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?
This MA programme offers a critical exploration of social media within contemporary networked societies and trains students to work with (big) data in a responsible way. Social media have changed the fabric of everyday life and society. This has had important implications for how we inform ourselves, with whom we connect and in which ways, how we organize our daily lives, and how we perform as citizens. Knowledge of the ways these quickly emerging communication infrastructures are fundamentally transforming society is indispensable. At a time when intensive data-gathering and analysis is key for companies and governments, this MA programme’s theoretical approach to social media and their data-driven impact on society helps students in understanding and reflecting on critical issues in order to respond to current societal transformations. From a practical perspective, students are trained to investigate social media data in the context of social, political and economic change.
This programme trains you to critically engage with the profound societal changes that social media bring about, with hands-on experience with analysis of social media data. The internship familiarizes yourself with the job market and kick-starts your career. Acquired skills include:
| Semesters | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CoursesCourse Catalog > | 1a | 1b | 2a | 2b |
| Methods 1 (5 EC) | ||||
| Network Theory (5 EC) | ||||
| Transformations in the Digital Society (5 EC) | ||||
| Conceptualizing Audiences (5 EC) | ||||
| Methods 2 (5 EC) | ||||
| Platform Studies (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) | ||||
| Tutorial (5 EC, optional) | ||||
| Ma Internship Mediastudies (15 EC) | ||||
| Practice Lab Mediastudies (5 EC) | ||||
| 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 Social Media & Society. 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 Research universities | Via a pre-master with a maximum of |
|
| Media Studies | All Research universities | No additional requirements |
| Study programme | Organization | Transition |
|---|---|---|
| All Universities of applied sciences | Via a pre-master with a maximum of |
| 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 |
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
| 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 Social Media & Society. 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.
| 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 |
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
| 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 Social Media and Society 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 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.
