International Bachelor Arts and Culture Studies
Rotterdam, Netherlands
DURATION
3 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
01 May 2025*
EARLIEST START DATE
01 Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
EUR 2,530 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* 1 April for students from outside the EEA
** for EEA students | €10,400/year for non-EEA students
Introduction
You have a passion for arts and culture. You might not be an artist yourself, but want to know what goes on behind the scenes of the art world. Arts and Culture Studies in Rotterdam is unique because of its multifaceted approach to arts and culture.
- Field of study: Arts, Culture, Media, Humanities, Economics, Sociology, Social Sciences
- Keywords: The business of culture from a global perspective - cultural policy, arts education, art markets, audiences, heritage, cultural organizations, creative industries, entrepreneurship.
- Qualification: Bachelor of Arts (BA)
- Duration: 3 years = 36 months full-time
- Course load: 180 ECTS-credits = 60 ECTS credits per year, 1 ECTS = 28 hours
- Language of instruction: Fully taught in English
- Ranking Erasmus University Rotterdam Times Higher Education ranking #72 Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) #4 in the Netherlands, #92 worldwide
After graduation
Our MA programmes Arts, Culture and Society, Cultural Economics and Entrepreneurship, Tourism, Culture and Society, Research MA in Sociology of Culture, Media and the Arts and MA Media Studies are accessible upon completing the BA. Or you enter the labour market directly with well-developed analytical skills, and experience in writing and research. Furthermore, you will be capable of examining issues related to the business of culture.
Destination Information
- The Netherlands: 17 million inhabitants, 200 different nationalities
- Rotterdam: 650,000 inhabitants, 175 different nationalities, 80% speak English
- Erasmus University Rotterdam: 39,150 students, 114 different nationalities
University Life
Activities
Students can join a number of activities throughout the year such as social drinks, study trips, music sessions, lectures and language courses organized by different (student) associations at Erasmus University Rotterdam.
Study Counselling
In the first year of your programme, you will be part of a mentor group guided by second or third-year students, thus ensuring a smooth start. You may consult your student advisor if you have any questions about the study programme, your own study planning or personal circumstances relevant to your studies.
Chat with a student
Is there anything you would like to know about student life or our wonderful city? In that case, you might be curious about the experiences of our students and alumni. Simply select the person of your choice and ask them a question. Just take a look at our 'Chat with a student' page.
Ideal Students
You have a passion for arts and culture. You might not be an artist yourself, but want to know what goes on behind the scenes of the art world. Arts and Culture Studies in Rotterdam is unique because of its multifaceted approach to arts and culture. Alternating a sociological and economic view, you will study how art is produced and how it is presented by parties such as theatres, museums and festivals. Moreover, you want to know how it is appreciated by the audience. With this Bachelor's you will be able to analyse the mechanisms of the art world in a broader context.
Rankings
Times Higher Education ranking #72 Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) #4 in the Netherlands, #92 worldwide
Career Opportunities
The International Bachelor Arts and Culture Studies (IBACS) opens up a broad range of professional and academic possibilities. As an IBACS graduate, you will be able to engage with the artists themselves as well as the economic and commercial players in the field. Furthermore, you have well developed analytical skills, experience in writing and conducting research and you will be capable of examining issues from different angles. These are all skills that employers generally appreciate. Graduates regularly work for museums and festivals, fashion houses, theatre companies, PR agencies, sponsoring agencies, governmental institutions or media companies.
Gallery
Curriculum
We study the business of culture. This international bachelor offers a unique approach to the world of arts and culture. During the course of our three-year programme, you will acquire a thorough understanding of how the cultural sector is organised, and gain insight into the socio-economic and political contexts that allow the arts to flourish. The contemporary cultural landscape requires creative professionals with analytical skills and in-depth knowledge of cultural policy, arts education, art markets, audiences, heritage, cultural organisations, creative industries and entrepreneurship in which you will be educated.
The first year
The first year of IBACS is the same for all students. You gain a thorough grounding to study the world of art, culture and media. What are the central theoretical concepts with which culture scientists work? What historical, sociological and economic aspects are important for art and culture? And how are they related?
You will be given an introduction to the dissemination of art and culture, art and culture policy and the organisation of art and cultural institutions. In addition, you will be introduced to scientific research methods and you will follow a course in Academic Writing.
Focus Areas
In your second year, you will specialise in a specific field by choosing a Focus Area: Culture and Economics, Culture and Society, or Culture and Media. You’ll follow the related courses and a Research Workshop, or choose your own set of electives.
Internship
An internship is mandatory in the second year. This is a great opportunity to apply your theoretical knowledge in practice and build on your professional network.
Minor or studying abroad
In the third year, you can choose to do a minor. Within a minor, you take several courses outside of your own field: the perfect opportunity to broaden your horizon. You can also choose to study abroad, at one of our partner universities. For many students, their period abroad is a memorable part of their studies.