Social Innovation
Specialisation of the Leisure & Events Management, Tourism Management, and Facility Management programmes
Why this specialisation?
If you are socially conscious and eager to make a meaningful contribution, this specialisation is perfect for you. We will tell you more about the Social Innovation specialisation of the above professional bachelor’s programmes.
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Study overview of the specialisation
After year 1 of one these bachelor’s programmes at BUas (Leisure & Events Management, Tourism Management or Facility Management), you can choose this specialisation from year 2 onwards. You could also start this specialisation if you hold a vwo diploma, Ad certificate or a propaedeutic diploma of an equivalent economic bachelor’s programme.
Approach of the Social Innovation specialisation
The study programme offers a clear framework within which you can choose your own topics, which you will then put into practice mainly through projects. You will work in self-chosen teams, possibly with students from other years and programmes. You yourself decide on the order of the topics you choose mainly in years 1 and 2 of this specialisation. Through your contribution to the projects, you demonstrate your growth as a transformative social innovator.
Year 1 of the Social Innovation specialisation
- First of all, you are introduced to Performatory, the community of students, alumni, lecturers and partners in society whom you work with on the assignments you have chosen
- You explore which social issues appeal to you and which projects you would like to work on; you are going to design your personal Expedition
- You learn to design experiences, improve the social interaction between people in a way that encourages them to embrace or come up with new ideas, perspectives or solutions. You will learn to use these dialogues to create new communities and develop new revenue models
- You start working on creative leadership, design research , trends and developments, and develop your communication and presentation skills
- You have the opportunity to go on exchange, do a work placement, attend a minor elsewhere at BUas, in the Netherlands or abroad
In year 2 of the Social Innovation specialisation we seek more depth.
- You deepen your knowledge of the social issues that appeal to you, explore new projects you could undertake, and shape your professional Expedition
- You undertake challenging projects to design experiences, improve the social interaction between people in a way that encourages them to embrace or come up with new ideas, perspectives or solutions. You will learn to use these dialogues to create new communities and develop new revenue models
- You deepen your creative leadership qualities, your design research, and develop your communication and presentation skills
- You have the opportunity to go on exchange, do a work placement, attend a minor elsewhere at BUas, in the Netherlands or abroad
In the last part of your specialisation, you deepen your approach even further. You are now at home in that part of society where you want to realise your dream of improving the quality of life. The challenge you are working on therefore fits in perfectly with your own interests. You combine research with actually bringing about change in practice (action research).
Here are some examples:
- You connect players and staff of football club Sparta to youngsters in the surrounding neighbourhoods to thus strengthen their development
- You develop a new approach to strengthen safety in nightlife by demonstrating the creative value of nightlife for urban development
- For your client in Croatia you gather people from all over Europe who want to be engaged in innovative, regenerative agriculture
You finalise your graduation project by taking a final exam, in which you demonstrate you are ready to start working as a Transformative Social Innovator.
If you would like more information about Social Innovation, please visit the Social Innovation blog for student experiences, examples and more information on www.performatory.nl.
Frequently asked questions
- Why the Social Innovation specialisation?
We challenge you to dive into your area of interest by conducting research and developing a professional view of this area.
We have designed a programme in which you have a high degree of freedom. We help you build your own network of clients on the basis of your areas of interest. Instead of attending lectures, you work together with experts, coaches, other students and members of the Performatory community. Furthermore, you start working on real-world challenges and with clients.
- Who to contact about Social Innovation?
If you would like more information about Social Innovation as a specialisation, please contact Juul Paalvast.
- Do you go on a study trip too?
Study trips are regularly organised within Performatory and you can also contribute to organising a study trip. However, it is not a fixed or standard part of the programme.
- When can I be admitted to Social Innovation?
To be admitted, you need a propaedeutic diploma of one of the following three study programmes at BUas: Leisure & Events Management, Tourism Management or Facility Management.
After your first year in one of these bachelor’s programmes you choose this specialisation from year 2 onwards.
You could also directly start with this specialisation when you hold a vwo diploma, Ad certificate or a propaedeutic diploma of an equivalent economic bachelor’s programme.
- How can I apply?
If you meet the application conditions, you can apply through a senior student’s request in Studielink. Your motivation is tested during the application procedure, and it is important you should have a sufficient level of English.
- Can I do the Social Innovation track in Dutch too?
Social Innovation is a hybrid community, which means that this is an English-taught track. However, students can attend parts of the track in Dutch.
Student experiences
What has Social Innovation brought Lynn?
“I’m proud of myself and my personal growth. I’m curious about what the world has to offer and how I can keep creating a positive impact.”
Isabella about her journey as a Social Innovator
“I’ve always been interested in climate change and the environment, and I knew that I wanted to make a difference. I wanted to do something meaningful during my studies but I didn’t know where to start.”
About this specialisation
From year 2 onwards you can choose to attend the English-taught three-year Social Innovation specialisation. This is a specialisation for students of the Leisure & Events Management, Tourism Management and Facility Management programmes.
More about these study programmes: