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Study advice

At the end of the first year of study, you are entitled to receive a study advice. This study advice indicates how you are progressing in your studies and what possible next steps are. The advice can confirm that you are in the right place, or suggest that it is wise or necessary to follow a customized route. A customized route could entail starting over in the first year, following a custom-made programme, or considering a different study programme. Whatever the advice may be, your student coach will assist you in taking your next step.

For the academic year 2023/2024, some programmes still apply the negative binding study advice. A number of study programmes at Fontys have decided to abolish the binding nature of the study advice. Do you want to know how this is regulated in your study programme? Check the Education and Examination Regulations (EER) of your study programme or ask your study programme.

Abolishing the binding study advice

Fontys has decided to abolish the binding study advice for all study programmes by the academic year 2024/2025. In the new situation, you will still receive a study advice, but this advice will no longer be binding. This means that you can continue your studies at Fontys even if you receive a negative study advice. However, it may mean that you have to retake certain components before you can proceed with the study programme. You will then have a conversation with your student coach to determine a suitable study route for you.

If you have not obtained the required number of study credits for the propaedeutic phase, a rejection may be linked to the study advice. This rejection is binding, and you will not be allowed to continue the study programme. If the propaedeutic phase applies to multiple programmes, the study advice will also apply to multiple programmes (unless otherwise stated). Check the Education and Examination Regulations (EER) of your study programmes for the procedure.

Note: Before a binding negative recommendation is given, Fontys has to have given you a warning.

If you have received a binding negative recommendation (BNR), your enrolment will be terminated with effect from the next month. If you currently receive a monthly student grant or a student public transport card from DUO, make sure to stop this in time so you don't risk a fine.

Term

A binding negative recommendation may be associated with a term during which you are not allowed to restart the same study programme. This term is mentioned in the EER of your study programme. Of course, you are still able to enrol in another programme at Fontys or inquire about being admitted to the same programme at another university of applied sciences.

If you have not earned sufficient study credits from the propaedeutic phase to be admitted to the main phase of the study programme, you may be advised to start over, follow a custom-made programme, or terminate your studies and potentially switch to another study programme. This advice is non-binding.

If the propaedeutic phase applies to multiple programmes, then this study advice also applies to multiple programmes (unless stated otherwise). Refer to the Education and Examination Regulations (EER) of your study programme for the procedure.

Have a conversation with your student coach about whether the study programme is suitable for you. If the programme is a good fit, you can make arrangements with your programme regarding the continuation of your studies. If the programme is not a good fit, Fontys offers guidance to help you find a suitable alternative.

If you choose to quit, you must end your enrolment in Studielink. If you currently receive a monthly student grant or a student public transport card from DUO, make sure to stop this in time so you don't risk a fine.

You have earned enough study credits and may therefore continue your studies in the main phase. If you have obtained 60 credits from the first year, you have earned your propaedeutic diploma. You will then start in the post-propaedeutic phase of your programme. If this is not yet the case, it is wise to make a plan on how you can obtain the missing components (with help from your student coach) while already starting in the main phase.

Getting admitted to scientific university

Did you obtain your propaedeutic diploma and do you want to continue your studies at a scientific university in the Netherlands? You can use your propaedeutic diploma to get admitted (if you are not yet eligible for that specific programme with your secondary school diploma). Check the admission requirements of the study programme that you're interested in.

The examination committee can take into account any special circumstances upon request and is obliged to give you the opportunity to explain your situation. Talk to your student coach and a student counsellor timely in case of any special circumstances timely.

Are there any special circumstances that affect or have affected your study/study progress and you have not earned enough study credits as a result of that? Talk to your student coach and a student counsellor as soon as possible. Together, you will discuss your situation and see what facilities might help to continue your studies. Together with the student counsellor, you can check whether a request to the Examination Board for postponement of the study advice is possible because of your personal circumstances. After submitting such a request, the Examination Board is obliged to give you the opportunity to explain your situation.

Make an appointment with a student counsellor

You can file a notice of appeal against the negative binding study advice.

Example of notice of appeal

Special circumstances

Do you want to file a notice of appeal against the received binding study advice because of special circumstances? Please make an appointment with a student counsellor.

Make an appointment