It has the right of approval, advice and other rights on matters specifically related to the Institute and to competences delegated to the Rector, including matters provided for under the Dutch Law on Higher Education and the Erasmus University Rotterdam Rules & Regulations.

The Institute Council consists of 12 members: 4 academic staff members, 4 technical administrative staff members, 2 MA students and 2 doctoral students. Student members are elected for a period of one year (1 December - 30 November), which for the doctoral students is renewable for one period.