International Communication Management

Program Overview

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International Communication Management

Official name: Communication

A culture of trust requires open and transparent communication. Will you be the next international communications specialist?

Type

Bachelor

Variant

Full-time

Duration

3 years

Start

Starts in September

Location

The Hague - Main Campus

Lesson language

English

For you?

Are you open to make a positive difference in the world? Are you culturally sensitive and connected? Then it's time to open up your world at ICM.

In this full-time International Communication Management (ICM) degree programme, you develop skills and gain insights in an international environment. You tell your story through ads and learn how to solve a crisis on social media. By working with all kinds of cultures, you will soon be contributing to the world. This is business + impact.

Admission requirements

You have a Dutch diploma

To start the three-year ICM bachelor's degree programme, you should have a VWO diploma with the appropriate profile.

Below, you can find the entrance requirements for this programme when you have a Dutch diploma.
ICM is a three-year bachelor of arts programme. Unlike most THUAS programmes, which last for four years, the international three-year programme is more intensive. A propaedeutic certificate ('propedeuse') acquired at a (Dutch) university of applied sciences will not make you eligible for admission to this programme, unless you possess a VWO (or equivalent) diploma.

Preliminary education | Required profile
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Havo (senior general secondary education) | Does not qualify for admission
Vwo (pre-university education) |

• Culture & Society
• Economics & Society
• Nature & Health
• Nature & Technology

Mbo (senior secondary vocational education and training) | Does not qualify for admission

You have a non-Dutch diploma

To enrol for the ICM 3 year programme you will need a secondary school diploma comparable to a Dutch VWO diploma and a good command of English.

Before we can decide on your eligibility, we’ll need to assess your secondary school certificate.

To make sure your certificate is evaluated fairly, we work with NUFFIC, an organisation that specialises in the assessment of international education qualifications.

Language requirements

If you were not educated in the Netherlands you usually have to submit a language test to be admitted. Depending on the type and country of your diploma you may however qualify for exemption. Please check our entry requirements page for more information.

Don’t meet the entry requirements?

Perhaps your academic background is not quite the right level. Or you need some help improving your English skills. Don’t worry. There might be some alternative options to help you get in, and prepare yourself for a successful start of your studies at The Hague University of Applied Sciences (THUAS).

21+ admissions test

If you’re 21 years old before 1 September 2022, but don’t have a diploma or a qualification that meets the entry requirements, you can take the 21+ Admissions Test. The 21+ Admissions Test is offered at several dates between January and the start of the academic year, and consists of a digital general capacity test. Please note that you can only participate if you have an EEA-nationality or residence permit for the Netherlands that is valid on the test date.

English Academic Preparation Programme

Need help with your English? If you haven’t quite reached the right level of English for your chosen Bachelor’s or Master’s degree programme, you can enrol for English Academic Preparation Programme. After the successful completion of this programme, you’ll be ready to start your degree at THUAS and you will already have a good taste of studying and living in the Hague.

The Hague Pathway College

If you’d like to apply for a 3-year bachelor programme but don’t meet the academic entry requirements, you might be interested in joining The Hague Pathway College. This foundation programme has two intakes, one in September and one in January. It offers you the chance to bring your academic level up to the required level and work on your English at an academic level at the same time.Please check for more information

Decisions regarding your qualification for admission

There are no exceptions to the official admission requirements. The Enrolment Office is the only party that can make decisions regarding your qualification for admission based on official regulations. You can’t rely on any other sources of information for your qualification for admission.

Study choice activities

Join one of our study choice activities to find out if THUAS is the right fit for you.

Open Day

Read more

Open Day

Is THUAS right for you? A visit to an Open Day is the perfect way to find out.

Read more

Shadow a student

On request

Read more

Shadow a student

On request

This is not a custom programme, but a regular school day. Spend the day attending classes together with a student.

Read more

Trial Study Days

Read more

Trial Study Days

Visit us during the Trial Study Days and experience our programmes yourself. Spend the day attending classes together with a student.

