- ICT & Software Engineering - Advanced
- Recognition
- Admission requirements
- How to apply
- Practical information
- Why study in The Netherlands?
In this semester, you will learn how to design and implement enterprise software as a team effort. Enterprise software can be described as large-scale distributed software aimed at an organisation rather than end-users. This type of software is capable of handling large numbers of simultaneous users and data transfers. Typically, this load is not distributed evenly over time. Services provided by enterprise software have to be available around the clock. Such software should be developed with security in mind and should be performant and maintainable. Often a microservices architecture is chosen and some (if not all) of these services run in the cloud. In this semester you will learn how to design and implement enterprise software taking into account both functional and non-functional requirements as set by stakeholders.
Research Based Learning
Advanced Software is a research-based semester. By doing research, you will learn methods and technology that are common in nowadays daily practice of the software industry. You can make your own choice based on your personal preferences and context. There is a flexible learning path in which learning outcomes are determined and you can choose from various learning and research activities.
You will spend about half of your time on your Group Project (including knowledge exchange among students) and about half of your time on your Individual Project (including self-study).
Typically, the group project is part of a long-lasting research project initiated by a Partner in Innovation or professorship (dutch: Lectoraat). A company or professorship representativewill discuss the assignment with the students. The assignment will be aligned with the semester learning outcomes and will trigger you into doing research, learning, and applying your knowledge in the context of an authentic project.By providing a professional environment, you will further develop your professional skills, your analytical, and design skills in the context of a large software project. It may also be possible to create a multidisciplinary environment by joining projects with students from different profiles.
The role of the individual project is two-fold. First, it serves as a playground for the technical skills required in the group projects – you learn about the technology and practice the skills needed for the group project. Second, it serves to demonstrate your individual skills to the teacher which are much harder to track in a group project.
Learning activities
The semester will be divided into sprints of 3 weeks. You learn by acquiring knowledge and skills through workshops and educational materials, exchanging knowledge with other students, and applying new knowledge and skills in your projects. In addition to collaborative learning, you can choose topics for further study and define your own learning path.
During this semester, you will be part of a group of 5 or 6 students. Together you will learn by means of research, a group project, and an individual project. In addition, lectures and hands-on practices will be provided by Partners in Education/Innovation and you can attend lectures and workshops on graduation preparation, societal impact, and the research framework. Each Wednesday afternoon, a get together will be organized in which you can learn with students outside your own group on subjects provided by partners, expert teachers or other students.
You will be coached and judged by three teachers. One of them is your tutor for the group project and your semester coach. The other two will guide you with topics related to software development, DevOps, and architectural design. With each teacher, you will have two dayparts scheduled per week. Each teacher guides 4 groups of students.
How will your course programme be recognised by your home university?
Fontys will provide you with a so-called ‘Transcript of Records’, which will clarify the results that you have achieved. Depending on your results, you will receive a maximum of 30 ECTS credits. ECTS credits are recognised throughout Europe. The agreement between your home university and Fontys University of Applied Sciences will usually include a condition whereby the credits that you obtain will be recognised and transferred into the records kept by your home university.
Dutch Grades vs. European Credits Transfer System(ECTS)
Some coursework is graded with "Pass" ["Voldaan = V “] or "Fail" ["Niet Voldaan = o”]. Most exams are graded with round marks ranging from 1 to 10, with mark 6 needed to pass.
The following table gives round Dutch marks, the percentage of successful students achieving these marks, the equivalent ECTS grades and their definition:
* 5.5 and above are also sufficient.
- VR = exemption (no grade given)
- V = sufficient = 7
- G = good = 8
- O = not sufficient/fail
| Dutch grades | % | ECTS grades | Definition |
| 9 - 10 | 2% | A | Excellent |
| 8 | 8% | B | Very Good |
| 7 | 40% | C | Good |
| 6 | 50% | D - E | Satisfactory - Sufficient |
| 5* | - | FX | Fail [some more work required] |
| 4 [or less] | - | F | Fail [considerably more work required] |
English language proficiency
For all exchange programmes a minimum level of proficiency in the English language is required, as detailed in the table below. You must substantiate your level of English-language proficiency by submitting evidence in the form of a language test result pertaining to one of the below-mentioned courses.
* = Only if the units ‘Speaking & Writing’ and ‘Listening & Reading’ have been completed successfully.
| Test name | Minimal score | Accepted for students from |
| IELTS | 6.0 | EU and non-EU countries |
| TOEFL paper | 550 | EU and non-EU countries |
| TOEFL computer | 213 | EU and non-EU countries |
| TOEFL internet | 79/80 | EU and non-EU countries |
| TOEIC* | 670 | only EU countries |
| Cambidge ESOL | CAE-C | only EU countries |
| CEFR | B2 | only EU countries |
How to apply as an exchange student
Applications should always be submitted via the International Exchange (or Erasmus) Officer at the home university. If several versions of the programme are offered, please indicate for which version you would like to apply to (Programme I, Programme II, Programme III, etc.) This officer will send your application request (nomination) to Fontys. Once Fontys has accepted the application, your Fontys study department will send you a link to a web application called Mobility Online. Added to the link you will receive all necessary information and a manual. Please take a look at this website to see how it works.
Deadline for application:
| Fall semester | 15 May |
| Spring semester | 15 November |
Opening a Dutch Bank account:
After you have arrived in the Netherlands, you can open a Dutch bank account.
For opening a bank account and for buying a sports card, you will need a proof of enrolment. This document will be sent to you by e-mail when you have the status registered. More information.
The Brainport Region Eindhoven
The Eindhoven region, also known as the Brainport region of the Netherlands, is the most important technology and industrial center of the Netherlands. With 730,000 inhabitants and a workforce of 400,000. Eindhoven region generates € 24 billion of GDP and € 55 billion in exports, one-quarter of the Dutch total. It is a manufacturing center in a high-cost country. By focusing on producing high-value, technology-based products, it is in competition with fast-growing manufacturing centers in nations with much lower costs. At the same time, however, Eindhoven is saddled with demographics familiar to Europe, in which a low birth rate and aging population is reducing the regional labor force. To win the battle for the talent that provides its competitive advantage, the region must make itself economically and socially attractive to knowledge workers from around the world and concentrate on innovation.
Eindhoven’s answer to these challenges is a public-private partnership called Brainport Development. Its members include employers, research institutes, the Chamber of Commerce, the SRE, leading universities and the governments of the region’s three largest cities. More information about Eindhoven is available on the Intelligent Community Profiles pages of the ICF Web site (intelligentcommunity.org)
Visiting adress
Rachelsmolen 10, Eindhoven
