
Enrolment
Study choice check
Fontys offers prospective students a Study Choice Check to support them in their study orientation and study choice process. Participation in the Study Choice Check is not compulsory for students applying for admission on the basis of an international diploma.
The main goal of the Study Choice Check is to determine how well your study programme suits your interests. This will benefit the chances of you enjoying your study time and succeeding at Fontys and ultimately also in your career. The Study Choice Check is a final confirmation to help you to decide. This will help you feel more confident, whatever your choice may be.
If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact your study programme.
The course of events surrounding the Study Choice Check and the study choice advice are detailed in the Study Choice Check rules. Specific details for each study programme are included in the Teaching and Examination Regulations of the study programme concerned.
21+ assessment test
Information regarding the 21+ assessment test for English Fontys bachelor programmes
Are you a student from the Netherlands and do you want to follow an English bachelor programme? Please follow this link for more information in Dutch and for registration for the 21+ assessment test.
If you want to start with a Fontys bachelor programme, but you don’t have a previous education diploma that grants you permission to the study program, you may be eligible to apply for admission through the 21+ assessment test (colloquium doctum). In order to participate, you must meet a number of conditions. Please always contact the course department of the study programme you want to follow first.
The Fontys 21+ assessment test consists of the ACT (Adaptive Capacities Test) General Intelligence by Ixly.
- If you want to follow a Dutch bachelor or associate degree programme, you will also take a Dutch language test in addition to the ACT. The Dutch language test takes place at the same date as the ACT. You must pass both tests.
- If you want to enroll in an English bachelor programme, you only take the ACT general intelligence. If you have passed this test, you must also pass an English language test (IELTS, TOEFL or Cambridge certificate). Please contact the course department regarding the requirements for the certificate to be obtained (and under which conditions you can request an exemption for the English language test). Please contact the departement for any questions regarding to the English language test. You send your certificate or any application for exemption to the course department of the study programme you want to follow. Please note that an English language test is not offered by Fontys!
The information below is specifically about English bachelor programmes. If you want to follow a Dutch bachelor programme, please use this link.
Please note: This 21+ assessment test is developed especially for Fontys University of Applied Sciences. If you have passed a 21+ assessment test elsewhere or have already successfully passed a capacity test, this does not count as an exemption for the 21+ assessment test of Fontys University of Applied Sciences.
The ACT (Adaptive Capacities Test) General Intelligence Test consists of three subtests: a numerical, abstract and verbal test. The difficulty of the questions is determined by the correct or incorrect answers you give. A (stanine) total score is calculated by the Ixly test system on the basis of the three subtests. The total score provides insight into your work and thinking level in comparison with a reference group on bachelor’s level and is leading for passing the ACT.
- You have passed this assessment test with a (stanine) total score of 4 or higher.
- It is possible to prepare for the ACT General Intelligence by making a number of practice exercises through this link (Figure Sets, Verbal Analogies and Digit Sets).
- The ACT General Intelligence Test is offered in the following languages: Dutch, English, German, French, Italian, Turkish and Chinese.
- By default, the ACT is offered in the language of the bachelor programme you wish to follow (Dutch or English). If you want to take the ACT in a language other than the default language, you can let us know after registration.
English language proficiency
For all study programmes conducted in English, a minimum level of proficiency in the English language is required. You need to substantiate your level of English by submitting evidence in the form of a result of one of the language tests Fontys accepts. The minimum required test result is mentioned in the table below.

Note: IELTS, TOEFL and TOEIC certificates may not be more than two years old at the start of your study.
Some applicants may be exempted from submitting language proficiency test results, see also chapter 5 of the Code of Conduct.
- International students who have followed their preparatory education in English. It also applies to students with an International Baccalaureate Certificate for English A Language and Literature. The National Commission may request that the higher education institution provides a statement from the NUFFIC confirming that the preparatory education has been followed in the English language. Furthermore, a higher education institution may exempt an international student from having to take a mandatory language test in case the student obtained a diploma of secondary education in a country listed in the diploma list drawn up on behalf of the associations of institutions of higher education, as published on the website of the Code of Conduct.
- A student who is in possession of a diploma demonstrating English language profiency which was issued over two years ago, will need to redemonstrate the language profiency unless the student obtained the diploma in a country where - according to Fontys policy - the main language and/or the educational system is (in) English. Students that are native speakers: please check with your admissions officer.
- Exchange students
- Applicants who have a Dutch mbo-4, havo or vwo diploma
An applicants level of proficiency in the English language must always meet the entry requirements for the chosen Fontys study programme. Fontys reserves the right to require language proficiency testing for all applicants.
Please note: stricter standards may apply for specific study programmes.
Degree Certificate Higher Education
Once you have graduated, you will receive a degree certificate.
The government has set conditions for the level, quality and reliability of certificates. The degree programme you have attended is accredited by NVAO (the Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders) and together with the requirements set by the government, the value of a certificate becomes clear. Once you have passed, a notification will be sent to DUO (the Education Executive Agency of the Netherlands). As from that day you are known as a graduate at DUO.
Therefore the certificate that you receive is a value document. Every certificate issued by Fontys has the same established format.
The paper is numbered and has security features incorporated in the paper:
- A micro text in the square purple area of the logo at the bottom of the document;
- A silver foil strip on the right side of the document with a cut-out of the monogram of Fontys Hogescholen;
- The unique paper number of each certificate is also executed in laser perforation. When in doubt about the authenticity of the document, you can request verification at Fontys Hogescholen;
- The paper has a worldwide protected watermark.
In addition to the certificate, you will receive a diploma supplement.
Diploma supplement
All students graduating from a Degree programme at Fontys Hogescholen (Fontys University of Applied Sciences) receive an English Diploma Supplement.Automatically and free of charge.
In October 2011 the European Commission announced, that Fontys Hogescholen has been awarded the Diploma Supplement Label (DS Label).
The Diploma Supplement is an attachment to the certificate and provides insight into the level, nature and content of the study programme that was successfully completed. It includes a description of the study programme that was pursued and the results gained. The Diploma Supplement has been implemented within the scope of the Bologna process to improve the ‘transparency’ and equivalence in higher education in Europe and the professional and academic recognition of qualifications (diplomas, degrees, certificates etc.).
The Diploma Supplement provides future international employers or institutions for follow-up studies insight into the main elements of the study programme that was pursued (the transcript of credits with the amount of ECTS credits achieved). Fontys is also entitled to carry the Europass logo.
The Fontys Diploma Supplement is issued in English and has been developed in accordance with the template that has been developed by a joint European Commission Council of Europe – UNESCO/CEPES working party. It includes a description of the study programme that was pursued, as well as information on the Dutch education system.

Fontys Grade Distribution Table
To help other universities and your potential employers interpret the value of your grades, Fontys publishes Grade Distribution Tables for Bachelor’s and Master’s graduates.
more information