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

Communication and Information Studies

Are you interested in information and communication processes? Then you should choose one of the tracks of this Master's degree programme.

  • Communication Studies In this track, the focus is on the form, function and effects of language and its use in communicative situations. In addition, discourse-analysis in the field of organisational, media, computer, persuasive and health communication will be discussed.
  • Computer-mediated Communication The track Computer-mediated Communication focuses on human-to-computer interaction, human-to-human interaction and human-to-organization communication via the computer.
  • Communication and Education In this track you study the theory and practice of the development, education and training of language and communication skills of children, adolescents and adults. You also learn about research into, design of and professional skills for education and training.
  • Information Science This track is completely in English and focuses on the theory and the research of language, text and digital communication. Topics that are of interest are e.g. natural language processing, semantic web and digital communication.
  • Digital Humanities The track Digital Humanities teaches you to look at culture, language and history through the lens of digital research methods.
Facts & Figures
Degree
MA in Communication & Information Studies
Course type
Master
Duration
12 months (60 ECTS)
Croho code
66826
Language of instruction
Dutch, English
Start
February, September
Faculty
Arts
Why study this programme in Groningen?
  • Our curriculum connects contemporary issues to societal discourse.
  • This programme is interdisciplinary: communication processes are analyzed based on theories and insights that are rooted in different academic disciplines.
  • Language and language use are at the centre of every course module.
  • We offer students the opportunity to start individual projects, internships and follow part of their studies abroad.
Programme
Programme options
Communicatiekunde (track)

Communication is everywhere. Think of commercials, Facebook and TV. Professionals carefully plan what type of information people come across. Like to learn more? Then this programme is for you.

N.B. This programme is partly taught in Dutch, but can also be followed entirely in English. International students are welcome to apply.The programme Communication Studies is one of the programmes of the Master's programme Communication and Information Studies.You will learn to analyze organizational, media, computer, persuasive and health communication. During the master, a lot of attention is paid to problem solving, analytical and research skills. In addition, it is a strongly interdisciplinary programme: you not only study communication science, but also language skills and information science. Within this programme you can specialize in health communication.An internship can be part of your programme.

More information about this option

Computercommunicatie (track)

Are you interested in the technology behind smartphones, computers and the internet? Would you also like to know more about the communication elements of those media? Then this programme is for you.

Organizations communicate with their customers through a variety of digital and computer supported channels, like the homepage, social media, apps and email. In the track Computer-mediated Communication, you will study the specific characteristics and possibilities of all these channels. You will also learn about the relevant technologies and products. In addition, you will look at the messages that are being sent via the computer. In this context, you will study the user friendliness of websites and interfaces, as well as the ways in which people communicate through the computer.

Three types of interaction are central to this programme: between people and computers, between people and organizations via the computer and between people amongst themselves. The aim of the programme is to familiarize you with the theories and methods to evaluate these interactions.

Depending on the courses you choose, you will either specialize in technology or in communication. The programme will always keep in touch with the latest developments in the field of information technology.All courses are taught in English. If you need to follow a pre-master, a few courses are taught in Dutch.

More information about this option

Digital Humanities (track)

Do you want to be at the forefront of the digital turn in the humanities? The current information revolution opens up exciting perspectives for research and its applications in society.

This Master's track equips you to look at culture, language, history or philosophy through the lens of digital methods.We are witnessing many exciting new trends in information technology. The vast amount of digital data that is available nowadays opens up new research questions and opportunities for real life applications. This Digital Humanities track offers a systematic way to incorporate information technology in humanities research. It trains students with a humanities background for the growing number of research and other job opportunities that require processing of digital information. It reflects on the underlying theory and the impacts on our culture and society. It offers courses for collecting, analyzing and visualizing humanities data. Finally, you will be skilled to work with professional databases, programming scripts, and statistical tools.Students who graduated successfully from this programme were able to integrate a humanities perspective with computational methods. For instance, the thesis “Tracing Joyce’s notes for Ulysses” (2017) employed automation strategies for the digital representation and for source-tracing of Joyce’s notebooks. Another example is the thesis “Visualizing trade” (2018), in which an analysis of the Baltic trade in the 18th century was done by using visualization applications on the Sound Toll registers. By exploring visualization as a tool, the student was able to implement a Digital Humanities approach to a historical problem not just to identify patterns and analyze them, but also suggesting new interpretations.

More information about this option

Communicatie en Educatie (track)

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.

More information about this option

Information Science (track)

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Are you fascinated by artificial intelligence and language technology? In this study you learn how to develop and assess smart applications such as conversational agents, automatic translation systems, and intelligent search engines.As an MSc student of Information Science, you learn how to analyze unstructured data (such as text) automatically, and find out which machine learning techniques can be used to solve problems in information science. You also take part in shared tasks (working with a group on a challenging problem in language technology), and apply methods from artificial intelligence to real-world applications such as machine translation for low-resource languages, the semantic web, hate-speech detection, and smart user interfaces.

The Master's track builds on the knowledge, insights and skills that you have acquired in your Bachelor's degree. You will learn to carry out research independently and improve your programming, analytical and presentation skills.

This track is a specialization of the Master's degree programme in Communication and Information Sciences. All courses are taught in English.

More information about this option

Study abroad

  • Study abroad is discouraged

Study abroad is possible, but not recommended due to study delay and limited course options.

Entry requirements

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

For specific information on the entry requirements for the different Master's track, please select the link below:

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).

