Communication Studies

What role does communication play in addressing societal challenges, such as environmental obstacles, the rise of AI-tools, and the spread of misinformation? How can the analysis of conversations between doctors or doctors and patients improve patient care? How can you measure the effectiveness of audiovisual material in strategic communication?

This MA track allows you to either specialise in one field of communication or broaden your understanding of communication studies by choosing a range of courses from our four central themes:

Health communication
Education communication in practice
Corporate and organizational communication,
Environmental communication

By connecting the knowledge and skills taught in this programme to societal themes and issues, you will be able to develop sustainable solutions to complex problems. You learn to communicate complex social and environmental issues and to promote sustainable practices. This programme equips you with communication skills for societal developments with perspectives on language and communication from disciplines such as (critical) discourse analysis, psychology, and sociology.

You can choose to follow an internship during your Master’s. The programme helps you find an internship at companies such as Noordhoff Publishers, Berenschot, Mircury and CNV Internationaal. This allows you to gain work experience in, for example, writing popular science articles, researching (prospective) audiences, and producing content for social media.

Sign up now for the Master's Week from 18-22 November!

Facts & Figures

Degree: MA in Communication & Information Studies
Course type: Master
Duration: 12 months (60 ECTS)
Croho code: 66826
Language of instruction: Dutch, English
Start: September
Faculty: Arts

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Why study this programme in Groningen?

Our curriculum connects contemporary issues to societal discourse.
The track is highly interdisciplinary: communication processes are analysed based on theories and insights that are rooted in different academic disciplines, including (critical) discourse analysis, psychology, and sociology.
Our teachers are highly-trained researchers with international experience and networks.
Students can start their individual projects, internships and research training in direct collaboration with our staff.

Programme

	Semesters
CoursesCourse Catalog >	1a	1b	2a	2b
Multimodale instructieve teksten in de gezondheidscommunicatie
Argumentation and Resistance (10 EC, optional)
Communication Skills in Medical Interaction: Analysis, Education and Advice (10 EC, optional)
Consultancy in Organizational Communication (10 EC, optional)
Design of Communication Training (10 EC, optional)
Language and Text Optimization: the case of news discourse (10 EC, optional)
Stories and Clips: Analysis of Dynamic Audiovisual Multimodal Communication (10 EC, optional)
Writing: Context, Process and Text (10 EC, optional)
Communication Technology (5 EC, optional)
Computer-Mediated Communication (5 EC, optional)
User Interface Evaluation (5 EC, optional)
Corporate Communication in the Digital Age (10 EC, optional)
Living Lab: Communication for Change (10 EC, optional)
Master's Thesis (20 EC)
Master's Work Placement (10 EC, optional)
Questionnaire Design (10 EC, optional)
The Use of Humor and Satire in Communication and Persuasion (10 EC, optional)

Programme options
Vakken mastertrack Communicatiekunde (specialization) Het vakkenaanbod van de mastertrack Communicatiekunde is aan verandering onderhevig. Bekijk Ocasys voor de meest actuele stand van zaken. More information about this option
Gezondheidscommunicatie (specialization) Binnen Communicatiekunde kun je een aparte specialisatie volgen op het gebied van gezondheidscommunicatie. Zie voor de vakken Ocasys. More information about this option
Master's placement (specialization) During this Master's track, you can follow a placement for ECTS credit points. It is your responsibility to find a placement yourself, but the Office for Student Affairs can offer help with this where necessary.

Study abroad

Study abroad is discouraged

Studeren in het buitenland is mogelijk, maar wordt sterk afgeraden vanwege studievertraging en beperkt vakkenaanbod.

Entry requirements

Transfer options

Transferring from...

All Universities of applied sciences

Hanze University Groningen, University of Applied Sciences

nhlstenden

University of Groningen

All Research universities

Study programme	Organization	Transition
Communication	All Universities of applied sciences	Via a pre-master with a maximum of 60 EC

Study programme	Organization	Transition
Communication	Hanze University Groningen, University of Applied Sciences	Via a pre-master with a maximum of 60 EC

Study programme	Organization	Transition
Communication	nhlstenden	Via a pre-master with a maximum of 60 EC

Study programme	Organization	Transition
Communication and Information Studies	University of Groningen	No additional requirements
Dutch Language and Culture	University of Groningen	Additional requirements with a maximum of 60 EC More information: With a Faculty Minor in Communication and Information Studies (30 ECTS) and/or a pre-Master's programme (30-60 ECTS)
English Language and Culture	University of Groningen	Additional requirements with a maximum of 60 EC More information: With a Faculty Minor in Communication and Information Studies (30 ECTS) and/or a pre-Master's programme (30-60 ECTS)
Information Science	University of Groningen	Additional requirements with a maximum of 60 EC More information: With a Faculty Minor in Communication and Information Studies (30 ECTS) and/or a pre-Master's programme (30-60 ECTS)
European Languages and Cultures	University of Groningen	Additional requirements with a maximum of 60 EC More information: With a Faculty Minor in Communication and Information Studies (30 ECTS) and/or a pre-Master's programme (30-60 ECTS)
Linguistics	University of Groningen	Additional requirements with a maximum of 60 EC More information: With a Faculty Minor in Communication and Information Studies (30 ECTS) and/or a pre-Master's programme (30-60 ECTS)

