Tilburg is really a true student city that has so many things to offer you will never get bored!

 

Courses

The weekly hours in the first year of Trend Research & Concept Creation in Lifestyle will be divided as follows: 

  • 35% theory
  • 25% self-study
  • 40% practice

Each study quarter, you’ll engage in a project and work towards a professional product as the end result. To create this product, you’ll gather knowledge under the guidance of coaches. After this, you’ll demonstrate in an assessment that you are competent at the desired level. This will immediately introduce you to the two main professions that you’ll be trained for: trend researcher and concept developer. 

The second year of the study programme is also built up of four quarters. In the first two quarters (semester 1), you’ll work on an individual project. The last two quarters (semester 2) will be dedicated to a group project. Additionally, you’ll work on different core tasks within different sectors during each quarter as well. Each semester ends with an assessment in which you demonstrate your competence at the desired level. The second year is all about deepening your knowledge of the sectors, as well as the professional roles of concept developer and trend researcher.   

International experience 

You’ll gain international experience by working on international assignments and going on a study trip. You’ll work on a real-world assignment for a company in a specific industry.   

The Idea Factory

During the last quarter of year two, you’ll ‘set up’ a Lifestyle Company together with fellow students. You’ll analyse trends and design a concept: you’ll shape it, test it, and introduce it to the market. All Lifestyle Companies present their concepts during the Idea Factory. Future employers will also be invited to this event. 

In the third year, you’ll follow a minor and do your internship. The internship is an important part of your studies, as it allows you to put into practice what you learned in the first two years. You’ll gain practical experience as a concept developer.  

You can choose which minor you’ll follow. Choose a minor from the interesting offerings of Fontys University of Applied Sciences or follow courses at  another university. Have you always wanted to study abroad? The minor is an excellent opportunity to spend 6 months of your studies abroad at one of our 45 international partner universities.  

An internship or minor abroad has added value, is challenging, and offers a fun international experience. 

During the final year of this course, you’ll choose a specialisation. You can choose two sectors (i.e., appearance, living, food, human movement, health, leisure, and work) in which you want to further develop your skills. Additionally, you can choose from a wide range of specialisation modules and further specialise within the core tasks of trend research and concept creation. 

Bachelor thesis 

You’ll also start working on your Bachelor thesis. Here you apply the knowledge that you have gained in the specialisation modules by designing a concept. You can freely choose the company for which you will work on your Bachelor thesis assignment. You’ll present your final Bachelor thesist to future employers during the Graduation show. 

 

Requirements

Language requirements

For the English taught programmes, the minimum English language proficiency required is explained in the table below:

TEST Bachelor's students
IELTS 6.0 (academic level)
TOEFL paper 550
TOEFL computer 213
TOEFL internet 79/80
TOEIC* 670
Cambridge ESOL FCE-C (from 169)

* only if the units 'Speaking and Writing' and 'Listening and Reading' have been passed succesfully.

The level of English proficiency must always meet the entry requirements for the chosen Fontys course. Fontys always reserves the right to require a language proficiency test for all categories of applicants.

Exemptions

Some applicants can be exempted from submitting the language proficiency test results:

  • Candidates with a Dutch mbo-4, havo- or vwo-diploma
  • EEA/EU candidates with diplomas from certain countries are exempted from the language test. Find the list of diplomas and countries here
  • Applicants whose previous education was English-taught, and taken in a country in which English is an official language
  • Applicants whose mother tongue is English.

The level of English proficiency must always meet the entry requirements for the chosen Fontys course. Fontys always reserves the right to require a language proficiency test for all categories of applicants.

Language requirements

For the English taught programmes, the minimum English language proficiency required is explained in the table below:

TEST Bachelor's students
IELTS 6.0 (academic level)
TOEFL paper 550
TOEFL computer 213
TOEFL internet 79/80
TOEIC* 670
Cambridge ESOL FCE-C (from 169)

* only if the units 'Speaking and Writing' and 'Listening and Reading' have been passed succesfully.

