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The Startup Project

Start moment(s)
February
Location
Tilburg
ECTs
30
Language
English
Duration
20 weeks
Contact hours
15-20 hours per week

We’re all about bold ideas. Curious, ambitious, driven doers. About scalable and impactful solutions to real-world problems. We deliver an immersive programme to accelerate learning, creation & connection. We support students to go further, faster and start a startup.

About the exchange programme

The Startup Project gives students the opportunity to immerse themselves in a real-world startup experience. The project empowers students by fostering an entrepreneurial mindset, which helps students to think creatively and find ways to translate their passions into real-world experiences.

Why this programme?

  • Dive deep into entrepreneurship, turning ideas into a working business model with real customers and revenue.
  • Work in teams to develop a product or service idea into a business, using the "lean startup" method for effective learning and growth.
  • Receive weekly individual and group coaching, along with guest lectures to enrich your entrepreneurial journey and skills.
 

More about The Startup Project

Students learn from experts in a focused environment committed to outcomes. To fail safely, with continuous feedback loops and guidance to test and iterate ideas. To find their people and get support from a powerful network of inspiring creators and entrepreneurs.

The Startup Project offers students the opportunity to dive into Entrepreneurship head-on. Students will identify and validate ideas in the market that eventually lead to a working business model which will generate real customers and revenue.

 

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Learn. Create. Connect.

 

 

 

Content of the programme

Students are asked to build a team, investigate target audiences, and create a business from scratch during 15 thematic weeks, following on the Lean Startup method.

Students who participate in the startup project will develop a new or an already existing idea for a product or service into a concrete, substantiated and feasible business model ("Business Development") and work on the development of their entrepreneurial competencies. This involves constant validation and cooperation with the (external) environment. The " lean startup" methodology and " build- measure- learn" cycle are central to this approach. At the end of the startup project the student experienced different stages of entrepreneurship: brainstorm, idea generation, validation, problem- solution fit, MVP and sales.

  • Future leadership
  • Concepting & Validation
  • Content Marketing
  • Sales
  • Weekly Individual Coaching
  • Weekly Group Coaching
  • Weekly Guest Lectures

  • Up to 100 students.
  • Work in groups of 5 students.
  • Develop a complete toolkit to build and grow ideas, transferable to any industry.
  • Hands-on and fully supported journey from inception to realization.
  • Create a powerful, lifelong and international network.

Your teachers provide intensive coaching during the programme. Furthermore, all exchange students will be placed in buddy groups, led by a full-time Fontys student. He or she will introduce you to Dutch culture, the city of Tilburg and the campus. With questions about practical matters and social engagements you can go to your buddy. Lastly, our International Office can also help you with study- and practical matters.  


For all matters more complicated or personal you can go to the international coordinator or the study coach dedicated to our international exchange group. This study coach can help you with several personal or study related matters and can forward you to study psychologists or a dean if needed.

 

 

Admission requirements

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).

 

 

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.

Deadline for application

Fall semester: 15 May
Spring semester: 15 November

Note: Not all exchange programmes are available every semester. To find out when this programme is offered, please check its specific details.

 

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.

 

Practical information

Start moment(s)
February
Location
Tilburg
ECTs
30
Language
English
Duration
20 weeks
Contact hours
15-20 hours per week

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 ACE partner universities will not be obliged to pay tuition fees. For all other students, a fee of € 75 per ECTs credit will apply (i.e. a 30 ECTs programme = € 2,250).

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.

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 the Fontys Academy for the Creative Economy (Fontys ACE) you will be asked to enrol 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.

The Netherlands

The Netherlands is a country in western Europe with a multicultural population of approximately 17 million people. It has a very rich history in international trade, education, art, literature, design and sciences. This tiny country is famous for the great Dutch Masters, painters like Rembrandt and Van Gogh, but also pioneers in the EDM scene, such as Tiesto, Armin van Buuren and Martin Garrix. They transformed the world around them just like today’s Masters: designers, concept developers, futurists. The Dutch creative industry of the 21t century is growing rapidly and plays a leading role in strengthening the innovative capacity of the country.


Tilburg

More than 27,000 students study in the city of Tilburg in the south of The Netherlands. 13.5 percent of this city’s 200,000 inhabitants are students. Tilburg has a lot of cafés where you can enjoy student life. Students quickly find their favorite bars/pubs, restaurants and other meeting places. Catching a movie, enjoying the night life, a pop concert, visiting museums or going to the theatre: Tilburg offers a great number of possibilities.

For more detailed information about practical matters, such as financial matters, residence permit, health insurance and accommodation, please click on the button below.