Skip to ContentSkip to Navigation
Education Master's and PhD degree programmes Media Studies Journalism (English taught)
Header image Journalism (English taught)

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 internationally oriented programme trains students from diverse parts of the world to become 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.

Theoretical Journalism Studies courses enable students to reflect on the nature of journalism as a profession and stimulate critical thinking about the future of news reporting. You will study how journalism culture and developments in globalization, citizenship, politics and digital journalism interrelate, while learning how to apply appropriate research methods and theories in empirical academic research focused on understanding the field of journalism.

The English-taught Master's track in Journalism takes a year and a half and has a study load of 90 ECTS. In the first two semesters, students will take academic courses and practice journalism skills. During the third and last semester students work on their master's thesis. They also take a second research seminar or complete an internship with a news organization.

Facts & Figures
Degree
MA in Media Studies
Course type
Master
Duration
18 months (90 ECTS)
Croho code
60831
Language of instruction
English
Start
September
Faculty
Arts
Why study this programme in Groningen?
  • Hands-on-training in small groups
  • State-of-the-art newsroom facilities
  • Aims to develop a multimedia mindset
  • Unique combination of practical skills and academic reflection

Students have access to professional facilities for their news productions, such as an exclusive newsroom with instruction area, powerful workstations, a radio and television studio, edit rooms and recording equipment. The programme has an excellent relation with employers and internship providers. The department is proud of it's longstanding collaboration with Dutch public broadcaster NOS in both education and academic research, and has affiliates with universities in Sheffield and Cardiff (UK).

Programme

The first two semesters show a parallel schedule of courses in journalism skills and in journalism studies.

Semesters
CoursesCourse Catalog >1a1b2a2b
Journalism Skills I (5 EC)
Journalism Studies 1: Theory (5 EC)
Journalism Skills II (5 EC)
Journalism Skills III (5 EC)
Journalism Studies II: Methodology (5 EC)
Theoretical Specialization: Global Journalism (5 EC, optional)
Theoretical Specialization: Journalism and Political Culture (5 EC, optional)
Theoretical Specialization IV (5 EC, optional)
Business and Ethics (5 EC)
Journalism Skills IV (5 EC)
Journalism Skills V (10 EC)
Research Seminar I (10 EC, optional)
Research Seminar II (10 EC, optional)
Research Seminar III (10 EC, optional)

The third and last semester is for writing the Master's thesis and taking either a second research seminar in Journalism Studies or an internship with a news organization.

Semesters
CoursesCourse Catalog >1a1b2a2b
Ma Journalism Thesis Plus (25 EC, optional)
Master's Thesis Journalism (15 EC)
Master's Work Placement Journalism (10 EC, optional)
Master's Thesis Journalism: Preparation (5 EC)

Curriculum

The 90 ECTS curriculum is 55% academic theory and 45% journalism skills. The academic theory courses include theoretical specializations such as Journalism and Political Culture, and Global Journalism, research seminars looking at topics such as News and Audiences and of course a Master's Thesis. The journalism skills courses include topics like international reporting, feature writing, television, online journalism and live radio. A two month internship with a news organization is optional.

Programme options
Optional courses (specialization)

Students choose one of two theoretical specializations and one of two topical Research Seminars during the first year.

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 optional
  • Maximum of 10 EC

It is allowed to take an internship abroad. However, there is no possibility to do an exchange abroad.

Entry requirements

Transfer options

Transferring from...

Study programmeOrganizationTransition
All Research universitiesVia a pre-master
Media StudiesAll Research universities

Additional requirements

More information:

written request + entry test

Study programmeOrganizationTransition
Media StudiesUniversity of Groningen

Additional requirements

Additional requirements:
  • (motivation-) letter
  • entry test

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

Admission is possible with all Bachelor's degrees from recognized research universities.

