The study programme in a nutshell
The International Bachelor Communication and Media (IBCoM) takes a comparative, international approach to communication and media studies. The IBCoM programme is taught exclusively in English to an internationally diverse group of students. It has extensive opportunities for international exchanges, internships, and customisation of the programme, IBCoM is an excellent steppingstone to advanced studies or a career in media, communications, and related fields.
Here you will find an overview of all the courses you can follow during the International Bachelor Communication and Media. In year 1, all students follow the same programme, from year 2 the programme depends on your chosen pathway. Read further to view the programme overview and discover what every study year entails.
Course overview
Please find below all the courses you will take in IBCoM. If you click on the course title you will find a short description and a link to the Course Guide of Erasmus University Rotterdam.
Bachelor year 1
The first year of IBCoM provides you with a solid basis in the field of communication and media. The courses prepare you for the remainder of the programme, but they are also relevant for your later academic and professional career. The first-year curriculum offers a fixed schedule of theoretical, methodological, and practical courses. The courses involve a variety of fields, including business, culture, politics, and technology. Next to this, the courses introduce you to major areas of communication scholarship, such as organisational and intercultural communication. During your first year you will also learn the principles of academic research and writing.
Term 1
In this course you are provided with a general introduction to communication as a field of study and research. You will learn about basic theories and principles of communication and how to apply those to different professional communication contexts across cultures.
In this course you will develop your critical thinking skills by analysing the nature and role of information sources. You will learn about the basic principles, conventions and structures of academic reading, writing and presenting in the field of communication and media.
Term 2
You will be taught the basics of descriptive statistics with a focus on structuring, summarizing and presenting quantitative data. Through the preparation of practical assignments, you will develop your research evaluation and statistical data analysis skills as well as proficiency in the use of SPSS.
You will be given a historical overview of the main theoretical perspectives and approaches to the study of mass media and communication. What are the major influences on media contents, productions and uses and what impact do these have on contemporary culture and society?
Term 3
In this course you will learn about major theoretical perspectives and methodological approaches in the study of media systems and media industries. They will provide you with an understanding of the dimensions of variation in media systems and the forces causing their evolution.
You will understand the importance of communication in the functioning and performance of organizations in a multicultural and global environment. This will be done by examining the historical evolution of corporate communication and the major issues and dilemmas organizations deal with in today’s globalized society.
Term 4
During this course you will be given a chronological overview of communication technologies’ development, the multiple assumptions related to their rapid growth and the way they affect politics, business and entertainment. Your critical skills will be trained through preparation of in-class assignment and participation in discussion of key issues.
You will be learn about the relationship between communication and culture as a two-way process in the fields of business, media, sport etc. You will enhance your intercultural competencies and self-reflexivity by analysing the role of social dimensions such as race/ethnicity, gender, social class and (dis)abledness in different contexts.
You will be introduced to the main issues related to doing cross-national comparative research in the field of communication and media. You will advance your skills of writing a comprehensive literature review on topics of interest as well as optimising your team work abilities.
Bachelor Year 2
In your second year, you will take a mandatory course in international and global communication, several hands-on research methods courses as well as practically oriented workshops in communication management and new media production.
You will also choose one focus area, which builds on the theoretical and methodological mandatory courses offered in the first part of your studies. Students can choose between three focus areas:
- Entertainment Media: Producing, Representing, Engaging
- Mediated Politics in Perspective
- Business and Marketing in the Digital Landscape
Besides your focus area courses, you will take electives in one or more other study fields at Erasmus, for example in arts and culture studies, business administration, economics, history, or sociology.
Following an extensive labour market orientation and preparation, in term 4 of your second year, you are required to take an internship. This internship will enable you to train the practical application of your academic knowledge and skills and to connect your coursework with the professional world.
Term 1
In this course you are provided with a historical overview of key developments in the international communication and research fields. You will learn about some of the factors shaping communicational and international relations around the world and as well as our perception of them.
You will be familiarized with the process of conducting a quantitative research study and the benefits and disadvantages of the method. You will learn how to conduct different types of data analyses such as ANOVA, regression etc. using SPSS and evaluate and interpret their results, followed by the creation of your own research design.
Students choose a course of their interest within one the following focus areas:
Communication, Culture and Society (CCS)
Examples of courses include Communicating (in)equality in the City / Privacy, Surveillance and New Media Technologies / Currrent Perspectives on Popular culture
Communication and Politics (C&P)
Examples of courses include Media Campaigns / Communicating (in)equality in the City / Media in Latin-America
Communication and Business (C&B)
Examples of courses include The Business of Media / Social Media Marketing / Global Advertising
Media and Entertainment (M&E)
Examples of courses include Digital games and society in the age of the metaverse / Transmedia Entertainment & Marketing / New Media and Interaction
International and Global Communication (IGC)
Examples of courses include Communication and International Relations / Crisis Management: Leadership in Action / ICTs in the Global South
New Media Technologies (NMT)
Examples of courses include Digital Media Analysis / Privacy, Surveillance and New Media Technologies / Television Industries in the Age of Streaming
Term 2
In this course students will learn about the benefits and challenges of qualitative research methods and gain theoretical and applied knowledge to the process of conducting and evaluating a qualitative study. Students will be asked to familiarize themselves with published research on a selected topic and create their own research design on it.
