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Education Bachelor's degree programmes Communication and Information Studies
Header image Communication and Information Studies

Communication and Information Studies

Communication is at the centre of human social action. From everyday family life to communication in organizations, our lives are shaped and organized through communication.

Communication plays a crucial role in society. How can people be persuaded to live a healthy life? How can teachers find out what students understand? How can doctors successfully communicate with low-literate patients? These are all questions about Communication design.

In the bachelor programme Communication and Information Studies (CIS) you will learn:

  • to find where communication succeeds or fails
  • to design and implement interventions to improve communication
  • to measure the success of these interventions.

CIS focuses on communication from a language perspective in the broadest sense: CIS is about text, talk, gestures, pictures and digital media.

Communication is not only about products, but also about processes involving people, attitudes and opinions. Therefore, you will receive a multidisciplinary training with elements from linguistics, psychology, sociology and marketing.

CIS is an international degree programme taught in English. You will be part of an international group of students. You will collaborate with students abroad. And you will have guest lecturers from universities outside the Netherlands. The programme also provides the possibility to follow a Dutch Track.

Facts & Figures
Degree
BA in Communication and Information Studies
Course type
Bachelor
Duration
36 months (180 ECTS)
Croho code
56826
Language of instruction
English
Start
September
Faculty
Arts
Studie in Cijfers
Why study this programme in Groningen?

CIS in Groningen is the only 100% international CIS programme in The Netherlands. It is taught in English and it takes an intercultural perspective on communication. It has a strong focus on communication design. Our graduates are experts in designing and advising on successful corporate communication, workplace interactions, and communication trainings. We do not only focus on written text, but also include human-to-human interaction, human-computer interaction, and effective use of visuals in

Programme

Students get familiar with CIS topics (multimodal communication, persuasive communication, digital communication, intercultural communication), the analytic methods used within CIS and CIS research methodology (qualitative and quantitative). Throughout the year students receive training in English language proficiency (speaking and writing)

Semesters
CoursesCourse Catalog >1a1b2a2b
Academic Skills 1 (5 EC)
Corporate and Marketing Communication 1 (5 EC)
Persuasive Communication (5 EC)
Academic Skills 2 (5 EC)
Intercultural Communication (5 EC)
Language Optimization (5 EC)
Digital Communication (5 EC)
Methodology for CIS: Qualitative Methods (5 EC)
Text Analysis I (5 EC)
Conversation Analysis I (5 EC)
Methodology for CIS: Quantitative Methods (5 EC)
Multimodal Communication (5 EC)

The programme focuses on the process of communication design: evaluation, intervention and measurement of outcomes in various domains (e.g. pictures in professional communication, design and evaluation, corporate marketing communication).

Semesters
CoursesCourse Catalog >1a1b2a2b
Pictures in Professional Communication (5 EC)
Questionnaire and Interview design (5 EC)
Statistics (5 EC)
Conversation Analysis II (5 EC)
Corporate & Marketing Communication 2 (5 EC)
ASP for Dutch Track (5 EC)
CIS Diversity Management 1 (5 EC, optional)
Corporate & Marketing Communication 3 (5 EC, optional)
Current trends in CIS research (5 EC, optional)
Design and Evaluation (5 EC)
Health Communication (5 EC, optional)
Webdesign (5 EC, optional)
CIS Diversity Management 2 (5 EC, optional)
CIS Diversity management 2: Linguistic Diversity (5 EC, optional)
Philosophy of Communication (5 EC, optional)
Social Media (5 EC)
Statistics II (5 EC, optional)
Text Analysis II (5 EC)
Usability (5 EC, optional)

Students do (semi-) independent research and follow a minor. Students can also choose to do a placement.

Semesters
CoursesCourse Catalog >1a1b2a2b
Minor (30 EC)
Corporate & Marketing Communication 3 (5 EC, optional)
Current trends in CIS research (5 EC, optional)
Health Communication (5 EC, optional)
Webdesign (5 EC, optional)
Ba Thesis and Seminar (10 EC)
Case Study CIS (10 EC)
CIS Diversity Management 2 (5 EC, optional)
Philosophy of Communication (5 EC, optional)
Statistics II (5 EC, optional)
Usability (5 EC, optional)

Curriculum

Disclaimer: The second and third-year course units shown in the table are subject to change in the event of alterations to the programme.

Programme options
Dutch track (specialization)

If you sign up for the Dutch Track you will still be part of the International programme and the majority of your courses will still be in English.

