Interdisciplinary Arts
Interdisciplinary Arts

Interdisciplinary Arts (iArts)

Our complex society needs new perspectives. At iArts, we take up this challenge by working across disciplines. We look at the relationships between different systems and always put artistic practice at the center. This empowers our students to become effective change-makers of the future. Are you ready to be part of this movement?

  • Location Maastricht
  • Duration 3 or 4 years
  • Degree Bachelor of Arts
  • Language English

iArts impressions

About the Education

About Interdisciplinary Arts

Graduates and students about Interdiscplinary Arts.

Our internationally oriented programme is unique in Europe. Within our projects that focus on current social issues, we combine artistic work practice with academic reflection, critical making and entrepreneurship. This synergy leads to new perspectives and strategies for innovative approaches to tomorrow's complex challenges. We achieve this by inspiring students, teachers and businesses to look at the world differently. We do not shy away from difficult questions and aim to think beyond the duality of "problem and solution."  

At iArts, we therefore collaborate closely with professionals specializing in the cross-fertilisation of artistic disciplines. We also collaborate with scientists, policymakers, entrepreneurs and professionals in both the public and private sectors. This shapes our students into decisive change agents of the future.  

Career

After graduation
iArts professionals work as decision-makers at the intersection of art, research and entrepreneurship. They often have their own professional practice, but they also work at government agencies and businesses.

After graduation you will be:

  • a critically engaged change agent who is able to combine the skills of an artist, entrepreneur and researcher. You will develop and produce relevant interventions for current issues, whether local or global.
  • a multi-talented change-maker who is capable of translating social and scientific issues into artistic and interdisciplinary practice.
  • a thought leader who is able to explore and intervene in unpredictable, precarious and near-impossible contexts.

Degree

On successful completion of the programme you will be awarded the internationally recognized Bachelor of Arts degree.
 

Taqwa Ali, graduated in 2023, won with her graduation work the Henriette Hustinx Award
  • Tuition fees

    As a degree-seeking student you will have to pay annual tuition fees. Students from the EU pay the statutory tuition fees, and non-EU students pay the institutional tuition fees. Normally speaking, these fees are waived for exchange students from partner universities.

  • Education and Examination Regulations

    The education and examination regulations (EER) provide all the information you will need about the content of the study programme, the academic support provided, and the way in which examinations are organized. 

    • Check the EER
study-structure

Programme structure

Curriculum & Projects

The iArts programme takes three years, although a four-year version of 240 ECs is offered as well. The three-year track is open to all students who either have a pre-university diploma or can show proof of adequate previous education. Please note: the entire iArts programme is taught in English.

  • Year 1

    You are introduced to three learning pathways:

    • Home-Based Learning (HBL) courses
    • Project-Based Learning
    • Research & Development Lab

    Home-Based Learning
    Home-Based Learning (HBL) consists of a selection of courses that enable you to develop your artistic and academic skills. By acquiring these skills, you will build a toolbox that you can draw on during Project-Based Education. 

    Project-Based Learning
    This is based on the Project-Based Learning Method. Within the context of iArts, it calls on the following competencies: problem analysis, research, planning, concept development, creation, production, peer group collaboration, documentation and evaluation.  At the end of each Project-Based Learning period, a Documentation & Evaluation Week takes place in which you and students from several years and (guest) teachers reflect on the (artistic) development within the project. 

    Research & Development Lab
    Within the third learning track, Research & Development Lab, you learn to use your ‘HBL toolbox’ to explore your own fascinations. You also learn to reflect on the value and ethics of the artistic interventions you develop within Project-Based Learning – how can artistic thinking and making/artistic practice be of added value within a societal context? 

    Throughout the year, you are taught by a team of permanent teachers from different disciplines.   

  • Year 2

    You continue the three learning pathways introduced in Year 1. However, within Project-Based Learning, the emphasis shifts increasingly to working in a context of professional practice. This is done in the following ways:  

    • by inviting guest lecturers (interdisciplinary professionals from the field) 
    • by situating Project-Based Learning in a professional context – you work on a case offered by a professional party, such as a commercial company, scientific research centre or an art institution. 
    • by shifting the focus from group-oriented learning to individual development with the backup of peer groups 
    • by shifting from mandatory projects to Projects of Choice.   

    This allows you to develop according to your own abilities, passions and interests, and to get a taste of the various possibilities in the field of work. At the end of Year 2, you will design an individual Graduation Strategy in which you develop your own graduation process.   

  • Year 3

    In the final year, you have the freedom to map out a graduation process that is in line with your artistic position and development: you choose your own themes, topics, (artistic) fields, disciplines, working methods and strategies, partners; take part in minors, internships and other extra courses. 

    The third year consists of four phases:

    • Position Paper
    • Artistic Concept
    • Collaborative Public Event
    • Documentation & Evaluation Event

    During these four phases you will learn:

    • how to position yourself in the (future) field
    • how to engage others (peers and external coaches) strategically in the development of your work
    • how to make the process involved in that work transparent to a relevant 'audience'.  