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students15 August 202401 September 2024
15 January 202501 February 2025
15 August 202501 September 2025
EU/EEA students01 May 202401 September 2024
15 October 202401 February 2025
01 May 202501 September 2025
15 October 202501 February 2026
non-EU/EEA students01 May 202401 September 2024
15 October 202401 February 2025
01 May 202501 September 2025
15 October 202501 February 2026

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

For specific information on the entry requirements for the different Master's track, please select the link below:

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).

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students15 August 202401 September 2024
15 January 202501 February 2025
15 August 202501 September 2025
EU/EEA students01 May 202401 September 2024
15 October 202401 February 2025
01 May 202501 September 2025
15 October 202501 February 2026
non-EU/EEA students01 May 202401 September 2024
15 October 202401 February 2025
01 May 202501 September 2025
15 October 202501 February 2026
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

The Master's degree programme in Communication and Information Science prepares you for positions in research, education, training and consultancy.

Job examples

  • Communications Advisor
  • Communications Manager
  • Communications Officer
  • Journalist
  • Marketing Manager
  • Media Advisor
  • Editor
  • PR Officer
  • Web Coordinator
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

  • Ask Your Question Here (please fill in this contact form, we will answer you as soon as possible.)
  • Drs. Marloes Bergmans (Studieadviseur)
    Email: studyadvicecis rug.nl
  • Albert Everaarts (Studieadviseur)
    Email: studieadviseurik rug.nl
    Telephone: 050-363 5809
  • Sjors van Ooij (Studieadviseur)
    Email: studieadviseurik rug.nl
  • Admission Office (Contact form)
    Telephone: +31-(0)50 363 8976

Consultant bij Embrace

Momenteel werk ik bij Malengo. Dit bedrijf heeft twee producten genaamd Umbrella en Embrace. Bij Embrace ben ik werkzaam als consultant. Hier wordt software aangeboden om een privénetwerk voor organisaties in te richten.

Mijn afstudeerstage heb ik ook bij Embrace afgerond, toen het nog een start up was. Dat gaf mij een unieke kans: ik ben betrokken geweest bij het bedenken van een product en kan nu toezien hoe het al door tachtig klanten wordt gebruikt. Het was erg leerzaam om de verschillende fases van het bedrijf mee te maken.

Het is mijn droom om later een eigen bedrijf te starten. Dat is niet helemaal een doel op zich, want het moet wel een product of dienst zijn waar ik zelf in geloof. Ik wil dit graag, omdat je dan meer vrijheid hebt. Bovendien lijkt het me een leuke uitdaging om mensen om me heen te verzamelen die hetzelfde willen bereiken en daarmee samen te werken.

Read more

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.

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Ontdek op welke manier de communicatie tussen mens en computer soepeler kan verlopen

Deze mastertrack geeft je de mogelijkheid om te ontdekken op welke manier de interactie tussen mens en computer soepeler kan verlopen. Daarnaast geeft het je inzicht in de communicatieproblemen bij verschillende digitale kanalen en hoe deze opgelost kunnen worden. Afgezien van mijn studie is Groningen een geweldige stad om te studeren.

Het ideale aan Groningen is dat alles binnen een straal van 2 kilometer bereikbaar is: vrienden, studie en gezelligheid. Ik studeer er nu voor mijn vijfde jaar en ben er nog steeds niet op uitgekeken.

Toekomstperspectieven

Desalniettemin is het ook een uitdaging om Groningen te verlaten en alle kennis te gaan toepassen in de praktijk. De toekomstperspectieven voor deze mastertrack zijn gunstig, dat maakt Computercommunicatie aan de RUG ideaal!

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Mijn specialisme is digitale communicatie

Het intrigeerde mij altijd al hoe mensen verbaal, maar vooral ook non-verbaal communiceren. Verder interesseren vakgebieden als bedrijfscommunicatie en digitale communicatie mij erg. De kennis die ik heb opgedaan tijdens mijn studie heb ik leren toepassen tijdens mijn bachelorstage bij Paradigm. Ik werk er nu als marketing- en communicatiemedewerker. Mijn specialisme is voornamelijk digitale communicatie..

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Waarom Communicatie- en informatiewetenschappen?

Ik ben geïnteresseerd in hoe de communicatie van bedrijven en bijvoorbeeld scholen en ziekenhuizen verloopt en hoe dit beter kan. Hier wordt veel aandacht aan besteed in de studie. Ook besteed je veel tijd aan mondeling en schriftelijke vaardigheden en leer je onderzoeken wat ik erg leuk vind om te doen.

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De mogelijkheid om een eigen twist aan de opleiding te geven is een groot pluspunt

Als tekstschrijver in spe schreef ik op jonge leeftijd al verhaaltjes en raakte ik geïnteresseerd in de communicatiewereld.Het kiezen van een studentenstad was niet moeilijk: op naar Groningen! Ik kon mijn passie voor communicatie combineren met twee grote interesses: gezondheidszorg en psychologie. Momenteel werk ik als tekstschrijver bij een tekstbureau dat schrijft over overheidskwesties. Dagelijks leef ik me uit op teksten en interviews voor verschillende media en doelgroepen.

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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

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/
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Study support

Each Master's degree programme has a study advisor whom you can contact if you have questions or need advice about your degree programme and other study-related matters. Everything you discuss will be treated confidentially. If you have a more complex problem, for example study delay, a performance disability or if you are ill for a long time, you should contact a student counsellor.

In addition, you can also follow various courses at the Study Support section of the Student Service Centre (SSC), for example on study stress and holding presentations.