Hogeschool Rotterdam / Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences

Faculties and Departments

School of Communication, Media and Information Technology (BA degree courses)

Bachelor Level Programs

BA Software engineering (4 years) BA Computer engineering (4 years) BA Creative Media and Game Technologies (4 years) BA Communication & Multimedia Design (4 years) BA Communication (4 years) BA Applied Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (4 years)

Master Level Programs

NA

Research Activity and Main Areas

CMI is linked to the research centre Creating 010. Creating 010 is a Research Centre that focuses on transformations in society that are related to ongoing digitisation and to developments in the field of information and communication technology. Creating 010’s research always considers people within their social context. Designers, developers and appliers of technology all play an important role in this regard; the choices they make allow them to address the often difficult challenges posed by technology, for example by opting for secure data storage and open source software. They are also in a position to shape future developments, by considering the needs of users, stakeholders and society at large in the design of not only products and services, but also shopping districts and cities. This is also the perspective from which Creating 010 contributes to the development of innovative educational concepts. Another important consideration is how ICT and digitisation can facilitate the development of networks of individuals, organisations and businesses, thus promoting further innovation and development. This is why Creating 010 also researches new models for realising in practice the added value of networks for citizens, institutions and businesses. The main sectors we consider are the creative industry and ICT, both of which play a key role in defining the form and content of transformations in sectors such as social care and healthcare, entrepreneurship, retail, and urban development. Creating 010 collaborates closely, though by no means exclusively, with the Institute for Communication, Media and Information Technology (CMI) and the Hub: Technology (HR WERKplaats Techniek). Creating 010 approaches its research themes from an interdisciplinary perspective, often in collaboration with social partners, educational institutes and research centres within and outside the Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences. Research themes are: Business Model Innovation in Creative Industries Communication in the Networked Society Data Driven Society Design in the 21st Century Maker Education and Contextual Learning Environment Mapping Creative Rotterdam

