Enrolment
Study choice check
Fontys offers prospective students a Study Choice Check to support them in their study orientation and study choice process. Participation in the Study Choice Check is not compulsory for students applying for admission on the basis of an international diploma.
The main goal of the Study Choice Check is to determine how well your study programme suits your interests. This will benefit the chances of you enjoying your study time and succeeding at Fontys and ultimately also in your career. The Study Choice Check is a final confirmation to help you to decide. This will help you feel more confident, whatever your choice may be.
If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact your study programme.
The course of events surrounding the Study Choice Check and the study choice advice are detailed in the Study Choice Check rules. Specific details for each study programme are included in the Teaching and Examination Regulations of the study programme concerned.
English language proficiency
Fontys has set minimum language requirements for all programmes conducted in English. To prove that you meet these requirements, you will be asked to send one of the English language certificates, as shown in the table below.
You may be considered proficient in English and don’t need to provide a test score if:
- You have obtained a diploma of secondary education in a country listed on the diploma list drawn up on behalf of the associations of higher education institutions, as published on the Code of Conduct website.
- You completed your entire preparatory education in English, including students with an International Baccalaureate Certificate for English A Language and Literature. Fontys may ask NUFFIC to provide a statement confirming that the preparatory education has been completed entirely in the English language.
- You have obtained your diploma in a country where English is the primary language of communication, provided that education was entirely in English and/or with a sufficient grade for English as an exam subject (≥ 5.5). Please inquire via your admissions officer whether you qualify.
- You have a Dutch mbo-4, havo or vwo diploma.
- You are an exchange student.
Please note:
- The requirements for a master’s degree, exchange students and specific programmes may differ, so check with your admissions officer.
- We don’t accept a combination of test results on different test dates, also known as ‘My best scores’.
- You will need to demonstrate your language proficiency if you have a diploma proving a sufficient English level, which was issued more than two years ago.
- Fontys only accepts language test certificates that are not more than two years old at the start of your study. Cambridge certificates are exempted from this requirement.
- All English tests must be taken at an authorized test centre. Fontys doesn’t accept online versions of tests. Please contact your admissions officer if your test centre is closed due to circumstances.
An applicant's level of proficiency in English must always meet the entry requirements for the chosen Fontys course programme. Fontys reserves the right to require language proficiency testing for all categories of applicants.
Students from the Caribbean part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands:
Students from the Caribbean part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands who are exempted from submitting language proficiency test results:
- Students from Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba in possession of a havo or vwo diploma
- Students from Curaçao, Aruba and St. Maarten in possession of a havo or vwo diploma obtained at Dutch-speaking schools
- Students from St. Eustatius and Saba in possession of a Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate
- Students from Bonaire in possession of a mbo-4 diploma
- Students from Aruba in possession of an EPI level 4 diploma and students from Curaçao with a SBO level 4 diploma, provided that education was entire in English and/or with a sufficient grade for English as an exam subject (≥ 5.5).
When you graduate, you are entitled to a degree or a title. The degree is awarded by Fontys.
Associate degree
- If you pass the exam of an Associate degree programme, you will receive the degree Associate Degree. The abbreviation is Ad, and no additional qualification is added.
Bachelor’s degree
- If you pass a bachelor’s degree programme, you are entitled to carry a bachelor’s degree. Fontys maintains a register listing all the degrees offered by Fontys. You can use an abbreviation for your degree after your name: a “B” followed by an abbreviation. For example, “Bachelor of Education” becomes “B Ed.”
- You can also choose to use the (old) title “baccalaureus,” which is placed as “bc” before your name.
- Graduates from the technical domain can use the title “ingenieur,” abbreviated as “ing.,” placed before their name.
- When using a title or degree, you must choose between a title or a degree. Both cannot be used simultaneously.
Master's degree
- The hbo master’s degree can also be indicated in your name, abbreviated as “M” with any additional qualification, placed after your name. There is no (old) title available for the hbo master.
Certificate of higher professional education
A certificate of higher professional education is awarded to you when you graduate. The government has set conditions regarding the level, quality, and reliability of certificates. The program you have completed is accredited by the NVAO, and in conjunction with the government’s requirements, the value of a certificate becomes clear. The certificate you receive is a valuable document. Every certificate issued by Fontys has security features.
- A micro text in the square purple area of the logo at the bottom of the document;
- A silver foil strip on the right side of the document with a cut-out of the monogram of Fontys Hogescholen;
- The unique paper number of each certificate is also executed in laser perforation. When in doubt about the authenticity of the document, you can request verification at Fontys Hogescholen;
- The paper has a worldwide protected watermark.
In addition to the certificate, you will receive a diploma supplement.
Once you have passed, a notification is sent to DUO. You will then be recognised by DUO as a graduate.
Suspicion of fraud
If there is suspicion that someone is carrying a paper resembling a Fontys certificate without proper authorisation, it is important to report this to Fontys. An investigation is always conducted into the suspected fraudulent diploma, and sometimes it leads to prosecution. Diploma fraud is a form of forgery and is punishable under the Criminal Code.