Candidates must have obtained at least 30 ECTS in the Journalism minor or the Media Studies minor from the University of Groningen, or comparable subjects from another university. Extensive experience in journalism may also count as 'previous education', to be determined by the admissions committee.

grade list

An official overview of the results achieved so far within the Bachelor's degree programme and/or other university degree programmes is required.

Curriculum Vitae (CV)

A Curriculum Vitae (CV)

entry test

Candidates must take a selection test (you will receive this test after applying in the admission procedure via https://www.rug.nl/let/application-mediastudies, consisting of a scientific essay assignment and an assignment on current affairs and newsworthiness. The selection procedure closes 1 May. The admission tests will be available from 1 April.

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.

(motivation-) letter

In your motivation letter you explain why you want to pursue a career in journalism, what previous experience in journalism you have, what you expect from the programme and why you are the right student for this track.

other admission requirements

As part of the selection procedure, candidates send in a motivation letter, curriculum vitae, diploma or certified grade list, passport photo, and any personal work, supplemented by the above-mentioned entrance tests.

Please note: Students with a Bachelor's degree from a University of Applied Sciences must first follow a pre-Master's programme of 60 ECTS, consisting of parts of the BA Media Studies and the (pre-Master's) minor Journalism. You can find an overview of the pre-Master's programme Journalism on this webpage. Participation in the selection procedure is still compulsory.

Registration procedure

Note: it's not possible to start in February.

Selection procedure

The maximum of 60 participants per year applies to the Dutch-taught track Journalistiek and the English-taught track Journalism combined.

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

The Master track Journalism starts in September only.

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

Admission is possible with all Bachelor's degrees from recognized research universities.

Candidates must have obtained at least 30 ECTS in the Journalism minor or the Media Studies minor from the University of Groningen, or comparable subjects from another university. Extensive experience in journalism may also count as 'previous education', to be determined by the admissions committee.

grade list

An official overview of the results achieved so far within the Bachelor's degree programme and/or other university degree programmes is required.

Curriculum Vitae (CV)

A Curriculum Vitae (CV)

entry test

Candidates must take a selection test (you will receive this test after applying in the admission procedure via https://www.rug.nl/let/application-mediastudies, consisting of a scientific essay assignment and an assignment on current affairs and newsworthiness. The selection procedure closes 1 May. The admission tests will be available from 1 April.

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 writing skills), 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.

(motivation-) letter

In your motivation letter, you explain why you want to pursue a career in journalism, what previous experience in journalism you have, what you expect from the programme and why you are the right student for this track.

other admission requirements

As part of the selection procedure, candidates send in a motivation letter, curriculum vitae, diploma or certified grade list, passport photo, and any personal work, supplemented by the above-mentioned entrance tests.

Please note: Students with a Bachelor's degree from a University of Applied Sciences must first follow a pre-Master's programme of 60 ECTS, consisting of parts of the BA Media Studies and the (pre-Master's) minor Journalism. You can find an overview of the pre-Master's programme Journalism on this webpage. Participation in the selection procedure is still compulsory.

Registration procedure

Note: it's not possible to start in February.

Selection procedure

The maximum of 60 participants per year applies to the Dutch-taught track Journalistiek and the English-taught track Journalism combined.

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

The Master track Journalism starts in September only.

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

Important: the master track in Journalism 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:

After your studies

Job prospects

After graduation you can pursue a career in journalism. You can work as a reporter or an editor in a newsroom, using different kinds of media, such as print, radio, television and online. In addition, you can become a media or journalism researcher at a university or with a private research institute. Positions in public relations or communication are also possibilities.

The English-taught Master's track offers an excellent preparation for the job market. Most alumni work in journalism, self-employed or on a contract with a news organization. Others work in communication and public relations, mostly for non-profit or (semi) government organizations. Jobs in policy development and management, education and academic research are quite common as well.

