Creative Business

Bachelor
4 years
Full-time
English
Start 1 September 2025

The best Creative Business programme of the Netherlands for 11 years in a row! 

You will learn all about radio, television, magazines, online platforms, virtual reality, events, outdoor advertising, online marketing, database marketing, and more. 

‘How do you create effective media campaigns?’ and ‘What is the impact of new technologies on media consumption?’ In this English-taught programme, you will learn just that and work on solutions. You will collaborate on real projects and develop your skills in a dynamic, international environment. Choose Creative Business and take the first step towards a career in the world of media and entertainment!

 

Come and meet us

Walking around on campus is the best way to truly experience BUas. Sign up for one of the upcoming events or activities.

Distinctive feature of small-scale and intensive education

The Creative Business programme of BUas has been awarded NVAO’s distinctive feature of ‘small-scale and intensive education’. For you as a student, this means, that you will: 

  • study in a small-scale and international community with expert guidance and coaching from dedicated lecturers who are available every school day for help and advice.
  • work with the latest equipment in a radio and film studio, have access to an XR Stage with LED screens, and borrow materials like photo and video cameras from the Equipment Desk.
  • apply theory in projects for real companies, collaborating with fellow students in the Media Lab, instead of traditional  lectures. 

 

What is Creative Business?

Discover the Creative Business programme

Discover the Creative Business programme in an interactive story. Swipe through the shorts, see what you can become later and take the quiz to see if this study suits you!
 

 

 

Check out the interactive story

Study overview

The first year consists of four blocks in which you lay the foundation. Each block combines theory and practice in projects. In the first block you will discover the different media landscapes. You will explore this further in the subsequent blocks.

Examples of courses in the first year are:

  • Storytelling - what is it and how can you use it?
  • Media Tools - how do programs like Adobe Creative Cloud work and what can you do with them?
  • Marketing & Communication - the basics, plus learning how to effectively communicate and present an idea
  • Research - how do you get the right information and use it to improve your idea?
  • Professional Development - how do you learn to think critically, evaluate, improve yourself, and work with different stakeholders in international groups?
  • Media Management - managing the entire production process, from creating and developing an idea to producing a (digital) product and launching it.

 

After year 1, the main phase begins. Below you can read more about the course content of each year. 

Year 2

In year 2, you will work on projects with other students, but also individually. In these projects, you choose a role in which you want to develop yourself further:

  • Project Manager
  • Content Manager
  • Product Manager
  • Marketing & Communication Manager

After each block, you will switch roles so that you get to know all sides of the media industry.

This year you will learn how to develop ideas, realise them using the right techniques, and how to get them to the right audience. Creative Business is a management programme, so you will also learn about organisation and business. How do you complete a project on time and within budget? How do you manage people and how do you deal with different (creative) insights?

In the second year, you will work specifically on the following projects:

  • Innovation project  
  • Entertainment project  
  • Impact project  
  • International and Intercultural project  
  • Individual project for your portfolio 
Years 3 & 4

In year 3, you choose your own study path. You can do a placement, exchange or minor, or spend six months on campus working on your own project. A placement is compulsory, but you decide when to do it.

In the first two blocks of year 4, you complete a programme on campus. Then you will start your graduation phase (Capstone).

On campus, you will work on your own project under the guidance of lecturers. This project prepares you for your graduation. Together with your group, you determine the content and direction. Besides your project, you will be prepared for graduation, so that you can finish your studies with your own media production. In your Capstone project, everything comes together. You will work individually on an assignment for a company of your choice, such as a corporate film or marketing strategy.

Placement

In year 3 you will do a work placement. You are free to decide whether to do it in the first or second half of the year. Below you will find a few examples of work placements.

  • Social media / content marketeer at Hunkemöller
  • Audio / video producer at Banijay Benelux
  • Marketeer at Omroep Brabant
Exchange

Spending time studying abroad offers you the opportunity to push your boundaries, both literally and figuratively. You expand your international network, learn another language and gain more insight into intercultural differences (and similarities!). Breda University of Applied Sciences has contacts with numerous universities all over the world where you can go as an exchange student. 

