Horticulture & Business Management | HAS University

This programme will introduce you to the world of plants and flowers and also to the entire business chain, from producer to consumer. You will follow technical courses on innovative cultivation techniques, but also learn about management and organization, national and international trade, marketing and sales.

The first 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 optimization 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 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-based learning (PBL).

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 specialization 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. Finally, there is the option to participate in a minor/programme at one of HAS University of Applied Sciences' partner universities, in the Netherlands or abroad.

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 specialization profile in the third year, students use the final phase of their study programme to prepare themselves for professional life. The specializations are offered in the first half of the fourth year of study. In the final half year of the study programme, a so-called professional assignment is carried out as a graduation project.

Within the HBM programme the following graduation specializations are on offer:

- Global Trade & Business Management

- Cultivation & Technology

- Applied Plant Research

- Top-class Business

4 years

All entry students follow the 4-year program. There are no standardized shortened program, or general exemption option.

However, individual prospective students may be granted exemptions. This applies to students from other universities (research, or of applied sciences), students who did not complete a previous university course, or individuals with a combination of work experience and courses at applied university level, who already have obtained the relevant qualifications. If desired, modification of the study track will be discussed with the student concerned. Prospective students wishing to make use of this option may submit an authorized certificate/diploma from a previous study program, or undergo an intake assessment. The intake assessment will take place based on a portfolio provided by the prospective student. The portfolio must provide adequate proof from previous jobs, or courses studied.

All courses and examinations will be in English, so you need a good command of spoken and written English.

The level required for admission should be an equivalent of the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score of 6.0, such as:

IELTS Academic programme: 6.0 (overall band score)

TOEFL Internet-based test: 70/ Computer-based test: 213/ Paper-based test: 550

Cambridge ESOL Certificate: B2

Greek high school diploma (Apolytirio Genikou Lykeio), with a general grade of at least 10 and a grade of at least 14 for mathematics and chemistry.

Applying for the academic year of 2018-2019 will be possible from 1 October 2017 until the application deadline of 1 May 2018. We advise you to apply before May 1. HAS University of Applied Sciences has the right to refuse applications by students which meet the admission requirements, but which are sent after May 1.  

In case you have not obtained your secondary school diploma yet, you can already apply by submitting your current grade list.

Ultimate closing date for applications: August 15, 2018

We encourage European students to find their own accommodation.

However, in case you would like to have everything arranged in time, we offer the possibility to reserve a room. In all two cities we have contracts with the local student housing associations and housing cooperations. They provide HAS with accommodation with rooms, which may vary in size.

You can apply for a room as soon as you have been admitted or conditionally admitted. The deadline for applying for HAS accommodation is 1 May 2018. After this date, it is no longer possible to reserve a room and you will be put on a waiting list, in which case it is advisable to look also yourself for accommodation.

Holland is known worldwide for its knowledge and expertise in the field of agriculture and food. This study programme will set you up in the best position to do business all over the world. Horticulture & Business Management is top of the list when it comes to great career perspectives.

The horticultural industry eagerly awaits graduates from HAS University of Applied Sciences and many students receive job offers even before they officially graduate. They meet their future employer during their studies, often during international traineeships, or during the company assignment in the final year.

Successful completion of the course leads to a Bachelor degree in Horticulture & Arable Farming. Upon graduation you are a well-trained professional, who is able to work in an international team and address projects in a systematic and practice-oriented manner. Possible careers are: production consultant, breeder, export manager, or agro entrepreneur.

With a Bachelors diploma from HAS University of Applied Sciences, you can continue doing a Master’s programme. If you want to do this abroad (outside Holland), you can usually start straightaway. If you want to do your Master at a University of Applied Sciences in the Holland in a related field, you can also usually get direct access. For doing a Master at a Research University in Holland, you may be asked to do a pre Master.