Trend-driven Entrepreneurship

Central to the semester programme is a group project: a cooperative effort in which you conduct market-oriented research to identify a need/demand among your particular target group. You learn how to design and conduct a research and concepting process under limited guidance.

You work on your own commission and develop a service or product with your project group and then actually realise and introduce on the market. The project and its related coaching are process-oriented and aim towards coherence between the various knowledge components. The final product and all formative feedback during the project are to be used in the assessments as evidence material for your competency development. You receive coaching from the expert coach for 1,5 day per week in a project group composed of about six students. Additionally, you meet with the project group at least one half-day per week. Both of these days are included in the schedule. During these meetings, you can ask all your questions, share feedback and feedforward with each other, present your results, discuss any pitfalls, and agree to plan any creative sessions or help each other conduct interviews.

In each academic period, you can select two skills modules. All the core tasks are offered every period, in increasing levels. To be able to properly execute the project, you need to develop certain skills. For example, you must be able to thoroughly analyse trends, know how to draft a design letter , reliably analyse the proper mentality group, etc. TCL has these skills clustered in four different skills modules that are linked to the core tasks: trend research, concept design, realisation and advising. These four modules are also offered each period of semester 3. You can choose for yourself which two modules you take in semester 3.

During the skills modules, you are guided by the expert coaches. The skills modules descriptions clearly explain how that module contributes to the development of your study competencies and performance indicators. For each skills module, you can also find a clear description of which evidence pieces you can collect and how to get feedback and feedforward.

Knowledge can be found during the Lifestyle Weeks, the TCL Talks and the dialogue sessions. Additionally, you gain knowledge through the skills modules and company project. We offer the knowledge components in various ways. Examples are the literature list, the web lectures and guest lectures. Via Canvas, you have access to the course materials. Here you can find all the information with regard to the knowledge components. The Canvas Knowledge bank also contains in-depth knowledge and theories. However, since knowledge has no limits, we challenge you to seek the knowledge that you need on your own as well.

Outside the study programme, you gain additional inspiration by reading, going out, and actively seek new experiences. You include your activities in your study plan and discuss them during community coaching. To get to new insights, discover new methods, or become familiar with the latest technologies, you also have to search for inspiration on your own initiative. You can do this by attending conferences and fairs, watch documentaries, listen to podcasts, read, and seek for alternative models and examples in practice. You could also visit museums or go on a coolhunt through a city. To become inspired, we challenge you to do at least three of such activities in each period. Your learning team is the perfect place for sharing the inspiration you gained and learn from the inspiration of your fellow students.

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.