Our partner universities:  

  • Bournemouth University (UK) 
  • Northern Arizona University (Flagstaff, USA) 
  • Hanyang University (Seoul, South Korea) 
  • London School of Public Relations (Jakarta, Indonesia) 
  • Ehrvervaskademiet Lillebaelt (Denmark) 
  • University of Vic (Spain) 
  • Bilkent University (Ankara, Turkey) 
  • Bilgi University (Istanbul, Turkey) 
  • Westerdals (Oslo, Norway) 
Minor

During a minor, you can choose whether you want to delve deeper into your current field of study or broaden your horizons in a different subject. You can choose to take a minor at BUas. Check out all the minors that BUas offers here. You can also choose a minor at another university of applied sciences in the Netherlands or go abroad.

Pre-master

We offer all students the opportunity to attend the academic pre-master’s track of Strategic Business Management and Marketing (SBM). Successful completion of this track will give you direct access to various Master of Science degree programmes in business-related studies at our partner universities, such as the University of Amsterdam, Maastricht University, Tilburg University, Free University of Brussels (BE), and the University of Warwick (UK). 

After this pre-master’s, you also have direct access to our academic master’s Leisure and Tourism Studies. This allows you to earn an academic master’s degree within five years’ time or, after having completed a three-year track, even within four years’ time!

In the Creative Business programme, you will learn all the ins and outs of the international media landscape from lecturers with a wealth of current experience in the field. By working on assignments, usually for real clients in the field, you will discover the world of Creative Business.

The study programme combines the following: 

  • Management of different media disciplines (Creative Business)  
  • Focus on media trends and innovations 
  • Integration of various theories 
  • Practical, hands-on learning style 
  • Close cooperation with the industry 
  • Learning in dynamic, international groups 
  • Development of social and professional skills 

The result is a project-based curriculum in which students gain experience across the full breadth of the discipline and in which the theory is visibly reflected in the practical components.

What does a week in year 1 look like?

You will attend masterclasses and workshops. You will work on your project with other students in the Media Lab. And there is dedicated time for independent study on campus, with lecturers available to help you. Depending on how you manage your time, you can usually complete your work during the day.

A typical week

Monday: 

  • Morning: Masterclasses and workshops on campus
  • Afternoon: Working in the Media Lab on campus

Tuesday: 

  • Independent study on campus or at home 

Wednesday: 

  • Morning: Masterclasses and workshops on campus
  • Afternoon: Working in the Media Lab on campus

Thursday: 

  • Morning: Working in the Media Lab on campus
  • Afternoon: Masterclasses and workshops on campus

Friday: 

  • Morning: Working in the Media Lab on campus
  • Afternoon: Independent study on campus or at home 

Study coaching
You take control of your own development during your studies. The program is designed for this. You can follow your own path and train your leadership skills. A study coach will guide you, and for projects, you will always receive a briefing and have an expert supervisor to help you.

Student well-being
BUas encourages and helps you to make the most of yourself, whatever your circumstances. Maybe you have a chronic illness, are a family carer, a competitive athlete, or juggle your studies with running your own business? Our study coaches, student counsellors and student psychologists are here to help. Do you need extra support or advice? Or extra facilities? Then take a look at the options here.

During your studies you can go abroad for an excursion or a Blended Intensive Programme (BIP). BIP is a short, innovative programme in which you collaborate with students from other universities in different countries. For example, we have projects with universities in Antwerp, Vienna and Turkey.

You can also do a placement abroad or take a minor somewhere else (in the fourth year).

vwo

As a vwo graduate, you can get your professional bachelor’s degree in Creative Business in three years. That will save you a year of time and tuition fees! Check here if you are eligible for the three-year track for vwo graduates.

What does the three-year track for vwo graduates look like? 
In three years, you will obtain a full bachelor's degree. Accelerated, in other words. And to make that possible, we have created a special programme that covers all professional skills. In the three years of your studies, you will complete a professional development programme in which you will learn to develop your personal and professional leadership skills. 

Year 1 and year 2
In the first two years, you will be fully immersed in the world of Creative Business. You will learn all about the international media landscape. All study components are about creating, producing and marketing media products.

In the Media Lab, you will work in teams on practical assignments. In the first year, these assignments are provided by lecturers, but as you progress, you will start working on them alongside industry professionals and partners. Later in your studies, you will have the opportunity to bring your own projects to life!

Examples of projects in years 1 and 2:

  • Marketing & Communication (the basics) 
  • Production (including pre-production and post-production of audiovisual content)
  • Content orientation (you learn to recognise good content using Story Analysis and Digital Concept Development)

Year 3 
The third (and final!) year of your studies consists of two intensive blocks. In the first half of the year, you will work on your own project in a group on campus. You will be supervised by lecturers and it is the preparation for your graduation project (Capstone). You will complete your graduation project in the second half of the year in the form of a placement or project at a company. 

