Would you like to be responsible for maintaining the largest and most complex technical systems? Or contribute towards the sustainable use of materials and natural resources? And all of this in an international working environment? If so, why not opt for International Maintenance Management, the higher professional education degree (Hbo) programme for those who want to become a maintenance professional.

Maintenance, more than technology
Aircraft, power plants, drilling platforms: all technical systems need to be maintained. The larger and more complex the system, the more important proper maintenance becomes - and the more difficult. A refinery, airport or hospital cannot simply be shut down while a maintenance check is carried out.

Level
Hbo-bachelor

When does this programme start?
End of August

Duration
4 years

Location
Year 1 and 2: Breda, the Netherlands (at Avans University of Applied Sciences)
Year 3 and 4: Vlissingen, the Netherlands (at Hogeschool Zeeland, University of Applied Sciences)

What are the costs?
You enrol at HZ University and pay tuition fees to them. Check the tuition fees at HZ University.
Also check the living expenses.

Scholarship
You enrol at HZ University. Read about their scholarship programme. 

More information
Are you interested in studying a degree programme at Avans University of Applied Science, but you still have more questions? Our International Office can help you. Please contact them by email at internationaloffice@avans.nl or by telephone on +31 (0) 76 523 80 01.

The programme comprises three important areas of expertise.

Technology
Technology naturally forms an important part of the programme, because maintenance professionals work with the most complex technical systems. During the programme, you will study among other things how to:

• Design maintenance procedures
• Deal with technical specifications
• Make reliable predictions on operating life and replacement queries
• Assess safety risks
• Assess tenders

Business administration
Technological expertise alone is not sufficient for a maintenance professional. Other factors are efficient processes, costs and returns. During the study programme, you will learn how to deal with:

• Management processes and execution
• Quality control, legislation and regulations
• Managing material and information flows
• Planning, budgeting and cost analyses
• Logistical issues

Communication and management
Maintenance is teamwork. For this reason we devote considerable attention to:

• Management and leadership
• International business cultures and change management
• Ergonomics and health and safety
• Communication and project management

International scope
Maintenance professionals work in an international environment. To prepare you thoroughly for this, all lectures are in English. We work with lecturers from the Netherlands and abroad.

Exchange projects are organised with other universities at higher professional education degree (Hbo) level all over the world. You will be able to spend a semester studying abroad without having to pay any additional tuition fees.

Check the IMM Programme.

Diplomas and certificates

Dutch Havo (higher general secondary education) or an international equivalent. Or pre-university level (Vwo) diploma, or an International Baccalaureate (IB) school diploma (at least 24 points) in:

• Natural Sciences and Technology (Natuur & Techniek)
• Natural Sciences and Health (Natuur & Gezondheid)
• Economics and Society (Economie & Maatschappij)

alternatively you must hold an intermediate vocational level 4 (Mbo level-4) diploma.

English language
Non-EU students must be able to produce a certificate such as TOEFL (minimum score of 575) or IELTS (minimum score of 6.5).

Intake interview
A positive recommendation based on a personal interview.

Maintenance is a relatively new domain within universities, in the Netherlands as well as in other countries. In some countries, universities are developing master’s courses in the field of maintenance. One of them is the Netherlands. Our goal is to make it possible for IMM students to continue their studies at master’s level and earn their master’s degree within two year after graduating in IMM.

International Maintenance Management is a broad-based, practice-oriented programme and offers international career opportunities. You will be trained to become a maintenance professional. With this programme, the world is at your feet. You will be able to work in a hi-tech environment at the world's biggest companies.

The Netherlands aims to play a leading role in the maintenance sector, because maintenance is becoming increasingly important for companies around the world. You will soon be able to make a significant contribution towards the sustainable consumption of natural resources, to innovation and to cost cutting. On completion of the programme, you will hold the degree “Bachelor of Engineering”, an internationally recognised degree that will enhance your career opportunities. Your diploma will demonstrate that you are one of 'the world’s greatest' in your area of expertise.

Fields of work
Maintenance professionals are active in both the profit and the non-profit sectors, at multinationals all over the world, and also in small and medium-sized enterprises. You could find yourself working for a company that utilises technical systems, at a manufacturer of complex systems or as adviser. In short, the programme offers you every opportunity for an exciting work environment. Typical roles for maintenance professionals are:

• Reliability Engineer
• Maintenance Engineer
• Project Engineer
• Sales Engineer
• Senior Cost Accountant
• Maintenance Superintendent
• Maintenance Manager
• Maintenance Consultant
• Asset Manager
• • Project Leader

This could be in a wide range of areas, such as managing

• Aircraft at airports
• Wind turbine parks and solar energy panels
• Refineries and drilling platforms
• Medical equipment and systems in hospitals and care institutions
• Embankments, roads and bridges
• Water purification systems

Cooperation with the business community
International Maintenance Management is practice-oriented. During the programme we work along thematic lines with actual cases involving national and international companies. Top international companies are actively involved in developing the coursework. During the programme there are guest lectures from leaders in the international business community. The excursions and visits to companies provide a good picture of how your future will look in the short term. Practical assignments and a work placement are naturally also part of your programme.

Companies:
Dow, Sabic, Philip Morris, Damen Naval, Cofely, etc.

As the IMM study programme is a collaboration between Hogeschool Zeeland (HZ University of Applied Sciences) and Avans University of Applied Sciences, the application procedure requires extra attention.

All bachelor’s students must register via the Studielink website (www.studielink.nl). Studielink is an on-line enrolment wizard that allows you to enrol or re-enrol on a course at a government-funded institution of higher education in the Netherlands.

Applying for IMM
If you want to apply for the IMM study programme, you must register with Hogeschool Zeeland (HZ University of Applied Sciences) on the Studielink website. You must also register with Avans University of Applied Sciences. Please note: your first registration must be with HZ, and your second registration with Avans. This is important in connection with the payment of your tuition fees.

For more information about enrolling as a bachelor’s student via Studielink and for the Studielink Instruction Manual, click here.

Before you apply for this study programme, make sure you have informed yourself about the Rules and Regulations of Avans University of Applied Sciences.

If you are interested in International Maintenance Management and you want more information, contact the international office at:

internationaloffice@avans.nl or on +31 76 523 80 01

or visit the International Maintenance Management website for more information.