After year 1, the main phase begins. In this phase, you will complete three theoretical modules and one practical module (your placement). Years 2 and 3 overlap here as the semesters alternate. This means that you will do your placement either in year 2 or year 3.  

Year 2

Developing People and Organisations  
In this module, you will mainly explore people’s behaviour and what that means for an organisation (or for working in an organisation). The courses you take are Oganisational Behaviour, Business Law & Ethics, Research & Design, and Economics. 

Managing Business Performance and Innovation  
In this module, you will learn all about customer relations, service marketing, and pricing strategies. The courses you take are Accounting, Operations Management, Management Information Systems, and Marketing. 

Year 3

Creating Impact 
In this module, you will work with a group of students to design a sustainable strategic business that creates impact. An engaging challenge where you will put into practice the knowledge and skills you have gained in the first two years of study! This course will immerse you in the industry sustainability debate, develop your strategic thinking skills and expand your knowledge of experience design. Understanding the interrelationship between these aspects will form the basis of your design! 

Year 4

In your graduation year, you will work on your thesis and you can do another study component of your choice, such as an exchange, a minor, a pre-master’s, an additional placement, or writing a consultancy report or business plan. For your thesis as well as the optional part, you will obviously choose a topic (or context) that suits you perfectly! You will be supported in this process by a study coach, who will guide you through to your thesis defence.  

Placement

During this five-month (24-week) placement, you will experience what it is like to live and work in an intercultural hospitality environment abroad. You will work full-time during your placement – an amazing experience that you will carry with you for the rest of your life.   

During your placement you may receive visits from your supervising lecturer to check that you are doing well, that your placement company is taking good care of you and, of course, to discuss your professional and personal development. We have the following placement regions:   

• Australia (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Cairns)
• Austria (Vienna)
• Aruba, Bonaire
• Belgium  
• France (Paris)
• Germany (Berlin, Munich)
• Ireland (Dublin)
• Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur)
• New Zealand (Auckland, Queenstown)
• Spain (Barcelona, Valencia, Mallorca, Madrid, Sevilla)
• Vietnam (Hanoi)
• United Arab Emirates (Dubai)   

Please note that these destinations may change due to unforeseen circumstances.   

Our Placement Office will help you find a suitable placement. In addition, you will get all the inspiration you need through the Industry days!  

 

Exchange

Studying abroad is the perfect opportunity to push your boundaries. You build up an international network, learn a new language, and gain insight into intercultural differences. BUas works with universities all over the world, so as an exchange student you have plenty of options. BUas works with universities all over the world, so as an exchange student you have plenty of options, for example:

• Haaga Helia (Finland)
• Burapha University (Thailand)
• Institut Lyfe (France)
• Hong Kong Polytechnic University (China)
• Taylor’s University (Malaysia) 

Minor

With a minor, you choose for yourself: do you want to specialise in your field or broaden your knowledge? You can take a minor at BUas, but you can also choose to do a minor at another Dutch university of applied sciences, or even abroad. 

This study programme uses a variety of teaching methods. You will attend lectures, workshops, practical sessions in Sibelicious, and be given many group assignments. You will be assessed during four examination periods per year, give final presentations, and submit portfolios. The Hotel Management programme is characterised by small-scale education and you will have several one-to-one meetings with your coach.  

In this programme, you are trained to become an all-round hotel manager. First, you will work on your development. In our learning community, you will not only acquire knowledge, but also develop competencies. We will help you learn what you need to know and be able to do, and we will give you practical, on-the-job training. It is about the right mix of qualities, attitudes and skills you need as a professional. This programme will give you everything you need to get the international job of your dreams!   

Study load 
On average, you will spend 35 hours per week on your studies. You will attend lectures and work on projects, and prepare for examinations and assessments. Classes take place between 9.00 and 17.00 hrs. During practical weeks, you will work full-time in the kitchen, restaurant or at the Visitor Centre on campus. Class hours are then between 8.00 and 22.00 hrs.   

A typical week

Below, you will find an example of a typical week. Keep in mind that this schedule may vary each week, and this example serves as an indication.   

Monday: 

• 10.00-11.00: Sibelicious kick-off
• 11.00-13.00: Lecture on Management Development Programme
• 13.00-14.00: Lunch at the food court
• 14.00-16.00: Language class (French, German, Spanish or Dutch) 

Tuesday: 

• 09.30-11.00: Sibelicious lecture
• 11.00-13.00: Time to work on assignment and have lunch
• 13.00-15.00: Workshop on Research and Design 

Wednesday  

• 09.00-12.00: Meeting up with project group
• 12.00-12.30: Individual meeting with study coach
• 12.30-13.00: Quick lunch
• 13.00-15.00: Workshop on hotel brands (as part of the Operations Management course) 

Thursday

• 12.00-14.00: Group work on Food & Beverage assignment
• 14.00-15.00: English class
• 15.00-17.00: Lecture on Business Law 

Friday: 

• 09.00-11.00: Workshop on Research and Design
• 11.00-12.00: Lunch with classmates
• 12.00-14.30: Guest lecture from tea sommelier (make sure to wear your business attire) 

Study coaching   
Throughout your studies, you will work on developing your personal and professional skills. You will do this together with your study coach.

