New MHBO programme saves students a year

More than a quarter opt for new ICT educational pathway

Fontys University of Applied Sciences, Summa and Yonder are jointly launching a new MHBO pathway for ICT. This is a new educational pathway designed to make the transition from MBO to HBO easier and more successful. More than a quarter of the MBO students eligible to take part have already signed up.

The higher vocational education programme is intended for students in the final year of their ICT vocational education. During this year, they will gain an in-depth introduction to higher vocational education. They will work on assignments at higher vocational education level. If they successfully complete these assignments, they will be granted exemptions. They can then start directly in the second year of their higher vocational education programme.

The first group of students will start in August 2026. These are students from the IT Expert and Software Developer programmes at Summa and Yonder. The high level of interest shows that the pathway is well aligned with students’ wishes.

Learning at higher professional education level

During the higher vocational education year, students demonstrate that they have mastered knowledge and skills at higher professional education level. They work on assignments in which they learn to analyse, advise, design and collaborate on complex projects.

“Yonder students spend their final year mainly on work placements. Summa students receive tuition at school,” says Lieke Buiks, coordinator of the MHBO programme at Fontys ICT. “That is why we have developed a suitable approach for both schools. This ensures that all students have the opportunity to achieve the learning objectives at higher professional education level.”

Exemption from the first year of study

Students work on assignments in six-month periods. This allows them to earn an exemption from the first year of study at Fontys. In the final six months, they spend two days a week working on-site at Fontys ICT, on a project for a real client. This helps them get used to higher professional education.

Have students earned all their exemptions? Then they no longer need to complete the first year of their higher professional education programme. “Instead of four years, they will then study for a further three years for their Bachelor’s in ICT. Or one year instead of two for an Associate degree,” says Buiks.

Regional collaboration

This is the first time that Fontys, Summa and Yonder have developed such a programme together. This collaboration creates a strong regional network. Vocational and higher education institutions are working together to provide better support and reduce dropout rates in higher education.

Thanks to the new pathway, students can obtain their qualification more quickly. They can also start working in the ICT sector sooner. There is high demand for professionals in this sector, for example in the fields of AI, cloud engineering and software development.

Start in August 2026

The first MHBO cohort will start in August 2026. In the following academic year, students will progress to the second year of their higher professional education programme at Fontys. Interest is expected to grow further in the coming years.

More information about the MHBO pathway can be found on the Yonder and Summa websites: yonder.nl/mhbo and summa-onderwijs.nl/mhbo/

Photo caption: A few Yonder students who are about to start the MHBO year.

Author: Stefanie van de Ven