Why this programme

International Bachelor Communication and Media
IBCoM student

What does this study entail?

Media, telecommunications, computer networks, and creative industries affect many aspects of our daily lives and reach every corner of the world. The shift in our everyday experiences towards more and more media usage has had enormous consequences. Not only has it effected our personal and working lives, but it has also transformed international relations, business opportunities, citizenship, democracy, and culture. Communication and Media has thus become an important and rewarding field of study, which will help you understand our global society and how to function successfully within it.

And that’s where IBCoM comes in, our interdisciplinary approach offers a strong basis in communication and media studies, whilst reaching out to other disciplines and study areas at the same time. The programme makes, for example, connections to study areas such as economics and business, psychology, political science, international relations, sociology, and arts and culture studies. As a result, upon graduation, you will have many opportunities for advanced studies within and beyond the field of communication and media.

Is this the right programme for you?

Why do people communicate the way they do? How will technological developments like AI and other technologies influence everyday life? What can you do to reach different cultures around the world? How do films like “Barbie” influence public debate? Do you want to find the most innovative answers to these questions? Then IBCoM is the bachelor for you!

Communication and media isn’t just a subject on its own, it’s intertwined with culture, sociology, politics and economics. As an IBCoM student, you will explore this interplay and develop original ideas on the transformational effects of communication and media. Think of its effects on international relations, businesses, democracy, and culture, as well as people’s personal and working lives.

As an IBCoM student, you will be part of our "IBCoMmunity". The interaction and connection between students is integral to IBCoM’s success. Your fellow students now will be your colleagues in the future. This is why IBCoM aims to be more than just an educational programme; it provides its students with opportunities to make friends, build professional networks, and develop their knowledge and skills in communication by engaging with a diverse group of people. 

International Bachelor Communication and Media Student Lennert studying at a table.

International Bachelor Communication and Media by Lennert

5 reasons to study IBCoM at Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR)

  • IBCoM does not only have an internationally highly diverse student population and staff, but also a truly international curriculum, which pays attention to the international and intercultural dimensions of communication and media.
  • Next to a top-notch academic education, you will receive ample practical skills training through specialised workshops - e.g. in communication management and digital content - and the internship you will take in your second year.
  • You will join our IBCoMmunity in which no student is anonymous or left behind. IBCoM provides student-centred teaching, personalised attention, and a wide range of social activities.
  • You will have many extracurricular options that will help you to further develop your skills and interests, such as taking on an extra academic challenge in the IBCoM Honours Programme, writing for our IBCoMagazine, being a mentor in the IBCoMpanion Programme, working as an Ambassador, serving on committees and councils, and more.
  • Studying in Rotterdam means studying in a young, dynamic city which keeps developing rapidly. Sparkling skyscrapers, an impressive port, hip restaurants and food markets, renowned museums, and awesome festivals are the direct result of the “can do” mentality of the people of Rotterdam.

More distinctive features 

  • BCoM is the only programme that has been awarded the Distinctive Quality Feature Internationalisation (NVAO) and the European Certificate for Quality in Internationalisation (ECA), based on the international focus of its curriculum and the international diversity of its students and staff.
  • IBCoM is the highest rated programme by international experts in the field.
  • IBCoM students perform much better in their 1st year and throughout their studies than students in similar programmes.
  • IBCoM is highly appreciated by its students for both the academic education and the practical skills training that it offers.
  • IBCoM has a strong focus on the international labour market.
  • IBCoM offers all third-year students the option to study abroad for a semester at one of our partner universities worldwide. IBCoM has enough spots for all students to go on exchange, and there is at least one partner university on each continent.

Word from our students

David Joon

David Joon - Alumnus International Bachelor Media and Communication

I was always interested in communication, but only discovered during my studies how it is more than just simple marketing
Profile picture of IBCoM alumnus David Joon
I was always interested in communication, but only discovered during my studies how it is more than just simple marketing

David Joon graduated from the International Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies (IBCoM) at the Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication in 2022. After his studies, he joined the European Parliament, working as an external contractor in DG COMM's Strategy and Innovation Unit. This might not be a field of work you would immediately think of working in with an IBCoM degree. In a short interview, he reflects on the IBCoM programme and explains his interest in working for a European institution. Do you read along?

