HvA of Haagse hogeschool

[Tenebrae]

Beste mensen!
Ik spreek niet zo veel Nederlands so sorry for my English
I would like to ask your opinion. Im interested in Trade management Asia ( HvA) and European studies (Haagse hogeschool), but puzzled by a choice between them.

Haagse hogeschool seems much nicer to me and its also closer to my home, and the programme is only 3 years, however a diploma in European studies doesnt sound very perspective, I've read that its a broad study, so it means that you dont really specialize in any specific area, which is probably not impressive for the future employer.

HvA on the other hand offers an economic specialisation with bachelor of business administration.

My first priority is to get a diploma which would provide me with a nice job (and a good salary of course), which would be more demanded on the job market.

Also, which one of these two hogeschoolen is considered to have a higher rating?

[NaamInGebruik]

Pretty much any hogeschool has an extreme low rating when it comes to the organization itself. Don't let yourself be fooled by the looks of a building and presentations. Most schools offer a meeloopdag, in which you can go along to class with a student. Then you can see how the classes itself are, and ask students the ups and downs they've encountered.

I've no idea what you consider a normal traveling time and a long one. I have to travel about 1 hour, and since I travel with public transport it most often gets delayed to 1.5 hours. So that comes up to 2 - 3 hours a day.

I'm not aware if one of these diplomas is 'better' then the other considering the value of specialization you have had so I can't say much about that. The school should have some statistics about them (even though; these are optimisic, and a student will never say 'you can't get a job with my education, then he would downgrade himself). But if you can't really do anything with it without proper education after it; is it even worth getting it?

[Tenebrae]

First of all, thanks for your reply!

To tell the truth I was pretty puzzled at first with the education system here, but as far as Im concerned ,universities prepare higher-level specialists ,more theory-related, while hogeschoolen involve more practice and team work (which they say is a plus?).
Personally for me, a degree from university of course seems more respectful but taking into account my relative interests and availability of bachelor programmes in English around my area the choice narrowed down to HvA and HHS. I've been to open days in both so far. As you said everybody is trying to seem the best and attract as many prospective students as possible. But I've also made a contact with a few students on hyves, all of them, who replied, said nothing but good about their study experience.But again, those were students, not alumni. So the question about future career is still open ...
Travelling time matters of course, especially with the ever present train schedule problems. But Im mostly concerned about the importance of the diploma which I can put in my CV in future.

Heard a lot of positive things about HHS (and I must say they seem to be organised better, while my application to HvA is still in process since january and they take ages to reply email). But heh, European studies?What the heck is that? Have no idea . Though the other plus is that I can improve my Dutch there, which I guess is a big plus in getting a job in the Netherlands. While in HvA I can learn Japanese or Chinese, which is an interesting addition to a business diploma.

If you are looking for a job that ensures a good salary, wouldn't a University Bachelor be more suited?

[Hawk90]

A couple of things I could add into the conversation here!

Hogeschool VS University
The hogeschool is indeed aimed for a more practical and team approach, one that will land you a very good job. It is a four year education period and gets you a (non-academic!) bachelor.

The University is known on a world-level and is a more theoretical approach, you are also more likely to find more challenging suitable business studies (in English) on Universities and it will grant you the ability to get your diploma in 3 years, leaving some time for a master.

Although both of these schools are great, the latter would be preffered. Whereas in the most of the world a bachelor is enough to start in companies, in The Netherlands they expect that you get your master as well, that being said if you take the hogeschool route you will need to study for 4 years, have 1 sidetrack year (Master prep year, and even that is hard to get into) and then do your actual master. This amounts for two more years and in general, going the University route, looks better on your CV and will save you a lot of time. This is exactly what Naamingebruik said, is it worth getting one of these degrees if you are looking to start on a higher level in business. If you can handle the level of Uni, I would go for that, however if you are unsure and would prefer a more practical approach: HBO is your goal.

Lets say you decide to go to University but you are not eglible yet? (are you?) In that case, get all your 60 ECTS in a hogeschool to receive a 'propedeuse', which will enable you to go to University.

Hogeschool
Having done what I just mentioned, I have gotten my propedeuse at the HHS. One tip: European Studies dont seem too great, and dont offer great future prospects from what I have heard from my fellow ES students. They could be wrong, but that is what I have heard.

On the other hand I have studied International Business and Management at the HHS and trust me, if you want a GOOD, intensive, practical course, this is for you! It was one of the best courses offered at the HHS, focused on business and subjects that were a complement of business. Very well organized, good teachers etc. HHS is one of the best organized Hogeschools of this country whereas I know Amsterdam is lacking (according to friends). Worth mentioning; I also had a great time with my fellow international classmates and the city The Hague. Though, Amsterdam must be great to study at as well .

Now, I study at the University of Maastricht .
Good luck with your choice, tell me if you have any further questions.