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Education Master's and PhD degree programmes Communication and Information Studies Communication and Education
Header image Communication and Education

Communication and Education

Are you interested in the way in which people acquire and develop verbal communication skills? Then this is just the programme for you.

This programme is part of the Master's degree in Communication and Information Studies.

Central to this programme are verbal communication behaviour and the way in which people learn to develop this behaviour. The themes that are important in this context vary: from the development of interactive skills with children to the writing skills of professionals. Changes in society (like the emergence of new media of communication) and their influence on developments in language behaviour are some of the topics you will explore.

With this programme, you choose a theme with a certain social urgency. Our society is making high demands on our communication skills. This has led to a great need for education and training in this area, based on scientific research. This programme trains you to become an expert in the field of communication and education.

N.B. The courses in this programme are mainly taught in Dutch, this is not an international MA-programme.

Facts & Figures
Degree
MA in Communication & Information Studies
Course type
Master
Duration
12 months (60 ECTS)
Croho code
66826
Language of instruction
English, Dutch
Start
September
Faculty
Arts
Why study this programme in Groningen?
  • De theorie en praktijk van ontwikkeling, onderwijs en training van taal- en communicatieve vaardigheden van kinderen, jongeren en volwassenen staan centraal.
  • Er is aandacht voor onderzoek, ontwerp en professionele vaardigheden voor onderwijs en training.
  • We bieden mogelijkheden voor individuele projecten en stages.
  • De RUG is de enige universiteit die een dergelijk programma aanbiedt.
Programme
Semesters
CoursesCourse Catalog >1a1b2a2b
Communication Skills in Medical Interaction: Analysis, Education and Advice (10 EC)
Design of Communication Training (10 EC)
Writing: Context, Process and Text (10 EC)
Master's Thesis CS: C&E (20 EC)
Master's Work Placement CS: C&E (10 EC)

Curriculum

Opmerking: de samenstelling van het programma is afhankelijk van het moment van instroom. Neem hierover contact op met de studieadviseur.

Programme options
Courses Master's track Communication and Education (track)

Het vakkenaanbod van de Master's track Communicatie en Educatie is aan verandering onderhevig. Bekijk Ocasys voor de meest actuele stand van zaken.

More information about this option

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.

Study abroad

  • Study abroad is discouraged

Studeren in het buitenland is mogelijk, maar wordt sterk afgeraden vanwege studievertraging en beperkt vakkenaanbod.

Entry requirements

Transfer options

Transferring from...

Study programmeOrganizationTransition
CommunicationHanze University Groningen, University of Applied Sciences

Via a pre-master with a maximum of 60 EC

More information:

HBO-Communicatie.

Study programmeOrganizationTransition
CommunicationnhlstendenVia a pre-master with a maximum of 60 EC
Study programmeOrganizationTransition
Communication and Information StudiesUniversity of Groningen

No additional requirements

More information:

Advies: vrije ruimte invullen met voorbereidende vakken.

English Language and CultureUniversity of Groningen

Additional requirements

More information:

With a Faculty Minor in Communication and Information Studies (30 ECTS) and/or a pre-Master's programme (30-60 ECTS)

LinguisticsUniversity of Groningen

Additional requirements

More information:

With a Faculty Minor in Communication and Information Studies (30 ECTS) and/or a pre-Master's programme (30-60 ECTS)

European Languages and CulturesUniversity of Groningen

Additional requirements

More information:

With a Faculty Minor in Communication and Information Studies (30 ECTS) and/or a pre-Master's programme (30-60 ECTS)

Information ScienceUniversity of Groningen

Additional requirements

More information:

With a Faculty Minor in Communication and Information Studies (30 ECTS) and/or a pre-Master's programme (30-60 ECTS)

Dutch Language and CultureUniversity of Groningen

Additional requirements

More information:

With a Faculty Minor in Communication and Information Studies (30 ECTS) and/or a pre-Master's programme (30-60 ECTS)

Study programmeOrganizationTransition
Communication ScienceAll Research universitiesNo additional requirements

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

Students with a Bachelor's degree in Communication and Information Studies or Communication Studies are directly admissible to this Master's track. Additionally, students with a Bachelor's degree from the University of Groningen in one of the following programmes:

  • Information Science
  • Dutch Language and Culture
  • English Language and Culture
  • European Languages and Cultures
  • Linguistics

are also admissible to the Master's track once they have successfully completed the Faculty Minor Communication and Information Science at the UG.

Students with a BA from a research university can, after deliberation and approval by the Admission Board, be admitted to the Master's track. The same is true for students with a BA in Communication Studies or a related field from a university of applied sciences. These students will most likely be asked to complete a pre-Master of max. 60 ECTS before they can be admitted. It is possible to start pre-Master courses during your Bachelor's.

Students with a non-Dutch qualification can follow the admission procedure, which is published on https://www.rug.nl/education/application-enrolment-tuition-fees/admission/procedures/

language test

Additional requirements 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.

International students will have to satisfy an additional Dutch language requirement, which can be met by passing the State Examination in Dutch as a Second Language (NT2, programme II). This examination guarantees Dutch proficiency at CEFR level B2. However, Dutch proficiency at CEFR level C1 or higher is recommended.

other admission requirements

Ben je niet rechtstreeks toelaatbaar? Dien dan een verzoek tot toelating in bij de toelatingscommissie vóór 1 augustus (om per 1 september te beginnen). Je kunt dit verzoek via e-mail indienen: sec-millc rug.nl. Vermeld je vooropleiding, voorkeur mastertrack en je adresgegevens. Wij adviseren in alle gevallen eerst contact op te nemen met de studieadviseur CIW.

