The Bachelor and the Master programmes of Stenden Hotel Management School were assessed by the Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders (NVAO). The NVAO convened an assessment panel which studied the self-evaluation report and undertook a site visit in Emmen and Leeuwarden on 18-21 March 2018.

Standard 1: Intended internationalisation
Both programmes receive the assessment excellent on Standard 1.
The audit panel found that the programme has very clear internationalization stra-tegy and clear and well-articulated goals for both programmes. Strategy and goals are thought through carefully, well documented and well suited to both the Bachelor and the Master programmes. The goals are widely shared and supported by stake-holders both within and outside Stenden HMS. The goals include measures which undoubtedly contribute to the quality of teaching and learning. The internationaliza-tion goals are well operationalized in objectives which are concretely formulated and verifiable and as such provide an excellent basis for monitoring the achieve-ment of the programme’s internationalization goals.

Standard 2: International and intercultural learning
The Bachelor programme receives the assessment good on Standard 2. The Master programme satisfactory.
The audit panel found that both programmes use internationally validated intended learning outcomes, which have a clear international dimension and include learning outcomes explicitly related to the development of those international and intercul-tural skills that are necessary to work in the international hospitality industry. The explicit international and intercultural learning outcomes correspond well to the in-ternationalization goals of Stenden HMS.In line with the approach to internationalization, international and intercultural com-petencies are assessed as an integral part of the regular course assessments in the Bachelor programme. The assessment methods used are suitable for measuring the achievement of the international and intercultural intended learning outcomes and the graduates demonstrably achieve these learning outcomes. In the Master programme the achievement of the international and intercultural competencies is less clear, because of the limited information, and also because of the formative, more ad hoc way of assessing the intercultural competency in class. The theses, on the other hand, cover topics that demonstrate the achievement of the first sub lear-ning outcome (i.e. ‘The ability to develop a critical vision on the globalization pro-cess in the context of hospitality and service’).

Standard 3: Teaching and Learning
Both programmes receive the assessment excellent on Standard 3.
The audit panel found that the content and the structure of the curricula provide excellent means for achieving the international and intercultural intended learning outcomes. In addition, the teaching methods are very suitable and the highly international learning environment provides excellent conditions for achieving the inter-national and intercultural intended learning outcomes. The audit panels commends Stenden HMS on the Grand Tour and the options it provides for students, and on the dual programme with the University of Derby.

Standard 4: Staff
The Bachelor programme receives the assessment good on Standard 4. The Master programme excellent.
The panel found that the composition of the staff facilitates the achievement of the international and intercultural intended learning outcomes. Furthermore, staff mem-bers of the Bachelor programme have varied international experience and of the Master programme very good international experience. Staff members in the Ma-ster programme all have international work and/or teaching experience. All staff members have good intercultural competences and language skills, due to e.g. specific training. The many services provided to the staff are excellent. They corre-spond to the staff composition and needs, and facilitate international experiences, intercultural competences and language skills.

Standard 5: Students
Both programmes receive the assessment good on Standard 5.
The panel found that the composition of the student group is international in the Bachelor programme and highly international in the Master programme, which is in line with the internationalization goal of creating an international learning environ-ment. Furthermore, the internationalization goals of Stenden HMS are adequately supported by the excellent opportunities for students to gain internationalization experiences and the services related to internationalization.

To conclude, the audit panel is impressed by the highly international character of Stenden HMS, which is visible in almost all aspects of both the Bachelor and the Master the programmes, especially in the realization of international and intercul-tural learning, teaching and learning, staff and student group composition and the services and internationalization experiences that are offered to both staff and stu-dents. The audit panel is impressed by the Grand Tour for Bachelor students and the dual degree with the University of Derby for Master students.