- Intro
- Programme
- Recognition
- Admission requirements
- How to apply
- Practical information
- Why study in The Netherlands?
We are connected to the people we care about, make futile or important decisions and get many things done with the help of technology. To design media and technology is to shape daily life. This raises important questions. How do we want to live in the future? How do we ensure that technology helps us, improves and supports our lives, in a meaningful way? The future may be hard to predict, but by designing it we can give it direction.
In the minor Digital Experience Design students improve the skills that are important to solve these questions of the future: Human Centered Design, Intercultural Communication, Critical Design, Storytelling, Media in the Digital Society. This enables them to work on complex challenges in many professional fields. By looking at issues from an international perspective and by cooperating with international students they can see these in a broader context and better understand the impact of their designs. The language of the minor is English.
The minor DXD is closely associated with the lectorate Interaction Design. The students benefit from the extensive professional and research experience of the lector and researchers, and the availability of specialist teachers. In addition, partner companies of the lectorate collaborate with teachers and students of the minor in order to provide meaningful educational cases and context. This way, the students learn a lot about doing applied research and build new ties with the professional community.
Content of the programme
During the programme we will research, consume and create digital media with the goal to add a meaningful contribution to the digital society. To do so, we explore different aspects of a design challenge and offer weekly lessons and workshops on relevant topics. As part of the Intercultural Communications subject, we are taking a mandatory trip abroad. Also, students can propose lessons about other topics and, practicalities permitting, these lessons will be implemented during the semester.
During the semester you will build a digital portfolio in which you document your personal process and contribution towards the group work as well as the assignments of the subjects. For each subject the teacher is available for suggestions on which works to include in the portfolio. The portfolio can take the shape of a blog, website, app, ebook or similar and can contain videos, photos, sketches, stories, prototypes, etc. The portfolio also contains a short reflection for each iteration, on your work and learnings. You will conclude the minor with an assessment to acquire the 30 ECTS.
Learning goals
- Design and create meaningful interactive products and/or services in response to the given societal challenge
- Apply a Human Centered Design process for interactive products or services (Human Centered Design)
- Reason about ethics, empathy and meaning of media and apply these insights in a design project (Media in the Digital Society)
- Show intercultural sensitivity, knowledge and competency in diverse intercultural contexts (Intercultural Communication)
- Create meaningful stories based on the principles of Emotion Based Storytelling (Story Creation)
- Use design to ask themselves critical questions and challenge others to ask new critical questions (Critical Design)
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] |
This minor starts annually in September and is meant for students with an interest in ICT, media and design.
To be admitted to this minor you need to demonstrate the following interests and/or skills:
- Preceding work experience in the field (in the form of an internship)
- Basic knowledge and experience in design processes and user research
- Being able to create digital prototypes through front-end programming and/or prototyping tools.
- Interested in working with people from other cultures and with different ways of working
These entry requirements are tested (after submitting your application) by means of a cover letter and CV sent to
Ferry Wonders (our minor coordinator), if necessary followed by an interview. Should there be serious doubts about your chances of successfully finishing this minor, we will help you join a more suitable minor.
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
Judith Gaffert - Lecturer Digital Experience Design
"Digital Experience Design is about immersing yourself in an interesting design challenge, expressing your talents and making a difference in society. And I love being a part of this".