Study Choice Check and Introduction Meeting

Summary
Description of the activities in the phase from apply to enrolment.

From the moment you apply at Fontys ICT, you are supported in preparing for your studies, completing the full enrolment and receiving a warm welcome from your programme. A fixed part of this phase is the Introduction Meeting, which takes place in May or June. In addition, every applicant may voluntarily request a Study Choice Check conversation to discuss any doubts or questions about the chosen programme.

The College of Board decided on 30 September 2025 to abolish the mandatory Study Choice Check. Instead, an Introduction Meeting is now standard in the apply‑ and enrolment phase. The Central Student Participation Council (CMR) has approved this amendment. An applicant retains the right to a Study Choice Check conversation. If the applicant wishes to have one, the request can be made after applying for the programme. The programme is then obliged to offer the conversation.

The Study Choice Check (SKC), also known as an intake, is a conversation that students may have to discuss doubts about their chosen programme. For the most up‑to‑date information, please refer to the following page. Although the Study Choice Check remains available, it is expected that future students will use it less frequently.

Purpose of the SKC

The purpose of the Study Choice Check is to discuss any doubts concerning the chosen programme and to support the incoming student in making a well‑informed study choice.

• A right for every incoming student (applicants for the first year of an Associate degree or Bachelor).
• No longer a condition for enrolment.
• Initiated by the student: the incoming student decides if and when to make an appointment.
• An individual (1:1) conversation in which the reasons for the doubts are discussed as indicated by the student. No questionnaire is used.

The incoming student

• Makes an appointment themselves via the Study Choice Check Fontys (Microsoft Bookings).
• Receives an automated reminder 24 hours in advance.
• May cancel the appointment online and, if necessary, schedule a new one.

Fontys ICT Student Desk staff

Conversations are categorised by location and target group:

1. Study in Tilburg

• Dutch‑speaking student without specific educational needs.
• Dutch‑speaking student with specific needs related to Student+.

2. Study in Eindhoven

• International student.
• Dutch‑speaking student without specific educational needs.
• Dutch‑speaking student with specific needs related to Student+.

Fontys ICT interviewers

• Reserve time for SKC conversations in their Outlook calendar and make it available via Microsoft Bookings.
• Arrange a meeting room (physical or online) themselves.

The interview

• Standard duration: 30 minutes.
• Can take place on‑site or via Microsoft Teams.

Fontys Student Services

• Provide clear information on fontys.nl.
• Manage the generic configuration of Microsoft Bookings per institution.
• Maintain an up‑to‑date conversation guide.
• Supply a format for conversation advice.
• Offer support for any questions.

At Fontys ICT, the Student Desk (from the start of the semester) is the central contact point for the Study Choice Check (SKC). The Student Desk is responsible for:

• Administration of SKC conversations.
• Coordinating changes within our institution, both for Eindhoven and Tilburg, in consultation with the programme‑responsibles per location.

The execution of the SKC conversations lies with the individual institution.

Fontys Marketing, Communication & Promotion (MC&P) is responsible for communicating the SKC to prospective students. They provide:

• Automatic e‑mail distribution.
• Templates for communication

To build a strong connection with our future students, the physical Introduction Meeting is a compulsory part of the student journey for all applicants at Fontys. The meeting is intended for incoming Dutch full‑time students who have applied for a programme. It supports the confirmation of the study choice on three levels: social contact, engagement and practical orientation, thereby increasing the likelihood of final enrolment.

Characteristics of the meeting

• Physical gathering.
• Atmosphere and connection are central.
• A preview of the start of the study.
• Students meet year‑/class‑mates informally.
• Opportunity to get to know current students and teachers better.
• Duration: 90 minutes up to a half‑day (preferably an afternoon).
• Small groups for personal contact; some parts may be plenary followed by group sessions.

Within MC&P, a marketing and communication officer is assigned to Fontys ICT as the contact point and is responsible for the Introduction Meetings. This officer coordinates the meetings for both Eindhoven and Tilburg, in consultation with the programme‑responsibles per location.

• MC&P: Owns the process, facilitates and advises on the programme.
• The institution: Responsible for providing teachers, PR‑students (e.g., intro‑parents), rooms and the content of the programme.
• Student Desk: Sends the invitations using a template supplied by MC&P.

• February intake and part‑time students: Often have a different bond with their programme and a shorter period between enrolment and start, reducing the urgency for an Introduction Meeting.
• International students: Physical attendance in May/June is frequently not feasible. The apply process therefore includes alternative contact moments and resources, such as the Uni Buddy Community.