However, the Dutch track provides Dutch speaking students with the opportunity to develop their academic skills in the Dutch language. The track also allows students to prepare themselves for the Dutch language labour market. The Dutch track consists of seven Course Modules and the BA thesis. In these modules students will work with Dutch materials, seminars will be in the Dutch language and exams will also be in Dutch. Lectures and course readings are still in English. Participation in the Dutch Track is noted on the diploma. Courses in the Dutch Track: Pragmatics, Linguistics, Text Analysis 1 & 2, Conversation Analysis 1 & 2, Academic communication (Dutch version), BA thesis.

Minor (minor)

The fifth semester of your studies is dedicated to your Minor: a coherent set of future-oriented course units. It prepares you for a follow-on Master's degree program or for entering the labour market. You can opt for a Career Minor, a Minor abroad, a University Minor or a Faculty Minor.

More information about this option

University of Groningen Honours College (honours program)

The Honours College will give talented, motivated students the chance to be challenged even more by following Honours programmes and taking part in numerous other activities.

The Honours College comprises a broadening part and a deepening part and has a study load of 30 ECTS credit points besides the 180 ECTS credit points from your regular Bachelor programme.

More information about this option

Study abroad

  • Study abroad is recommended
  • For an average of 16 weeks
  • Maximum of 30 EC
Entry requirements

Admissible Dutch diploma profiles

  • VWO Natuur & Techniek

    If you have passed the VWO (pre-university education) exam in English, you satisfy the language requirement.

  • VWO Natuur & Gezondheid

    If you have passed the VWO (pre-university education) exam in English, you satisfy the language requirement.

  • VWO Economie & Maatschappij

    If you have passed the VWO (pre-university education) exam in English, you satisfy the language requirement.

  • VWO Cultuur & Maatschappij

    If you have passed the VWO (pre-university education) exam in English, you satisfy the language requirement.

  • HBO propedeuse

    Language requirement English: A VWO diploma or a subject certificate for VWO English (mark 6 or higher), minimum requirement of TOEFL iBT 90 (with a minimum of 21 on all items), or IELTS 6.5 (with a minimum of 6 on all items). Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency with a minimum score of 180. For more information, see: https://www.rug.nl/let/studeren-bij-ons/bachelor/aanmelding-en-inschrijving/language-requirements-ba

Choice of degree programme check

The degree programme will organize a matching procedure. Attendance is optional. The advice is not binding.

Explanatory notes

The Faculty of Arts believes students can decide for themselves whether they match with their chosen programme based on the available bachelor programme information, by visiting the Open Days, and by participating in a Webclass and/ or Student for a Day. If you are unable to attend one of these activities, a final opportunity for matching is to contact one of the students of the programme in June.

If you have any further questions about matching, check out: www.rug.nl/matching

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students01 May 202401 September 2024
01 May 202501 September 2025
EU/EEA students01 May 202401 September 2024
01 May 202501 September 2025
non-EU/EEA students01 May 202401 September 2024
01 May 202501 September 2025

Choice of degree programme check

The Faculty of Arts believes students can decide for themselves whether they match with their chosen programme based on the available bachelor programme information, by visiting the Open Days, and by participating in a Webclass and/ or Student for a Day. If you are unable to attend one of these activities, a final opportunity for matching is to contact one of the students of the programme in June.

If you have any further questions about matching, check out: www.rug.nl/matching

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

Dutch VWO diploma, a German Abitur, an International Baccalaureate diploma, a European Baccalaureate or another diploma that is sufficient for acceptance to a Dutch university. Students with Dutch 'hbo-propedeuse' diploma also need to meet the language requirements mentioned below.

other admission requirements

English language requirement: A VWO diploma or a subject certificate for VWO English (mark 6 or higher), minimum requirement of TOEFL iBT 90 (with a minimum of 21 on all items), or IELTS 6.5 (with a minimum of 6 on all items). Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency with a minimum score of 180.

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students01 May 202401 September 2024
01 May 202501 September 2025
EU/EEA students01 May 202401 September 2024
01 May 202501 September 2025
non-EU/EEA students01 May 202401 September 2024
01 May 202501 September 2025
Tuition fees
NationalityYearFeeProgramme form
EU/EEA2023-2024€ 2314full-time
non-EU/EEA2023-2024€ 11200full-time
EU/EEA2024-2025€ 2530full-time
non-EU/EEA2024-2025€ 13100full-time

Practical information for:

After your studies

If you want to continue with a Master's degree programme after your graduation, as most students do, you will have a wide range of programmes to choose from. With a Bachelor's degree in Communication and Information Studies, you have access to the following Master's tracks at the University of Groningen:

When this BA programme is combined with certain faculty minors, you gain direct access to more Master's tracks, such as Dutch Studies (Dutch taught) and Journalism.