In this course, we take a look behind the scenes of digital content. Students will analyse what role digital content plays in the field of media and communication. In eight weeks, students will explore and reflect upon practices like digital storytelling or digital marketing.
Students are expected to take elective courses in one or several secondary fields of study. They can take courses from almost all faculties/departments on the Erasmus University campus, such as Economics, Law, Philosophy, Public Administration, Sociology, International Business Administration. Students may also choose to look for electives at other universities in the Netherlands.
This course you will help you define you professional aspirations, orientate in the professional market and discover local and/or international jobs and internships. At the end of the course, students will have created a professional portfolio and have attended a realistic job interview, which will prepare them for their future career.
Term 3
You will understand why and in what ways big companies and organizations use social media platforms to communicate to their audiences. Given the practical orientation of the course, students will have the chance to interview organization representatives and conduct a customer analysis, which will give them insight to the functioning of the private sector in the industry.
Students choose one of the below options:
Students choose a course of their interest within one the following focus areas:
Communication, Culture and Society (CCS)
Examples of courses include Communicating (in)equality in the City / Privacy, Surveillance and New Media Technologies / Currrent Perspectives on Popular culture
Communication and Politics (C&P)
Examples of courses include Media Campaigns / Communicating (in)equality in the City / Media in Latin-America
Communication and Business (C&B)
Examples of courses include The Business of Media / Social Media Marketing / Global Advertising
Media and Entertainment (M&E)
Examples of courses include Digital games and society in the age of the metaverse / Transmedia Entertainment & Marketing / New Media and Interaction
International and Global Communication (IGC)
Examples of courses include Communication and International Relations / Crisis Management: Leadership in Action / ICTs in the Global South
New Media Technologies (NMT)
Examples of courses include Digital Media Analysis / Privacy, Surveillance and New Media Technologies / Television Industries in the Age of Streaming
Term 4
Students are required to take an internship at the end of the second year. This internship will enable students to train the practical application of their academic knowledge and skills and to connect their coursework with the professional world. Students can take on a specialised internship in a variety of work fields including: public relations, marketing, management, sales, communications, government, public affairs, education, journalism, the art world, and the media and creative industries. Students may choose to complete their internship in the Netherlands or abroad.
Bachelor Year 3
In the first part of your third year, you have the option of spending a study period abroad at one of our partner universities. If you don't opt for an international exchange, you will do a minor in another field of study at Erasmus University or another Dutch university.
You conclude the programme by writing a bachelor's thesis on a range of themes that will be provided by lecturers in a dedicated Bachelor thesis course.
Term 1 & Term 2
A semester of living and studying abroad at one of our 70+ partner universities worldwide. Exchange is the perfect opportunity to challenge yourself, get out of your comfort zone and take the step towards being a global citizen!
Term 3
This course prepares students for their BA thesis. You are guided though the process of formulating an appropriate and relevant research question and structuring and conducting research in the field of Communication and Media.
You will learn about the historical and cultural diversity of ethical principles in the field of communication and media. You be able to critically examine and evaluate professional ethical standards trough readings and class discussions connected to real life cases.
Students can choose one or multiple seminars (advanced course within the field of media and communication) and/or electives (knowledge-broadening course outside of media and communication).
Term 4
This course prepares students for their BA thesis. You are guided though the process of formulating an appropriate and relevant research question and structuring and conducting research in the field of Communication and Media.
Students complete their Bachelor's programme by writing a Bachelor's Thesis, an individual project. The thesis is a reflection of the knowledge and research skills obtained in the field of Communication and Media. In addition, the BA thesis is designed to further train students' ability to develop, conduct and report on a theoretically informed, practically relevant, empirical study.
Students can choose one or multiple seminars (advanced course within the field of media and communication) and/or electives (knowledge-broadening course outside of media and communication).
Bachelor Year 3 - Minor (alternative)
Term 1
Students who choose to not on exchange take a minor instead. A minor is a coherent package of courses, which can be taken at Erasmus University Rotterdam or other universities within the Netherlands.
Term 2
Students can choose seminars (advanced course within the field of media and communication) and/or electives (knowledge-broadening course outside of media and communication). Usually students take three courses within a term.
Term 3
This course prepares students for their BA thesis. You are guided though the process of formulating an appropriate and relevant research question and structuring and conducting research in the field of Communication and Media.
You will learn about the historical and cultural diversity of ethical principles in the field of communication and media. You be able to critically examine and evaluate professional ethical standards trough readings and class discussions connected to real life cases.
Students can choose one or multiple seminars (advanced course within the field of media and communication) and/or electives (knowledge-broadening course outside of media and communication).
Term 4
This course prepares students for their BA thesis. You are guided though the process of formulating an appropriate and relevant research question and structuring and conducting research in the field of Communication and Media.
Students complete their Bachelor's programme by writing a Bachelor's Thesis, an individual project. The thesis is a reflection of the knowledge and research skills obtained in the field of Communication and Media. In addition, the BA thesis is designed to further train students' ability to develop, conduct and report on a theoretically informed, practically relevant, empirical study.
Students can choose one or multiple seminars (advanced course within the field of media and communication) and/or electives (knowledge-broadening course outside of media and communication).