In year 2 of Logistics Engineering you will delve deeper into logistics topics and learn, among other things, how data is used to predict needs and how international supply chains work. In year 3, you will do your work placement and further specialise. In year 4, you will choose a minor or an exchange abroad, and you will finalise your studies with a graduation placement.

Year 2

In the second year you will have more freedom of choice. You will further broaden your logistics knowledge, and learn to work with simulations and software systems. You will address the following topics: 

• Planning and optimising production processes: Learning how to improve production processes and managing international supply chains. 
• Improving supply chains: Using data analysis, business intelligence and simulation software to redesign and enhance the supply chains of Decathlon. 
• Cooperating with businesses: Working together with businesses on real research projects. 
• Preparing for the work placement: Preparing for your placement and focusing on your personal and professional development. 

At the end of the year, you can delve into a specific area of logistics: 

• Production logistics 
• Distribution logistics 
• Warehousing 
• Care logistics 
• Event logistics 

More detailed information about the themes can be found under the tab sheet ‘Specialisations.’ 

Applied Data Science & Artificial Intelligence in Logistics

As from year 2 it will be possible for you to attend the Applied Data Science & Artificial Intelligence in Logistics track. In this track you will further specialise in developing data and AI applications for logistics. You will learn to work with challenging datasets, and how to use them for smart solutions to logistics problems. In addition, you will study programming, gain knowledge about how to deal ethically with data (what is and is not allowed) and learn to manage data projects. You can also choose to delve deeper into data and AI applications in year 3 or 4, during your work placement, minor programme and graduation project, for example. Curious about what issues you will work on? Have a look at the flyer. 

Year 3 and 4

During the third year of the Logistics Engineering programme you will do a work placement for six months, followed by a specialisation in preparation for your graduation project. 

You will do a work placement at a host company for six months, where you will work on a project autonomously and put theory into practice. During your placement you will be guided by a supervising lecturer and a company supervisor and attend workshops for additional support. 

After the placement, you will take a semester at BUas, specialising in one of the logistics fields of expertise. You will work on genuine issues within e.g. care, production or event logistics. 

• You delve into how to organise and optimise national and international supply chain operations by, for example, new theory, business games and cooperation with experts from businesses. 
• You work on challenging assignments from businesses seeking innovative solutions. 
• You work on your personal and professional development in preparation for your graduation year. 

In the first half of year 4, you will attend a minor and have 18 weeks’ time to deepen or broaden your knowledge of a topic of your choice in the Netherlands or abroad.  

In the latter half of year 4, you will do a graduation placement at home or abroad. You will demonstrate that you have mastered all the required competencies to graduate. During your graduation placement you will work on a project, which could be, for example: 

• Using drones for the Defence forces: Conducting research into the deployment of drones for supplying materials at dangerous locations quickly and safely. 
• Automating Bol.com warehouses: Developing an automated system which orders can be processed with more quickly and cheaply. 
• Event logistics at Pinkpop: Conducting research into a system enabling a faster admission process (arrivals, ticket scans and body searches) at Pinkpop. 

You will write a thesis about this assignment, which you will present during your final exam. You will be personally supervised by both a supervising lecturer and a company supervisor. During talks with your supervising lecturer, you will talk about the content of your graduation assignment and your progress. 

Placement

During the third year of the Logistics Engineering programme you will do a work placement at a host company. During your placement you will work autonomously on an assignment or project matching your interests. This is your chance to apply everything you have learned and gain valuable work experience. 

Work placements offer you the opportunity to: 

• gain practical experience in a real work environment. 
• expand your network with professionals in the logistics sector. 
• discover what you like and what you are good at. 

Examples of work placements: 

• Automation at Nike: Conducting research into a robot system to accellerate goods flows at Nike’s distribution centre. 
• Route planning at DHL: Developing a system with AI and data analysis to optimise delivery routes and shorten delivery times. 
• Technical logistics at Lowlands: Designing a system with drones to monitor and improve visitor flows at the festival grounds. 
• Stock management in emergency departments (A&E): Designing a smart system for A&E, so medical supplies are automatically replenished and always ready for use in emergencies. 