Job prospects

As a graduate of Communication and Information Studies you are well prepared for a career in many different places. Thanks to your multidisciplinary research training in communication design, you will be perfectly capable of contributing to every organization or company that aims for successful communication. You can work in the communication department of (governmental) organizations, business communities, cultural organizations, or non-profit organizations, or you can find a job as a communication trainer, editor, marketing manager - you will be well-equipped for any job involving communication design. Students who take the Dutch Track will be well-prepared for a job on the Dutch labor market.

Job examples

  • Communications Officer
  • Communications Consultant
  • Editor
  • Communications Manager
  • Press Officer
  • Media Advisor
  • Web coordinator
  • Journalist
  • Marketing Manager
Research

All professors and teachers of Communication and Information Studies are part of the Discourse and Communication research group of the Center for Language and Cognition Groningen. They do research in their own area of expertise and implement diverse research projects, regularly collaborating with universities abroad. These projects focus on oral, written, audiovisual and digital communication in their mother tongues or in second or foreign languages, linking the functional characteristics of the various communication media and channels to the contexts and aims of the communication. In addition to careful analyses of the communication itself, experiments are conducted to measure its effects. Particular attention is paid to the effects of strategic persuasive communication in professional settings, such as organizational, media and health communication.

The education you receive is partly based on these research projects of the staff of Communication and Information Studies. You will acquire knowledge of theories and methodologies that you can apply in your own research projects, like your bachelor's thesis.

Apply nowBrochureEventsContact
Bachelor's Open DayBroerstraat 5More information

Contact

  • Ask Your Question Here (please fill in this contact form, we will answer you as soon as possible.)
  • Dr. Ongena (program coördinator)
    Email: y.p.ongena rug.nl
  • Drs. Marloes Bergmans (Studieadviseur)
    Email: studyadvicecis rug.nl
  • Bo Bennen (Student Ambassador)
  • Admission Office (Contact form)
    Telephone: +31-(0)50 363 8976

The programme offers so many different fields: language and corporate communication, but also courses on digital communication

Hi! My name is Bo, I am 21 years old and I just finished my Bachelor’s in Communication and Information Studies! Since I cannot get enough of studying, I extended my studies by one year to complete another Minor and internship. Besides my studies, I am an active member of both rowing and basketball associations in Groningen. I also work as a student assistant at the Department of Communication for the Faculty of Economics and Business.

Why Communication and Information Studies?

When it was time to choose my study programme, I was incredibly uncertain because my references changed every week! Did I want to study Law? Business Administration? Or even Medicine? Since I already heard many stories about those studies, I wanted to visit a lesser-known programme during the Open Day at the UG. That is why I choose to visit the Bachelor’s Communication and Information Studies. The presentation really grabbed my attention - the programme offers so many different fields: language and corporate communication, but also courses on digital communication. All these aspects sparked my interest and I immediately knew this was the right choice for me after months of twisting and turning!

Read more about Bo and why she chose to study Communication and Information Studies in Groningen!

Questions? Send Bo an e-mail!

Read more

Communication and Information Studies programme aligned with my interests in philosophical language and linguistics, marketing, sociology, and multi-media, while still leaving enough time outside the programme to pursue all my other interests an


Hi! My name is Tamara, I am 22 years old and a third culture kid who mainly grew up in Southeast Asia and the Middle East. I am a second-year student in the Communication and Information Studies (CIS) bachelor's degree programme as well as a teaching assistant, student ambassador, co-host for a radio show and an active member of the CIS study association, Commotie. As I am halfway through my degree programme, I'm quite busy doing school work and studying. Additionally, I do lots of art and craft projects, journal, go with fellow Commotie members friends to fun events and lectures, and, very importantly, spend an evening or two a week relaxing and taking care of my plants.

Why Communication and Information Studies?

After relentlessly looking for a programme that fits one of my many interests, I felt like something was a missing every time. However, the Communication and Information Studies programme aligned with my interests in philosophical language and linguistics, marketing, sociology, and multi-media, while still leaving enough time outside the programme to pursue all my other interests and skillsets. I decided on this programme because, to me, it is the perfect baseline degree to evolve into whatever other career I wanted: communication, research, marketing, English language, etc.

Read more about Tamara and why she chose to study Communication and Information Studies in Groningen!

Questions? Send Tamara an e-mail!

