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Education Master's and PhD degree programmes Talent Development and Creativity
Header image Talent Development and Creativity

Talent Development and Creativity

How can we develop the best athletes? How can teachers nurture pupils' talent and creativity in education and music? And how can we improve the selection of talented and creative employees, students, and athletes?

In any achievement domain, there is an increasing focus on the selection, development and promotion of talent and creativity. In this unique, internationally-oriented Master's programme you will develop the expertise to select, develop, and nurture talent and creativity in individuals and organizations across achievement domains.

You will learn about the (psychological) factors that explain talent and creativity, and directly put this knowledge into practice. You will learn coaching skills to enhance people’s personal and professional potential. Furthermore, you will get in touch with organizations in the field that aim to improve the selection and development of talent and creativity.

We have a large network, which you can benefit from. We collaborate with different sports clubs and associations, the Ministry of Defense, (inter)national companies, as well as education and arts institutions. We can therefore offer a variety of internship places and master thesis opportunities. Moreover, the close connection of our program with the work field contributes to your employability.

Facts & Figures
Degree
MSc in Psychology
Course type
Master
Duration
12 months (60 ECTS)
Croho code
60260
Language of instruction
English
Start
September
Faculty
Behavioural and Social Sciences
Watch this video
Why study this programme in Groningen?

You

  • obtain an internationally-recognized MSc. degree in psychology;
  • become an expert in a domain that is, and will remain, of interest to companies, schools, sport clubs, cultural institutions and more;
  • get taught by renowned experts in the field;
  • will put your knowledge into practice;
  • can, if you are interested in sports, obtain an official sport psychology certificate, offered by the Dutch Society of Sport Psychology (VSPN);
  • can obtain a coaching certificate;
  • are actively supported in working on your employability in the fields of research and practice.
Programme

In our programme you gain the latest insights and skills on the selection and development of talent and creativity.

In the courses, you will learn about the (psychological) mechanisms behind talent development and creativity and will put your knowledge into practice. The courses are taught by renowned scientific experts, and you will be in touch with people working in the field of talent development and creativity. You will also learn to coach another person, to enhance that person's personal and professional competence.

All our students do an internship (assignment) during the programme. In this internship, you will work on a specific question, or issue, on the selection and development of talent and creativity. You will do so in collaboration with an institution of your choice, or one of our partner institutions.

In addition to your internship, you will write an individual master thesis. Supervisors in our program offer a variety of topics you can focus on in your master thesis project. These include, amongst others: motivation and performance, talent identification and –development in sports, coaching and mentoring, resilience and performing under pressure, mindfulness and positive psychology, stimulating talent and creativity in the classroom, creative processes in arts, music, and theatre, selection of employees, students, or athletes.

The internship and master thesis add up to 30 EC. The other 30 EC can be filled with courses, chosen from the list below.

Semesters
CoursesCourse Catalog >1a1b2a2b
Repeated Measures (Method course) (5 EC)
Talent Development and Creativity (Foundation course) (5 EC)
Coaching (Skills course) (5 EC)
Elective courses (additional foundation course(s) / another Master Psychology course / relevant course outside the Psychology program)
Master Thesis (20 EC)
Talent Development & Creativity Internship (10 EC)
Analyzing Individual Development (Method course)
Talent Assessment (Foundation course) (5 EC)
Competence and Motivation (Foundation course) (5 EC)
Test Construction (Method course) (5 EC)

Curriculum

The program consists of (minimum) 10 EC Foundation courses, a 5 EC Skills course (coaching), a 5 EC Methods course, 10 EC Free choice courses, 10 EC Internship, and 20 EC Master thesis.

Study abroad

  • Study abroad is optional

Note: This is only possible if it can be integrated in the study schedule and when an agreement with the host university is in place.

Entry requirements

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

Your previous education and chosen master track determine the application procedure and whether you are eligible for admission to the master or a possible premaster. Check https://www.rug.nl/gmw/masters/psychology/toelatingseisen-masters-psychologie to find the admission requirements that apply to you.

language test

Depending on your background and language of the track of your choice, you will have to submit proof of your proficiency in either Dutch or English. For more information see https://www.rug.nl/gmw/masters/psychology/toelatingseisen-masters-psychologie

other admission requirements

Selection Procedure
For this master's track, there is a selection process. For more information, please have a look at this page .