The level of English proficiency must always meet the entry requirements for the chosen Fontys course. Fontys always reserves the right to require a language proficiency test for all categories of applicants.

Exemptions

Some applicants can be exempted from submitting the language proficiency test results:

  • Candidates with a Dutch mbo-4, havo- or vwo-diploma
  • EEA/EU candidates with diplomas from certain countries are exempted from the language test. Find the list of diplomas and countries here
  • Applicants whose previous education was English-taught, and taken in a country in which English is an official language
  • Applicants whose mother tongue is English.

The level of English proficiency must always meet the entry requirements for the chosen Fontys course. Fontys always reserves the right to require a language proficiency test for all categories of applicants.

Visa

As a non-EU/EEA student, the Netherlands will require an Entry Visa* (MVV) and a Residence Permit. Fontys will apply on behalf of its students for these documents. We recommend you start the process early, i.e. approximately three months before you plan to enter the Netherlands.

*except nationals from Australia, Canada, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, South Korea, the USA and Vatican City State.

Language requirements for Dutch students

For the English taught programmes, the minimum English language proficiency required. As an applicant with a Dutch MBO-4, HAVO- or VWO-diploma you can be exempted from submitting the language proficiency test.

Costs

The tuition fees indicator helps you to determine the tuition rate for your situation. The information and tuition rates from this indicator are without engagement.

For the 2021-2022 academic year, you can count on a one-time discount on tuition fees from the ‘Nationaal Programma Onderwijs’. Do you want to know what this means for you personally? Check the tuition fees indicator to see how high your tuition fees are for academic year 2021-2022.


Statutory tuition fees and institutional tuition fees

A distinction is made between statutory tuition fees and institutional tuition fees. Only if you satisfy all statutory requirements regarding your nationality and if you have not yet been awarded a degree, will you be eligible for statutory tuition fees. Via the tuition fees indicator, you can secure an indication of the type of tuition fees that will be applicable in your situation. To do so, please make use of the indicator above.

Distinctions are made between the following types of Institutional Tuition Fees:

  • Low institutional tuition fees
  • High institutional tuition fees


Different types of tuition fees and Exemption Regulations

These different types of tuition fees and the Exemption Regulations are fully detailed in the

    The amount to be paid may vary in accordance with the following situations:

    • If you have enrolled in more than one course programme (at Fontys and/or elsewhere), it is possible that you may only be obliged to pay one set of statutory tuition fees.
    • If you believe that you may be eligible to pay only the statutory tuition fees on the basis of information that may be unknown to us, please report this to your Course Department.
    • If it later transpires that you do not meet the requirements for statutory tuition fees, you will be obliged to pay the (higher) institutional tuition fees and if this is the case, you will be notified accordingly.

    Fontys currently offers several scholarships for Non-Eu / Non-EEA students. You might also be eligible for other scholarships not provided by Fontys. These can be found on Grantfinder.nl

    Holland Scholarship Programme 

    The Holland Scholarship is subsidised by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. The scholarship amounts to €5,000. The purpose of the scholarship is to support excellent non-EU students during their first year of study. Each academic year, ACE awards two of these scholarships. To be eligible for the Holland Scholarship Programme, you have to meet the following criteria: 

    • Your nationality is non-EEA
    • You do not have a degree from an education institution in the Netherlands
    • You start with one of our 4-year Bachelor Programmes as a regular, degree-seeking student
    • You have achieved excellent secondary school results with a grade point average of 75% or higher

     More information on the Holland Scholarship Programme can be found here. 

     Application procedure 

    • The application deadline for the Holland scholarship is 1 June every year.
    • An assessment committee will examine all applications and decide to whom the scholarships will be granted.
    • Even if you fulfil all application criteria, we cannot guarantee that you’ll be awarded a scholarship, as scholarships are limited in number.
    • Allocation of scholarships is only possible if you have completed your enrolment.
    • Payment of scholarships will be done in October.
    • To apply, send your full application file to ace-international@fontys.nl including a motivation letter, CV, grade records.

    If you have any questions about scholarships, do not hesitate to contact  ace-international@fontys.nl. 