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 202401 September 2024
15 August 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

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

Bachelor in Communication studies. If you finished a bachelor at a Dutch university or university of applied sciences in a related field, you can send in your request for admission to sec-millc rug.nl. Students with a non-Dutch qualification can follow the admission procedure, which is published on https://www.rug.nl/education/application-enrolment-tuition-fees/admission/procedures/

language test

Additional requirements 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).

Minimum requirement Dutch: NT2.2

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 202401 September 2024
15 August 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€ 16000full-time
EU/EEA2024-2025€ 2530full-time
non-EU/EEA2024-2025€ 18700full-time

Practical information for:

After your studies

Job prospects

There are many possibilities for graduates. You could choose for a position in research, consultancy or coaching in a great variety of sectors. You might work at an institute for education research or at an expertise centre in the field of language education. In addition, you could work at an agency for communication training, coaching and advice.

Job examples

  • Communications Advisor
  • Trainer in Communications
  • Copy writer
  • Coach in Language education or Communication
  • Teacher in Dutch

    prerequisite: bachelor in Dutch Language and Culture and teacher's degree

Research

Research in the field of Communication Science at the University of Groningen focuses on oral, written, audiovisual and digital communication in one's mother tongue or in a second or foreign language, 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 also conducted to measure its effects.

The CIW research is coordinated by the Discourse and Communication group, which is part of the Centre for Language and Cognition Groningen (CLCG). This research group conducts both qualitative and quantitative research on the use of language and other semiotic systems in specific communicative contexts. Particular attention is paid to the effects of strategic (persuasive) communication in professional settings, such as organizational, media and health communication.

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Contact

Owner of Mattie Kamminga Tekst & Communicatie

After completing the Master's track 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

Toelating

Informatie over pre-master en toelating

De wetenschappelijke opleiding CIW is een duidelijke aanvulling op een communicatieopleiding op het HBO. Bij CIW wordt veel aandacht besteed aan wetenschappelijk onderzoek. Het opzetten en uitvoeren van onderzoeken komt dan ook in meerdere onderdelen aan bod. Daarnaast ligt de nadruk meer op het proberen te begrijpen en te verklaren van communicatieprocessen dan op het vervaardigen van communicatieproducten. Lijkt dit je wat? Hieronder staat aangegeven hoe je met de MA opleiding CIW kan beginnen.

  • Een afgeronde bacheloropleiding Communicatie- en Informatiewetenschappen, Communicatiewetenschap, Toegepaste Communicatiewetenschappen, Informatiekunde aan de RUG of elders, en Nederlandse Taal en Cultuur aan de RUG geeft rechtstreeks toegang.
  • Een bachelordiploma Taalwetenschap of één van de moderne vreemde talen, aangevuld met een minor CIW (30 ECTS) of een pre-master van 30 ECTS kan toegang geven tot de masteropleiding. De toelatingscommissie beslist hierover. Informeer daar tijdig naar bij de studieadviseur.
  • Met een afgeronde universitaire bachelor op het gebied van Letteren kun je in principe via een pre-master met het masterprogramma beginnen. Soms kun je al pre-mastervakken in de vrije ruimte volgen van je bachelor. Informeer daar tijdig naar bij de studieadviseur.
  • Met een afgeronde HBO-opleiding op het gebied van communicatie kun je via een éénjarige pre-master met het masterprogramma beginnen. Informeer hier tijdig naar bij de studieadviseur.

Pre-masterprogramma

De HBO-pre-master van CIW is een voorbereidend jaar voor studenten uit een HBO-opleiding Communicatie, en door de toelatingscommissie toegelaten studenten met een andere HBO-opleiding of een WO-opleiding.

Gedurende het pre-masterjaar volg je een selectie van vakken uit de Bachelor CIW. Je krijgt theorievakken als Pragmatiek en Gespreksanalyse I en onderzoeksvakken als Methodologie. Je mag maximaal 4 achtereenvolgende semesters ingeschreven staan voor het pre-masterjaar, daarna moet je je vakken hebben gehaald.

Als je alle 60 ECTS van de pre-master hebt behaald, kan je het reguliere masterprogramma van CIW volgen.

NB: Naast het gewone pre-masterprogramma bestaat er een versneld programma in samenwerking met de opleidingen van de Noordelijke Hogeschool Leeuwarden (NHL) en de Hanzehogeschool communicatie Groningen. Informeer hiervoor bij de studieadviseur.

Aanmelding

Om tot de pre-master CIW toegelaten te kunnen worden moet je vóór 1 augustus (indien je per 1 september wilt beginnen) of vóór 1 januari (indien je per 1 februari wilt beginnen) een verzoek om toelating bij de toelatingscommissie CIW indienen. Je kunt dit verzoek via e-mail of per post indienen. Vermeld welke opleiding je hebt afgerond, of wanneer je de opleiding af zult ronden en geef je adresgegevens op.

Toelatingscommissie CIW
Secretariaat cluster Nederlands
Faculteit der Letteren
Rijksuniversiteit Groningen
Postbus 716
9700 AS Groningen

Email: seccnl@rug.nl

Wij adviseren in alle gevallen eerst contact op te nemen met de studieadviseur CIW.


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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
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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. They can also help you find the right institutions and student desks for your problems.