This programme addresses questions such as: What argumentative strategies are used in sustainability campaigns? How do style choices contribute to the persuasive power of a text?
How does cultural background influence the interpretation of
indirect communication? How do media narratives contribute to
societal polarization?
Communication lies at the heart of social practices and civic
engagement. From everyday family life to professional settings, our
lives are shaped and organized through communication.
What you'll do
The programme is built around three interconnected areas that
develop together throughout your studies.
Understanding and analyzing communication: You will study
how people create meaning through language, images, and
interaction, what makes messages persuasive, and how discourse can
shape reality.
Real-world problems and applications: You will tackle
societal problems and propose solutions in different fields such as
corporate communication, social media, intercultural communication,
and health, sustainability and advocacy campaigns.
Academic and professional skills: You will develop skills
in academic writing, teamwork, and research methods that prepare
you for both further study and professional life.
What you'll learn
You will learn to:
- Find where and why communication succeeds or fails
- Design and implement interventions to improve communication
- Measure the success of these interventions
The programme focuses on communication across different modes and
media: text, talk, gestures, pictures, digital media, and
generative AI. You'll receive interdisciplinary training that draws
from linguistics, psychology, media studies, sociology, and
marketing.
International Programme
Whether you aim for the global or the Dutch job market, this
programme prepares you for both.
The BA Communication and Information Studies is an international
degree programme taught in English by both Dutch and international
staff who bring diverse expertise to the classroom. You will be
part of an international student community and collaborate with
peers from around the world.
A Dutch Track is also available. It offers Dutch-speaking students
the opportunity to further develop their academic and professional
skills in Dutch. This allows them to combine an international
programme with direct preparation for the Dutch job market.
| Semesters | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CoursesCourse Catalog > | 1a | 1b | 2a | 2b |
| Essential Skills for Academics (5 EC) | ||||
| Changing Minds: Persuasion and Argumentation (10 EC) | ||||
| Materiality of Communication (10 EC) | ||||
| Intercultural Communication (5 EC) | ||||
| Text and Cognition (5 EC) | ||||
| Humane AI in Digital Societies: Introduction (10 EC, optional) | ||||
| Observing Communication in the Wild: Qualitative Methods (10 EC) | ||||
| Stories We Live By: Mediating Identities (10 EC, optional) | ||||
| Language in Interaction (5 EC) | ||||
| Semesters | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CoursesCourse Catalog > | 1a | 1b | 2a | 2b |
| Conversation Analysis II (5 EC) | ||||
| Corporate and Organisational Communication 2 (5 EC) | ||||
| Pragmatiek (5 EC) | ||||
| Text Analysis II (5 EC) | ||||
| CIS Diversity Management 1 (5 EC, optional) | ||||
| Current trends in CIS research (5 EC, optional) | ||||
| Health Communication (5 EC, optional) | ||||
| Social Media (5 EC, optional) | ||||
| Webdesign (5 EC, optional) | ||||
| Design and Evaluation (10 EC) | ||||
| Humane AI in Digital Societies: Projects (10 EC, optional) | ||||
| Stories We Live By: Narrating the World (10 EC, optional) | ||||
| Statistiek (5 EC) | ||||
| Semesters | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CoursesCourse Catalog > | 1a | 1b | 2a | 2b |
| Minor (30 EC) | ||||
| CIS Diversity management 1 Cultural Diversity (5 EC, optional) | ||||
| Corporate and Organisational Communication 3 (5 EC, optional) | ||||
| Health Communication (5 EC, optional) | ||||
| Webdesign (5 EC, optional) | ||||
| Case Study CIW (10 EC) | ||||
| CIS BA Thesis and Seminar (10 EC) | ||||
| Usability (5 EC, optional) | ||||
Please note that above is the programme for the current academic year (2025-2026). From 2026-2027, the courses of this programme will change.
| Programme options |
|---|
| Dutch track (specialization) If you sign up for the Dutch Track you will still be part of the International programme and the majority of your courses will still be in English. However, the Dutch track provides Dutch speaking students with the opportunity to develop their academic skills in the Dutch language. The track also allows students to prepare themselves for the Dutch language labour market. The Dutch track consists of seven Course Modules and the BA thesis. In these modules students will work with Dutch materials, seminars will be in the Dutch language and exams will also be in Dutch. Lectures and course readings are still in English. Participation in the Dutch Track is noted on the diploma. Courses in the Dutch Track: Pragmatics, Linguistics, Text Analysis 1 & 2, Conversation Analysis 1 & 2, Academic communication (Dutch version), BA thesis. |
| Minor (minor) The fifth semester of your studies is dedicated to your Minor: a coherent set of future-oriented course units. It prepares you for a follow-on Master's degree program or for entering the labour market. You can opt for a Career Minor, a Minor abroad, a University Minor or a Faculty Minor. |
| University of Groningen Honours College (honours program) The Honours College will give talented, motivated students the chance to be challenged even more by following Honours programmes and taking part in numerous other activities. The Honours College comprises a broadening part and a deepening part and has a study load of 30 ECTS credit points besides the 180 ECTS credit points from your regular Bachelor programme. |
If you have passed the VWO (pre-university education) exam in English, you satisfy the language requirement.