Registration procedure

The information can be found on the page about Application, Admission and Selection .

Please note: This tracks only starts in September.

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students01 March 202501 September 2025
EU/EEA students01 March 202501 September 2025
non-EU/EEA students01 March 202501 September 2025

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

Your previous education and chosen master track determine the application procedure and whether you are eligible for admission to the master or a possible premaster. Check https://www.rug.nl/gmw/masters/psychology/toelatingseisen-masters-psychologie to find the admission requirements that apply to you.

language test

Depending on your background and language of the track of your choice, you will have to submit proof of your proficiency in either Dutch or English. For more information see https://www.rug.nl/gmw/masters/psychology/toelatingseisen-masters-psychologie

other admission requirements

Selection Procedure
For this master's track, there is a selection process. For more information, please have a look at this page

Registration procedure

The information can be found on the page about Application, Admission and Selection

Please note: In 2024 this tracks only starts in September

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students01 March 202501 September 2025
EU/EEA students01 March 202501 September 2025
non-EU/EEA students01 March 202501 September 2025
Tuition fees
NationalityYearFeeProgramme form
EU/EEA2024-2025€ 2530full-time
non-EU/EEA2024-2025€ 20800full-time

Practical information for:

After your studies

In the program Talent Development and Creativity you are prepared for the job market. In almost any domain (work, education, sports, arts), the selection and development of talent and creativity is high on the agenda. Pressing questions are:

1) How can we detect and select talented and creative individuals?
2) How do talent and creativity actually develop?
3) What strategies can we use to stimulate talent and creativity?

Exactly these questions are the ones addressed in our master programme.

Job prospects

The skills you develop in our program are broadly applicable. Following this MSc. Program, there are students who have chosen the direction of coaching and teaching, sport psychology, or working in an (inter)national company. Accordingly, students who graduated from our program have found good jobs in different domains, including:

  • Sport psychologist at a professional sports club
  • Teacher at a school or university
  • Director of a professional training and coaching company
  • Selection psychologist at the Ministry of Defense
  • Lifestyle coach
  • Embedded scientist at the head quarter of BMW
  • Other jobs in coaching and teaching, recruitment, policy advising and consultancy

Career services BSS
Where do you want to work after your studies? You can contact
Career Services already during your studies. They will help you orientate on your career, develop your skills, apply for jobs and find an internship.

Research

Talent Development and Creativity Research at the Department

Staff members involved in MSc. program Talent Development and Creativity have provided important contributions to the selection and development of talent and creativity in different domains. A brief selection of examples is provided below.

Resilient Athletes (2019 – today)
Talented athletes are exposed to various physical and mental stressors, such as injuries and defeats. To deal with these stressors, athletes need to be resilient. Resilience is thus a crucial concept in talent development. In this project, we collaborate with psychologists, movement scientists, and data scientists to measure, analyze, and improve the resilience of athletes. Different professional sports organizations are involved, and facilitate this project: FC Groningen, PSV, Vitesse, Dutch Royal Football Association – KNVB, Dutch Olympic Committee * Dutch Sports Confederation (NOC*NSF). Read more about the project Resilient Athletes.

Your Special Forces (2018-today)
The commandos of the special forces need to be prepared to optimally perform is very stressful situations. In collaboration with the Special Forces Unit of the Royal Netherlands Army, we have established an online platform to do psychological tests, and collect psychological and physiological data during the intensive training program. Key questions that we are answering using our platform are: What skills are needed to perform in exceptional circumstances? How can we develop such talents? What are the effects of psychological training on the skills of the operators? How can we improve the selection procedure for the Special Forces? The results of this project will provide very relevant insights into the selection and development of talent in fields in which people need to perform under stressful circumstances.

Talent selection in team sports (2017-today)
In collaboration with the Dutch Royal Football Association and Football Club Groningen, we are designing and testing new ways to select soccer players. The two most important aims of this project are: 1) Provide better, more systematic ways of scouting players, and 2) construct test environments in which important soccer skills (e.g., psychological skills, passing, defending, attacking) can be assessed in the most valid way. The ultimate aim of the project is that we can come to better predictions of soccer players’ future performance.