Why did you choose to study IBCoM and what do you remember most from this study programme?

I chose to study IBCoM because of the international character of the study programme: studying with fellow international students, about topics and themes with a global perspective. I was already interested in communication before I started my bachelor programme, but only discovered during my studies how communication is more than just simple marketing, namely: an art with many forms. What has stayed with me most is precisely that variety of perspectives, topics and themes, and the freedom in the programme to choose what I wanted to learn in years 2 and 3.

How did you find out what you wanted to do after studying IBCoM?  

During IBCoM I discovered that I was very interested in the European Union, in particular in the question of communicating such a complex machine in an understandable and accessible way to people from 27 different countries. Since I was able to select my subjects in such a way that I could study what seemed interesting and useful to me, I ended up choosing mainly subjects dealing with political communication. So for me it was already quite clear in which direction I wanted to go after my studies. But even if you don't know what you want to do later, IBCoM is a good study programme, because you have a wide range of subjects that allows you to discover step by step what suits you and what doesn't.

Can you tell us something about your work at the Directorate-General for Communication in the European Parliament?

Shortly after my studies, I had the opportunity to do an internship in the communication department of the European Parliament in Brussels. Here I experienced the most interesting period from a communications perspective: the institutional campaign to inform the 350+ million voting European citizens about the 2024 European elections, and to convince them of the importance of using their vote. After my internship, I was given the opportunity to continue working in my team as an external contractor, which I have been doing for a year now. I am currently working with my team to prepare the communication strategy for the next five years - super interesting! In doing this and other tasks, I greatly benefit from the strategic thinking on mass communication, intercultural sensitivities, and writing skills that I developed during IBCoM.

Finally, do you have any tips for current IBCoM students who will soon enter the job market?

My most important piece of advice, perhaps a bit of a cliché, is to follow your heart! Do what makes you happy, and what gives you satisfaction. It's a bonus if what makes you happy does not only help yourself, but also others, or society as a whole.  

 

Profile picture of IBCoM alumnus David Joon

Daria Ciepińska

Daria Ciepińska - Student International Bachelor Communication and Media

Thanks to the broader scope of IBCoM, I have the freedom and opportunities to explore fields that I am really interested in, which helped me to discover what career path I want to follow in the future.
Thanks to the broader scope of IBCoM, I have the freedom and opportunities to explore fields that I am really interested in, which helped me to discover what career path I want to follow in the future.

Why did you decide to study IBCoM?

I am interested in storytelling with a focus on the entertainment industry but also marketing and advertising. I liked the fact that Erasmus University Rotterdam is a university known outside of The Netherlands as well, and IBCoM is one of the most prestigious media related bachelors. What I really enjoy about this programme is the combinitation of theory and practise. I feel like this balanced approach of IBCoM really helps me to acquire knowledge in a most effective way.

What do you enjoy most about IBCoM?

My favourite thing about this degree is that thanks to its broader scope, I have the freedom and opportunities to explore topics and fields that I am really interested in, which helped me to discover what career path I want to follow in the future.

What kind of struggles did you encounter and how did you deal with them?

When I started IBCoM, I was still stuck with the mindset I acquired in high school that there are topics which are school-worthy and the ones I should not bother writing about, because they are not considered serious and they won’t get me good grades. Thankfully, with class discussions and feedback from teachers, I quickly realised it was completely invalid. I started writing about things I am actually passionate about even though they might not sound professional to some people. This resulted not only in my own satisfaction from the work I have done but also in better grades, as teachers here appreciate our engagement in the assignments as well.

Minke Mudde

Minke Mudde - Student International Bachelor Communication and Media

Studying IBCoM at Erasmus University is like discovering the world while being close to home.
Studying IBCoM at Erasmus University is like discovering the world while being close to home.

Why did you decide to study IBCoM?

For me, a Dutch student, studying IBCoM at Erasmus University is like discovering the world while being close to home. The international focus of the programme was an important reason for me to choose this path. There are students from all over the world studying at Erasmus which gives you an enormous opportunity to socialize with and learn from vastly different people. 