Exchange

Spending time studying abroad offers you the opportunity to push your boundaries, both literally and figuratively. You expand your international network, learn another language and gain more insight into intercultural differences (and similarities!). Breda University of Applied Sciences has contacts with numerous universities all over the world where you can go as an exchange student. 

Minor

During a minor, you can choose whether you want to delve deeper into your current field of study or broaden your horizons in a different subject. You can choose to take a minor at BUas. Check out all the minors that BUas offers here. You can also choose a minor at another university of applied sciences in the Netherlands or go abroad.

During your Logistics Engineering programme, you will develop theoretical knowledge and practical skills through various teaching methods.  

• Lectures and workshops: During lectures, you are taught the theory of logistics, which you then apply in workshops. You work on assignments with the aid of lecturers during these workshops. 
• Labs and projects: In group projects, you put your knowledge into practice by optimising a warehouse, for instance. You also learn to work together with teammates, a crucial skill for future leaders of logistics engineers teams.  
• Serious Gaming: These games help you understand logistics processes, make strategic choices and develop your decision-making skills. 
• Company visits and excursions: By visiting businesses at home and abroad, you see how logistics works in business practice and learn from professionals.  
• Learning in practice: During your studies, you continuously work on assignments for businesses. You gain practical experience during a work placement in the third year of Logistics Engineering, and you do your graduation assignment in the last semester. 

English, mathematics and Excel 
During your Logistics Engineering programme, you will receive guidance in fundamental subjects such as English, mathematics and Excel to prepare you properly for the challenges in the logistics sector. 

• English: Logistics is an international field of expertise in which English is used a lot. If you scored a sufficiency for English during your final exams in secondary school, you will not need to worry about your knowledge of English. Is your English not that good yet? No worries, there will be extra classes and support available during the study programme, so you will have a good command of English at the end. 
• Mathematics and Excel: You often work with numbers in logistics. You do not need to know complex mathematical formulas, but a basic understanding of Mathematics A would be useful. If you still find mathematics challenging, we will offer extra help and classes to enhance your skills. And Excel helps you to work with figures and databases conveniently. The following applies: is this new to you or did you find it challenging in secondary school? During your studies, you will gradually learn to work with it better and better.  

This programme is available in Dutch and English. If you choose English, you will join an international class. The mix of students and lecturers from the Netherlands and abroad naturally brings more attention to intercultural differences; not only in education but also in international projects and excursions. This enhances international cooperation and atmosphere, preparing you even better for an international career. 

In the Dutch-language programme, it may happen that you take projects or guest lectures in English. In addition, some of the literature used may be in English. The working language on our campus is English. 

Study load 
The study load totals, on average, 40 hours a week. How many hours you actually spend on studying depends very much on the individual and varies from week to week. You will have class days on campus as well as days you schedule yourself to work on your projects on campus or at home.  

A typical week

An example of a typical week can be found below. Please note: the study timetable may vary each week, and this example only gives an indication. 

Monday  

• 09.00 - 10.00    Lecture about supermarkets facing logistic challenges of online deliveries 
• 10.00 – 12.00    Assignment: improve customer satisfaction with online deliveries of supermarkets  
• 12.00 – 12.30    Break (with fellow students)  
• 12.30 – 14.00    Workshop about Finances & Logistics 
• 14.00 – 15.00    Working on financial assignments; the lecturer is available for answering questions 

Tuesday  

• 10.00 – 12.00    Workshop about international logistics businesses 
• 12.00 – 12.30    Break  
• 12.30 – 14.30    Visualising international supply chains; main phase students are available for answering questions 
• 14.30 – 15.30    Workshop about programming in Python 

Wednesday
Working on individual assignments at home; preparing the project meeting on Thursday.