    Paying in instalments

    Collection will take place in a maximum of ten equal instalments on or around the 26th of the month. Depending upon the processing time required after your enrolment, the direct debit may need to be moved to the following month. If so, the amount outstanding will then be divided and added to the remaining instalments to be executed until and including the June instalment.

    If paying the full sum in a single payment

    If you commence your studies on 1 September, the direct debit pertaining to your Tuition Fees will be executed on or around 25 September. If you commence your studies after 1 September, the direct debit will be executed on or around the 26th of the month in which you commence your studies.

    Non EU students

    Incoming Non EU students will receive a payment letter from their study department which must be paid before the deadline. In the following academic years payment can be done by direct debit.

    Non-Sepa

    If you have a Bank account number, of which the bank is not situated in one of the SEPA countries, and you are a national of a country outside the EEA without an address in The Netherlands, then you will receive a paymentletter from Fontys via your course department.

    The Dutch currency unit is the Euro (i.e. abbreviated to ‘EUR’ or ‘€’).

    The average living expenses per month for a foreign student living and studying in Holland are between EUR 900 and EUR 1,100 per month. These living expenses cover rent, insurance, food, public transportation, books, clothing and other general costs. 

    Dutch Immigration Service (IND) requires non-EEA students to proof they have access to € 11,200 per year (€ 5.600 per semester)

    Costs within the first months upon arrival will be higher than all other months due to a housing deposit, intro week and books. Study books are usually bought at the start of the semester and therefore it is wise to reserve and have direct access to an amount at the start of the semester which can cover the price of all study books and the living expenses for the first two months. 

    Before starting your study at Fontys, you must find suitable housing. Unfortunately, it is not easy for international students to find accommodation in the Netherlands due to the housing crisis. Start your accommodation search early. Please be aware that finding a place to live is your own responsibility. However, we are happy to assist in any way we can.

     

    Career opportunities

    Trend Research & Concept Creation in Lifestyle graduates will be able to work professionally in the field of analysing trends and developing and marketing lifestyle concepts. After completing your studies,  you could work as: 

    • Concept developer
    • Trend Researcher
    • R&D Manager
    • Design thinker
    • Designer
     

    Mathew Mathew - Student Trend Research & Concept Creation in Lifestyle

    "This programme requires you to be curious, to happily absorb knowledge and experience from the world around you. You also have to be open-minded, so you can see from other perspectives without being judgemental. It also helps if you are an analytical person, able to look at things from a bigger perspective, recognize trends and think creatively."

    How to apply

    All applications for our programmes have to be conducted via www.studielink.nl. Studielink is an online portal that allows applicants to apply and maintain their registration whenever they want to.

    The application process may differ for EU and Non-EU students, please read below what applies for you.

    Application deadlines (for EU- and non-EU students)

    September intake
    All non-EU applicants 1 June
    EU applicants who want to apply for housing through Fontys* 15 June
    EU applicants who want to arrange their own housing 1 August

    *Please note that applying for accommodation through Fontys does not automatically guarantee housing. Housing options are limited in the Netherlands and Fontys cannot guarantee housing in any way. Therefore we strongly advise you to apply as soon as possible and please be aware that finding a place to live is your own responsibility.

    Start your online application

    • Log in to Studielink: www.studielink.nl.
    • Submit your personal details (please ensure that you enter your names as stated on your passport and/or identity card), ensuring that all details are entered correctly, i.e. capital letters where required.
    • Add 'New Enrolment Application': mind you choose the correct intake (September 2022).
    • Add your previous education and answer the supplementary questions.

    Within Studielink, choose this option:

    Educational institution Fontys Hogescholen
    Location of educational institution Tilburg
    Programme Trend Research & Concept Creation in Lifestyle

     

    Meet us



    More about Trend Research & Concept Creation in Lifestyle

    Get to know us

    • Watch a webinar
    • Ask your questions
    • Experience the programme
    • And more...
    Yes, I'm interested

    Download the factsheet

    In the factsheet you will find the most important programme information at a glance.