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MINOR - EMBRACE TEC
technology + entrepreneurship + creativity
EMBRACE is our flagship minor program that runs twice a year, in one of the smartest regions in the world - Brainport Eindhoven. Twenty power-packed weeks of raw action. During the program you will undergo a diverse set of activities/challenges that you face either individually or in a group. Learn by Doing, Solve Meaningful Challenges, Design Real Prototypes, Take Field Trips, Connect with Industry Experts, Work in Multi-cultural, Cross-disciplinary teams and transform into a Self Directed Professional.
Eligibility: 3rd/4th year tech and non-tech students (maximum of 80 students)
WEBSITE
Visit our website to get a look and feel:

Meet the track ambassadors:
https://www.fontyspulsed.com/stories#ambassadors
FIELD TRIPS
We train self-directed professionals who should be of value to different companies and across industries. Because we have multidisciplinary learning groups in all programs, we also like to visit different business contexts. We want you to discover what these companies do in the field of technology, creativity and (social) entrepreneurship.

YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS
In the educational programme, we often work together with young entrepreneurs. They are starting their own company and can share their fuck-ups with you and of course they can inspire you to start your own company. Some of them started their own business during the Embrace TEC program.

INSPIRING TEC EXPERTS
Who is more up-to-date than an expert who helps organisations all over the world in their field of expertise? Indeed, our TEC fellows! These experts are nationally or internationally acclaimed experts who will give you in-depth workshops in our programme.

What we expect from you
- We expect you to enjoy working on challenges. These challenges lie in the field of cooperation with people from other disciplines and backgrounds, but also with contexts and users for whom you are going to design.
- You want to proactively take control of your own professional future. We take you with us to numerous innovative organisations around technology, creativity or innovative forms of business making.
- The moment you integrate your fascinations and hobbies with our education and are open to making mistakes and learning from them, we know for sure that this is going to be a crazy time.
What you can expect from us
At home feeling
We believe it is important to create a dynamic and open learning environment in which students from different cultures, nationalities and disciplines come together. A place where everyone feels at home. In order to achieve this, we (re)shape and (re)create this unique and modular/flexible environment together with our students.

Students are taking a break in between the hard work at our chill area.
Fail forward
Failing forward requires support, guidance, and most importantly, the time and space to reflect on you fantastic fails. This subtle shift from failure to failing can reduce the fear of failure that discourage students from exploring.
“We want you to revise and iterate based on what you learned from failing – all on a path to real success.”

Laure explains design-based working and teaches students how this method helps to fail forward.
Spark your fascination
We believe that good ideas start with your own fascination. This creative spark can start from empathy, but sometimes It is also the problem or the process that is close to you that gets you started.
A modular pedal board for guitarists, which is the result of a project that started from someones fascination with guitar playing and the struggles with existing pedal boards.
Personal coaching
As a student you will have your own personal coach during this educational programme. We believe that if you are comfortable with yourself, you will achieve and learn more. Together with your coach you will work on discovering and forming your personal identity.

A modular pedal board for guitarists, which is the result of a project that started from someones fascination with guitar playing and the struggles with existing pedal boards.
How to apply as an exchange student
Applications should always be submitted via the International Exchange (or Erasmus) Officer at the home university. 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.
How to apply as a Dutch UAS student
Dutch UAS students, apply for this minor via https://www.kiesopmaat.nl.
How to apply as a Fontys students
You have to register yourself for the minor in Progress.
Deadline for nomination (by partner university)
Fall semester | 1 May |
Spring semester | 1 November |
Deadline for application
Spring semester | 15 December |
Fall semester | 15 May |

Accommodation for exchange students
It is not always easy for exchange students to find accommodation in the Netherlands. Therefore, Fontys offers a service to provide students with assistance in securing suitable accommodation (i.e. a student room) for their exchange at Fontys. For information go to the Fontys accommodation page.
Application procedure
- After nomination by your university for an exchange programme at Fontys Pulsed you will be asked to apply through Mobility Online (our online application system).
- Once you’ve been accepted in Mobility Online you can continue the application steps, including filling in the accommodation form before June 15 (for Fall semester) or December 8 (for Spring semester).
- You can give your preference for a basic student room or a more luxurious student room with services included.
- The accommodation officer will send you detailed information about the housing agency after the housing deadline.
- The housing agency will get in touch with you and you'll have to transfer two months of rent + deposit before arrival to housing agency (no payment = no entrance accommodation, but still the obligation to close rental contract).
- Accommodation is available on the agreed date.
- You are obliged to accept and pay for the offered room for the whole period.
Admission requirements
English Proficiency
For each program, the minimum level of English required will equate to the level of IELTS 6.0 (International English Language Testing System) or TOEFL iBT 80 (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or CEFR B2 (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages).
Motivation
You will be asked to hand in a motivation piece for this minor. In this piece (the form is completely yours to choose, video, moodboard, text, a combination of all) you will indicate what your expectations are of this minor and why you think you should be in the programme. Your level of English will be assessed simultaneously.
Recognition
Wondering how this minor program will 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.
Financing
Please note that the expenses noted below are estimates only for a semester abroad at Fontys and that the actual expenses will depend on your personal lifestyle. If excursions are included in the curriculum, the costs are for the student him/herself. The study programme is obligated to offer a free option as well. You will receive more information about extra costs if applicable in the course descriptions you’ll receive once accepted to the programme.
Tuition Fees
Students on exchange from Fontys Pulsed partner universities will not be obliged to pay tuition fees.
Living Expenses
Students can expect general living expenses to amount to approximately € 700 to € 1,000 per month. This amount includes accommodation (i.e. approximately € 500 to € 600 per month all inclusive), food, transport and personal expenses.
Visa Expenses
These costs vary depending on your country of origin. EEA students do not require visas and as such, no expenses will be applicable. Students requiring Entry Visas and/or Residence Permits can expect to pay charges of approximately € 600.
Grants
In theory, students hailing from the European Union, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Turkey may be eligible for Erasmus Study Grants. Please refer to the International Office at your home university for further information.
Address | Rachelsmolen 1, 5612 MA Eindhoven |
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Contact | Gert van der Stelt |
embracetec@fontys.nl | |
Website | https://www.fontyspulsed.com/ |