Doctorate Level Programs

NA

Subject Areas for Exchange Students

Please check the website: https://www.rotterdamuas.com/programmes Designful Innovation (Fall semester) Take up the challenge to design a meaningful innovation for 1 billion people. Use your creative thinking and process skills to design radical solutions and approaches. In a transformative programme consisting of thematic weeks on e.g. Speculative Trend Watching, Cross Cultural Design, Human Behaviour and Business Modelling, you will gain all the knowledge you need to change the existing. Just think of all the possibilities that could become reality by taking up this challenge! Make an impact on one billion people In this one-semester programme, you will need to draw upon logic, your imagination, creativity, intuition and systematic reasoning to explore the possibility of what could be. You will design innovations that will possibly benefit a substantial part of the world. You will learn how to master design methods and process skills, which are key to innovation. You gain deep insights about users and relevant stakeholders, define and reframe problems, in order to generate solutions or alternative approaches that are more effective than those that already exist. During one semester, you will be challenged to take the next step from ‘problem-solving design’ to ‘sense-making design’ (Bannon, Kolko).   Are you the student we are looking for? The programme is open to exchange students from partner universities and all students from Dutch universities of applied sciences with a curious mindset and an interest in design. You will study as a group of students from all around the globe with different backgrounds. The key is the diverse knowledge of the group in terms of education background, culture, skills and knowledge. Designing the Cultural Code for Smart & Social Cities (Spring semester) How can we design cities that are not only smart, but also social and culturally inclusive? In the programme Designing the Cultural Code for Smart & Social Cities, you’ll explore the future of urban living — where design and technology intersect with culture, and innovation is driven by social values. Designing the Cultural Code for Smart & Social Cities is an international interdisciplinary educational design program that explores how design, culture, technology, and social innovation intersect in the development of future-proof urban environments.
Students and professionals collaborate to co-design inclusive, data-informed, and community-driven solutions that enhance urban life. Not just through smart technologies, but through values, narratives, and cultural practices that make cities truly livable, inclusive and socially connected. Through a creative, hands-on approach, you’ll work in multidisciplinary teams to tackle real-world urban challenges. Using tools from design thinking, co-creation, systemic thinking and speculative design, you’ll develop imaginative solutions that are not only smart but also meaningful, inclusive, and rooted in the everyday lives of diverse communities. #GetConnected – Media, Culture and Society (Fall semester) Believe in something, even if it means sacrificing everything. Just do it – Nike This campaign with Colin Kaepernick as the protagonist is considered to be one of the best examples when it comes to how an organisation can take a stance on a political or social issue. It’s called brand activism and forms a new challenge for the PR professional. Many organisations keep quiet out of fear of being cancelled by part of their stakeholders. But staying silent is also communicating something! People expect companies to speak up and address contentious issues. They expect companies to have an added value for society, a purpose. And in this mediatised world we are living in, these people have a strong voice.   In the networked society, people can easily get connected and form a group of like-minded people to challenge the status quo of an organisation. Activist communities and NGOs become bolder in addressing sensitive issues and subsequently putting pressure on companies to take a stand and act in a favourable way for them. As a future PR professional, it is imperative to know how communities thrive, how they try to engage and change the behaviour of their target audience and how they can exert influence on the policy of an organisation. Purpose, brand activism, communities and behavioural change… Making the world a better place. That’s what the #GetConnected programme is all about. Data Science (Fall semester) The field of Data Science is rapidly growing, with data playing a central role in almost every company. Therefore, it is important for future software engineers, as well as other young graduates, to understand and learn how to work with data. In today’s world, technology is an integral part of our daily lives, from simple tasks like grocery shopping to complex professional practices. This technological integration generates vast amounts of data, making data science a crucial skill for students across all disciplines, not just IT. Why Choose the Data Science Exchange Programme? Comprehensive Skill Development: This minor equips you with essential skills to handle and analyse data, preparing you for data-driven decision-making in your future career. You’ll learn about current trends in data science, cutting-edge technology, statistics, and machine learning. Real-World Experience: Gain hands-on experience through interdisciplinary group projects that mirror real-world data science challenges. You’ll work with peers from various academic backgrounds, enhancing your ability to collaborate and innovate. Research and Innovation: Learn how to navigate the research field, approach research papers, and stay updated with the latest advancements. This minor emphasises the importance of continuous learning, ensuring you remain competitive in the ever-evolving field of data science. Practical Applications: Understand how to manage and utilise the growing amounts of data in both corporate and governmental contexts. You’ll explore the challenges of data management, database architectures, and the ethical considerations of data privacy. Career Readiness: By promoting interdisciplinary learning and practical experience, this minor prepares you to tackle real-world problems and develop innovative applications. You’ll become a competitive candidate in the job market, ready to contribute to any organisation. Join the Data Science Exchange Programme and Become a Lifelong Learner! Embrace the opportunity to develop your skills, work on real-life projects, and stay ahead in the data-driven world. This minor will not only enhance your academic journey but also equip you with the tools to excel in your professional career. This programme equips students with foundational data science knowledge and skills to effectively navigate data science projects. Through its unique structure of interdisciplinary group work, students will gain hands-on experience in a real-life data science work cycle. The curriculum covers a comprehensive range of topics, from statistics to introductory machine learning. Additionally, this programme will make students aware of potential data issues, including how data can easily be misleading. It will also address ethical and privacy concerns within this emerging field. Game Design and Development (Fall semester) In the programme Game Design and Development, you work in multidisciplinary teams on the design and realisation of games. The programme is aimed at preparing you for a job at a small, independent games studio or to start your own studio. During this programme you launch two game projects and cater for an audience of people who play your games. This programme is aimed at proactive students who can work together with a team of experts. You must know how to give substance to your learning objectives and that you dare to critically analyse your ideas. The approach is to launch a successful game by looking at market forces and the wishes of players.  Projects of the programme Game Design and Development can be found in the Google Play Store and on Steam:  Beavers be Dammed (Wallflower Games) We Were Here (Total Mayhem Games) Goblin Gear Shop (Minus2) Oh Trap! (Mint & Dough)  AI & Health (start Fall 2026) Software Development (start Fall 2026)

Application Deadlines

Fall semester Apr 1 – Apr 25; Spring semester: Oct 1 – Oct 25

Teaching Languages

English

Semester Dates

Autumn: September – January; Spring: February – July

Cost of Living Per Month (Studying and Living)

Monthly rent: from 650 Euro; Food, transport, materials, etc.: 500 – 750 Euro