Are you curious, eager to learn and ready to shape the role of the arts and the media in society and culture? Then you are the right person for this Research Master!
The two-year Master's track in Arts, Media and Literary Studies is a specialization within the Research Master's degree in Arts and Culture.
Arts, Media and Literary Studies equips students with knowledge and skills to become researchers and experts on the role that the arts, literature and media play in society, now and in the past. The programme offers a rich multi- and interdisciplinary framework within which students can specialize in one of the following disciplines or combinations of disciplines, under close supervision of a highly qualified research faculty:
Students learn to apply and expand these approaches in research
projects that they design and conduct individually or in
groups.
A common course, Arts and Media in Society, which allows students
to explore one or more challenging hot issues regarding the arts
and media in society, involves participants from across and beyond
academia. Examples of such issues would be 'The arts, media and
literature: practices of social exclusion or inclusion?', 'Trust
and reliability in society, viewed through the arts, media and
literature', or 'The mutual impact of technology and the arts,
media and literature'.
| Semesters | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CoursesCourse Catalog > | 1a | 1b | 2a | 2b |
| Research Methods: Research in Digital Archives (5 EC) | ||||
| Theories of Culture and Research (5 EC) | ||||
| Research Methods: Grounded Theory and Ethnographic Methods (5 EC) | ||||
| Special Topics 1 (5 EC) | ||||
| Theories and Analysis (5 EC) | ||||
| Research Methods: Ecocritical Methods (5 EC) | ||||
| Special Topics 2 (10 EC) | ||||
| Arts and Media in Society (10 EC) | ||||
| Research Design (5 EC) | ||||
| Semesters | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CoursesCourse Catalog > | 1a | 1b | 2a | 2b |
| Specialisation 1 (10 EC) To be comprised of masterclasses, tutorials, studies abroad, or a research traineeship | ||||
| Specialisation 2 (10 EC) To be comprised of masterclasses, tutorials, studies abroad, or a research traineeship | ||||
| Specialisation 3 (5 EC) To be comprised of masterclasses, tutorials, studies abroad, or a research traineeship | ||||
| Research Master's Thesis AMLS (30 EC) | ||||
All students participate in the programme's shared core, consisting of a combination of theory-driven and method-driven courses. Alongside this common core, students build their own disciplinary profile by choosing electives from other Master programmes. These can be both within the faculty (in programmes such as media studies, art history, literary studies, film studies, etc.) and outside (in the faculties of religious studies, philosophy, or behavioral sciences), depending on the students' int
| Programme options |
|---|
| Master's placement (specialization) During this Master's track, you can follow a research placement for ECTS credit points where you get the opportunity to participate and getting more involved in research. It is your responsibility to find a placement yourself, but the Office for Student Affairs can offer help with this where necessary. |
| Study programme | Organization | Transition |
|---|---|---|
| Arts, Culture and Media | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:This programme has a selection procedure. |
| English Language and Culture | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:This programme has a selection procedure |
| European Languages and Cultures | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:With a specialization in literature, film and culture This programme has a selection procedure |
| Classical Studies | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:With a specialization in literature, film and culture This programme has a selection procedure |
| American Studies | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:This programme has a selection procedure |
| Media Studies | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:This programme has a selection procedure |
| Middle Eastern Studies | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:This programme has a selection procedure |
| Dutch Language and Culture | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:This programme has a selection procedure |
| Art History | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:This programme has a selection procedure |
| Art History | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:This programme has a selection procedure |
| Study programme | Organization | Transition |
|---|---|---|
| Dutch Language and Culture | All Research universities |
Additional requirements More information:This programme has a selection procedure |
| American Studies | All Research universities |
Additional requirements More information:This programme has a selection procedure. |
| Arts, Culture and Media | All Research universities |
Additional requirements More information:This programme has a selection procedure |
| European Languages and Cultures | All Research universities |
Additional requirements More information:With a specialization in literature, film and culture This programme has a selection procedure |
| Classics (part-time) | All Research universities |
Additional requirements More information:With a specialization in literature, film and culture This programme has a selection procedure |
| Middle Eastern Studies | All Research universities |
Additional requirements More information:This programme has a selection procedure |
| Media Studies | All Research universities |
Additional requirements More information:This programme has a selection procedure |
| English Language and Culture | All Research universities |