Read more

Degree programme in figures

60

credits per year

20

hours lectures per week

10

hours projects per week

20

hours independent study per week

Programme content

What will you study each year?

The first year is the introductory (propadeutic) year

At ICM we do things differently. Most universities focus on communication theory in the first year, but we’ll expose you to a regional, national, and international network. You’ll join a dynamic classroom working with new friends from different continents and cultural backgrounds. Theory becomes reality as you delve into world affairs from different angles and solve complex global issues. In the introductory Global Issues, Media and Society course, we focus on how communication plays a key part in social changes. Organisational Communication gives an integrated presepective on stakeholder relations and corporate, public and internal communication. During the second semester, you’ll work on an entrepreneurial group Design Thinking Project where you’ll resolve a communication issue for an external organisation. Previously, students worked with the National Institute for Traffic Safety to help prevent bike accidents caused using smartphone technology.

Your courses during the first semester

Global Issues
Media and Society
Organisational Communication
Intercultural Communication
Digital Skills
Foundations of Research
Educational Career Supervision

Your courses during the second semester

Design Thinking Project
Communication and Behaviour
Marketing and Integrated Marketing Communication
Concept & Create
Project Management
Educational Career Supervision

Delve deeper

Year 2 of ICM is all about putting your critical skills into practice with a large multinational, Start-up, or government body. You’ll take on the role of a communication advisor and further your knowledge in courses such as Public Relations, Sustainable Communication and Media & Visual Language. As well as studying in our international program, you'll have the flexibility to tailor your study with an international or local exchange. Our network consists of carefully selected partners based in several countries within and outside of Europe. Alternatively you can stay at The Hague University of Applied Sciences and choose to do minors and choose from the full range of our different faculties.

Minors

Our ICM students enter the workforce ready to conquer the world. Minors give your ICM degree an edge. And the list is endless. You might want to learn new media relations and journalism skills, how to handle press queries as a PR officer, or corporate social responsibility in the public sector. Many of our ICM students go global and take minors at one of our partner universities in countries within and outside of Europe. In the Entrepreneurship minor, four students took a fresh approach to communication and designed the 'Green Spoon' to communicate how easy it can be to reduce plastic waste and protect the planet.

Your courses during the first semester

Exchange or minors

Your courses during the second semester

• SDG Public Project
• Public Relations
• Sustainable Communication
• Media & Storytelling

Placement and graduation

In the second semester of year 3 you will do your Graduation Placement and create a Bachelor End Portfolio with professional communication products. This might be your first work experience in the field of communication which will be exciting and challenging. But ICM interns come well-prepared and many organisations ask for an ICM intern each year. After graduating, many ICM students get a job offer from their placement organisation! In semester 1 we prepare you for the placement and support you with your application process. There also is a challenging Advice Project and you will learn more about Change Management.

Your courses during the first semester

Advice Project

Change Management

ECS Placement Prep

Strategy & Advice

Agile Action Research

Your courses during the second semester

Graduation Placement

Career perspective

What will you become

• Online community manager
• Public relations officer
• Marketing communication coördinator
• Project manager
• Communication manager
• Event coördinator
• Content marketer
• Internal communication advisor
• Branding specialist
• Social media manager
• Account manager
• Digital marketer
• Employer branding advisor

Continue studying

There’s no need to stop your studies after graduation. You can choose a masters in Marketing Management and PR or International Business and Sustainability to delve deeper and make a positive difference in industry. For those with a couple of years’ work experience, The Hague Graduate School offers a Masters in International Communication Management to give you more of the tools you need. There are also plenty of global choices. Make your mark on a masters in Corporate Communication at the IE School of Communication in Madrid, International Journalism at Cardiff University, or Strategic Communications at Columbia University. Note that some Dutch universities require you to follow a pre-master’s course after graduating from THUAS.
Read about the Masters programmes offered at The Hague Graduate School.