If you have passed the VWO (pre-university education) exam in English, you satisfy the language requirement.
If you have passed the VWO (pre-university education) exam in English, you satisfy the language requirement.
If you have passed the VWO (pre-university education) exam in English, you satisfy the language requirement.
Language requirement for English: You must have completed this at VWO level (mark 6 or higher) or obtained one of the following English certificates:
TOEFL iBT tests taken after 21 January 2026 will use TOEFL's new 1 - 6 scoring system.
For more information and submitting your language test, see: https://www.rug.nl/let/studeren-bij-ons/bachelor/aanmelding-en-inschrijving/language-requirements-ba
The degree programme will organize a matching procedure. Attendance is optional. The advice is not binding.
The Faculty of Arts believes students can decide for themselves whether they match with their chosen programme based on the available bachelor programme information, by visiting the Open Days, and by participating in a Webclass and/ or Student for a Day. If you are unable to attend one of these activities, a final opportunity for matching is to contact one of the students of the programme in June.
If you have any further questions about matching, check out: www.rug.nl/matching
| Type of student | Deadline | Start course |
|---|---|---|
| Dutch students | 01 May 2027 | 01 September 2027 |
| EU/EEA students | 01 May 2027 | 01 September 2027 |
| non-EU/EEA students | 01 May 2027 | 01 September 2027 |
The Faculty of Arts believes students can decide for themselves whether they match with their chosen programme based on the available bachelor programme information, by visiting the Open Days, and by participating in a Webclass and/ or Student for a Day. If you are unable to attend one of these activities, a final opportunity for matching is to contact one of the students of the programme in June.
| Specific requirements | More information |
|---|---|
| previous education |
A Dutch VWO diploma, a German Abitur, an International Baccalaureate diploma, a European Baccalaureate or another diploma that is sufficient for acceptance to a Dutch university. For other VWO-equivalent qualifications, see: https://www.rug.nl/vwo-equivalent-qualifications. Students with Dutch 'hbo-propedeuse' diploma also need to meet the language requirements mentioned below. |
| other admission requirements |
Language requirement for English: You must have completed this at VWO level (mark 6 or higher) or obtained one of the following English certificates: - Cambridge English (C1 Advanced/C2 Proficiency): overall min.
score 180
- IELTS (Academic): overall min. score 6.5 (min. 6.0 in every category) - LanguageCert Academic: overall min. score 70 (min. 65 in every category) - Pearson PTE Academic: overall min. score 66 (min. 62 in Reading and Writing, and 54 in Listening and Speaking) - TOEFL iBT*: overall min. score 90 (min. 21 in every category) - TOEFL iBT*: overall min. score 4.5 (min. 4 in Reading and Speaking, min. 4.5 in Listening and Writing) TOEFL iBT tests taken after 21 January 2026 will use TOEFL's new 1 - 6 scoring system. For more information and submitting your language test, see: https://www.rug.nl/let/studeren-bij-ons/bachelor/aanmelding-en-inschrijving/language-requirements-ba |
| Type of student | Deadline | Start course |
|---|---|---|
| Dutch students | 01 May 2027 | 01 September 2027 |
| EU/EEA students | 01 May 2027 | 01 September 2027 |
| non-EU/EEA students | 01 May 2027 | 01 September 2027 |
After graduation, many students choose to continue with a Master's degree. The Bachelor's degree in Communication and Information Studies gives you direct access to several Master's tracks at the University of Groningen, including:
When combined with specific faculty minors, the BA in Communication and Information Studies also gives you direct access to additional tracks such as Dutch Studies (Dutch taught) and Journalism. The BA programme also gives access to a wide range of Master’s programmes in the Netherlands and abroad.
As a graduate of Communication and Information Studies you are well prepared for a career in many different fields. Thanks to your multidisciplinary research training in communication design, you will be ready to make an impact in every organisation or company that aims for successful communication. You can work in the communication department of (governmental) organizations, business communities, cultural organizations, or non-profit organizations. Jobs can include communication trainer, editor, marketing manager; i.e. a wide range of roles in communication strategy and design. Students who take the Dutch Track will be well-prepared for a job on the Dutch labour market.
Are you at secondary school and want to know what studying at university is like? The Communication and Information Studies programme is offering a web class! This online course from the University of Groningen is specially designed for secondary school students.
If you are interested in an Communication and Information Studies web class, register here.
