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Education Master's and PhD degree programmes Media Studies Media Creation and Innovation
Header image Media Creation and Innovation
Master - full-time

Media Creation and Innovation

Want to understand how new media technologies are used to create innovative formats and ways of storytelling, and how media innovation and start-up culture are rooted in creative processes?

In this MA students explore how media are produced and (re-)used in a digital era. You study how new media technologies enable innovative formats and distinctive practices of media use, re-use and consumption. Key to this MA track is the insight that all innovation starts from creativity. Yet new start-ups in cultural and media production also need to balance commercial interest and creative drive. Students are invited to put academic knowledge into creative practice - building upon a profound understanding of how media industries have developed over time, how media genres evolve and how changing media (re-)use plays into economic, policy, organizational, labour and legal issues, including piracy, web streaming, and remixing of media content.

Facts & Figures
Degree
MA in Media Studies
Course type
Master
Duration
18 months (90 ECTS)
Croho code
60831
Language of instruction
English
Start
September
Faculty
Arts
Apply now
Why study this programme in Groningen?

This programme combines cutting-edge knowledge of innovation and creativity in media with diverse practical skills. A variety of courses enable students to work in the cultural and creative industries. The internship familiarizes yourself with the job market and kick-starts your career. Acquired skills include:

  • Knowledge of digital formats and storytelling
  • Media innovation and entrepreneurialism
  • Excellent creative, communication and writing skills
  • Media production and analytics
Programme

In the 1st year, courses on transformations in the digital society, cultures of media creativity, formats and use provide you with a solid theoretical foundation. Methods courses prepare you for doing research independently. In professional skills courses, you learn about media law, economy, ethics and policy, and gain practical experience in media production, storytelling and entrepreneurship. In the 3rd semester you write your MA thesis and apply your knowledge and skills in an internship.

Semesters
CoursesCourse Catalog >1a1b2a2b
Cultures of Creativity (5 EC)
Multimodal Discourse Analysis (5 EC, optional)

One of four elective methodology courses
Statistical Analysis with R (5 EC, optional)

One of four elective methodology courses
Transformations in the Digital Society (5 EC)
Analyzing Social Media Data (5 EC, optional)

One of four elective methodology courses
Capturing Media Use (5 EC, optional)

One of four elective methodology courses
Conceptualizing Audiences (5 EC)
Forms and Formats (5 EC)
Data for Society: Civic Media (5 EC, optional)

One of four elective professional skills course
Innovation: Contemporary Debates (5 EC)
Media Policy and Regulation (5 EC, optional)

One of four elective professional skills course
Research Seminar MCI (10 EC)
Start-up Lab (5 EC, optional)

One of four elective professional skills course
Story Lab (5 EC, optional)

One of four elective professional skills course
Thesis : MCI (5 EC)
Semesters
CoursesCourse Catalog >1a1b2a2b3a3b
MA Thesis Plus: MCI (25 EC, optional)
Tutorial (5 EC, optional)
Master's Thesis MCI (15 EC)
Master's Internship: MCI (15 EC)

Study abroad

  • Study abroad is unaccommodated
Entry requirements

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore 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 Media Creation and Innovation. 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.

Transfer options

Transferring from...

Study programmeOrganizationTransition
All Research universitiesVia a pre-master with a maximum of 30 EC
Media StudiesAll Research universitiesNo additional requirements
Study programmeOrganizationTransition
All Universities of applied sciences

Via a pre-master with a maximum of 60 EC

More information:

Students with a BA degree from a University for Applied Sciences (HBO) cannot apply for the MA Media Studies track in Media Creation and Innovation. You will need to do a pre-master first. Please contact admission.mediastudies rug.nl for more information.
Study programmeOrganizationTransition
Media StudiesUniversity of GroningenNo additional requirements

Registration procedure

Note: it's not possible to start in February. For more information, please contact the study advisor.

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students15 August 202501 September 2025
EU/EEA students01 May 202501 September 2025
non-EU/EEA students01 May 202501 September 2025

For students with a non-Dutch diploma: deadline May 1, to start in September For students with a Dutch diploma: deadline August 15, to start in September

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore 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 Media Creation and Innovation. 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.

Registration procedure

Note: it's not possible to start in February. For more information, please contact the study advisor.

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students15 August 202501 September 2025
EU/EEA students01 May 202501 September 2025
non-EU/EEA students01 May 202501 September 2025

For students with a non-Dutch diploma: deadline May 1, to start in September For students with a Dutch diploma: deadline August 15, to start in September

Tuition fees
NationalityYearFeeProgramme form
EU/EEA2024-2025€ 2530full-time
non-EU/EEA2024-2025€ 18700full-time
EU/EEA2025-2026€ 2601full-time
non-EU/EEA2025-2026€ 19200full-time

Important: the master track Media Creation & Innovation 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:

Dutch studentsInternational students
After your studies

Job prospects

Students who finish this MA degree have:

  • A thorough understanding of the developments in media from the analogue to the digital era, with specific focus on: technology, processes of meaning-making, creativity and innovation, business models, labor, media use and re-use
  • Strong analytical, methodological and professional skills that allow them to design and conduct critical research into media production, content and (re-)use

Job examples

  • Media manager
  • Media producer
  • (Online) communication officer
  • Online publishing officer
  • Advertiser
  • Audiovisual archives manager
  • Web curator
  • Content manager
  • Tool developer
  • Content creator
  • Employee at a cultural organization
  • Entrepreneur
  • Head of a start-up
Research

Research environment

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.

Apply nowBrochureEventsContact
Dutch brochureEnglish brochure
Master's Weeksdiverse locatiesMore information
More events

Contact

  • Erika Kastelein MA (Study advisor)
    Email: studyadvicemediastudies rug.nl
  • Melle Ebbes (Studentambassadeur)
  • Tessa Hummel (Study Advisor)
    Email: studyadvicemediastudies rug.nl
  • 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.
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Study associations

MESA

MESA is the study association of the bachelor and master programs of Media Studies. The association aims to help the cultural and academic growth of its members as well as improve contact between them. Additionally, the association plays a vital role in promoting and introducing the bachelor to both new and prospective students.
MESA is comprised of various committees, each with their own objectives to help us achieve our goals. Numerous events are organized all year round such as the first years introduction camp, parties, trips, excursions and debates amongst other things and offers services such as high-quality summaries.
https://mesagroningen.nl/
Read more
Student profile

If you are interested in media creation and the way creativity and different forms of (digital) storytelling shape its practices, this programme is the right one for you.

Study support

If you have any questions or doubts about your studies, you can always contact the study advisor. He or 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.

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