Media Studies

Do you want to learn more about digital and social media, media use or journalism? Choose one of the five tracks of the MA Mediastudies. All tracks have a duration of a year and a half (90 ECTS).

Journalistiek (Dutch-taught)

Een gezonde samenleving heeft goede journalistiek nodig. Hoe en waarom is de journalistiek zo aan het veranderen? Hoe maak je zelf onafhankelijke, betrouwbare en boeiende journalistieke verhalen? In deze track word je opgeleid tot verslaggever en leer je kritisch denken over wat journalistiek inhoudt. Je ontwikkelt zowel praktische vaardigheden als academische kennis.

Voor de tracks Journalistiek en Journalism geldt een selectieprocedure.

Journalism (English-taught)

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 track trains students from diverse parts of the world to become international 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.

For the track Journalism a selection procedure is in place.

Datafication and Digital Literacy

This MA track offers students the opportunity to gain cutting-edge knowledge of the digital transformations that profoundly change society. If you are interested in digital media, how digitalization and datafication transform society, and how a digital literacy perspective helps you to apply knowledge about this transformation in a range of professions, this track is the right one for you.

Media Creation and Innovation

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

Social Media and Society

This MA track offers a critical exploration of social media within contemporary networked societies and trains students to work with (big) data in a responsible way. If you are interested in how social media transform society and want to learn how you can analyze social media data for research and professional purposes, this programme is the right one for you.

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

Facts & Figures

Degree: MA in Media Studies
Course type: Master
Duration: 18 months (90 ECTS)
Croho code: 60831
Language of instruction: Dutch, English
Start: September
Faculty: Arts

Apply now

Why study this programme in Groningen?

See the pages of the individual tracks.

Programme

For Journalism and Journalistiek: some of courses in the theoretical learning pathway are shared between the two tracks. All other courses are track-specific

For Datafication and Digital Literacy, Media Creation and Innovation and Social Media and Society: some of the courses in the theoretical learning pathway, all in the methodology learning pathway and all in the professional skills learning pathway are shared between the three tracks. All other courses are track-specific.

The third semester is designated for the MA thesis and the mandatory MA internship.

Programme options
Journalistiek (track) Wil je verslag doen van actuele gebeurtenissen en deze analyseren? Wil je nadenken over de rol van de journalistiek nu dit veld zo snel verandert? Dan is deze track iets voor jou. More information about this option
Journalism (track) Do you want to report and analyse current affairs? Or reshape the rapidly changing field of journalism? This Master's track puts you in the front line of contemporary journalism. More information about this option
Datafication and Digital Literacy (track) Ever wondered how algorithms make sense of our digital activities to determine what we see and do online? Do you want to understand how big data is affecting our daily lives and how digital literacy can empower people to navigate digital societies?. More information about this option
Media Creation and Innovation (track) 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? More information about this option
Social Media and Society (track) Why do some posts go viral on social media and others do not? How can social media analysis be used in business and policy decisions? How do platforms like Facebook change how we live and do business? More information about this option

Study abroad

Study abroad is optional
Maximum of 15 EC

It is possible to apply for an internship abroad.

Entry requirements

Transfer options

Transferring from...

All Research universities

University of Groningen

Study programme	Organization	Transition
	All Research universities	Via a pre-master with a maximum of 60 EC More information: Voor de tracks Journalistiek en Journalism geldt een aanvullende selectieprocedure.

Study programme	Organization	Transition
Media Studies	University of Groningen	No additional requirements More information: The BA Media Studies gives direct access to the tracks Datafication and Digital Literacy, Media Creation and Innovation, and Social Media and Society.

Admission requirements

Specific requirements	More information
previous education	For specific information about the entry requirements for the different Master's tracks, please select the track of your choice: Datafication and Digital Literacy: https://www.rug.nl/masters/datafication-and-digital-literacy/#!requirements Journalism (English-taught): https://www.rug.nl/masters/journalism-english-taught/#!requirements Journalistiek (Dutch-taught): https://www.rug.nl/masters/journalism-dutch-taught/#!requirements Media Creation and Innovation: https://www.rug.nl/masters/media-creation-and-innovation/#!requirements Social Media and Society: https://www.rug.nl/masters/social-media-and-society/#!requirements
entry test	For the tracks Journalistiek and Journalism a selection procedure is in place. Check the individual track pages for the details.
language test	Please check the individual track pages for language requirements.

Registration procedure

All degree programmes from University of Groningen and other research universities give access, though a pre-master programme might be necessary. Please check specific requirements per track on the track pages.

For the tracks Journalistiek and Journalism there is an additional selection procedure in place. Please apply via the 'Apply Now' button on the right.

