At IBHS, we believe it’s important to be able to make your own choices. Our broad, practice-oriented business program gives you freedom for the future. The option to graduate each year with a recognized certificate or diploma gives you freedom right now.
- The first year of study concludes with a propaedeutic year.
- The second year of study concludes with an Associate Degree (AD).
- The third year of study concludes with a bachelor’s degree.
All three of these are diplomas enshrined in law (the WHW) and recognized by companies.
With a Propedeuse, you can take a break and resume your studies later, or easily transfer to another program.
With an associate degree, you can start working or continue on to earn your bachelor’s degree.
With a bachelor’s degree, you can start working or begin a master’s program.
At the end of each year, you can graduate from IBHS with a recognized certificate or diploma. This gives you extra freedom in the choices you make for your future. The Propedeuse and Bachelor’s Degree are fairly well-known in the Netherlands. However, most people are not familiar with the Associate Degree. In the Netherlands, this degree was only introduced in 2006, but in the United States (U.S.), it had already been awarded as early as 1898. Internationally, therefore, this degree has been around for quite some time.
So does an associate degree really offer any added value? Or, to put it simply, can you get a job and actually make some money? A May 2019 study by Maastricht University shows that
-People with an associate’s degree find jobs just as quickly as those with a bachelor’s degree and are just as likely to be offered permanent positions.
-and that the gross salary of a graduate with an associate degree falls exactly between that of MBO 4 graduates and bachelor’s degree holders.
In short, an Associate Degree is a real asset in the job market.
Why three degrees?
The great thing about all three of these official degrees (your Propedeuse, Associate Degree, and Bachelor’s Degree) is that they retain their value. Of course, the goal isn’t for students to drop out early, but if it does happen, at least such a student will graduate with a degree.
More importantly, it provides clarity —the goals are clear, and you know where you’re headed. It’s also motivating because the steps are manageable, and you reach a new level each time. Not only is this unique in the Netherlands, but it’s also fun because we celebrate your progress every year. Finally, it also allows for more time to process the material. This is important from an educational standpoint. Because all learning paths and subjects are revisited with increasing difficulty, you have more time to process the material. This way, you study in a goal-oriented manner from the start , with guidance and support.
Our higher professional education program is based on the BBA degree: Bachelor of Business Administration. This is the most sought-after degree by the business community worldwide and the precursor to a university MBA. A BBA degree opens doors all over the world. A BBA is an excellent fit for both the business world and further education.
Want to know more?
Stop by at Prinsengracht 701 or call 020-210 15 10.
We’d love to tell you more about business in practice, New Thinking, the atmosphere, the program, and what makes studying at IBHS so unique.