Looking for a degree in arts and culture?
The International Bachelor Arts and Culture Studies (IBACS) helps you understand arts and culture from social and economic perspectives, with attention to media, policy and marketing.
Rotterdam is your classroom
A city full of art and culture, from the Kunsthal and the Boijmans Depot to the Fotomuseum and countless festivals. During IBACS in Rotterdam (The Netherlands), you experience theory in practice by visiting museums, exhibitions and cultural events.
Questions you will explore include:
- Why does one person listen to Dua Lipa while another prefers Kendrick Lamar?
- How can someone enjoy both at the same time?
- Is street art art or vandalism?
- Is AI the future of the art world?
- Who decides what art is “worth” and how it is presented to the public?
Do you want to know more?
Come to the Bachelor Open Day on Saturday 7 February 2026
Visit our campus, discover all bachelor programmes and get to know our university.
Chat with a student
Ask our students about their studies, Rotterdam and student life.
What is it about festivals that we like so much?
During the International Bachelor in Arts and Culture studies at Erasmus University Rotterdam you will learn about phenomena like these from both sociological and economical perspectives.
- You are looking for a programme of which the main focus is not the history of arts and culture , but for a programme that focuses on the economy, politics and sociology behind arts and culture.
- With the help of an internship embedded in your study programme you will already experience how it is to work in the arts and culture world.
- Especially in arts and culture it is important to see the bigger picture. This is why the programme applies an international approach. This means that the discussed perspectives on arts and culture are compared with each other on an international level
- Do you have an artistic talent, as well as a hunger for academic knowledge?
- Did we already tell you how much fun Rotterdam is? Rotterdam is innovative and diverse: the pop-up initiatives are flourishing like never before. The ideal environment for young culture lovers with big plans!
Former students of Arts & Culture Studies have found jobs at:
- cultural institutions, such as museums, theatres and festivals;
- production companies, such as architectural firms, fashion houses;
- theatre companies, orchestras and dance groups;
- intermediaries, such as PR agencies, impresarios and sponsoring agencies;
- governmental institutions, such as ministries and municipalities;
- media companies, working for radio, TV, magazines or newspapers.
The International Bachelor Arts and Culture Studies (IBACS) welcomes applicants who meet the entry requirements and whose intellectual ability, (international) education, international background and personal motivation will both benefit from and contribute to the learning environment of the programme.