First year

First year

The first year serves as a general introduction to the world of communication. You will develop English-language skills relevant to communication professionals. Throughout the year you will develop intercultural competencies and media skills and be introduced to research methods and communication theories. For more information about the first year subjects and for a video in which students tell you about their experiences, please click here.

After the first year

After the first year

In the second year you will develop a media campaign and explore the theory of intercultural communication to help organisations establish and maintain international and intercultural relations. The third year is your year abroad. You will do an internship and fill your elective semester by either choosing a minor or studying abroad at one of our partner universities around the world. During your final year you will take on the role of a junior consultant and work on an issue for an organisation. For more information see year 2, year 3 and year 4. 

Study abroad

Study abroad

The third year is your year abroad. You will do an internship and fill your elective semester by either choosing a minor or studying abroad at one of our partner universities around the world. Dutch students are expected to spend at least one year of their studies abroad.

Graduation period

Graduation period

During your final year you will take on the role of a junior consultant and work on an issue for an organisation. You are expected to offer a solution to a communication problem affecting the organisation. The solution will be supported by research and will offer strategic advice at an advanced level.

Academic Counseling

Academic counseling

At the School of Communication, Media & IT you are assigned to an Academic Counsellor (AC) from your first year. He or she will guide you through the choices you make in your studies. Every six months you and your counsellor discuss your study results, or any other personal problems you might have. Your AC will support you and help you develop the skills that a Communication professional needs. Together with your AC you create a development plan based on your study choice, of the competencies you already have and the competencies you need to further develop throughout your studies. This development plan is established on a yearly basis.

Honours Talent Programme

Honours Talent Programme

The School of Communication, Media & IT strives continuously for excellence. Ambitious students who get great results have the opportunity to join the Honours Talent Programme, which is a more demanding route for talented bachelor’s students. This programme will challenge you to think critically and engage beyond the scope of your regular programme. You will take part in open classes, discuss current world issues as well as meet other talented students and professionals from the field.

Student Association

Student Association KIC

The School of Communication, Media & IT has two student associations who organise the introduction week for new students and interesting events and parties throughout the year. The KIC organisation is connected to the programmes Communicatie and International Communication.
KIC in Dutch stands for: 'Kien in Communicatie' in English it means as much as keen or clever in communication. For additional information please see the KIC website.

Bring your own device

Laptop requirements

We advise each student to purchase their own laptop for personal use during their studies. At the School of Communication, Media & IT, we use the principle of "bring your own device'. We use this principle under the basis of intertwined work: studying does not end when classes are over, you will probably have to work before classes, after classes and at home. At the Hanze University there are hundreds of dekstops available on which you can work, but you'll likely prefer working on your own device. Throughout Hanze University you can make use of our WiFi network. 

Your laptop should be able to handle graphics processing, as you will be working with the Adobe Creative Cloud suite, and it should be able to last you for the four years of your studies. To be sure that your laptop is adequate, we recommend visiting the Adobe website and checking the latest recommended specifications for using Adobe Premiere Pro.
For more information, check here.

Career prospects

Career prospects

The International Communication programme prepares you for an international career in a range of positions, some of which include: public relations advisor, communications coordinator, marketing communication consultant, public affairs officer, social media strategist, press officer and event manager. Click here for more information and a video of Nicklas, Melanie, Elanna and Dorrit telling you about their jobs as communication professionals.

Graduation profile

Graduation profile

Although fully English-taught, International Communication is part of the Dutch study programme Communicatie. As such, the following terms will appear on your diploma:

Programme: Communicatie / Communication
Major: International Communication
Degree: Bachelor of Arts

​Year 1

• Intercultural Communication
• News Analysis & Media Advice
• Communication Theory
• Media Theory
• Creative Writing
• Marketing Communication
• Design Research
• Presenting
• Interviewing
• Speechwriting
• Professional writing
• Digital design and editing