Job examples

  • Reporter
  • Editor
  • Academic researcher
  • Journalist
  • PR professional
  • Policy advisor
Research

Journalism Studies and research

Our Journalism Studies staff implements diverse research projects in the field of Journalism Studies, sometimes collaborating with universities such as Sheffield and Cardiff. During the Master's track you will learn about the staff's projects for example during the research seminars. You will acquire knowledge of theories and methodologies and learn to apply this in your own research projects, for example with your master's thesis.

Sometimes this leads to joint publications, like The editor-in-chief. Entrepreneurial journalism leadership (2011; in Dutch), that was the result of a research seminar on the role and function of modern editors-in-chief.

The department encourages students to participate in conferences and symposia in the area of Journalism and Journalism Studies. You might well be asked to help out with research projects as a student-assistant.

Examples of long-term research projects are:

On the staff pages you may find additional information on research projects our staff is working on.

Examples of master's theses can be found in the thesis repository.


Apply nowBrochureEventsContact

Contact

  • Gwendolyn Hooijkaas BA MSc (study advisor)
    Email: studyadvicemediastudies rug.nl
  • Erika Kastelein MA (study advisor)
    Email: studyadvicemediastudies rug.nl
  • Daria Ioana Dänilä (Student Ambassador)
    Email: d.danila student.rug.nl
  • Admission Office (Contact form)
    Telephone: +31-(0)50 363 8976

‎Video Journalist/Gallery Director

The internship I completed as part of my Master's track led directly to a job in journalism. After an intense year of studying and three months of work experience, my internship supervisor offered me a job as a Video Journalist. Since then, I have been promoted to Gallery Director, with creative control over my channel's live content.

Studying in Groningen prepared me for daily newsgathering – it taught me how to make news – and also to look critically at the media content others create. That’s important regardless of whether you want to work in Journalism Studies or journalism itself; you can’t get better at what you do without reflecting on the work of others.

Groningen’s the sort of place where other people will want to visit you. You won’t be able to keep your parents, friends or significant others away. I’ve got very fond memories of my time there, which was academically tough enough to keep me on my toes but relaxed enough to have a lot of fun.

I’m looking forward to getting more presenting experience, something that studying in Groningen gave me a real taste for. After a year looking at such varied topics, you learn what you want to do most.

Read more

“The Master in journalism at the University of Groningen is a complete master mixing both the practical and the theory aspect of the profession.”

My main interest for journalist came from my passion for movies, especially my interest in film criticism. However, being from Venezuela, I have experienced many situations in which the importance and necessity of journalism are highlighted and put in question, which make me expand my interest on the field.

The Master in journalism at the University of Groningen is a complete master mixing both the practical and the theory aspect of the profession. It not only prepares you for an academic track, but also trains you as a journalist in the field, with tight deadlines and weekly stories. This, mixed with the fact that the master trains you in many areas like radio, TV or writing, made the decision to choose this master much easier. It is a very demanding master, and you will be expected to take at least 40 hours a week for it, sometimes even more.

The University of Groningen offers a diverse environment and the journalism master is not an exception. Not only the professors come from all over the world, but in the English track you share the classroom with several other cultures, which makes the experience so much more gratifying, so you also get a taste of different customs and traditions.

Read more

University of Groningen Orange Tulip Scholarship/Talent Grant Faculty of Arts

Are you a non-EU/EEA student from Russia, India or Indonesia, starting a Master's programme at the Faculty of Arts? If so, you could qualify for the University of Groningen OTS/Talent Grant, Faculty of Arts, a partial scholarship which helps you to finance your studies.

Read more about the OTS/Talent Grant Faculty of Arts.

Read more

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/
Read more
Student profile

This track is cut out for students that…

  • are interested in theory and Journalism Studies
  • have a wide range of interests in journalism and to contribute to the improvement of journalism
  • have a flair for language
  • don't give up easily and are willing to work hard
  • can handle stress and strict deadlines
  • can't get enough of the latest news
  • are very curious about people and the world
Study support

If you have any questions or doubts about your studies, you can always contact the study advisor who 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.