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Bachelor Hotel Management

Bachelor
4 years
Full-time
English
Start 1 September 2025

Are you people-oriented and entrepreneurial? Can you see yourself working in a service-driven and international environment? If so, the Hotel Management bachelor’s programme is the perfect course of study for you. We prioritise your personal development and ensure that you will not only learn the theory, but also how things work in practice.   

While studying at our Hotel Management School, you will learn all about the vibrant hospitality industry. You will learn to tackle hotel industry challenges from different perspectives, such as sustainable solutions and ongoing digitalisation. You will work on projects for hotel chains and have plenty of opportunities to gain experience abroad. After graduating from this English-taught programme, you will be ready for an international career in hospitality.  

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    What is Hotel Management?

    Study overview

    In the first year – the propaedeutic phase – 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 Hospitality Management

    Step into the international world of Hospitality Management! In this 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. You will also develop skills such as critical thinking, ethical behaviour, and research. And as the icing on the cake, at the end of this block you will go on a study trip in Europe!

    Block B – Knowing the Business

    Discover what makes hospitality organisations successful or where their challenges lie. You will focus on four key areas: Financial Management, Business Law, Sustainability, and People & Culture. You will learn how these aspects influence the day-to-day running and long-term success of an organisation.

    Work in teams to gather insights, describe key concepts, and discover how these areas are connected. Apply your knowledge in a simulated tender, where your team presents a case explaining why your organisation should win a major contract. This is your chance to practise teamwork, communication, and critical thinking – all essential skills for your future career.

    In addition, you will continue to develop your professional skills, English, your second modern foreign language, and your international competencies.

    Block C – Operating the Business

    Dive into the world of guest experiences and discover how you can contribute to a hotel's financial goals. Learn who the internal stakeholders are, what their roles and responsibilities are, and how many people are needed to effectively carry out essential processes. Discover how you can exceed guest expectations by effectively utilising feedback, maintaining high quality standards, and proactively identifying areas for improvement.

    You will receive practical training in Sibelicious, where you will learn Hospitality Management and Digital & Information Skills. In addition, you will be introduced to the world of wine, beer and coffee, among other things, and you will have the opportunity to obtain your Wine Certificate (WSET level 1).

    Block D – Selling the Business

    Discover how the various commercial departments of a hospitality organisation work together, use information to make smart decisions, and identify and use new opportunities for commercial development. Analyse the internal data and external developments of a case study company to identify commercial challenges and opportunities. Present these insights to a panel from the hotel industry and show how your ideas can lead to a new guest experience. In this block, you will of course continue to work on your professional skills and language skills.


    More info? Watch the video presentation

    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) 
    Studenten luisteren naar een docent in een klaslokaal

    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.

    What makes this programme unique

    Admission & application

    What are the admission requirements?

    To meet the educational requirements 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 bachelor's programmes is €2,601. 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 programme. Admission is based on selection, which means that only 220 students are admitted each year.

    More information about applying

    What others say about Hotel Management

    A connecter who promotes sustainable change

    At EVENT Hotels I have developed myself from a coordinating role to a more strategic one. I show people that corporate responsibility can go hand in h and with commercial goals. I try to motivate people to take a critical look at the food chain, to buy smarter and to avoid wasting food. I see myself as a connector who promotes sustainable change. For that, you need to have the courage to speak, which I learned in my studies During the reflection classes I learned to understand behaviour and adjust my communication accordingly. This is something that I now use in my presentations to management, suppliers or chefs.

    Malou

    Graduate, currently working as Opertions Coordinator at EVENT Hotels

    Portretfoto van Jasmijn in een keuken

    The perfect place to make mistakes

    But of course, Jasmijn Westein preferred not to. ‘Above all, I learned to trust my own decisions at Sibelicious training company.’ In February, second-year student Jasmijn Westein is heading to Melbourne for a placement with Hilton. ‘Yes, super fun and very much looking forward to it! I’m going to do part HR and part Food & Beverage,’ Jasmijn tells me. The past few months have been a good preparation,’ says Jasmijn. ‘I already had quite some experience, but in those weeks at Sibelicious I really felt it, the responsibility you have as a manager. The training company is a nice and also safe place to gain relevant experience, it is the perfect place to make mistakes, and to learn from them, of course!’

    Jasmijn Westein

    Hotel Management student

    Portretfoto van Yvette Claassen

    You are in hospitality land

    You are the face of our campus, treat others how you want to be treated yourself. And remember, it is showtime, you are in hospitality land! That’s what I always say to my students. I like the interaction, I like sharing my knowledge and watching students develop at their own pace. They are open-minded, respectful, and willing to learn. I really enjoy developing my course yearly, follow the trends to bring my message across, as well as keeping it fun for myself.

    Yvette Claassen

    Instructor training company Sibelicious

    Twee studenten staan voor een wereldkaart

    What can you do after your studies?

    As a manager in hospitality, you oversee the operations of an organisation that runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year. Our graduates work all over the world, across the entire spectrum of the hospitality industry at, for instance hotels, holiday resorts, cruise companies, party caterers or conference venues.
     

    More information about options after your studies