Science of Leisure | BREDA UNIVERSITY

Phase I - Master course on Leisure in a Network Society

The five master courses centre on the three main current research programmes in Leisure: Storytelling, Imagineering and Place-making.

- Leisure, Creativity and Space

This master course discusses recent insights into the processes of globalization, mediafication and commercialization and their impact on the changing role of leisure in the design of public and private places and spaces.

 - Understanding Leisure Attractions and Events

 Recent insights and research in the field of change management, innovation, networks, co-creation, attractions, theme parks, and ‘eventful cities’ are the key ingredients of this master course.

- Imagineering as Strategic Design in Leisure Organisations

Central themes of this master course include strategic management, value creation, and strategic design. Students are introduced to the theoretical foundations of Imagineering and their application in the creative industries.

- Experience Marketing

As marketing is a key instrument in the leisure industry, the master course in Experience Marketing will immerse students into the field of marketing and market research, zeroing in on the leisure industry and the experience economy. The pros and cons of various research techniques, such as web surveys, is one of the topics addressed in this course.

 -Analyzing Leisure Interactions

Students are introduced to the field of practice theories and core concepts of leisure studies. Students work in groups to study issues related to authenticity, new media or happiness.

Phase II - Master's thesis

To ensure a smooth progression from the course and content phase (phase I) to the thesis phase (phase II), students will first attend the Seminar Leisure Studies to select and elaborate a thesis topic. A structured process leads to the finalization of the individual thesis proposal. Their proposal culminates in a research thesis on a theme, which has scientific and societal relevance.

1 Year

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

As an international applicant, you will also be required to demonstrate sufficient results of one of these tests:

CAE (Cambridge Advanced Certificate), or CPE (Certificate of Proficiency in English)

IELTS test (minimum overall band score of 6.0, and minimum subscore of 6.0 for speaking)

TOEFL test (minimum score of 80 internet-based, and minimum subscore of 20 for speaking)

If you have successfully completed the Bachelor of Science Leisure Studies (ILS) programme, NHTV’s pre-master’s programme in Leisure Studies, NHTV’s pre-master’s programme Strategic Business Management and Marketing (SBM) or the Bachelor of Science Tourism (BSc) programme, you will have direct access to this academic master’s programme.

For admission to this academic master programme, an academic bachelor’s degree is required in any of the social sciences - such as sociology, psychology, economics, management, or marketing.

In case you do not have a bachelor’s degree obtained in the Netherlands, our Admissions officer will evaluate if your bachelor’s degree can be considered a professional, or an academic bachelor degree, compared to the Dutch educational system. The level of your research skills and theoretical background will be thoroughly evaluated, because an academic Master’s program needs a higher starting level than a TEI bachelor diploma.

If you have a TEI bachelor’s degree, you will first have to complete a pre-master’s track to prepare you for studying at an academic master’s level. After completion of this pre-master’s track, you will have direct access to the academic master’s programme in Leisure Studies.

Applying for the academic year of 2018-2019 will be possible from 1 October 2017 until the application deadline of 1 May 2018.

Ultimate closing date for applications: August 15, 2018

You can already apply if you do not have the diploma of your Bachelor’s degree yet. 

Breda has a growing number of students, which is why accommodation in Breda can be scarce. Unfortunately, Breda University of Applied Sciences has no campus or student rooms of its own and, therefore, it will be your own responsibility to find accommodation in Breda. Rental prices for a student room in Breda vary from €300 to €500 per calendar month. However, you will most commonly find rooms to rent for around € 400. Make sure you book a room in time (preferably in the early spring), so you have the best chances to book the room that suits your wishes. Unfurnished rooms can be cheaper to rent than furnished ones and since most rooms in the Breda are unfurnished, you may need to furnish your room yourself. This doesn’t have to be expensive as there are many DIY stores, second hand stores and second hand websites and Facebook pages.

If you want to find a good place to live in time, Breda University of Applied Sciences encourages you to subscribe to Klik voor Kamers (Click for rooms). This is a joint initiative of the three housing corporations in Breda: Laurentius, Singelveste Alleewonen and WonenBreburg.

Completion of this academic master’s programme will offer you a range of career opportunities in:

Leisure Management: management of theme parks, sports centers, convention centers, events, leisure venues, theatre management and marketing, tour operations leisure policy: public policy advisor for local and national government, project development analyst, sports policymaker.

Leisure Research: researcher in public and commercial research organizations and universities.

Leisure Education: lecturer at universities of applied sciences and research universities.