Are you passionate about news and do you want to report and analyze current affairs? Do you want to know why journalism is transforming so quickly nowadays?
This internationally oriented programme trains students from diverse parts of the world to become journalists, with in-depth academic knowledge in the field of Journalism Studies presented by journalism researchers and intensive training by experienced journalists, offering a solid foundation in the skills that are needed to succeed in journalism today.
Theoretical Journalism Studies courses enable students to reflect on the nature of journalism as a profession and stimulate critical thinking about the future of news reporting. You will study how journalism culture and developments in globalization, citizenship, politics and digital journalism interrelate, while learning how to apply appropriate research methods and theories in empirical academic research focused on understanding the field of journalism.
The English-taught Master's track in Journalism takes a year and a half and has a study load of 90 ECTS. In the first two semesters, students will take academic courses and practice journalism skills. During the third and last semester students work on their master's thesis. They also take a second research seminar or complete an internship with a news organization.
Students have access to professional facilities for their news productions, such as an exclusive newsroom with instruction area, powerful workstations, a radio and television studio, edit rooms and recording equipment. The programme has an excellent relation with employers and internship providers. The department is proud of it's longstanding collaboration with Dutch public broadcaster NOS in both education and academic research, and has affiliates with universities in Sheffield and Cardiff (UK).
The first two semesters show a parallel schedule of courses in journalism skills and in journalism studies.
| Semesters | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CoursesCourse Catalog > | 1a | 1b | 2a | 2b |
| Journalism Skills I (5 EC) | ||||
| Journalism Studies: Theory and Methods (10 EC) | ||||
| Journalism Skills II (5 EC) | ||||
| Journalism Skills III (5 EC) | ||||
| Theoretical Specialization: Global Journalism (5 EC, optional) | ||||
| Theoretical Specialization: Journalism and Political Culture (5 EC, optional) | ||||
| Theoretical Specialization IV (5 EC, optional) | ||||
| Business and Ethics (5 EC) | ||||
| Journalism Skills IV (5 EC) | ||||
| Journalism Skills V (10 EC) | ||||
| Research Seminar I (10 EC, optional) | ||||
| Research Seminar II (10 EC, optional) | ||||
| Research Seminar III (10 EC, optional) | ||||
The third and last semester is for writing the Master's thesis and taking either a second research seminar in Journalism Studies or an internship with a news organization.
| Semesters | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CoursesCourse Catalog > | 1a | 1b | 2a | 2b |
| Ma Journalism Thesis Plus (25 EC, optional) | ||||
| Master's Thesis Journalism (15 EC) | ||||
| Master's Work Placement Journalism (10 EC, optional) | ||||
| Master's Thesis Journalism: Preparation (5 EC) | ||||
The 90 ECTS curriculum is 55% academic theory and 45% journalism skills. The academic theory courses include theoretical specializations such as Journalism and Political Culture, and Global Journalism, research seminars looking at topics such as News and Audiences and of course a Master's Thesis. The journalism skills courses include topics like international reporting, feature writing, television, online journalism and live radio. A two month internship with a news organization is optional.
| Programme options |
|---|
| Optional courses (specialization) Students choose one of two theoretical specializations and one of two topical Research Seminars during the first year. |
| 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. |
It is allowed to take an internship abroad. However, there is no possibility to do an exchange abroad.
| Specific requirements | More information |
|---|---|
| previous education |
Admission is possible with all Bachelor's degrees from recognized research universities. Candidates must have obtained at least 30 ECTS in the Journalism minor or the Media Studies minor from the University of Groningen, or comparable subjects from another university. Extensive experience in journalism may also count as 'previous education', to be determined by the admissions committee. |
| grade list |
An official 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) |
| entry test |
Candidates must take a selection test (you will receive this test after applying in the admission procedure via https://www.rug.nl/let/application-mediastudies, consisting of a scientific essay assignment and an assignment on current affairs and newsworthiness. The selection procedure closes 1 May. The admission tests will be available from 1 April. |
| 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. |
| (motivation-) letter |
In your motivation letter you explain why you want to pursue a career in journalism, what previous experience in journalism you have, what you expect from the programme and why you are the right student for this track. |
| other admission requirements |
As part of the selection procedure, candidates send in a motivation letter, curriculum vitae, diploma or certified grade list, passport photo, and any personal work, supplemented by the above-mentioned entrance tests. Please note: Students with a Bachelor's degree from a University of Applied Sciences must first follow a pre-Master's programme of 60 ECTS, consisting of parts of the BA Media Studies and the (pre-Master's) minor Journalism. You can find an overview of the pre-Master's programme Journalism on this webpage. Participation in the selection procedure is still compulsory. |
| Study programme | Organization | Transition |
|---|---|---|
| All Research universities | Via a pre-master | |
| Media Studies | All Research universities |
Additional requirements More information:written request + entry test |
| Study programme | Organization | Transition |
|---|---|---|
| Media Studies | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements Additional requirements:
|
Note: it's not possible to start in February.
