Student Journey
At Unknown University, your learning path follows the natural progression of building, testing, and growing real entrepreneurial ventures.
Each year builds on the last, combining academic foundations with hands-on experience, expert guidance, and direct exposure to the entrepreneurial world.
Year 1 — Foundations
Your journey begins with the fundamentals of entrepreneurship. You learn how to spot opportunities, validate ideas, and build early concepts. Through short, focused modules and practical assignments, you move from curiosity to capability—developing confidence, essential skills, and the mindset of a founder. This year gives you the foundation needed to build something real.
The completed year 1 is also called the propedeutic year. It covers the first 60 ECTS. When you successfully complete all Year-1 modules you are eligible to receive the propedeutic diploma.
Why propedeutic year matters?
1. It proves you have mastered the foundation of entrepreneurship
Your diploma confirms that you have completed all core first-year modules, gained essential entrepreneurial skills, and built a strong academic base for the rest of your studies.
2. It strengthens your academic profile
The propedeutic diploma is an official Dutch qualification under the Higher Education and Research Act (WHW). It demonstrates academic progress and commitment—useful for your resume, internships, and future applications.
3. It opens doors to other universities
Many students use the propedeutic diploma as a stepping stone to transfer to:
- WO universities (research universities)
- Other Dutch HBO programmes
- International universities
It shows that you can succeed in higher education and provides formal recognition of your academic performance.
Years 2, 3 & 4 — Growth, Validation & Scaling
In the main phase of the program, you go deeper into applied entrepreneurship. You explore branding, pricing, sales, tech, growth hacking, leadership, systems thinking, international strategy, and more. As your venture grows in complexity, so does your knowledge and skill set. You learn how to build traction, navigate uncertainty, lead teams, and create long-term value.
These years blend academic depth with real execution—preparing you for the realities of building and scaling a business.
Incubator — Your Personal Entrepreneurial Path
Alongside your academic modules, the Incubator runs throughout all four years. It allows you to shape your own learning path based on what your venture or personal development needs at that moment. You receive weekly stand-ups, acceleration sessions, guidance from business coaches and personal coaches, and support tailored to your specific challenges or opportunities. The Incubator gives you the structure, accountability, and freedom to grow at your own pace.
Aptitude Test — Your Final Graduation Project
Your journey concludes with the Aptitude Test: a portfolio, journal, pitch, and defence that demonstrate your entrepreneurial abilities. Unlike a traditional thesis, this assessment pushes you to develop your venture further, address weaker areas in your business, and apply everything you have learned in a practical and meaningful way. You refine your strategy, strengthen missing competencies, and turn feedback into tangible progress. Throughout the process, you are supported by coaches, supervisors, and field experts who help you translate theory into real execution. Assessed by both your supervisor and an independent examiner, the Aptitude Test captures your full growth as a founder and prepares you to graduate as a capable, confident, and impact-driven entrepreneur.
Connected to the Real Entrepreneurial World
Throughout your studies, you learn directly from founders, investors, industry specialists, and field experts. Being located in Titaan—Europe’s largest impact campus—surrounds you with startups and scale-ups working on meaningful innovation. You’re part of a living entrepreneurial ecosystem where ideas, opportunities, and networks are always within reach.
