Students takes initiative and they are encouraged to participate actively. To let the student grow in strength, we put them centre stage. We offer possibilities, options and alternatives, but the student always retains control over which steps are taken

In our counselling, we help the student along the way. We encourage the student to regulate thoughts, feelings and behaviour autonomously

The guidance we provide is gentle and warm in nature. We work demand-driven, within a safe climate, in connection and trust with the student. Our basic attitude is characterised by empathic listening, from a strong commitment and authentic relationship with the student.

As study and learning track counsellors, we adopt an accessible approach, guaranteeing discretion. We take every question and concern seriously.

We pay attention to every student and work individually whenever possible. We take a holistic approach, trying to identify and understand the bigger story of the student. This also implies cooperation and smooth communication with all stakeholders and other partners or supporters. With broad concern for everyone, we help build a warm school community within which every student feels comfortable, understood and accepted.

We focus on a qualitative approach to student success. (Prospective) students can come to us for information on study choices, study programmes and paths, transfer opportunities, learning credits, administration, etc. We support students in developing study skills such as planning, taking notes, processing course material, making schedules, etc. The mental well-being of students is always paramount. There is a wide network of fellow experts to whom we can refer if needed.

For specific guidance of neurodivergent students, we collaborate with our colleagues student counsellors+ from the HOGENT.

We have 4 study and learning track counsellors spread across all programmes and graduating options. We work autonomously but also function as a team. During intervision moments, we search together for solutions or working methods for difficult or challenging situations. We combine our strengths and expertise to work together strongly on student-oriented themes or challenges.

If your programme does not meet your expectations or if you want to change direction, you may consider study reorientation. The study and learning track counsellor will then check with you whether a possible switch is possible at that time and which directions you can take.

Choosing an education is often the result of long-term perspectives as well. You should ask yourself what you wish to achieve and where you want to go, also after your studies. Is a bachelor or master degree your final goal, or do you want to start another programme after that (e.g. the educational master programme, an advanced master programme or a phd programme)? The learning track counsellor can provide you with information about the options, and introduce you to the professional fields where our alumni get employed.

If you have already completed a degree or part of another programme, you may be eligible for exemptions based on 'previously acquired qualifications' (EVK). To do so, you must submit a valid credit certificate that provides sufficient proof of the required knowledge, insights and skills pursued by a course unit. Information on how to apply for an exemption can be found here.

Exemptions based on EVK are always requested at the start of the academic year.

EVC procedure
Do you have several years of relevant work experience and want to study (additionally) to obtain a degree? If so, you may be able to apply for exemptions based on 'previously acquired competences' (EVC). During the EVC procedure, it is checked whether the competences you acquired during your work experience correspond with the final competences of a certain course unit. This is done by means of a portfolio and possibly an additional interview or test.

You can then use the 'Certificates of competence' you may receive after the EVC procedure to apply for exemptions. Going through an EVC procedure takes a lot of time and energy. Make sure you start the whole process in good time. 

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In certain cases, you may obtain individual education and examination measures for taking exams, studying a course unit or participating in projects. Depending on the situation, you will receive an adapted arrangement for taking exams or attending classes. To this end, you submit a written request via the study and learning track counsellor and provide it with the necessary certificates, albeit before the start of the individual educational and/or examination activities. Granted measures are only valid for one academic year and must therefore be requested again each year.

The following are eligible:

• a functional disability (e.g. a learning disability, a visual, auditory or motor disability, a psychiatric condition, a chronic illness)
• medical reasons (e.g. a broken arm, pregnancy, hospitalisation)
• exceptional social or individual circumstances (e.g. home care for a parent)
• special status. Special status may be granted to students who play sports at top level, practise an art, hold a political office or serve on a management body, student council, participation committee or education committee of the university college. You must always request this status from the Special Status Committee.

A personalized learning track is a track that is ‘made to measure’ and differs from the standard track. It can be a track either under diploma contract or exam contract.

You are following a personalized learning track when you:

• are granted exemptions
• wish to enrol for more or less ECTS credits than the proposed standard tracks
• are required to retake one or more course units
• combine course units from different standard tracks
• wish to combine education and professional activities

The application for a personalized learning track must be submitted within 15 days after the start of the academic year or within 15 days after a late enrolment.

In a personalized learning track you should take into account:

• the sequential order of course units
• the spreading over semesters (temporal organization)
• overlaps in the class schedule
• feasibility of the programme
• your educational history (study progress)

Many students wonder whether it is possible to combine their studies with professional activities. It is not evident to study a full-time programme in combination with a full-time job. In most cases this means that classes overlap with working hours, while class attendance is in fact essential to successfully complete the programme.

Yet each year there are students who succeed in making this combination. In many cases they make use of the possibility to complete the programme at a lower pace, in a so-called personalized learning track or in a part-time track, and they choose to work part-time temporarily.

In a limited number of cases working students are eligible for exemptions based on previously acquired competencies, which can also make the programme less heavy. As the programmes emphasize practical classes and permanent evaluation, you can only choose for an exam contract for a limited number of course units. Under a credit contract you can acquire different credits over a period of time without completing the entire curriculum. Applying for a credit contract must be done through the study and learning path coach and must be granted. Some programmes require you to take up a minimum set of credits upon enrolment for the main discipline/studio. Be sure to check on this with the study and learning path coach.

In choosing for a part-time track particular attention should be paid to the temporal organization of certain course units. Especially practical course units are organized on an annual basis and are not split in half (in terms of ECTS credits and workload). When you have completed these modules, the rest of the programme and your path towards a degree can then take several more years without the main discipline/studio. You should definitely take this into account when starting a part-time learning track.

For prospective students who have already completed a programme in higher education and who wish to commence a programme at KASK & Conservatorium, the study progress will have to be checked.

A student’s study progress is an indication of how this student makes progress in a learning track. It is the learning track counsellor who follows up on (prospective) students’ study progress. When this progress is not according to expectations, binding conditions can be imposed that the students must meet in order to be allowed to continue his or her studies. In some situations students may be rejected on the basis of study progress monitoring. Do not hesitate to contact your programme’s learning track counsellor with questions concerning this matter.