Thursday 

• 10.00 – 13.00    Working on an event site plan in a project group: where do you place the entrances, food trucks and bars? 
• 13.30 – 15.30    Dragons Den: presentation to lecturers. Which group has the best event site plan?  
• 16.00 hrs          Drinks party of study society BELO 

 Friday 

• 09.00 – 15.00    Excursion to the automated Bol.com distribution centre. 

Coaching 
During the Logistics Engineering programme you will be coached to further develop yourself personally and professionally. You will attend Personal & Professional Development modules and you will be coached individually. 

Personal & Professional Development (PPD) 

• Future perspective: What logistics specialisations and businesses do you find interesting? 
• Workshops: You develop skills to study successfully and which are required to successfully do your work placement soon and work in the logistics sector. 
• Reflection sessions: You evaluate your progress and development. What are you already good at, and what would you like to develop further? 

Individual coaching: 

1. Tailor-made coaching: you receive personal guidance from a study coach on study and career choices. 
2. Feedback and development: You receive feedback on your performance and help with your development points from your study coach. 
3. Placement supervision: you are supervised by both a supervising lecturer and a company supervisor during your placement. 

Student well-being
BUas encourages and helps you to make the most of yourself, whatever your circumstances. Maybe you have a chronic illness, are a family carer, a competitive athlete, or juggle your studies with running your own business? Our study coaches, student counsellors and student psychologists are here to help. Do you need extra support or advice? Or extra facilities? Then take a look at the options here.

In year 2 you can choose from the following specialisations, in which you will address questions raised by businesses. 

Production Logistics

In Production Logistics, you plan and organise the production process. In doing so, you coordinate and monitor planning and quality. 

For example, you are responsible for a smooth production line in a Coca-Cola factory. You ensure that the bottles, labels and filling are continuously aligned and disruptions are dealt with without any downtime. 

Care Logistics

In Care Logistics, you optimise the flow of goods (equipment and medications), information (patient records and appointments), and people flows (patients and visitors). 

For example, due to the aging population, there is an increasing demand for professionals in this field of expertise. At a hospital, for instance, you coordinate the operating theatres, ensure that patients are in the right rooms on time, medications are available, and the required equipment is present on time. 

Distribution Logistics

In Distribution Logistics, you ensure that products are transported from supplier to customer safely, quickly, sustainably, and as cheaply as possible. 

For example, at companies such as DHL or at the port of Rotterdam, you will learn how to optimise the logistics surrounding the transport of Nike shoes. Distribution managers decided to transport right and left shoes separately to prevent theft and speed up processes. 

Event Logistics

In Event Logistics, you coordinate and optimise logistics processes around events. 

For example, at a large festival such as Lowlands, you make sure that there are enough toilets, queues are prevented, and traffic is properly regulated.  

Warehousing 

In Warehousing, you focus on improving warehouse equipment for efficient storage. 

For example, IKEA allows customers to walk through the warehouse themselves to find products, which reduces staff and costs. Bol.com, on the other hand, has fully automated systems for packing and shipping orders, focusing on cost savings and efficiency. 

As a student of Logistics, you will explore your field of expertise during excursions at home and abroad. You will visit the port of Rotterdam, for example, and go to a Nike warehouse or a Mercedes production plant. The cities of Stuttgart, Prague and Barcelona are recurring excursion destinations.  

Two-year track after an Associate degree in Logistics 

With an Associate degree in Logistics, you can obtain our professional bachelor’s degree in Logistics Engineering or Logistics Management in two years’ time. You will first attend courses on production logistics, international supply chains and sustainability. After that, you will choose a logistics minor and do a graduation project or assignment with a company in logistics or supply chains. 

More information (in Dutch only)

Three-year track after a related mbo programme   

Did you complete one of the following mbo programmes at level 4? 

• Logistics Supervisor 
• Manager in Transport and Logistics 
• Location manager in national or international wholesale trade 
• Manager in Port Logistics 

Then you will be eligible for the mbo-hbo transfer track. You will be granted exemptions based on one of these mbo programmes. This allows you to complete the programme in three years (instead of four years). 

