- Intro
- Programme
- Recognition
- Admission requirements
- How to apply
- Practical information
- Why study in The Netherlands?
The internet has many threats. Due to all forms of cybercrime, more and more security professionals are needed to develop well-secured IT-systems, -applications, and -environments and to take further security measures.
Within the specialisation we look at the attack side and the defense side of cyber security. For the attacking side you train your hacking skills and you learn to apply these in security testing (pen testing, red teaming, vulnerability research). You will apply this in real live projects for partner companies. For the defense side you learn to set up a secure network environment, how threats can be monitored and detected and how you can respond to threats and incidents (blue teaming).
Other aspects that are discussed are cybercrime & legislation, privacy legislation, responsible disclosure, cryptographic applications, risk management, user awareness. After your internship you can further specialise in the cyber security minor, in red teaming, blue teaming and security engineering.
You will learn everything about security: the threats, hacking techniques, detection and analysis of its outcomes, as well as possible solutions. In the the second year, the focus will be onthe attack side and the defense side of security: Ethical hacking, Network security, Incident analysis, Risk analysis, Law and Ethics. Your hacking mind-set will be trained, for instance by conducting pentestsand vulnerability research. This also enhances your knowledge ofITnetworksand system technology.
We also look at how companies handle hacking threats with, for instance, responsible disclosure policies. In the second semester we will also start working with all kinds of techniques used in network security, like firewalls and intrusion detection systems. We will also look at the non-technical aspects and information security in general.
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
Casper Schellekens - Lecturer ICT & Cyber Security
“Capture the Flag (CTF) environments and events are a nice way to train your hacker mindset and your hacking skills. Learning by Hacking!”
Fontys School of ICT offers a variety of Exchange Programmes, take a look at our full offer.