The maximum of 60 participants per year applies to the Dutch-taught track Journalistiek and the English-taught track Journalism combined.
| Type of student | Deadline | Start course |
|---|---|---|
| Dutch students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
| EU/EEA students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
| non-EU/EEA students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
The Master track Journalism starts in September only.
| Specific requirements | More information |
|---|---|
| previous education |
Admission is possible with all Bachelor's degrees from recognized research universities. Candidates must have obtained at least 30 ECTS in the Journalism minor or the Media Studies minor from the University of Groningen, or comparable subjects from another university. Extensive experience in journalism may also count as 'previous education', to be determined by the admissions committee. |
| grade list |
An official 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) |
| entry test |
Candidates must take a selection test (you will receive this test after applying in the admission procedure via https://www.rug.nl/let/application-mediastudies, consisting of a scientific essay assignment and an assignment on current affairs and newsworthiness. The selection procedure closes 1 May. The admission tests will be available from 1 April. |
| 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 writing skills), 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. |
| (motivation-) letter |
In your motivation letter, you explain why you want to pursue a career in journalism, what previous experience in journalism you have, what you expect from the programme and why you are the right student for this track. |
| other admission requirements |
As part of the selection procedure, candidates send in a motivation letter, curriculum vitae, diploma or certified grade list, passport photo, and any personal work, supplemented by the above-mentioned entrance tests. Please note: Students with a Bachelor's degree from a University of Applied Sciences must first follow a pre-Master's programme of 60 ECTS, consisting of parts of the BA Media Studies and the (pre-Master's) minor Journalism. You can find an overview of the pre-Master's programme Journalism on this webpage. Participation in the selection procedure is still compulsory. |
Note: it's not possible to start in February.
The maximum of 60 participants per year applies to the Dutch-taught track Journalistiek and the English-taught track Journalism combined.
| Type of student | Deadline | Start course |
|---|---|---|
| Dutch students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
| EU/EEA students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
| non-EU/EEA students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
The Master track Journalism starts in September only.
| 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 in Journalism 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:
After graduation you can pursue a career in journalism. You can work as a reporter or an editor in a newsroom, using different kinds of media, such as print, radio, television and online. In addition, you can become a media or journalism researcher at a university or with a private research institute. Positions in public relations or communication are also possibilities.
The English-taught Master's track offers an excellent preparation for the job market. Most alumni work in journalism, self-employed or on a contract with a news organization. Others work in communication and public relations, mostly for non-profit or (semi) government organizations. Jobs in policy development and management, education and academic research are quite common as well.
Our Journalism Studies staff implements diverse research projects in the field of Journalism Studies, sometimes collaborating with universities such as Sheffield and Cardiff. During the Master's track you will learn about the staff's projects for example during the research seminars. You will acquire knowledge of theories and methodologies and learn to apply this in your own research projects, for example with your master's thesis.
Sometimes this leads to joint publications, like The editor-in-chief. Entrepreneurial journalism leadership (2011; in Dutch), that was the result of a research seminar on the role and function of modern editors-in-chief.
The department encourages students to participate in conferences and symposia in the area of Journalism and Journalism Studies. You might well be asked to help out with research projects as a student-assistant.
Examples of long-term research projects are:
On the staff pages you may find additional information on research projects our staff is working on.
Examples of master's theses can be found in the thesis repository.
This track is cut out for students that…
If you have any questions or doubts about your studies, you can always contact the study advisor who 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.