What is the mbo-hbo transfer track? 
At some institutes delivering mbo programmes that partner with BUas, you can start Logistics Management as early as in your final mbo year. This track runs from mid-February to mid-June. You attend classes with us every Wednesday for 16 weeks and do a project. If you complete the track successfully, you can directly enter year 2 of the professional bachelor’s programme. Ask your student counsellor whether your mbo institute participates in this track. 

Is it for you? 
This track helps you explore whether professional higher education suits you. You will be enrolled as a course participant and pay no tuition fees. However, you can make use of our facilities. Visit an open day to get a taste of the atmosphere and talk to a student counsellor. 

Application 
You can apply for the mbo-hbo transfer track via Studielink until 29 January. 

More information 
If you would like more information, you can contact the student counsellors of Logistics, Minke Snel and Lizanne Hessels, at [email protected] or call (076) 533 2600. You can also download the leaflet about the mbo-hbo transfer track (information is in Dutch).

Three-year track after vwo

To be able to complete this four-year programme in three years’ time, you must have several abilities in addition to your vwo diploma. For example, you should:  

• be able to plan your studies well; 
• be able to learn and work independently; 
• be able to take responsibility for your studies; 
• really know what you want; 
• enjoy working together with others. 

You will go through three academic years consisting of 60 credits each, totalling 180 credits. You will start directly in the second year of study, and then attend the regular third and fourth years. Look for more information about the study programme under the tab sheet ‘years 2, 3 and 4’. 

Guidance and transfer option 
Participating in this three-year programme is quite a challenge. Therefore, you will receive intensive guidance from a mentor in the first year of the track. You will review your modules, results, and personal experiences in various talks. In our experience, vwo graduates can manage this just fine. If you should find that it is too difficult, you can switch to the regular first year, and complete the study programme in four years. 

Application 
If you want to do this track, please follow the regular application procedure, and enter your preference for the three-year track in Studielink. 

More information? 
For more information, please contact the student counsellors, Minke Snels and Lizanne Hessels, at [email protected] or call (076) 533 2600. 

Three-year track after hbo or wo

If you have a hbo or wo (propaedeutic) diploma, please contact the department to check out the possibilities for a three-year track. Please contact the student counsellors of this study programme, Minke Snels and Lizanne Hessels, at [email protected] or call (076) 533 2600. 

At BUas you can choose from two logistics programmes: Logistics Engineering and Logistics Management. Both study programmes lay a solid foundation in logistics, and you will regularly work together on projects with students of the other programme. Still, there are significant differences: 

Logistics Engineering 

• Focus: The focus in Logistics Engineering is on technical and digital aspects of logistics processes. You learn how to optimise activities in production and distribution centres by using robots, drones, and AI. 
• Modules: You work with simulation software tools to create new processes and learn to program with Python to solve problems.  
• Specimen module: Decision Support Systems – Discover how to automate business processes, run simulations, and plan routes intelligently using modern technology. 

Logistics Management 

• Focus: In Logistics Management the focus is on business economics and collaboration with customers and suppliers. You learn about entrepreneurship, change management, and applying innovations in the supply chain. 
• Modules: You are taught about legal and financial topics, entrepreneurship and develop skills to make changes in organisations and supply chains. 
• Specimen module: Supply Chain Redesign – You learn how to take important decisions that improve the logistics industry. The module addresses topics such as supply chain management and process improvement. You also learn to create business cases and play a business simulation game where cooperation is essential. 

In year 1, you will have the opportunity to switch between Logistics Engineering and Logistics Management. In this way, you can discover which study programme suits you best. 

At BUas you are trained to become an entrepreneurial professional. In all the professional bachelor’s programmes, you are given the opportunity to develop your entrepreneurial skills. Alongside your studies, you can join BUas Startup Support, BUSS. BUSS organises (networking) events and connects student startup entrepreneurs, there is even the possibility to apply for guidance from your own startup coach.

You can also graduate within BUas with your own company! Every academy offers this opportunity, though a selection process may apply. Maybe, by that time, you already have a small profitable business or have plans to start one? BUas Startup Support can help you.  

More information on how to start your own business.