Horticulture & Business Management

The foundation year provides the basis and serves as an orientation and selection phase. Given the final qualifications and the study programme's educational vision, this basis is divided along two main areas of focus:

• Focus on plant biology: within the modules Plant & Environment, Plant & Growth and Plant & Cell, taught consecutively in terms 1, 2 and 3, students will receive a thorough grounding in plant processes, the environmental factors that influence plants and the optimisation of plant development.
• Focus on businesses within the sector (and related areas): In the first term, students will get a thorough knowledge of the horticultural and arable farming sector and will gain an insight into current developments and challenges for the sector. In the subsequent two terms, students will be introduced to business economics and marketing.

The modules consist of a mix of lectures, problem-based learning (PBL), practicals and smaller group assignments. In addition to the two main lines described, we also pay attention to developing basic skills such as reporting, presentations and cooperation. 

The second year adds more depth and is focused on application of knowledge. On the one hand this is achieved by studying in more depth in the cultivation-oriented and research-oriented and business modules, on the other hand by explicitly making the connections between theory, practice and skills using project work.

During the second year, students spend one day a week on the 'cultivation project'. This project deepens their knowledge concerning a crop of their choice. In addition, they answer one or more research questions that they have formulated about this crop.

In the third year, students have the opportunity to create their own specialisation profile and gain practical experience. In this study year, the student will participate in one or two internships. In addition, the student can opt for one of the third-year HAS minors or a minor elsewhere (via the Dutch site 'Kies op Maat'). Finally, there is the option to participate in a minor/programme at one of HAS green academy's partner universities, in the Netherlands or abroad.

Students may also choose to participate in an exchange programme with one of the HAS partner universities abroad. Students defend their choice in the personal year plan for year 3 and ask permission to take part. After permission has been granted by the coach, the study programme coordinator decides if the chosen course fits within the study programme. After this permission has been granted, necessary arrangements can be set in motion in consultation with the International Office.

The fourth year of the study programme constitutes the final phase of the study programme. After laying down a basis in the first two years and defining a personal specialisation profile in the third year, students use the final phase of their study programme to prepare themselves for professional life. The specialisations are offered in the first half of the fourth year of study. Students of Tuin en akkerbouw and Horticulture & Business Management follow these specialisations together, in English. In the final half year of the study programme, a so-called professional assignment is carried out as a graduation project.

Specialisations

Within the Horticulture & Business Management programme the following graduation specialisations are on offer:

• Global Trade & Management, with the option of a Self-employment module;
• Cultivation & Technology;
• Applied Plant Research.

The curriculum shows you exactly which subjects you will study. An average study week consists of 10-14 contact hours and 26-30 self study hours.

You can download the curriculum below. 

The International Student Association strives to make all students feel at home in ‘s-Hertogenbosch and create a network of friends that will last a lifetime.

Through social and educational events organized throughout the year using themes related to the food industry, the association aims to stimulate students to mingle across various studies and creates an environment for cooperation and philosophical conversation while having fun.

HAS green academy strives to assist students with disabilities to be able to successfully obtain and complete the education of their choice. Our definition of a disability is a physical or mental impairment which may have a delaying effect on a person’s study progress.

We advise (prospective) students with disabilities to timely request an admission interview (BEFORE the summer holidays). During this interview, the type and implications of the disability are discussed. Study competence in relation to the disability will also be talked about. Finally, any adjustments and facilities the student may need during his/her study will be specified to make sure HAS green academy can deliver them.

About 3,800 students study at HAS green academy in 's-Hertogenbosch. The building has modern and innovative facilities on its own complex, such as a Food Technology Centre, a greenhouse, laboratories, a technical hall, school garden, climate chambers and more.

's-Hertogenbosch, or simply Den Bosch, is the attractive city in the Netherlands. This is not just according to the people in Den Bosch, but is also apparent from various surveys carried out. It’s a perfect place for shopping, offers excellent food in every price range, is a great place to go out and is almost at the top of the list when it comes to theatre, films and festivals. Additionally, two fun student associations are linked to the HAS: Gremio Unio (GU) and Ichtus. In other words, you’ll never be bored in Den Bosch.

The academic year 2025-2026 starts on Monday 1 September 2024.

More information will be added to this page when available.

The admission requirement for this 4-year Bachelor programme is a secondary school diploma, equivalent to the Dutch HAVO diploma or higher, with the final-year subjects English, mathematics and chemistry included. The level of the admission diploma is always assessed after the HAS has received a complete application form. Practical (work) experience is useful but not mandatory. With your application, you will have to fill in an online motivation form and in case of questions you will be invited for an intake interview by the study advisor.

If you want to know how your high school diploma is valued in the Netherlands before you apply, check the information in the Nuffic Foreign education systems.

If your previous education was not completely taught in English, you also need to be able to prove that you are proficient in the English language. HAS green academy accepts the following language tests:

• IELTS (Preferred)
  Academic programme: 6.0 (overall band score)
  Find a test centre near you!
• TOEFL
  Internet-based test: 80
  Computer-based test: 213
  Paper-based test: 550
  Find a test location near you!
• Cambridge ESOL Certificate: B2
  Find a test location near you!
  
  

Deadline to prove English language proficiency 1 juli

• Exemption English language test 
  International students are exempted 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. 

For British students the following admission requirements apply:

GCSE in at least 4 subjects (grade A-C) and GCE with at least 2 subjects at advanced subsidiary level (in 6 different subjects).

Specific requirements

• GCSE level : Mathematics and Chemistry should be at least GCSE level.

or

• BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (sector Land-based and Environment)

For German students:

You are admitted to the programme if you have been awarded your Abitur.

Please note that we always need to assess the value of your diploma. Nuffic will check your diploma for authenticity and academic level.

If you are deficient in Mathematics and/or Chemistry as an international student you have the opportunity to participate in an online Mathematics and/or Chemistry deficiency test of HAS green academy. You will receive more information about the test from the International Office if you are deficient.

Test dates:

• 5 March 2024
• 16 April 2024
• 14 May 2024
• 18 June 2024

Once you start the test you will have 1 hour to complete it. You need a reliable internet connection to take the test. Costs of the test are €35,-. You will need to pay this fee at least 1 week before the start of the test. Please note that you can only take the test once, there is no re-take possibility.

Please note that after you have passed the deficiency test(s) you will not receive a diploma or certificate. To pass the test you need to have obtained at least 5.5 points on a scale of 1-10. If you pass the test(s), you will meet the admission requirements of HAS green academy and will therefore be admitted to the programme if you also meet all other admission requirements. The results of the test(s) cannot be used to meet the admission requirements at other universities in the Netherlands.

If you want more information about the deficiency tests please contact our International Office.