Topics covered in this programme include time management, communication skills, teamwork, learning styles, leadership styles, report writing and referencing, digital skills, and working with specific computer programs.

In your second year, you will start working with Lumina Spark, which will give you insight into your strengths and areas for development.

In the final stages of the study programme, the focus shifts to the professional field, where decision-making, senior leadership, negotiation, and entrepreneurship are important topics.
 
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 will go on two trips. You will experience how things work in the hospitality sector. These excursions will provide a tangible connection to the theory you have learned, allowing you to see it in action.   

Field trip in the propaedeutic phase   
The main purpose of the field trip in your first year is to show you the international hospitality industry and make you more familiar with everything that happens in it. During the trip, you will learn all kinds of things about hospitality, service concepts, intercultural aspects and sustainable developments in your future working environment.  

During the trip, you will of course see and hear a lot. You will also meet professionals in the sector. The idea is that you gather these experiences for your own benefit – to explore how you can leverage them and learn from them.  

Field trips after the propaedeutic phase   
You will start with what we call ‘the wine trip’. Everything you have learned in the ‘Wine & Spirits’ course will now be put into practice and (if you are over 18) tasted! What techniques are used, are the guidelines for wines and spirits respected, what do you drink with which dish? You will experience it all. Watch a video here for an impression of this trip.   

Three-year programme after pre-university education or after propaedeutic year

As a vwo graduate, you can obtain your hbo bachelor's degree in Hotel Management in three years, saving you a year of time and tuition fees!

You will start in the second year and receive additional classes and study material to help you master the content from the first year. The introduction to the hospitality industry that first-year students have already completed will be covered for you in practice in Sibelicious training company.

If you wish to attend this three-year track, you will need a second modern foreign language. When you apply, you will go through the regular selection procedure.

Year 1
To give you better sense of the study programme, here’s an overview of the first year. In this first year, you will attend four blocks. Based on a project or assignment from the professional field, you will gain the necessary knowledge and develop your professional skills. Each block consists of a number of courses:

• Block A – Fundamentals of the Business
  Step into the international world of Hospitality Management. You will hit the ground running in year 1, so we will get straight down to business! In this first block, you will learn the basics of Marketing, Operations Management, English, and a second modern foreign language. You will do this through a project based on your future work. After this project, you will immediately start working in our training company called Sibelicious. You will also develop skills such as critical thinking, ethical behaviour, and research. At the end of this block, you will go on a study trip in Europe!
• Block B – Facilitating the Business
  In this block, you will prepare for the next step in your career. You will work on management, leadership, sustainability, and cultural competence within the hospitality industry. Together with your team, you will analyse and develop strategies for an international hotel chain, focusing on sustainable practices, effective communication, and cultural adaptability. You will study hotel cultures, sustainability initiatives, leadership initiatives, and the impact of built environments and socio-economic systems on sustainability. You will learn how to manage people in different cultural settings, exploring motivation theories, team management strategies, and cultural identities. You will also discover how you can make a meaningful and sustainable impact in the hospitality industry. In addition, you will work on your personal and professional skills and language skills.
• Block C – Owning the Business
  In this block, you will learn how to set up a new sustainable hospitality business, such as a boutique hotel or restaurant. You will draw up a complete business plan and, together with your team, come up with innovative and sustainable ideas. Topics such as financial management, sustainability reporting, strategic management, people & culture, and business innovation will be covered. And in this block too, you will continue to work on your personal and professional skills and language skills.
• Block D – Selling the Business
  This block consists of two parts. First, you play the RevSIM simulation game, in which you make decisions about sales, marketing, distribution, and pricing. The hotels taking part in the game compete with each other and every decision has a direct impact on the performance of all hotels in this simulated market. After that, you will work on a commercial plan based on current market data for a destination. Your team decides whether you want to brand the hotel (hotel chain) and which chain you choose. The commercial plan includes branding, segmentation/targeting/positioning, distribution, pricing, marketing and e-commerce, and AI application. With the finishing touches on your language skills and professional skills, you are all set to embark on an international placement!

Special tailor-made track for havo graduates

You have just obtained your havo diploma and would like to work in the hospitality sector, but you find the transition from secondary school to higher professional education (hbo) a bit too big. Or perhaps your profile does not immediately qualify you for admission. In that case, a tailor-made track may be just the thing for you.

How exactly does this tailor-made track work? You will start your mbo hotel training at De Rooi Pannen in Tilburg, Breda or Eindhoven, or at Koning Willem I College in Den Bosch. After two years, you will finish your horeca ondernemer/manager training programme (mbo level 4). Next, you will continue your studies at BUas. Read here how the tailor-made track for havo pupils works (in Dutch).

Year 1
To give you better sense of the study programme, here’s an overview of the first year. In this first year, you will attend four blocks. Based on a project or assignment from the professional field, you will gain the necessary knowledge and develop your professional skills. Each block consists of a number of courses:

• Block A – Fundamentals of the Business
  You have already gained the necessary experience during your mbo training programme and are now ready to progress rapidly through year 1! In this first block, you will have the opportunity to lead a team of students in our training company Sibelicious as supervisor of the day. You will work on hospitality, process management, change management, and teamwork. You will also learn the basics of law, finance, sustainability, AI, and research. And that's not all! You will also work on your personal and professional skills, such as learning to learn, intercultural competence, and resilience. Together with your team, you will explore different types of hotels and look for ways to improve them. At the end of this block, you will present a plan to redesign an operational process. This is your chance to practise teamwork, intercultural competence, management, leadership, communication, critical thinking, and resilience – all essential skills for your future. And you will also take English classes and a second language of your choice (French, German or Spanish).
• Block B – Facilitating the Business
  In this block, you will prepare for the next step in your career. You will work on management, leadership, sustainability, and cultural competence within the hospitality industry. Together with your team, you will analyse and develop strategies for an international hotel chain, focusing on sustainable practices, effective communication, and cultural adaptability. You will study hotel cultures, sustainability initiatives, leadership initiatives, and the impact of built environments and socio-economic systems on sustainability. You will learn how to manage people in different cultural settings, exploring motivation theories, team management strategies, and cultural identities. You will also discover how you can make a meaningful and sustainable impact in the hospitality industry. In addition, you will work on your personal and professional skills and language skills.
• Block C – Owning the Business
  In this block, you will learn how to set up a new sustainable hospitality business, such as a boutique hotel or restaurant. You will draw up a complete business plan and, together with your team, come up with innovative and sustainable ideas. Topics such as financial management, sustainability reporting, strategic management, people & culture, and business innovation will be covered. And in this block too, you will continue to work on your personal and professional skills and language skills.
• Block D – Selling the Business
  This block consists of two parts. First, you play the RevSIM simulation game, in which you make decisions about sales, marketing, distribution, and pricing. The hotels taking part in the game compete with each other and every decision has a direct impact on the performance of all hotels in this simulated market. After that, you will work on a commercial plan based on current market data for a destination. Your team decides whether you want to brand the hotel (hotel chain) and which chain you choose. The commercial plan includes branding, segmentation/targeting/positioning, distribution, pricing, marketing and e-commerce, and AI application. With the finishing touches on your language skills and professional skills, you are all set to embark on an international placement!
  
  For more information, just watch the Dutch video below.

Soon the world will be your workplace! English is pretty much the most important language in hotels and hospitality, so you will be working hard on that. Moreover, you will choose one of the following languages (if it is not your native language, of course): French, German, Spanish or Dutch (for non-Dutch speakers).  

French and German are continued at B1 level and Spanish at A2.2 level. Students with non-Dutch prior education can choose Dutch at beginner level.  

Please note that to be admitted to the Hotel Management programme, you must be proficient in a second modern foreign language in addition to English. More information can be found here: admission requirements.  

At BUas, you develop your entrepreneurial skills in all programmes. You can also join BUas Startup Support (BUSS), where you attend networking meetings and receive guidance from a startup coach. 

Would you like to graduate with your own company? You can do that at any academy, although a selection procedure may apply. Whether you are already generating revenue or just have an initial idea, BUas Startup Support will help you. 

Read more about starting your own business. 

What are the differences between the different hotel management schools in the Netherlands? 

The degree you obtain is of the same level at all schools, only the path towards it varies. All hotel management schools are Hoge Hotelscholen. Some programmes are offered in Dutch and others in English. At some hotel schools, you can live on campus as an intern, whereas others do not offer this option.  

What do I do in a Hotel Management programme? And why do I need to do restaurant and kitchen work if I’m doing a management programme? 

Being a good manager requires, among other things, knowledge of the profession. By shadowing in these departments, you will gain experience and better understand the tasks and responsibilities of your colleagues. Only then can you also effectively ‘manage’ them and ensure the best guest experience. You need to understand how something is done before you can take charge of it.

What is the difference between the three-year and the four-year track?

For students with a vwo diploma, BUas offers a special three-year study track. Both the three-year track and the four-year programme lead to a professional bachelor’s degree. The difference lies in a course in year 1, which participants of the three-year track complete at an accelerated pace.  

How do I know if I am eligible for this programme? 

You are admissible with all havo or vwo profiles. Sometimes, however, you need a specific subject in your package. To be selected, for instance, you have to have a second foreign language in your subject combination (French, German or Spanish). Some profiles also require (business) economics in your subject combination. We have listed all admission requirements here.