Study programme	Organization	Transition
Communication Science	All Research universities	No additional requirements

Admission requirements

Specific requirements	More information
previous education	Students with a Bachelor's degree in Communication and Information Studies or Communication Studies are directly admissible to this Master's track. Additionally, students with a Bachelor's degree from the University of Groningen in one of the following programmes: Information Science Dutch Language and Culture English Language and Culture European Languages and Cultures Linguistics are also admissible to the Master's track once they have successfully completed the Faculty Minor Communication and Information Science at the UG. Students with a BA from a research university can, after deliberation and approval by the Admission Board, be admitted to the Master's track. The same is true for students with a BA in Communication Studies or a related field from a university of applied sciences. These students will most likely be asked to complete a pre-Master of max. 60 ECTS before they can be admitted. It is possible to start pre-Master courses during your Bachelor's. Students with a non-Dutch qualification can follow the admission procedure, which is published on https://www.rug.nl/education/application-enrolment-tuition-fees/admission/procedures/
language test	Additional requirements English: A VWO diploma or a subject certificate for VWO English (mark 6 or higher), minimum requirement of TOEFL iBT 90 (with a minimum of 21 on all items), or IELTS 6.5 (with a minimum of 6 on all items). Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency with a minimum score of 180. International students will have to satisfy an additional Dutch language requirement, which can be met by passing the State Examination in Dutch as a Second Language (NT2, programme II). This examination guarantees Dutch proficiency at CEFR level B2. However, Dutch proficiency at CEFR level C1 or higher is recommended.
other admission requirements	Ben je niet rechtstreeks toelaatbaar? Dien dan een verzoek tot toelating in bij de toelatingscommissie vóór 1 augustus (om per 1 september te beginnen). Je kunt dit verzoek via e-mail indienen: sec-millc rug.nl. Vermeld je vooropleiding, voorkeur mastertrack en je adresgegevens. Wij adviseren in alle gevallen eerst contact op te nemen met de studieadviseur CIW.

Application deadlines

Type of student	Deadline	Start course
Dutch students	15 August 2025	01 September 2025
EU/EEA students	01 May 2025	01 September 2025
non-EU/EEA students	01 May 2025	01 September 2025

Admission requirements

Specific requirements	More information
previous education	Bachelor in Communication studies. If you finished a bachelor at a Dutch university or university of applied sciences in a related field, you can send in your request for admission to sec-millc rug.nl. Students with a non-Dutch qualification can follow the admission procedure via https://www.rug.nl/education/application-enrolment-tuition-fees/admission/procedures/
language test	Additional requirements English: A VWO diploma or a subject certificate for VWO English (mark 6 or higher), minimum requirement of TOEFL iBT 90 (with a minimum of 21 on all items), or IELTS 6.5 (with a minimum of 6 on all items).
other admission requirements	Please note: whether it is possible to start this Master's degree programme as of 1 February 2023 depends on several different factors. Please contact the study advisor (under the "Contact" button) for more information.

Application deadlines

Type of student	Deadline	Start course
Dutch students	15 August 2025	01 September 2025
EU/EEA students	01 May 2025	01 September 2025
non-EU/EEA students	01 May 2025	01 September 2025

Tuition fees

Nationality	Year	Fee	Programme form
EU/EEA	2024-2025	€ 2530	full-time
non-EU/EEA	2024-2025	€ 18700	full-time

Practical information for:

Dutch students International students

After your studies

Job prospects

Graduates of Communication Studies are driven communicators, exploring and enthusiastic problem solvers, and transformative thinkers. You will be equipped with communicating tools to make a meaningful and critical impact in a wide range of career possibilities.

Job examples

Public Relations Consultant
Text or Speech Writer
Journalist
Researcher
Communication specialist in NGOs, Governmental institutes and business
Content creator
Social Media Manager
Communication Educator/ Trainer
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Manager
Marketing Manager

Research

Research in the field of Communication Science at the University of Groningen focuses on oral, written, audiovisual and digital communication in one's mother tongue or in a second or foreign language, linking the functional characteristics of the various communication media and channels to the contexts and aims of the communication. In addition to careful analyses of the communication itself, experiments are also conducted to measure its effects.

The CIS research is coordinated by the Discourse and Communication group, which is part of the Centre for Language and Cognition Groningen (CLCG). This research group conducts both qualitative and quantitative research on the use of language and other semiotic systems in specific communicative contexts. Particular attention is paid to the effects of strategic (persuasive) communication in professional settings, such as organizational, health, and sustainability communication.