Curious Minds (2009-today)
This national research project ("Talentenkracht" in Dutch) has been conducted by different researchers and PhD students of our department. Curious Minds is focused on the measurement and stimulation of scientific talent in primary education. It started several years ago and has resulted in a list of scientific articles, as well as teaching instruments for schools, coaching packages for teachers, and a handbook on talent development in primary education. The (Dutch) website is talentenkrachtgroningen.nl. Currently, researchers and practitioners are extending the Curious Minds approach to other fields, including music, arts, and sports.

Selection of Academic Staff
Prof. dr. Nico W. Van Yperen Professor Sport and Performance Psychology. Research expertise: Competence and motivation across achievement settings, including work, sports, and education.
Dr. Ruud J. R. Den Hartigh Professor Talent Development and Creativity, with a special focus on the sports and performance context. Research expertise: Performance processes in sports and beyond, in particular talent selection and –development, psychological momentum, and resilience.
Prof. dr. Marijn W. G. Van Dijk Research expertise: Talent development in teacher-student interactions, mostly in primary education and the arts.
Prof dr. Rob R. Meijer Research expertise: Methods, measurements, and instruments in Psychology. Design of tests that optimally predict future performance in work, education, and sports.
Dr. Barbara Huijgen Research expertise: Talent identification and –development in sports from a multidimensional perspective.
Dr. Susan Niessen Research expertise: Talent assessment methods in the context of higher education, work, and sports.
Dr. Lisette de Jonge Hoekstra Research expertise: Creativity in the context of education and music, in particular how creativity comes about through interaction between individuals.
Dr. Henderien Steenbeek Research expertise: Talent development in the domains of education and the arts, and how this can be stimulated through teaching and coaching.
Dr. Ralf F. A. Cox Research expertise: Creative expressions and experiences in different fields, including arts and improvisation theatre.

Selection of recent exposure on talent development & creativity

Selection of our staff members’ recent international scientific articles on talent development & creativity

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Master's Weekdiverse locatiesMore information
Masterweek faculeit GMW/master's week faculty BSSGrote Kruisstraat 2More information

Contact

  • Admissions Board Admissions Board Master Psychology (admission & application, for students with a Dutch diploma)
    Email: toelatingscommissie.masterpsy rug.nl
  • Secretary Of The Talent Development And Creativity Program
    Email: stairwaytotalent rug.nl
  • Barbara Huijgen (Coordinator master programme Talent Development and Creativity)
    Email: stairwaytotalent rug.nl
    Telephone: +31 (0)50 361 6059
  • Prof. Dr. Nico van Yperen (Professor)
    Email: n.van.yperen rug.nl
  • Prof. Dr. Rob Meijer (Professor)
    Email: r.r.meijer rug.nl
  • Dr. Henderien Steenbeek (Associate Professor)
    Email: h.w.steenbeek rug.nl
  • Study Advisors Psychology (Study Advisor)
    Email: studieadvies.psy rug.nl
    Telephone: +31 (0)50 6301
  • Admissions Office bss.msc (for students with a non-Dutch diploma)
Watch this video
Student profile

Your stairway to talent! Because you:

  • are interested in how to develop talent and creativity in excellent as well as normal people;
  • are keen to learn about the latest knowledge and skills to select talented and creative individuals;
  • want to make a difference in stimulating people's talent and creativity;
  • like to follow a Master's program that integrates relevant disciplines of psychology;
  • like to get in touch with practice, and use your scientific skills to improve practice.
Study support

In the Psychology programme, there is a strong focus on study advice. Study advisors are available for both the Dutch-taught and English-taught programmes. You can contact them as a prospective student, current student, or former student of programmes within the Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences.

Study advisors can assist you with questions regarding:
• the content of the programme
• planning and organising your studies
• choices during your study
• registrations
• programme regulations
• taking courses outside your programme
• studying abroad

They are also available for personal support.
Don't hesitate to get in touch or make an appointment with one of the study advisors.

For brief questions, please email: studyadvice.psy rug.nl
You can make an appointment via the online scheduling system: https://fbss.as.me/schedule/9de94536 ,
or by phone through the education desk: +31 50 3636301