International Facility Management

Study a Bachelor's in International Facility Management in the Netherlands

Are you interested in business administration or thinking about studying a management-related programme? Are you creative, a people person and a good organiser? Then International Facility Management (IFM) may just be the right programme for you. 

Providing a diversity of services at management level 

After graduating from  International Facility Management, you will be able to find a job at management level that involves providing services. This means that you will be in an important position with service management as your core activity. You may work, for example, for a hotel, catering service, cleaning agency or security company. But also think of service-related departments such as the food supply department of a hospital or the housing department of a local council. During the IFM programme you will be able  to decide which area of Facility Management you want to learn more about. The knowledge that you acquire will benefit you throughout your career.

People-centred study programme

People-oriented work is important in terms of your career as well as during your education at our school. Therefore, students have their own study coach who helps them to develop a personal study plan. Team spirit is also important and is focused on right from the start of the programme.  Students can choose their own international path. Our school allows you to decide which subject area you want to study and which sector you would like to work in. You can choose your own personal route during the programme, after you have experienced exactly what IFM has to offer you. 

The IFM curriculum consists of four years, each of which is composed of four blocks. Every block takes ten weeks and deals with one specific theme. Theory is assessed by exams and is also practically tested by means of projects and assignments, carried out individually and in groups of international students. Assignments are tailor-made to fit the theme of the particular block. 

First year

The first year is an introduction to IFM. You gain insight into how to develop a sustainable and innovative work environment. Furthermore, you learn how FM professionals analyse the effectiveness, efficiency and service level of a facility from an organisational perspective. You also learn to manage and structure services, from a customer-oriented perspective. 

Second year

In the second year you will elaborate on first year topics like housing and services. You gain knowledge and skills with regards to purchasing services and products as well as policy planning for long term housing. You will be shown new and undeveloped parts of the profession. Drafting plans for quality improvement, in terms of the facility performance of serviceproviders, will be focused on. In sum, you gain in-depth knowledge about Communication and Management Skills,  Financial Management, Human Resource Management, Quality Management, Leadership, Law, Cultural Awareness and Research Skills.

Third year - your year abroad

In the third year you have the opportunity to study abroad (to do a minor) at a partner university around the world, for example, in the United States, Canada, Hong  Kong, Macau or somewhere in Europe. You also do a 5-month work placement in a company to further increase your knowledge, skills and competencies as a developing FM professional. 

Fourth year

During the first semester of the fourth year you dive deeper into strategic and change management with an emphasis on the demand and supply chain. Your final project is a graduation research assignment for a Facility Management related company from an international perspective. You will act as a junior advisor.

To be admitted to this programme you will need a national secondary school diploma or an international secondary school diploma. Your educational qualifications must be equivalent to the Dutch HAVO secondary school diploma. As the programme is taught in English, you may have to prove your English language proficiency, depending on your educational background and nationality.

Tuition Fees 2018-2019

EU/EEA students: € 2,060 
Non-EU/EEA students: € 7,700

Career opportunities

After graduation you can find a job at a management level. Examples include: Head of Facility Services, Hospitality Manager, New Development Project Manager, Real Estate professional, Catering Manager, Events Project Manager, Head of Security & ICT and Purchasing Manager. FM professionals are needed in almost every business and location of employment. Everything revolves around FM professionals who maintain contact with management and translate policy into execution.