What is a specialisation and why do you need one?
Studying HBO-ICT at Saxion University of Applied Sciences is more than just completing courses. One of the most exciting parts of the programme is the chance to choose a specialisation. It is a focused learning course that prepares students for specific roles in the IT field. Let’s dive in!
You can choose specialisations in the third and fourth year, after you have built a solid foundation. They offer a deep dive into a topic of your interest, filling the gap between theory and building a fully functional system.
Each specialisation runs for one semester and is divided into two parts. In the first quartile, students attend lectures and make assignments to improve technical skills. The second quartile is all about applying those skills: students work in teams on real-life projects in collaboration with a company.
It’s not just about coding or technical tools. Students also learn to communicate with clients, manage a project, and work effectively within a team.
To give you a good impression, we interviewed a group of HBO-ICT students who shared their experiences. Big thanks to Amsah Augustuszoon, Danique Loman, Robin Hazewinkel and Stefan Mihajlović.
HBO-ICT specialisations
- Advanced Application Development
- Internet of Things
- Data & AI Engineering
Find out more
At Saxion, HBO-ICT students can choose between three specialisations: Advanced Application Development, Internet of Things, and Data & AI Engineering.
Advanced Application Development (AAD)
If you're passionate about building modern applications, AAD is the place to be. Learn how to design, build, and deploy complete applications that work across web and mobile platforms. The focus is on full-stack development, including backend services, frontend, and UX design.
The interviewed group shared: “At the end of AAD, you’ve created something real, not just for a grade, but something you can actually show to people. It feels like professional work.” Lecturers make the course interactive and useful. For example, we had a guest lecture from a blind person gave insight into how people with visual impairments interact with digital products. This improved the accessibility of the digital products.
Internet of Things (IoT)
IoT brings IT to life. This specialisation lets you work with physical hardware - sensors, microcontrollers, wireless modules - and write embedded software that interacts with the physical world. “It’s the first time I could actually touch what I built,” Robin said. “I loved the feeling of seeing something real happen because of my code.”
A group of students created an air quality monitoring system for Saxion’s Smart Research Group. They had to figure out what to measure, research the right sensors, and build a dashboard to display real-time data. The goal was to prove that the workspace needed ventilation improvements.
The final look of the dashboard of the project the team was working on.
Data & AI Engineering
For those who enjoy analysing patterns, building systems to handle large amounts of data, or exploring AI, Data & AI Engineering offers a structured, data-focused course. You’ll learn how to manage databases, process data streams, and use tools that power data-intensive applications.
One student originally wanted to take this path because of his passion for machine learning. “I love working with AI models, and Data & AI Engineering felt like a natural step,” he said.
Compare fields
Getting to take two specialisations during HBO-ICT, allows students to compare different fields and learn a wider range of skills. Stefan shared: “In the future, when you’re working at a company, you’ll usually do the same kind of tasks every day. Specialisations let you explore and try out different sides of IT that you might not get the chance to experience again.”
For some, it was also a way to find out what doesn’t suit them, what is just as important. “I realized IoT is cool, but it’s not what I want to do for work. Still, I’m glad I tried it. Better to know now than later.”
Specialisations let you explore and try out different sides of IT that you might not get the chance to experience again.
Career impact
Specialisations can make a real difference when it comes to your career. Many students said that the experience gave them more confidence to try out new tools and technologies, even ones they hadn’t seen before.
Working on real projects with real clients helps build a stronger portfolio and prepares for what to expect in a future job. It also helps clarify the career direction. Even if the field doesn’t really suit you, that’s still a valuable outcome. You’re get to make more informed decisions this way.
Lastly, the soft skills: client communication, team collaboration, and scrum planning, it all gives a start for full-time roles. Several students even mentioned that the structure of the specialisation feels more like a junior developer job than a classroom setting.
More than a topic
Choosing a specialisation is more than just picking a topic. It’s a chance to explore, grow, and prepare for what comes after graduation. Whether it’s coding full-stack applications, working with hardware, or diving into data systems; each path offers valuable skills and insights that go far beyond the classroom. So, if you’re considering your next step in HBO-ICT, think of a specialisation as an opportunity to challenge yourself, explore your interests, and get closer to your goals - both as a student and a future IT professional.