Open Learning S3

This information on Open Learning is basically the same for each semester introduction, main or advanced.

This semester in Open Learning, you’re in the driver’s seat of your education! You decide what you learn, how fast you go, and how you approach challenges. Instead of following a set curriculum, you’ll take on real-world projects from industry partners, where you can solve problems and develop valuable skills. Along the way, you’ll work with professionals, gaining hands-on experience in IT while sharpening your ability to collaborate and think critically.

One of the biggest highlights is your certified portfolio—a collection of work that showcases your progress and skills. You won’t be cramming for traditional exams; instead, your learning will be assessed through continuous feedback, helping you grow throughout the semester. You’ll also have personal coaches to guide and support you.

By the end of the semester, you’ll have built a competence profile, which can even lead to a personalized diploma based on your strengths. You’ll also get better at self-assessment, learning to evaluate your own work just like professionals do. This semester isn’t just about IT skills—it’s about becoming independent, adaptable, and ready for the future in a fast-changing world.

Forget a standardized curriculum—this semester is all about learning by doing! Your main assignments will revolve around solving real-life challenges from companies and organizations. You can pick an existing challenge or even pitch your own. Besides the Group challenge, you’ll have a 140-hour Personal Challenge (aka Freaky Friday), where you dive deep into a project that excites you and fits your learning goals.

You won’t be working alone! You’ll collaborate with industry professionals, classmates, and stakeholders, learning how to refine solutions and make an impact. Instead of handing in traditional assignments, you’ll document your progress in a certified portfolio, proving what you’ve learned in a structured way.

And the best part? No high-stakes tests! Instead, you’ll receive ongoing feedback from coaches and peers, helping you improve continuously. You’ll also have two personal coaches who check in regularly to keep you on track and help you get the most out of your semester.

Expect a challenging, flexible, and rewarding semester—where you gain real-world experience, build your confidence, and shape your future in IT!

In Open Learning, every semester builds on what you’ve already learned, helping you sharpen your skills and push further in your personal learning direction. There’s no fixed starting point—you take what you know and develop it to match your interests and goals.

After this semester, you’re in control of your next steps. You can continue within Open Learning, diving deeper into your chosen IT focus, or transition to other Fontys ICT tracks if a different approach fits your ambitions better. The program is designed to be flexible, letting you shape your learning journey to match your strengths and aspirations!

In Tilburg this semester is provided in combination with other topics.