What do you enjoy most about the IBCoM programme?

One of the things I was most surprised by when starting my studies was how incredibly kind everyone is. It is scary to start school in a completely new city but the support I got from peers made it seem strange I ever worried about these things. The atmosphere at Erasmus is very positive and students are open minded and friendly. IBCoM is a programme in which you can really be yourself and develop in areas that matter to you.

What kind of struggles did you encounter and how did you deal with them?

In the first year, there were a lot of different topics to cover such as research and statistics or analyzing media and pop culture. Because of this there was always a class that I enjoyed. At first I struggled a bit with the transition from highschool to university as you suddenly become completely responsible for your own time management. There are no teachers to tell you when to do your reading and when to finish your homework but after a short period of adjustment, I found it liberating to be able to do everything my own way!

Maya van Mierlo

Maya van Mierlo - Student International Bachelor Communication and Media

IBCoM has students from all over the world coming to study here, but also gives prospects the opportunity to delve deeper into global topics such as politics, media, business, technology and much more!
IBCoM has students from all over the world coming to study here, but also gives prospects the opportunity to delve deeper into global topics such as politics, media, business, technology and much more!

Why did you decide to study IBCoM?

Throughout my life I have had the opportunity to learn about many different cultures, people and interact with them. This is an international study that not only has students from all over the world coming to study here, but also gives prospects the opportunity to delve deeper into global topics such as politics, media, business, technology and much more! Communication is another element of the study that is studied firsthand and teaches students how it is incorporated into our everyday live, the influence of it, and how it can be used to influence. 

What do you find most interesting about IBCoM?

We are given the opportunity to explore countless topics such as, social forces, business, politics, media entertainment, and more. I personally was interested in the business and media entertainment aspect and immediately fell in love with the idea of being able to further develop my knowledge of these two topics in my second year.

What kind of struggles did you encounter and how did you deal with them?

During my first year, a struggle that I learned to deal with was how to study. Through trial and error (failure and success come hand-in hand), I learned what the best way for me was to study, manage my time and organise myself to meet deadlines on time. All whilst enjoying my first year, making friends and exploring the beautiful, diverse, international city of Rotterdam. 

Lauren Watson

Lauren Watson - Student International Bachelor Communication and Media

IBCoM provides an incredibly unique opportunity to live in Rotterdam, complete an internship abroad, and spend our exchange period abroad, if we so wish!
IBCoM provides an incredibly unique opportunity to live in Rotterdam, complete an internship abroad, and spend our exchange period abroad, if we so wish!

Why did you decide to study IBCoM?

Rather than studying straight after school, I decided to enter the workforce immediately and travel for a few years. When I finally decided to give university a go, I spent a lot of time researching bachelor's of communication worldwide. Quickly I realised that IBCoM here at EUR was the ideal course for me.

What do you find most interesting about IBCoM?

What first caught my eye was the emphasis put on fostering a global mindset within the IBCoM community. This is not seen only through the theory we study, but it is genuinely put into practice. Study materials and lecturers encourage us to explore beyond our own experiences of the world when carrying out research. From a more practical point of view, apart from the fact that most of us are international students, IBCoM provides an incredibly unique opportunity for us to live here in Rotterdam, complete an internship abroad, and spend our exchange period abroad, if we so wish!

What kind of struggles did you encounter and how did you deal with them?

The only worry I had before arriving, was my level of mathematics as some courses are statistics-focused. Fortunately, I found plenty of support throughout the semester and have successfully improved my research abilities. Each week we are guided through exercises and put theory into practice straight away, building our confidence as well as our skills.

Samir Abdullayev

Student International Bachelor Communication and Media

During my first year IBCoM, I discovered that I want to pursue a career in journalism. I joined IBCoM not being certain with my career goals, so I am thankful that the bachelor assisted me in making my choices!
Male student with dark hair, and a blue sweater looking into the camera
During my first year IBCoM, I discovered that I want to pursue a career in journalism. I joined IBCoM not being certain with my career goals, so I am thankful that the bachelor assisted me in making my choices!

