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Introduction to Life Cycle Analysis (LCA)

  • 2 months
  • 04-05-2026
  • Eindhoven
  • EUR3,000
Do you want to understand the environmental impact of a product across its entire life cycle? And how to make that impact visible for your work and organisation? In the course Introduction to Life Cycle Analysis (LCA), you will learn the basics of Life Cycle Analysis and apply them directly to a product from your own professional practice.

About this course

In this course, you will be introduced to Life Cycle Analysis (LCA): a method for measuring the environmental impact of products and processes. You will learn how an LCA is structured, what data is needed and how to read and use the results.

You will work on your own practical case and carry out a simple LCA. This will always involve a product from your own work environment. This could be a machine, a component, an electronic product such as a mobile phone, or a simpler consumer product such as a chair. If you do not work in a manufacturing company, we will work with you to identify a suitable case.

The course has a practical focus and combines theory, workshops and coaching. You will develop knowledge and skills that you can apply directly in your work. The course is designed for professionals and is easy to combine with a full-time job. Teaching sessions take place on Monday afternoons. The focus is on getting to know Life Cycle Analysis and developing practical basic skills.

The course is taught in Dutch by default and can be offered in English upon request.

 

Who the course is for

This course is designed for professionals who want to understand the environmental impact of products and processes, and what Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) can mean in this context.

The course is particularly relevant for:

  • professionals working in the manufacturing industry
  • staff involved in procurement, design, production, logistics, sales or management
  • professionals working on sustainability, circularity or reporting
  • professionals dealing with environmental, social and governance-related issues

No prior knowledge of LCA is required. An affinity with sustainability and circularity is helpful. This course is intended as an introduction to LCA. You will learn the basics and apply them to your own practical case.

Admission Requirements


The course is open to professionals with at least an mbo level 4 qualification, who are employed or have demonstrable work experience in a professional environment.

 

Placeholder for Fontys video
“Making the environmental impact of a product visible, and from there rethinking, designing and organising processes to make products more circular – that is what motivates me.”
Yvonne van Lith
Lecturer at Fontys Technology and the Fontys Research Group Circular Transitions

 

Content and structure

In the course Introduction to Life Cycle Analysis (LCA), you will learn step by step how to make the environmental impact of a product transparent. You will work on your own practical case, collect the required data within your organisation and carry out a simple LCA calculation. This will help you gain insight into data, choices and outcomes.



During the course, you will work on a range of themes that together form the basis of Life Cycle Analysis (LCA):

  • life cycle thinking and hidden impacts

  • impact categories and impact indicators

  • legislation and regulations related to sustainability

  • collecting data for an LCA

  • carrying out a simple LCA

  • interpreting LCA results

These themes are closely aligned with current questions from professional practice.



In this course, you will learn step by step how a Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) is structured. You will start by understanding the context: why LCA is used and what role it plays in sustainability and circularity. You will then learn how to design an LCA, what data is required and how to make assumptions when information is missing.

You will carry out a simple LCA for a product or process. Finally, you will learn how to interpret the results and translate them into insights for your work and organisation.



The course has a practical and interactive set-up. Theory and practice alternate throughout the programme.

  • on-campus lessons and workshops

  • online coaching sessions

  • working on your own practical case

  • feedback from lecturers and fellow participants

Throughout the course, you will work on a portfolio. This includes assignments, calculations and reflections. In this way, you gradually build up your learning outcomes and can apply what you have learned directly in your work. You do not need advanced Excel skills to follow this course.

You will receive two hours of online coaching every two weeks. In addition, there is personal guidance and feedback on assignments and the portfolio. On average, you can expect around one hour of guidance per week.



After successful completion, you will receive an official Fontys microcredential worth 3 ECTS. This demonstrates that you have basic knowledge of Life Cycle Analysis (LCA), understand what data is required and are able to set up, carry out and interpret a simple LCA.
 
 

Learning outcomes

After completing this course, you will have a clear understanding of what Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) is and what it can mean for your organisation. You will be able to read and interpret existing LCA reports and understand which steps, people and data are involved in carrying out an LCA for a product.

You will be able to assess whether performing an LCA is relevant for your organisation and contribute to the process when an LCA is carried out. You will also be able to support the collection of the required data within the organisation.

This course does not qualify you to independently carry out a certified LCA. During this introductory course, you will learn:

  • how an LCA is structured and applied
  • how to read and interpret LCA reports
  • what the environmental impact of a product is across its entire life cycle
  • which data, steps and stakeholders are required for an LCA
  • when and how LCA knowledge is relevant for your organisation and professional practice
 
Placeholder for Fontys video
“I am driven to make sustainability measurable and to improve it.”
Raoul Bosboom
Lecturer at Fontys Technology

 

Practical information

Costs
EUR3,000
Length
2 months
Start date(s)
04-05-2026

Duration and study load

The course runs for 10 weeks and has a total study load of 84 hours (3 ECTS). In addition to the scheduled sessions, you will spend an average of 4 hours per week on self-study and assignments.

Blended learning (on-site and online)

The course follows a blended learning approach, combining on-site sessions with online support. On-site sessions mainly consist of workshops and hands-on activities. Online materials and guidance support the learning process and the development of your portfolio.

Course dates

The course consists of several half-day sessions and one full-day session:

  • 7 May – introduction (13:00–17:00)

  • 19 May – pressure cooker (09:00–17:00)

  • 26 May – own work context & AI applications (13:00–17:00)

  • 9 June – AI workflows and knowledge retrieval (13:00–17:00)

  • 16 June – in-depth workshops & portfolio guidance (13:00–17:00)

  • 14 July – follow-up session, assessment and awarding of the microcredential (13:00–17:00)

Language

The course is delivered in English.

Certificate

After successful completion, you will receive an official Fontys microcredential certificate.

Would you like more information about this course?
Please send an email to the course team using the contact details below. We will get back to you as soon as possible.

Duration and study load

The course lasts 10 weeks and has a study load of 84 hours (3 ECTS). In addition to the teaching sessions, you will spend an average of 4 hours per week on self-study and assignments.

Blended learning (on campus and online)

The course uses a blended format and takes place on Mondays (Dutch only).

  • On-campus sessions: 13:00 – 17:00 at Fontys in Eindhoven

  • Online sessions: 13:00 – 15:00 via MS Teams

Course dates

  • 4 May 2026 – on campus

  • 11 May 2026 – online

  • 18 May 2026 – on campus

  • 26 May 2026 – online

  • 1 June 2026 – on campus

  • 8 June 2026 – online

  • 15 June 2026 – on campus

  • 22 June 2026 – online

  • 29 June 2026 – online

  • 6 July 2026 – on campus

Maximum of 15 participants.
The course is taught in Dutch. English is possible subject to sufficient interest.
This course can also be delivered in-company or in English by arrangement. This is possible with a minimum number of participants (at least 10). Please contact us to discuss the options.
After successful completion, you will receive an official Fontys microcredential certificate.

 

 

Register

Below you will find the start date of this course and a link to register for the Dutch course. Would you like more information about in-company delivery or the English version? Please send an email to technology-llo@fontys.nl.

Start date(s)

  • Eindhoven
    4 May '26, EUR3,000     Register


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