    In short, the third year is a bridge between iArts and the field that you would like to work in after graduation. During this process, iArts provides both education and guidance while preparing you for your future career. You will be allocated an individual graduation coach and work with one or two external coaches of your choice. In addition, return days and online sessions are organized to offer support related to each of the four specific phases of the graduation year. 

    After having successfully completed the final year of the BA in iArts, you will be ready to embark on your next adventure, having developed the knowledge, skills and tools to deal with the challenges of the ever-changing 21st century. Transitioning from student to alumnus, you remain part of the iArts community, enriching and expanding our enduring network. Having pursued careers in a variety of different fields, iArts alumni are invited throughout the year to share their experiences, insights, practices and expertise with current students and staff. These first-hand accounts are extremely valuable and result in an ongoing dialogue and exchange among the whole community. 

  • Vertical programming

    Throughout the year, multi-day workshops and/or HBL courses (e.g. Philosophy sessions) take place in which students from Year 1 and Year 2 receive joint project-based education and work in mixed groups.

  • Artistic and expert exchange

    In Year 1 and Year 2, studio visits, lectures, visits to festivals and alumni days are organized to facilitate an exchange between the study environment and professional practice.   

  • Projects

    Some interesting projects:

    • Distressed – Nomadic waste in the river Meuse | read more
    • Disconnected – Thisconnected World | read more
    • The Tree Passports – project Nature & Science | read more
Entrance requirements

Entrance requirements

Are you creative, critical and multi-talented?
Do you think beyond the mainstream?
Would you like to learn how to build a truly sustainable world? 
Do you have the courage to try, fail and succeed?

Change agents
iArts is an extraordinary programme for extraordinary people. 
iArts calls for analytically sharp and creative professionals.
Change agents who are fully aware that the world needs a new approach.
Thought leaders who are able to combine new methods and strategies with an artistic view, to face today’s problems and seize opportunities.

Critically engaged artists
At iArts you will become:

  • a creative thinker and maker.
  • a critically engaged change agent who combines the skills of an artist, entrepreneur and researcher.
  • a multi-talented professional who is capable of translating social and scientific issues into artistic and interdisciplinary practice.
  • a thought leader who is able to explore and intervene in unpredictable, precarious and near-impossible contexts.

Would you like to be one of us?

Please follow these steps:

  • 1. Do you meet the general admission requirements?

    Formal requirements

    • pre-university secondary education ​​​​​​(vwo) or senior general secondary education (havo)*
    • successful selection based on our assessment procedure


    * The iArts programme is an accelerated 3-year Bachelor’s programme of 180 credits, offered to students with a vwo (pre-university) diploma. This programme is also offered to students with a havo diploma who show an outstanding artistic ability. If you have a secondary education diploma other than a pre-university diploma, you might qualify for the 4-year Bachelor’s programme of 240 credits.

    Further requirements

    • evidence of artistic aptitude
    • good command of the English language
    • collaborative skills 
  • 2. Apply

    If you are enthusiastic about iArts and believe that you are a suitable candidate who meets our standards, why not apply for iArts?

    Please register at www.studielink.nl, so we can invite you to start the iArts assessment procedure.

  • 3. Follow the assessment procedure

    In addition to the standard requirements, iArts applicants are required to take our admission assessment. This procedure has been developed to assess your artistic talent and other additional skills relevant to the iArts programme. The outcome of this assessment is not a pass/fail; your participation in this assessment, together with the other elements of your application, will result in a recommendation to either enrol on the iArts programme or to pursue other career options.

    Important: start by registering with Studielink

    The first step is to register via www.studielink.nl before 1 June, after which we will invite you to start the iArts assessment procedure.

    Our assessment procedure consists of 3 rounds:

    • Round 1: send in the application form, together with your photo and motivation letter and a short video.
    • Round 2: write an essay and send it in.
    • Round 3: join the final online assessment day with other candidates and our selection team.

    Download the assessment procedure

    Dates and deadlines
    You may start with the first steps of the procedure at any time. The final online assessment rounds are scheduled for

    • 10-11 April 2024
    • 15-16 May 2024
    • 5-6 June 2024
    • 26-27 June 2024

    Please note 
    Dates might change; only the dates provided in the email are final. We will invite you to a final assessment round based on the order in which you submit your assessment and, if possible, based on the time zone you are in. This means you cannot choose a date yourself. Please bear in mind that the assessment may be scheduled in Central European Time.

    Please note
    If you are a non-European student, you may be eligible for a Zuyd Scholarship.

    We look forward to receiving your application and wish you good luck with all the preparations!

    The iArts assessment team
    More information / questions: iarts@zuyd.nl

iArts on Instagram

Herdenkingsplein 12
6211 PW Maastricht