A few years before starting my studies at Erasmus University, I visited Rotterdam with my family during my summer break. The city immediately captured my heart: so vibrant yet relaxing, so thrilling yet peaceful. Moreover, experiencing the Woudestein campus and its facilities was unique, since not every university in the Netherlands has a private campus! After that summer break, I instantly got the impression that this is where I want to start the next chapter of my life.

Interdisciplinair 

What I appreciate about the International Bachelor Communication and Media is its interdisciplinarity. It covers various fields of study, which is helpful towards determining career paths. During my first year, I discovered that I want to pursue a career in journalism. I joined IBCoM not being certain about my career goals, so I am thankful that the bachelor assisted me in making my choices.

IBCoMpanion programme

Given the fact that I have never lived abroad prior to moving to Rotterdam, settling in and making friends was quite a challenge. I was unsure about how to spend my time besides studying. Nonetheless, IBCoM truly puts in effort to ensure that incoming students engage with their environment and immerse themselves in studying and socializing. One example is the IBCoMpanion programme, in which second-year IBCoM students’ mentor first-year students, share their study experiences, and organise events aimed at inclusivity of the first-year IBCoM students. It was an incredibly helpful experience and so entertaining to the point that as a second-year student, I am an IBCoMpanion myself!

Male student with dark hair, and a blue sweater looking into the camera

Monique Jørgensen

Monique Jørgensen - Student International Bachelor Communication and Media

IBCoM teaches you to have a critical perspective, meaning that what you learn exceeds the classroom and becomes a part of your daily thinking in life. It makes me reflect on and question things and use real-life examples in my assignments.
Portrait photo of female IBCoM student
IBCoM teaches you to have a critical perspective, meaning that what you learn exceeds the classroom and becomes a part of your daily thinking in life. It makes me reflect on and question things and use real-life examples in my assignments.

Why did you decide to study IBCoM?

I chose IBCoM because it spoke to me in many ways, primarily because of the international environment. With truly international professors and mixed classrooms, the teaching offers so many transcending perspectives. The discussions we have are based on academic articles, which come to life during discussions. It really shows you how people have diverse perspectives, and I am learning so much from viewing the world in new ways.

What do you find most interesting about IBCoM?

Some of the moments I enjoy the most are when I walk out of a lecture full of new and wondering thoughts. IBCoM teaches you to have a critical perspective, meaning that what you learn exceeds the classroom and becomes a part of your daily thinking in life. It makes me reflect on and question things and use real-life examples in my assignments.

What kind of struggles did you encounter and how did you dealt with them?

I think one of the challenges to IBCoM is that it is so diverse. It is hard to define exactly how communication is used and how important it is, nonetheless, we all know it is a big part of human life. As I embraced more courses and met scholars, I see how many positions are offered to communication scholars and the many interesting and forceful assignments people can work with afterward. It makes me more certain that the field is valued, and that the degree can bring me many options with great potential.

IBCoM has already given me such options and taken me in an exciting direction, as I have been able to start an internship besides my studies in a consultancy firm. Later, I will be able to try this full-time since it is a part of the IBCoM curriculum too.

Finally, the city of Rotterdam supports the international spirit and offers creative people many outlooks. For me, moving abroad also meant exploring more things and places on a daily basis, without it being limited to traveling, as Rotterdam has excellent art museums and vibrant places to go.

Portrait photo of female IBCoM student

Lara Voinovska

Lara Voinovska - Student International Bachelor Communication and Media

IBCoM is filled with such interconnected and interesting courses that you truly have the feeling that the bachelor is a whole and not just a dispersed combination of courses
Portrait photo female IBCoM student
IBCoM is filled with such interconnected and interesting courses that you truly have the feeling that the bachelor is a whole and not just a dispersed combination of courses

Why did you decide to study IBCoM?

I chose IBCoM due to the unique combination of both communication and media that make IBCoM a truly enticing program that encourages self-development and critical thinking in a variety of fields. Choosing IBCoM means that you are ready to follow an unabating academic path that provides a knowledgeable satisfaction in any following pursuits.

