How do algorithms make sense of our digital activities to determine what we see and do online? How is big data affecting our daily lives? How does digital literacy empower people to navigate digital societies?
This programme offers students the opportunity to gain cutting-edge knowledge of the digital transformations that profoundly change society. New media technologies and platforms are increasingly central to people’s daily lives. Many activities, from doing business to getting information and organizing our health care, are now moving online. The data this generates allows for large-scale data mining and algorithmic filtering. This opens up opportunities to enhance our life, but also raises ethical issues and pushes us to thoroughly understand and reflect on the implications. By critically engaging with the role of digital media in our day-to-day lives, you will understand the wider consequences of our growing reliance on data for society, policy and business. By taking a digital literacy perspective, this MA empowers you to address these challenges of datafication.
This programme enables you to anticipate the challenges and opportunities of an increasingly digital society. The digital literacy approach allows you to become an expert with highly valued skills and state-of-the-art knowledge. You will do an internship to familiarize yourself with the job market and kick-start your career. Acquired skills include:
In the 1st year of the programme courses on transformations in the digital society, algorithmic culture, digital literacy and media use give you a solid theoretical foundation. Methods courses prepare you for doing research independently in a research seminar and MA thesis. In professional skills courses you learn more about media law, economy, ethics and policy, and get more practical experience. In the 3rd semester you write your MA thesis and apply your knowledge and skills in an internship.
| Semesters | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CoursesCourse Catalog > | 1a | 1b | 2a | 2b |
| Algorithmic Culture (5 EC) | ||||
| Methods 1 (5 EC) | ||||
| Transformations in the Digital Society (5 EC) | ||||
| Conceptualizing Audiences (5 EC) | ||||
| Digital Literacy (5 EC) | ||||
| Methods 2 (5 EC) | ||||
| Civil Society, Policy and Regulation (5 EC) | ||||
| Practice Lab Mediastudies (5 EC) | ||||
| Research Seminar Mediastudies (10 EC) | ||||
| Thesis Lab Mediastudies (5 EC) | ||||
| Semesters | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CoursesCourse Catalog > | 1a | 1b | 2a | 2b |
| Ma Thesis Mediastudies (15 EC) | ||||
| Ma Thesis Plus Mediastudies (25 EC, optional) | ||||
| MA Internship Mediastudies (15 EC) | ||||
| Datafication: Contemporary Debates (5 EC) | ||||
| Tutorial (5 EC, optional) | ||||
| Programme options |
|---|
| Master's Placement (specialization) During this Master's track, you follow a mandatory placement for 15 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. |
| Specific requirements | More information |
|---|---|
| previous education |
Students with a BA degree in Media Studies from the University of Groningen are directly admitted to the programme. Students with any other BA degree need to have at least 30 ECTS credit points from course units from the Minor in Media Studies provided by the University of Groningen, or course units equivalent to these in content followed at a different university. |
| language test |
Additional English language requirement (also for students wishing to pursue a premaster programme): a Dutch VWO diploma or Dutch VWO English certificate (grade 6 or higher), minimum TOEFL requirement iBT 100 (with a minimum of 25 for all components), or IELTS 7 (with a minimum of 6.5 for all components). Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency with a minimum score of 185. If you have a Dutch VWO degree, you do not need to submit a language test. |
| other admission requirements |
Students with a BA degree from a University of Applied Sciences (HBO) cannot apply directly for the MA Media Studies, track Datafication and Digital Literacy. You will have to complete a pre-Master's first. You can find an overview of the pre-Master's programme on this webpage. Please contact admission.mediastudies rug.nl for more information on how to proceed. |
| Study programme | Organization | Transition |
|---|---|---|
| All Universities of applied sciences | Via a pre-master with a maximum of |
| Study programme | Organization | Transition |
|---|---|---|
| All Research universities | Via a pre-master with a maximum of |
|
| Media Studies | All Research universities | No additional requirements |
| Study programme | Organization | Transition |
|---|---|---|
| Media Studies | University of Groningen | No additional requirements |
Note: it's not possible 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 |
Students with a BA degree in Media Studies from the University of Groningen are directly admitted to the programme. Students with any other BA degree need to have at least 30 ECTS credit points from course units from the Minor in Media Studies provided by the University of Groningen, or course units equivalent to these in content followed at a different university. |
| language test |
Additional English language requirement (also for students wishing to pursue a premaster programme): a Dutch VWO diploma or Dutch VWO English certificate (grade 6 or higher), minimum TOEFL requirement iBT 100 (with a minimum of 25 for all components), or IELTS 7 (with a minimum of 6.5 for all components). Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency with a minimum score of 185. If you have a Dutch VWO degree, you do not need to submit a language test. |
| other admission requirements |
Students with a BA degree from a University of Applied Sciences (HBO) cannot apply directly for the MA Media Studies, track Datafication and Digital Literacy. You will have to complete a pre-Master's first. You can find an overview of the pre-Master's programme on this webpage. Please contact admission.mediastudies rug.nl for more information on how to proceed. |
Note: it's not possible 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 |
| 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 |
Important: the master track Datafication and Digital Literacy is a 18 months master programme (1.5 years). This means that you pay 1.5 times more tuition fee, not just ONE year.
Practical information for:
Students who finish this MA degree will have:
You are taught by lecturers who are internationally renowned in media studies. You benefit from and can be involved in the research of the Centre for Media and Journalism Studies, assessed as an excellent and world-leading research centre. The department is well-known for its informal and vibrant atmosphere, allowing for fruitful exchange between staff and students.
