Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication - Erasmus University Rotterdam
Master in Arts and Culture
Rotterdam, Netherlands
Master degree
DURATION
1 year
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
15 May 2026*
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
EUR 2,530 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* 15 April for students from outside the EEA (European Economic Area)
** for EEA students | €18,800 for non-EEA students
Key Summary
Explore the wonderful world of arts and culture with our Master's program! Whether you're into paintings, music, or literature, we're here to dive into it all. Let's unravel how art impacts our lives and society.
- Field of study: Arts, Culture, Media, Humanities, Economics, Sociology, Social Sciences
- Keywords: The business of culture from a global perspective - cultural policy, arts education, art markets, audiences, heritage, cultural organizations, creative industries, entrepreneurship.
- Qualification: Master of Arts (MA)
- Duration: 1 years = 12 months full-time
- Course load: 60 ECTS credits, 1 ECTS = 28 hours
- Language of instruction: Fully taught in English
- Ranking Erasmus University Rotterdam Times Higher Education ranking #72 Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) #4 in the Netherlands, #92 worldwide
We offer three Master's specializations in the field of Arts and Culture Studies:
- Arts, Culture, and Society helps you understand how art and society influence each other, exploring how culture shapes our world
- Cultural Economics and Entrepreneurship teach you how to make cultural projects profitable, showing you the business side of creative ventures
Destination Information
- The Netherlands: 17 million inhabitants, 200 different nationalities
- Rotterdam: 650,000 inhabitants, 175 different nationalities, 80% speak English
- Erasmus University Rotterdam: 39,150 students, 114 different nationalities
University Life
Activities
Students can join several activities throughout the year such as social drinks, study trips, music sessions, lectures, and language courses organized by different (student) associations at Erasmus University Rotterdam.
Study Counselling
In the first year of your program, you will be part of a mentor group guided by second or third-year students, thus ensuring a smooth start. You may consult your student advisor if you have any questions about the study program, your study planning, or personal circumstances relevant to your studies.
Chat With a Student
Is there anything you would like to know about student life or our wonderful city? In that case, you might be curious about the experiences of our students and alumni. Simply select the person of your choice and ask them a question. Just take a look at our 'Chat with a student' page.
Passionate about arts and culture, you're intrigued by the inner workings of the creative sphere. While you may not wield a paintbrush or stand on stage, you're eager to delve into the complexities of the art world. The Master in Arts and Culture Studies in Rotterdam stands out for its well-rounded approach, blending sociological and economic perspectives. Delving into the production and presentation of art by institutions like theaters, museums, and festivals, you'll also explore how audiences engage with and appreciate artistic expression. These specializations empower you to analyze the intricate mechanisms of the art world within a broader societal context.
Times Higher Education ranking #72 Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) #4 in the Netherlands, and #92 worldwide.
The Master in Arts and Culture Studies offers diverse career paths in management, policy, communication, and entrepreneurship within cultural institutions, government agencies, and the tourism sector. Graduates find roles in museums, theaters, festivals, government, academia, and entrepreneurial ventures. Specializations in cultural economics and tourism provide skills for business strategy, PR, policymaking, and research, making graduates sought-after professionals in various organizations and entrepreneurial endeavors.
Arts, Culture, and Society
The master's specialization in Arts, Culture, and Society prepares you for a vital role in all areas of the arts and culture sector, from theatre to museums to film and festivals, allowing you to take your degree not only across artistic fields but around the globe. You don’t sell the tickets, you run the show!
We teach you the skills to advise and become part of cultural organizations. Arts, Culture, and Society offers a unique approach that integrates present-day modes of production, distribution, and consumption of arts and culture beyond and across national cultural boundaries.
Cultural Economics and Entrepreneurship
Students will acquire a solid background in cultural economics, creative entrepreneurship, and research methods. They learn about the latest theoretical developments in the economics of cultural and creative industries, cultural organizations and management, innovation, digitization, cultural heritage, art markets, performing arts, fashion, music, video games, and culture beyond markets.
In seminars, workshops, and during field trips to a variety of cultural organizations students will apply the knowledge to real, current cases. At the end of the year, you will combine everything you have learned in your master's thesis
Tourism, Culture, and Society
Tourism, Culture, and Society are one of the three specializations within the master Arts and Culture Studies. You will learn about the latest developments in the tourism sector and its interplay with culture and society. You will do so by learning different research methods, and by applying your theoretical knowledge to actual cases in our classes or seminars. After completion of the required courses, you are free to choose electives that enable you to delve deeper into the subjects that you are most interested in.
You will complete the master specialization with a thesis, where you are challenged to combine and apply the theoretical knowledge that you acquired with a topic of your own choice.