Do you aspire to a career in global politics, media, business, journalism, or education? Are you interested in all things American, from the U.S. political system to cultural imperialism? Would you like to spend a semester studying in the U.S. or Canada?
The MA track American Studies encourages you to develop your own interests and formulate your own arguments in small-group seminars. You will learn to think, talk, and write critically about all things American, independently analyze any aspect of the culture, and conduct research projects that cut across traditional academic boundaries.
You are challenged to build your own persuasive analysis of whatever it is about the U.S. that interests you and your research topics can be as diverse as the country itself: from the Star Wars franchise and its place in the U.S. and global culture to gerrymandering, and from voter suppression to the professionalization of women's ice hockey - you get to choose your own path. During your studies, you will be guided by our team of leading international researchers in the field of American Studies.
American Studies provides students the opportunity to study
abroad
at
one of our partner universities or do an internship, for
example at a small Dutch tech start-up, a national newspaper, or
consular offices in the U.S.
| Semesters | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CoursesCourse Catalog > | 1a | 1b | 2a | 2b |
| Domestic Cultures of U.S. Imperialism (10 EC, optional) | ||||
| Histories and Methods of American Studies (10 EC) | ||||
| The American Revolution Today (10 EC, optional) | ||||
| Master's Internship American Studies (10 EC, optional) | ||||
| Master's Thesis American Studies (20 EC) | ||||
| Study Abroad (10 EC, optional) | ||||
| Writing for the Real World (10 EC, optional) | ||||
| Programme options |
|---|
| MA Placement (specialization) Students have the option to replace one Research Seminar with an MA Placement, which is to be carried out during the second semester, in principle in the U.S. or the Americas. Because such an internship is part of your degree program, it will have to comply with the curriculum requirements. Further details can be obtained from the department or academic advisor. The Office for Student Affairs can help you with some of the practical issues. |
Possibility to study in North or South America
Minimum of 30 ECTS
Studying abroad during the second semester of your Master's program can complement your American Studies experience at The University of Groningen. As availability permits, you can apply to study abroad at one of our first-rated exchange partner institutions in North and South America and enroll in a variety of courses of your choosing.
This is your opportunity to experience first-hand everything you have studied in the classroom, a truly enriching opportunity for students, both academically and personally!
For more information regarding exchange locations, please visit the Department of American Studies website at https://www.rug.nl/let/studeren-bij-ons/american-studies/internationalization/
| Specific requirements | More information |
|---|---|
| previous education |
All students with a Bachelor's diploma of American Studies from the University of Groningen or from another Dutch university are directly admissible to the programme. Additionally, UG students with a Bachelor's diploma in:
with a pre-Master's/ Faculty Minor (30 ECTS) in American Studies are also admissible to the programme The Admissions Board is responsible for assessing whether students without a Bachelor's degree are admissible on the basis of sufficient knowledge, understanding and skills at the level of a Bachelor's degree. |
| language test |
Additional English language requirement: A VWO diploma or a subject certificate for VWO English (mark 6 or higher), minimum requirement of TOEFL iBT 100 (with a minimum score for speaking and writing of 25 (each)), or an IELTS score of 7 (with a minimum of 6.5 on all items). Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency with a minimum score of 185. |
| Study programme | Organization | Transition |
|---|---|---|
| American Studies | All Research universities |
No additional requirements More information:NL studenten: Geldt voor alle WO instellingen in Nederland. International students: Refers to all Research universities within the Netherlands |
| Study programme | Organization | Transition |
|---|---|---|
| History | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:With a pre-Master's/ Faculty Minor (30 ECTS) in American Studies |
| English Language and Culture | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:With a pre-Master's/ Faculty Minor (30 ECTS) in American Studies |
| Media Studies | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:With a pre-Master's/ Faculty Minor (30 ECTS) in American Studies |
| Arts, Culture and Media | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:With a pre-Master's/ Faculty Minor (30 ECTS) in American Studies |
| International Relations and International Organization | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:With a pre-Master's/ Faculty Minor (30 ECTS) in American Studies |
| Art History | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:With a pre-Master's/ Faculty Minor (30 ECTS) in American Studies |
| Middle Eastern Studies | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:With a pre-Master's/ Faculty Minor (30 ECTS) in American Studies |
| European Languages and Cultures | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:With a pre-Master's/ Faculty Minor (30 ECTS) in American Studies |
| Archaeology | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:With a pre-Master's/ Faculty Minor (30 ECTS) in American Studies |
| Classical Studies | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:With a pre-Master's/ Faculty Minor (30 ECTS) in American Studies |
| American Studies | University of Groningen | No additional requirements |
Note: it's only possible to a very limited extent to start in February. For more information, please contact the study advisor.