Read more

Ik heb voor deze studie gekozen, omdat ik graag zo veelzijdig mogelijk opgeleid wilde worden, met kennis over taal en communicatie in het Nederlands en in het Engels


Hey! Mijn naam is Merle Kooij en ik studeer communicatie- en informatiewetenschappen aan de Rijksuniversiteit Groningen. Ik heb vorig jaar mijn tweede jaar met heel veel plezier afgerond en zit nu in mijn derde jaar. Naast studeren ben ik ook op veel andere vlakken actief in de stad. Zo zit ik dit jaar in het bestuur van de studievereniging Commotie en ben ik actief bij een studenten roeivereniging. Ik onderneem veel met mijn vriendinnen en huisgenoten en werk hiernaast ook.

Waarom CIW?

Toen ik een aantal jaren geleden voor een moeilijke studiekeuze stond, heb ik veel verschillende voorlichtingen bezocht. Hierbij vond ik CIW veruit het leukst. Het meest interessante vond ik hierbij het echte communicatie gedeelte. Hoe overtuig je iemand door middel van communicatie? Of hoe informeer je klanten of aandeelhouders op de juiste manier door middel van taal? Zelf vond ik het daarnaast vroeger altijd leuk om te presenteren en voorlichtingen te geven en veel met mensen te praten, waar deze studie natuurlijk perfect op aansluit.

Er eenmaal van overtuigt om CIW te gaan studeren heb ik specifiek gekozen voor de Nederlandstalige track van deze studie. Ik heb hiervoor gekozen, omdat ik graag zo veelzijdig mogelijk opgeleid wilde worden, met kennis over taal en communicatie in het Nederlands en in het Engels. Daarnaast vond ik het belangrijk dat ik alle mogelijkheden in dit vakgebied voor mezelf open kon houden en dat ik in theorie na mijn Bachelor evenveel kansen zou hebben op zowel de Nederlandstalige als op de Engelstalige arbeidsmarkt.

Lees meer over Merle en waarom zij koos voor een studie Communicatie- en Informatiewetenschappen in Groningen!

Vragen? Stuur Merle een e-mail!

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Owner of Mattie Kamminga Tekst & Communicatie

After completing a Master's in Communication & Education, I was able to start immediately as a communications officer at Camerik Voorman Communicatie- en PR-adviseurs. My job involved supporting the communications advisor in implementing projects.

That was anything from writing texts and collecting images to organizing press briefings and planning interviews. Every assignment was different. I really liked thinking up different ways to implement a communications assignment, but after two years it was time for something new.

In 2016 I started my own communications and copywriting company. Since then I have been working for several different clients, particularly in the public sector. I’m now responsible for a project from start to finish. I draw up the offers, complete the assignments and submit the invoices. It’s hard work, but I get a lot of freedom in return.

I chose the Communication & Education track because the curriculum dovetailed closely with the Bachelor’s programme in Communication and Information Sciences. The teaching part of the Master’s particularly appealed to me. How can you teach people communication skills? That was the trigger for me to choose that Master’s programme. Nowadays I occasionally give writing training. My studies equipped me with the skills to be able to do so.

Read more

Web Class

Are you at secondary school and want to know what studying at university is like? The Communication and Information Studies programme is offering a web class! This online course from the University of Groningen is specially designed for secondary school students.

If you are interested in an Communication and Information Studies web class, register here.

Read more

Study associations

Commotie

Commotie is the study association for all communication students in Groningen.They offer their members a wide range of both educational and social activities and want their members to get the most out of their student life. In-house days, workshops, lectures and congresses give a broad insight in the workfield and career possibilities of communication.
Social activities contain an annual trip abroad, monthly socials, parties and many other fun activities. These activities give members the opportunity to make new friends and meet new people. More info? Check the website.
https://www.svcommotie.nl/home

Marug

The Marketing Association of the University of Groningen (MARUG) is the inter-departmental study association for students who are interested in marketing.
The MARUG acts as an intermediary between marketing theory and marketing practice and organises several career events and social activities during the year, such as a monthly social. At this moment, the MARUG has more than 1500 members from different fields of knowledge.
https://www.marug.nl/
Read more
(Binding) study advice
  • A minimum of 45 EC in the first 12 months (binding)

You will be offered study advice after the first year of study. You can expect a positive result if you have earned more than 45 ECTS credit points (out of a total of 60 ECTS). If you have earned fewer than 45 ECTS and are issued a negative result, you will not be allowed to continue with your degree programme.

You will receive preliminary study advice in December to make sure that you know where you stand. Please contact your study advisor as soon as possible if you have any questions about the BSA system. N.B. Some degree programmes use a tutoring system; please check with your study advisor.

Study support

If you have any questions or doubts about your studies, you can always contact the study advisor. They know all the ins and outs of the programme, minors, study abroad 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.

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