Our organisation
Fontys University of Applied Sciences is a large, broad-based public institution
with 43,000 students and more than 5,000 staff, with locations in ten cities across North Brabant and Limburg. Fontys is led by a three-member Executive Board. Oversight is provided by a seven-member Supervisory Board.
Our institutes offer 200+ programmes—bachelor’s, master’s and associate degrees—in full-time, part-time and dual (work-study) formats. They also provide training and short courses for professionals (Lifelong Learning) and conduct practice-based research with and for partners. The institutes and the Executive Board are supported by seven central services: Finance & Procurement; Information & Technology; Marketing, Communications & PR; HR & Organisation; Real Estate & Facilities; Education & Research; and Student Services.
- ± 43,000 students
- 151 bachelor’s programmes (full-time, part-time, dual/work-study)
- 41 master’s programmes
- 22 associate degrees
- A wide range of Lifelong Learning courses
How we connect education and research
We see education and practice-based research as equal partners. In hybrid settings, on campus and increasingly at companies and public organisations, learning and research overlap. Students work on real-world challenges together with lecturers who also do research and with professionals.
As a student or partner, you’ll notice this in:
- projects with real impact;
- teaching that responds to what is happening now;
- research that flows straight into the classroom.
Our vision of learning
Each programme has its own professional context and educational approach. That diversity is our strength. Within clear frameworks, we follow five principles of learning:
- Discover and develop talent. We challenge students to grow.
- Learn in real-world settings. As much as possible in environments that resemble the future workplace.
- Learn together. With fellow students, lecturers, researchers and professionals.
- Student in control. Students have a strong say in what, how and when they learn—together with the responsibility that comes with it.
- Manageable. A good balance between challenge and feasibility.
Collaboration
For Fontys, collaboration drives progress. We build equal partnerships with secondary education, companies, knowledge institutions, governments, and triple helix organisations. Together, we develop education and speed up innovation. Educating for practice requires real-world experience — experience we actively create through deep collaboration.
Collaboration in education and research also takes place in an international context, through bilateral partnerships and strong consortia with universities worldwide. Fontys is a partner in the HEROES Alliance, a European network of nine higher education institutions from nine countries: Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden and the Czech Republic. Together we are working to turn talent into strength for people, businesses and a resilient society.