Testimonials from our alumni

Testimonials from our alumni What lies in store after studying International Communication Management? Our former students tell us where they ended up and how they look back on their study years.

Manager Eventmarketing & Creative

Julia Sofia Dogas​​

“What I liked most about the ICM program was the practical approach. Through various group projects and case studies provided by real clients, such as British Airways, you are prepared for the real working life. Finally, the compulsory internship/placement in the final semester is a great introduction to the world of work."

Brand Manager

Gary Izquier​

"My experience with studying and graduating from THUAS not only met but exceeded my expectations, as well as the goals that I set out to accomplish when I initially applied. As a student in Communications, not only did I learn the basics of communications as an applied science and the necessary lenses through which a communicator should see the professional world, but I participated in projects for real-life companies, which gave me objective insights on how to meet professional standards and thrive in my chosen endeavors.

One of those projects' clients later offered me an internship during my last year of studies and, after graduation, eventually hired me as branding manager. So, I couldn't have asked for more out of my education experience. Thanks, THUAS!"

Sustainability Communicator

Clara Kwong​​

I thoroughly enjoyed studying in the International Communication Management program. The lecturers foster a caring and respectful environment where they genuinely care about our success and always provide room for creativity and problem-solving. Throughout the program, I not only gained academic knowledge but also grew personally through diverse group work and challenges. The collaborative nature of the program allowed me to learn from my international classmates and develop cross-cultural communication skills, which are essential in today's global job market.

The assignments, some of which were in collaboration with well-known organizations, prepared me well for real-world scenarios. Additionally, the lecturers were always available to offer support when needed, guiding us through difficult tasks and providing valuable insights. I feel that the program has truly equipped me with the skills and confidence to succeed in the professional world.

Client Relations Specialist

Laura Gashi

“The International Communication Management program was an excellent experience that provided me with a strong foundation through its multidisciplinary approach, covering Marketing, Corporate, and Public Communication while prioritizing cross-cultural understanding and ethical practices.

Working on group projects in an international environment allowed me to enhance my collaboration and communication skills. Engaging in practical tasks such as tackling communication challenges, working on case studies with real companies, creating content, and producing comprehensive reports enabled me to apply theoretical concepts creatively and develop innovative solutions. Additionally, selecting minors in European Marketing & Economic Competitiveness and Crisis Communication expanded my expertise and strategic perspective.

This program prepared me exceptionally well to pursue a Master's degree in Strategic Marketing in Maastricht, Netherlands, and a successful career in communications. I highly recommend it to anyone passionate about communications and determined to use its power to make a positive difference in the world.”

Practical information

How to apply

Your enrolment request must be submitted through Studielink. Before you do, please check the official name of the programme below. Would you like to find out more about the application process first? Check our page How to apply . The key deadlines are listed here as well. This degree programme starts in September and there is no intake in February.

Tuition fee

You will have to pay tuition fees when you enrol on a bachelor's programme. You can pay in one or more instalments. If you pay in more than one instalment a small administration fee is charged.

More information about tuition fees

Scholarships

Find out more about scholarships for international students. Please note that these scholarships are one-off scholarships only, meaning that if you obtain them it is only for your first year of study.

Student finance

Dutch students qualify for extra financial support via a loan. Dutch students automatically qualify for this financial assistance and international students may be eligible if they have lived in the Netherlands for at least five years or are employed for at least 56 hours per month.

Additional Costs

You must also budget for books, excursions and field trips. You can expect to pay approximately €800 per year to cover these additional costs. During your semester abroad, you will also need to pay for tickets, housing and insurance.

Visa and residence permit

More information about the visas and residence permits.

Help in choosing your study

We would like to help you make the right decision

It takes a bit of thought and research to find the right programme. The Hague University of Applied Sciences organizes various activities throughout the year to give you the best possible idea of the various studies offered. You also learn what it’s like to study at THUAS. This way, you can click on the registration button without a doubt in mind. Or you’ll know for certain it’s not right for you.