Want to know more about the three-year track for vwo graduates? 
Just send an e-mail to [email protected]. 

hbo or wo

If you have already completed a propaedeutic year at another Dutch Creative Business course (with the same CROHO number 35516), you may submit a higher-year request via Studielink. There is a good chance that you can start in the second year of the course.

Mhbo track for havo pupils 

Have you almost finished your havo education but are you in doubt about a direct transfer to higher professional education? Then we have a solution for you: an mhbo track. Together with De Rooi Pannen, BUas offers a programme that allows you to obtain an mbo diploma (level 4) and an hbo diploma in your field of interest in five years!

If you are thinking of continuing your education in the tourism, media or events sector, take a look at this option: Mhbo Tourism | Leisure | Creative Business.

You attend this level 4 programme at an accelerated pace at De Rooi Pannen in Tilburg or Breda. After two years, you will obtain your mbo diploma and have a choice of three professional (hbo) bachelor’s programmes at BUas. Here you will enter in the second year: 

  • hbo (professional) bachelor’s programme Creative Business 
  • hbo (professional) bachelor’s programme Leisure & Events Management   
  • hbo (professional) bachelor’s programme Tourism Management

This means that you have a little more time to discover your talents: you do not have to choose your hbo programme until after two years.  

More information (only available in Dutch)

At BUas you are trained to become an entrepreneurial professional. In all the professional bachelor’s programmes, you are given the opportunity to develop your entrepreneurial skills. Alongside your studies, you can join BUas Startup Support, BUSS. BUSS organises (networking) events and connects student startup entrepreneurs, there is even the possibility to apply for guidance from your own startup coach.

You can also graduate within BUas with your own company! Every academy offers this opportunity, though a selection process may apply. Maybe, by that time, you already have a small profitable business or have plans to start one? BUas Startup Support can help you.

More information on how to start your own business.

Admission & application

What are the admission requirements?

To be admitted to this degree programme, you need a havo or vwo diploma with an appropriate profile, or an equivalent of these Dutch diplomas. You can also be admitted with an equivalent of level-4 mbo diploma

  • Check out the complete admission requirements and the possibilities if you do not meet the requirements
  • Additional requirements have been set for the 3-year track.

Information about admission requirements


What does this study programme cost?

In the academic year 2025-2026 the statutory + tuition fee for this bachelor programme is €3,250. In addition, you should take extra costs for software, excursions, etc. into account.

Information about study costs


How can I apply?

If you meet the admission requirements, you can apply for this study programme. This is a selection programme, meaning that only 190 students are admitted each academic year.

More information about applying

What others say about Creative Business

I want to be a documentary film director

I wanted to do my bachelor’s in an international environment to make more international connections. During an internship at BredaNu, I heard about BUas. I really like to learn about the business part of the media industry and at the same time making something creative. I want to be a documentary film director because I like the idea of informing people about something that might be outside their comfort zones.

Taris Aprilyant

Student

I got the opportunity to grow, try and learn new things!

I’ve been doing my work placement at Red Agency – a public relations and social media agency – in Sydney, Australia. As a trainee in the social media team, I provided general assistance to the team. Additionally, I was involved in community management, content calendar development, competitor and industry research as well as scheduling posts and writing copy. Red Agency gave me the opportunity to grow, try and learn new things – and I did learn a lot!

Maxime

Graduated | Social Media Manager at Fraimworks

Nina-Saunders_CB

I love inspiring students

My favourite course to teach is the scriptwriting course. I love inspiring students to dig deeply to identify their values and unique voice as a writer so that they can unlock and devise untold stories. Seeing the spark that happens within them as they excavate and innovate narratives for a purpose is truly magical. Then seeing those stories being adapted and transformed as they make their way to the big screen is so rewarding.

Nina Saunders

Lecturer Creative Business

What can you do after your studies?

A job in the media is nothing like a traditional 9-to-5 one. After finishing your studies you can work ‘behind the scenes’ at production companies, entertainment agencies, internet providers, television and radio stations and the marketing departments of large companies where you can work as a media planner, project manager, content adviser, marketing and communication consultant or producer.

More information about options after your studies