Additional requirements More information:This programme has a selection procedure |
| Art History | All Research universities |
Additional requirements More information:This programme has a selection procedure |
| Art History | All Research universities |
Additional requirements More information:This programme has a selection procedure |
| Specific requirements | More information |
|---|---|
| previous education |
Prospective students are required to have knowledge at Bachelor's level of art history, art education, media and journalism studies, film studies, literary studies, music studies, theatre studies, or cultural theory and cultural studies. Examples of these types of Bachelor's programmes are:
|
| grade list |
An excellent academic record: An overview of the results achieved so far within the Bachelor's degree programme and/or other university degree programmes is required |
| Curriculum Vitae (CV) |
A Curriculum Vitae (CV) |
| language test |
Additional language requirement English: 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. |
| reference letter |
Two personal letters of recommendation from staff members who can comment on the students' affinity with and capacities for research |
| (motivation-) letter |
A letter outlining the prospective student's motivation for selecting the programme and Research Master's track, including their expectations and interests. |
| other admission requirements |
Furthermore, the selection procedure is also based on an evaluation of degree certificates, individual results and the thesis or paper. |
| Type of student | Deadline | Start course |
|---|---|---|
| Dutch students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
| 15 October 2025 | 01 February 2026 | |
| EU/EEA students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
| 15 October 2025 | 01 February 2026 | |
| non-EU/EEA students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
| 15 October 2025 | 01 February 2026 |
| Specific requirements | More information |
|---|---|
| previous education |
Prospective students are required to have knowledge at Bachelor's level of art history, art education, media and journalism studies, film studies, literary studies, music studies, theatre studies, or cultural theory and cultural studies. Examples of these types of Bachelor's programmes are:
|
| grade list |
An excellent academic record: An overview of the results achieved so far within the Bachelor's degree programme and/or other university degree programmes is required |
| Curriculum Vitae (CV) |
A Curriculum Vitae (CV) |
| language test |
Additional requirements English: A VWO diploma or a subject certificate for VWO English (mark 6 or higher), minimum requirement of TOEFL iBT 100 (with a minimum of 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. |
| reference letter |
Two personal letters of recommendation from staff members who can comment on the students' affinity with and capacities for research. |
| (motivation-) letter |
A letter outlining the prospective student's motivation for selecting the programme and Research Master's track, including their expectations and interests. |
| other admission requirements |
Furthermore, the selection procedure is also based on an evaluation of degree certificates, individual results and the thesis or paper. |
| Type of student | Deadline | Start course |
|---|---|---|
| Dutch students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
| 15 October 2025 | 01 February 2026 | |
| EU/EEA students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
| 15 October 2025 | 01 February 2026 | |
| non-EU/EEA students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
| 15 October 2025 | 01 February 2026 |
| Nationality | Year | Fee | Programme form |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU/EEA | 2024-2025 | € 2530 | full-time |
| non-EU/EEA | 2024-2025 | € 18700 | full-time |
| EU/EEA | 2025-2026 | € 2601 | full-time |
| non-EU/EEA | 2025-2026 | € 19200 | full-time |
Practical information for:
Students can participate in activities – guest lectures, research presentations and so on – of the research theme groups within the Research Centre for Arts in Society of the Groningen Research Institute for the Study of Culture (ICOG).
It is possible for research master students to participate in seminars, courses and summer schools organized by the Dutch national research schools.
These 'schools' are organized for the training of PhD and research MA students. You need to select 10 ECTS (usually 2 x 5 ECTS) from their programme offer. They also organize a variety of research related events and activities, in which you are, in most cases, very welcome as a research master student. These events give you the opportunity to deepen your disciplinary profile and to become acquainted with leading researchers and with peers in your field.
The Faculty of Arts also offers one year master’s degree programmes in Literary Studies and Arts & Culture.
Are you curious, eager to learn, to understand and help shape the role of the arts/one of the arts and that of the media in society, and in culture? Are you up to some intellectual challenge? Does the idea of working in small, often multidisciplinary teams and in an international research environment appeal to you? Are you excited by the prospect of bringing academic research to bear on real issues in our societies? Then this programme might be the good choice for you.
If you have any questions or doubts about your studies, you can always contact the study advisor. She knows all the ins and outs of the program and personal planning. Study advisors are impartial and everything that is discussed is treated confidentially. They can also help you find the right institutions and student desks for your problems.