Students with a University of Groningen degree in Media Studies directly admissible to the tracks Datafication and Digital Literacy, Media Creation and Innovation, and Social Media and Society. Students form other BA programmes or a university of applied sciences will have to take a pre-master programme first.

After you complete your application, the Media Studies Admissions Board will assess whether your educational/academic background meets the specific track requirements, and will consider the level and curriculum of your previous studies.

The Admissions Board will then determine whether:

* direct admission is possible
* a student has to complete the pre-master programme first
* a student cannot be admitted

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

Deadline Journalistiek / Journalism: 1 May (NL students) and 1 May (EU/non-EU students) Deadline other tracks: 15 August (NL Students) and 1 May (EU/non-EU students)

Admission requirements

Specific requirements	More information
previous education	For specific information about the entry requirements for the different Master's tracks, please select the track of your choice: Datafication and Digital Literacy: https://www.rug.nl/masters/datafication-and-digital-literacy/#!requirements Journalism (English-taught): https://www.rug.nl/masters/journalism-english-taught/#!requirements Journalistiek (Dutch-taught): https://www.rug.nl/masters/journalism-dutch-taught/#!requirements Media Creation and Innovation: https://www.rug.nl/masters/media-creation-and-innovation/#!requirements Social Media and Society: https://www.rug.nl/masters/social-media-and-society/#!requirements
entry test	For the tracks Journalistiek and Journalism a selection procedure is in place. Check the the individual track pages for the details.
language test	Please check the individual track pages for language requirements.

Registration procedure

All degree programmes from University of Groningen and other research universities give access, though a pre-master programme might be necessary. Please check specific requirements per track on the track pages.

For the tracks Journalistiek and Journalism there is an additional selection procedure in place. Please apply via the 'Apply Now' button on the right.

Students with a University of Groningen degree in Media Studies directly admissible to the tracks Datafication and Digital Literacy, Media Creation and Innovation, and Social Media and Society. Students form other BA programmes or a university of applied sciences will have to take a pre-master programme first.

After you complete your application, the Media Studies Admissions Board will assess whether your educational/academic background meets the specific track requirements, and will consider the level and curriculum of your previous studies.

The Admissions Board will then determine whether:

* direct admission is possible

* a student has to complete the pre-master programme first

* a student cannot be admitted

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

Deadline Journalistiek / Journalism: 1 May (NL students) and 1 May (EU/non-EU students) Deadline other tracks: 15 August (NL Students) and 1 May (EU/non-EU students)

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

If you chose the Dutch-taught Journalism track, you will be able to work as a reporter/editor within a Dutch media organization. The English-taught track leads to similar functions in your country of origin or an international journalism context. Jobs in (non-profit) pr and communication, policy advice and research are another possibility.

With the track Datafication and Digital Literacy you will find positions in policy making, education, consultancy, data management, media and digital advocacy, media and data analysis.

The track Social Media and Society leads to positions in data analysis, market research, marketing, communication and public relations, consultancy, entrepreneurship and policy advice.

With the track Media Creation and Innovation, you will find positions in media management, media production, (online) communication, online publishing, advertising, audiovisual archives, web curating, content management, tool development, content creation, cultural organizations, entrepreneurship and start-ups.

Job examples

PR/communications officer
Policy advisor
Reporter/editor

Research

Research in Media and Journalism studies

Our staff are conducting varied research in the field of Journalism Studies, also within larger collaborative projects with other universities, such as Sheffield and Cardiff. During this degree programme, you as a student will familiarize yourself with the field of research and even learn to conduct research yourself. The Research Center for Media and Journalism Studies holds a database of all research within the department..

These courses and your thesis could lead to a publication of your article or even book. An example of this is the work De hoofdredacteur. Over ondernemend leiderschap in de journalistiek (2011), which was written during a research course of the same topic.

The departmant supports students' participation in congresses and symposiums concerning journalism and Journalism Studies. You can also be asked to assist in a staff members' research project as a student assistant.

Here you will find a couple of research projects that are scheduled to run for a couple of years:

On the personalized webpages of our employees, you will be able to find more information about the research projects of our staff.

You can find examples of Master's theses in the thesis repository.

Apply now Brochure Events Contact

Dutch brochure English brochure

18Nov

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Contact

Tessa Hummel MA (Study Advisor)
Email: studyadvicemediastudies rug.nl
Erika Kastelein MA (studieadviseur)
Email: studyadvicemediastudies rug.nl
Admission Office (Contact form)
Telephone: +31-(0)50 363 8976

Study associations

Max. L. Snijders

Max L. Snijders is a study association for students taking a Master's track in Journalism at the University of Groningen.

The association is named after the first Dutch professor of journalism and former editor-in-chief of the Utrechts Nieuwsblad.

https://totdemax.news/

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/