What do you find most interesting about IBCoM?

What I find most interesting is the learning approach that is used through many different outlets such as classic lectures, tutorials and seminars. Also, the structure of the programme itself that provides students with a chance to pursue an internship and go on exchange is quite different and appealing to me. However, the programme itself is filled with such interconnected and interesting courses that you truly have the feeling that IBCoM is a whole and not just a dispersed combination of courses.

What kind of struggles did you encounter and how did you dealt with them?

As an international student, the main challenge I thought I would face was integrating in the Dutch culture. Luckily the international environment at Erasmus eased my worries and incorporating myself in the social life was seamless. Any struggles that might appear along the way in IBCoM or generally Erasmus are almost unnoticeable thanks to the support provided by peers and staff.

Portrait photo female IBCoM student

Hanna Kimmel

Hanna Kimmel - Alumna International Bachelor Communication and Media

The research method courses have helped me in thinking strategically about a number of challenges the NPO faces in the current environment.
Portrait picture of Hanna Kimmel
The research method courses have helped me in thinking strategically about a number of challenges the NPO faces in the current environment.

Ever since I was young, I found media a very interesting subject and I wanted to expand my horizon by studying in an international environment. The choice to study IBCoM was therefore not a difficult one for me, as it brought these two aspects perfectly together. The international environment is one of the things I liked most about IBCoM; it was very interesting to hear different perspectives on things. Of course, the opportunity to go on exchange, to Leeds (UK) was a very valuable experience as well, and one of my highlights during the three years at IBCoM.

After completing my bachelor’s in Communication and Media, I decided to continue my education at Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication by joining the Master Media & Business. One of the courses I followed was Media Policy, which prepared me well for my current job: Senior Advisor Strategy & Policy at the NPO, the Dutch Public Broadcaster. It certainly helped as well that I did my Master Thesis on public values in the online world, as this is a question the NPO grapples with. It is a very interesting time to be working at a public broadcaster: what does it mean to try and fulfill a public service purpose in a world where the choice in entertainment options is abundant and commercial international corporations play an increasingly important role in the life of Dutch citizens? It is very interesting and rewarding to get to think about this on a daily basis.

The research method courses during IBCoM have proven to be very valuable. Not because I do a lot of academic research in my current job, but because it helped me in developing analytical and critical thinking skills. This now enables me to think strategically about a number of challenges the NPO faces in the current environment. The course Media Systems also fits well with my current job. The way the public broadcasting system in the Netherlands is structured, makes much more sense when you have completed this course.

A piece of advice to all current and prospective students: always do the reading assigned to a course. Not because it’s obligatory but because it’s genuinely interesting and helps you to appreciate the subject you are studying more fully.

Portrait picture of Hanna Kimmel

Paul Hartwig

Paul Hartwig - Student International Bachelor Communication and Media

As my fellow students are also future colleagues, the study helps to develop a diverse and extended network.
Portrait picture of Paul Hartwig
As my fellow students are also future colleagues, the study helps to develop a diverse and extended network.

After visiting Rotterdam for the first time, I immediately knew that I wanted to study there. Being from a small town in Germany, the international atmosphere about Rotterdam was something I also wanted to reflect on in my study choice. It then didn’t take long for me to discover and go for the International Bachelor Communication and Media. It connects an international environment with a diverse curriculum that enables me to get insights into various career paths.

Nowadays, I have friends from all over the globe, which is helpful for my personal life, but I also believe that I can benefit from it career-wise. As my fellow students are also future colleagues, the study helps to develop a diverse and extended network. This is supported by the internship and the student exchange, which are also both part of the study and help you further familiarize yourself with topics of your preference. The favourite part about this study program is that it allows you to go into many different directions in the future. Which means that you can decide during your studies what the right career path for yourself personally is.

It is also important to mention that living abroad and in an international environment can be overwhelming at the start if you have never done so before. Cultural differences can lead to unknown situations, which require adaptation, respect and experience. However, this is also part of being an international student and building your own character, which is why I think IBCoM offers the perfect foundation for personal growth.

Portrait picture of Paul Hartwig

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