| Type of student | Deadline | Start course |
|---|---|---|
| Dutch students | 15 August 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
| 15 August 2026 | 01 September 2026 | |
| EU/EEA students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
| 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 | |
| non-EU/EEA students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
| 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 |
| Specific requirements | More information |
|---|---|
| previous education |
To determine whether your academic qualifications meet the MA degree programme requirements, we will assess the curriculum and level of your first degree. This evaluation is carried out by the Admissions Office of the School of Arts and Humanities and the Department's Admissions Board (which has the final say about eligibility). |
| other admission requirements |
Additional English language requirement: A VWO diploma or a subject certificate for VWO English (mark 6 or higher), minimum requirement of TOEFL iBT 100 (with a minimum score for speaking and writing of 25 (each)), or an IELTS score of 7 (with a minimum of 6.5 on all items). Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency with a minimum score of 185. |
Note: it's only possible to a very limited extent to start in February. For more information, please contact the study advisor.
| Type of student | Deadline | Start course |
|---|---|---|
| Dutch students | 15 August 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
| 15 August 2026 | 01 September 2026 | |
| EU/EEA students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
| 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 | |
| non-EU/EEA students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
| 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 |
The program's interdisciplinary curriculum and specializations gives you ample opportunity to find out what topics interest you most and what areas of employment you wish to explore. Pursuing an internship while in the program is a great way to gain experience in the field prior to seeking full-time employment. As an American Studies graduate, you will gain competency in a broad range of transferable skills which will diversify your career prospects.
Your expertise in the US economic, political, cultural, commercial and social domains, coupled with your highly proficient English communication skills and cultural adaptability through your study abroad experience, will set you apart from other job candidates.
Your highly proficient English skills will also prepare you to work at education institutions, in particular in the area of the internationalization of teaching and learning. A number of graduates also work in high schools and institutions of tertiary education, where they teach primarily English or History. Several American Studies graduates also wish to continue their studies by completing PhD degrees, either in The Netherlands, the UK or the US.
Depending on your areas of specialization, a job in journalism is a possibility. Students interested in journalism may consider using their proficiency in US political and cultural affairs to work as correspondents or reporters for international or US media outlets.
Interested in marketing or international business? Then utilize your knowledge of US economic and commercial policies and practices by assisting companies seeking to expand into the European and US markets.
You might prefer to think about working in the cultural field, for example, a job in a museum or organizing a film festival. The American Studies program offers many possibilities for international contacts, which can be utilized for job options in a range of cultural industries. In addition, your cross-cultural experiences and English skills will also prepare you to work in the travel industry, especially organizing and leading guided trips.
Your subject-matter expertise in U.S. socio-political affairs and proficient English skills are relevant transferable skills for work in the public sector. Consider working for an NGO or governmental entity, in positions ranging from Media and Communication Coordinators to Information Officers.
The research carried out by the Department of American Studies, by and large, mirrors the main concentrations in our educational agenda. At the heart of our research efforts, and hence of our curriculum, are three separate themes.
Given the nature of American Studies, the key distinguishing feature of our research as well as in our teaching is that it is truly interdisciplinary in approach in which the individual researchers actively work across different disciplines and methodologies as opposed to, for example, research on American topics carried out in the History Department, which would generally reflect historical approaches only.
The same is true for our teaching agenda: individual teachers are required to be versatile in more than one discipline as all major survey courses combine a range of disciplinary areas, approaches, methodologies, and data sets. Aligned with our teaching practices, our research is generally problem-driven as well as theory-driven. That is to say, we explore specific issues that are controversial, contested, or under-investigated, and then seek to resolve these issues through the generalization of our findings, incorporating elements associated with both the structure and the process of the phenomena we study. Among the themes we are currently exploring are:
- Contemporary migration and mobility issues in the
Americas
- Engaged literature and the politics of reading
- Narratives of crisis in post-9/11 culture
- The worldwide effects of white-supremacy on people and
environments
- The role of Catholicism in U.S. settler colonialism
All members of the American Studies faculty are engaged in cutting-edge independent and collaborative research, and they work as a team to facilitate student research at the BA, MA and PhD level. Please visit the Faculty Roster to view a listing of current American Studies faculty members and their individual research initiatives.
