IBCoM takes its students seriously: they are what makes this programme run: strongly motivated individuals who know what they want. We highly value the personal aspect in education, which you can see reflected in the important place of tutorials in the programme. Or in the way students work together in small groups and are encouraged to share examples from their own cultural backgrounds.
The Netherlands has a so-called binary higher education system. Universities of Applied Sciences, commonly known in Dutch as HBO offer professional-oriented training, whereas universities offer research-oriented education. The Erasmus University is a research university and within IBCoM research skills and orientation therefore form the underpinning of the programme. Still, in IBCoM students not only learn about theory and research, but also how to apply these to professional practice. This provides you with the comprehensive knowledge and full range of skills you need to be successful in the demanding and fast-changing environments you will be working in.
Teaching language
IBCoM is taught exclusively in English and offers an international perspective on communications and media. In 2014, the IBCoM programme was granted the NVAO Distinctive Quality Feature Internationalization. This Quality Feature is only granted to a programme when its level of internationalisation is truly distinctive, in terms of vision, level of ambition, and consistent integration throughout the curriculum.
Community
Another central aspect of the IBCoM programme, and especially in the first year, is our student community. Interaction between students is very important and integral to IBCoM’s success. Therefore, students will be placed in a different work group each semester, so they get the chance to get to know as many fellow students as possible.
In addition, all first-year students participate in the IBCoMpanion programme. This programme matches a group of freshmen to a couple of second year students who will be their buddy in the first half year of the programme, and often remain close friends throughout the programme. IBCoMpanions are always there for the first-year students, to help them get used to university life, the programme, Rotterdam and more.