Walk in at our Study & Career Centre for…

• Help in choosing your study
• Book a meeting with a study choice adviser

Assistance during your studies

Study coaching and advice

We assume your time at ICM will run smoothly. However, we do offer personal assistance if you are experiencing any study problems. In the first year, you’ll be allocated a coach who can help you keep track of your study progress. They can help you improve your time management skills, or find the right people within the programme to answer more complicated questions. They will also support you if you have any personal problems that can adversely affect your schoolwork. For more information about student counsellors/student psychologists, high-performance sports, Dutch language support or studying with a functional disability, go to our page about support during your studies.

Official details of the programme

This degree programme is registered in Registration of Institutions and Programmes (RIO):

• Official Dutch name of degree programme: Communicatie
• Official international name: Communication
• Programme code (Isat): 34405
• Institution code (Brin): 27UM

Both the official Dutch and the official international name of the degree programme (current at the time of your graduation) will be printed on your diploma.

For more information on the accreditation of this degree programme, see the Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders (NVAO) website.

Downloads

• Programme and Examination Regulations
• Education plan
• Education plan Minors
• Study in numbers

Binding Study Advice (BSA)

Collect ECTS

To continue your degree programme after the first year, you need to earn 50 of the 60 credits (EC or Credits). In some cases, the degree programme may also require that you pass a specific subject as European art of the credit requirements. We call this a qualitative requirement. If you meet the credit requirements as well as the qualitative requirement where applicable, you will receive a positive binding study advice (BSA) from the Examination Board at the end of your first year and you will be able to continue your degree programme.

If you earn less than 50 credits or don’t meet the qualitative requirements where applicable, you will receive a negative binding study advice and will have to leave the degree programme. This is why this advice is called a Negative Binding Study Advice (NBSA).

Your academic progress may be affected by personal circumstances such as illness or the professional practice of a sport. It is important that you inform the Examination Board immediately of any personal circumstances that might apply to you. The Board can take these into account when issuing its study advice.

Read all the rules for the binding study advice in Chapter 7 of the Education and Examination Rules and Regulations (OER) for your degree programme.

Looking for a different degree programme?

You might find these programmes interesting too!

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• Bachelor
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• Bachelor
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Want to solve complex questions at European level? This cross-border programme gives you international career options.

Program Outline

Outline:

• Year 1:
• First Semester:
• Global Issues, Media and Society
• Organisational Communication
• Intercultural Communication
• Digital Skills
• Foundations of Research
• Educational Career Supervision
• Second Semester:
• Design Thinking Project
• Communication and Behaviour
• Marketing and Integrated Marketing Communication
• Concept & Create
• Project Management
• Educational Career Supervision
• Year 2:
• First Semester:
• Exchange or Minors
• Second Semester:
• SDG Public Project
• Public Relations
• Sustainable Communication
• Media & Storytelling
• Year 3:
• First Semester:
• Advice Project
• Change Management
• ECS Placement Prep
• Strategy & Advice
• Agile Action Research

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Careers:

• Online community manager
• Public relations officer
• Marketing communication coördinator
• Project manager
• Communication manager
• Event coördinator
• Content marketer
• Internal communication advisor
• Branding specialist
• Social media manager
• Account manager
• Digital marketer
• Employer branding advisor

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You will have to pay tuition fees when you enrol on a bachelor's programme. You can pay in one or more instalments. If you pay in more than one instalment a small administration fee is charged. More information about tuition fees Scholarships Find out more about scholarships for international students. Please note that these scholarships are one-off scholarships only, meaning that if you obtain them it is only for your first year of study. Student finance Dutch students qualify for extra financial support via a loan. Dutch students automatically qualify for this financial assistance and international students may be eligible if they have lived in the Netherlands for at least five years or are employed for at least 56 hours per month. Additional Costs You must also budget for books, excursions and field trips. You can expect to pay approximately €800 per year to cover these additional costs. During your semester abroad, you will also need to pay for tickets, housing and insurance.