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Contact

Ask Your Question Here (please fill in this contact form, we will answer you as soon as possible.)
Drs. Marloes Bergmans (Studieadviseur)
Email: studyadvicecis rug.nl
Marnix van den Berg (Student Ambassador)
Admission Office (Contact form)
Telephone: +31-(0)50 363 8976

NL Scholarships

The University of Groningen offers NL Scholarships to international students from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) who want to do their master’s in the Netherlands. Read more on the NL Scholarships and on how to apply.

Toelating

Informatie over de pre-master CIW

De wetenschappelijke opleiding CIW is een duidelijke aanvulling op een communicatieopleiding op het HBO. Bij CIW wordt veel aandacht besteed aan wetenschappelijk onderzoek. Het opzetten en uitvoeren van onderzoeken komt dan ook in meerdere onderdelen aan bod. Daarnaast ligt de nadruk meer op het proberen te begrijpen en te verklaren van communicatieprocessen dan op het vervaardigen van communicatieproducten.

Lijkt dit je wat? Hieronder staat aangegeven hoe je met de Masteropleiding opleiding CIW kan beginnen.

Een afgeronde bacheloropleiding Communicatie- en Informatiewetenschappen, Communicatiewetenschap, Toegepaste Communicatiewetenschappen, Informatiekunde aan de RUG of elders, en Nederlandse Taal en Cultuur aan de RUG geeft rechtstreeks toegang.
Een bachelordiploma Taalwetenschap of één van de moderne vreemde talen, aangevuld met een minor CIW (30 ECTS) of een pre-master van 30 ECTS kan toegang geven tot de masteropleiding. De toelatingscommissie beslist hierover. Informeer daar tijdig naar bij de studieadviseur.
Met een afgeronde universitaire bachelor op het gebied van Letteren kun je in principe via een pre-master met het masterprogramma beginnen. Soms kun je al schakelvakken in de vrije ruimte volgen van je bachelor. Informeer daar tijdig naar bij de studieadviseur.
Met een afgeronde HBO-opleiding op het gebied van communicatie kun je via een éénjarige pre-master met het masterprogramma beginnen. Informeer hier tijdig naar bij de studieadviseur.

Pre-master programma

Het HBO-pre-master programma van CIW is een voorbereidend jaar voor studenten uit een HBO-opleiding Communicatie, en door de toelatingscommissie toegelaten studenten met een andere HBO-opleiding of een WO-opleiding.

Gedurende de pre-master volg je een selectie van vakken uit de Bachelor CIW. Je krijgt theorievakken als Pragmatiek en Gespreksanalyse I en onderzoeksvakken als Methodologie. Je mag maximaal 4 achtereenvolgende semesters ingeschreven staan voor het schakeljaar, daarna moet je je vakken hebben gehaald.

Als je alle 60 ECTS van de pre-master hebt behaald, kan je het reguliere masterprogramma van CIW volgen.

NB: Naast de gewone pre-master bestaat er een versneld programma in samenwerking met de opleidingen van de Noordelijke Hogeschool Leeuwarden (NHL) en de Hanzehogeschool communicatie Groningen. Informeer hiervoor bij de studieadviseur.

Aanmelding

Om tot de pre-master CIW toegelaten te kunnen worden moet je vóór 1 augustus (indien je per 1 september wilt beginnen) of vóór 1 januari (indien je per 1 februari wilt beginnen) een verzoek om toelating bij de toelatingscommissie CIW indienen. Je kunt dit verzoek via e-mail of per post indienen. Vermeld welke opleiding je hebt afgerond, of wanneer je de opleiding af zult ronden en geef je adresgegevens op.

Toelatingscommissie CIW
Secretariaat cluster Nederlands
Faculteit der Letteren
Rijksuniversiteit Groningen
Postbus 716
9700 AS Groningen

Email: sec-MILLC@rug.nl

Wij adviseren in alle gevallen eerst contact op te nemen met de studieadviseur CIW.

Study associations

Commotie

Commotie is the study association for all communication students in Groningen.They offer their members a wide range of both educational and social activities and want their members to get the most out of their student life. In-house days, workshops, lectures and congresses give a broad insight in the workfield and career possibilities of communication.

Social activities contain an annual trip abroad, monthly socials, parties and many other fun activities. These activities give members the opportunity to make new friends and meet new people. More info? Check the website.

https://www.svcommotie.nl/home

Marug

The Marketing Association of the University of Groningen (MARUG) is the inter-departmental study association for students who are interested in marketing.

The MARUG acts as an intermediary between marketing theory and marketing practice and organises several career events and social activities during the year, such as a monthly social. At this moment, the MARUG has more than 1500 members from different fields of knowledge.

https://www.marug.nl/