Are you fascinated by films, music or theater? Do you love to discuss what art is, or how to interpret a particular movie, popular song or performance? Are you interested in studying the effects of arts and media on society?
In our Bachelor’s programme students acquire a deepened analytical, historical and theoretical understanding of (a) two art forms chosen from film, music, theater/performance, visual arts or literature; and (b) specialized scholarly knowledge in one of two frameworks: ‘Arts, Policy and Cultural Entrepreneurship’ or ‘Analysis and Criticism.’ This broad multi- and interdisciplinary combination is unique to the programme.
The programme will train you to study artworks, from novels and music videos to films and computer games, in a scholarly way – examining how they are produced, distributed, used, perceived, appreciated and socially embedded. It thereby paves the way for a variety of professional avenues into the field of arts and media.
In our programme students enroll in one or two of the arts disciplines offered by our own department: Film, Theater, Music. Literature and Visual Arts can be chosen as secondary arts discipline only.
Please see our blog on recent topics concerning the arts in society.
The Arts Culture and Media programme is unique because it offers:
The first semester surveys the history of the arts in society, from prehistoric times to today. You are introduced to the social function of the arts, while also developing your academic skills in writing and research.
In the second semester you follow courses in two of the following art disciplines: film, music and theater/performance. You also engage with arts philosophies relevant for the contemporary arts world. In short, the first year offers a diverse and grounded foundation for the following two years of the programme.
| Semesters | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CoursesCourse Catalog > | 1a | 1b | 2a | 2b |
| Introduction to Audiovisual Arts A and B (10 EC) | ||||
| Life Imagined: The Arts in Culture A and B (10 EC) | ||||
| Sociology of Arts I and II (10 EC) | ||||
| Reality Contested: Visual Arts 1800-1914 (5 EC, optional) | ||||
| Thinking about Art I: Philosophy of Art (5 EC) | ||||
| Film I a/b (10 EC, optional) | ||||
| Literature I (10 EC, optional) | ||||
| Music I a/b (10 EC, optional) | ||||
| Theatre I a/b (10 EC, optional) | ||||
| Arts and Cognition (5 EC) | ||||
| Blurring Boundaries in Arts 1914-now (5 EC, optional) | ||||
The second year focuses intently upon your arts specialisation of film, music or theater. You study this discipline's history and theory while also choosing one of two frameworks related to contemporary professional arts worlds:
1. Arts Policy and Cultural Entrepreneurship (APCE) 2. Arts Analysis and Criticism (AAC)
| Semesters | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CoursesCourse Catalog > | 1a | 1b | 2a | 2b |
| Culture and Literature Plus 1: Empirical Approaches (5 EC, optional) | ||||
| Culture and Literature Plus 1: Empirical Approaches (5 EC, optional) | ||||
| Modern East Asian Art & Visual Culture (5 EC, optional) | ||||
| Empirical Methods: Arts Policy Education (Specialisation APCE) (10 EC) | ||||
| Film II: Film History (10 EC, optional) | ||||
| Mediality to Intermediality (Specialisation AAC) (10 EC) | ||||
| Music II: History and Theory; Classics (10 EC, optional) | ||||
| Theatre II: History and Theory (10 EC, optional) | ||||
| Art Now (5 EC, optional) | ||||
| Culture and Literature 2: Otherness, Strangeness, Abnormality (5 EC, optional) | ||||
| Culture and Literature Plus 2: Gendering Culture (5 EC, optional) | ||||
| Art & Architecture's Global Potentials (5 EC, optional) | ||||
| Culture and Literature 3: Racism, Discrimination, Inequality (5 EC, optional) | ||||
| Culture and Literature Plus 3: Imagining Europe's Tomorrow (5 EC, optional) | ||||
| Film III: Film Theory (10 EC, optional) | ||||
| Management and Entrepreneurship (Specialisation APCE) (10 EC) | ||||
| Music III: Popular Music Theory and Analysis (10 EC, optional) | ||||
| Narrativity Across Media (Specialisation AAC) (10 EC) | ||||
| Theatre III: Theory and Analysis (10 EC, optional) | ||||
| Art & Environment (5 EC, optional) | ||||
| Literature II: Advanced Critical Theory (5 EC, optional) | ||||
In the first semester of the third year you follow the Minor of your choice. There are several options for this Minor, for example an exchange or career Minor. In the second semester you follow three courses in your arts specialisation and related to your framework. In this semester you also write your Bachelor's thesis, combining a topic related to your chosen arts discipline and professional framework.
| Semesters | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CoursesCourse Catalog > | 1a | 1b | 2a | 2b |
| Minor (30 EC) | ||||
| Evaluating the Arts (Specialisation AAC) (5 EC) | ||||
| Film/Music/Theatre Advanced Seminar (Specialisation AAC) (5 EC, optional) | ||||
| Organising and communicating in the Arts (Specialisation APCE) (10 EC) | ||||
| Arts in Practice: Film, Music, Theatre or Dutch Infrastructure (10 EC) | ||||
| Thesis (10 EC) | ||||
From 2026-2027, the courses of this programme will change. More will be announced in autumn 2025.
| Programme options |
|---|
| Music (specialization) Studying music in Groningen in the Arts, Culture and Media Department offers students a broad spectrum of perspectives from which to situate music's role in culture and society. Within core modules, students learn to identify the aesthetic, historical and formal qualities connected to various music genres from baroque to jazz and from musique concrète to EDM. The programme provides an overview of relevant theoretical models, drawing in particular from the disciplines of cultural studies, ethnomusicology, musicology, media studies, and theories of race, gender, sexuality, and ethnicity. Individually and in groups, students engage in research projects that expose them to local, national, and international music cultures and phenomena. Here, they investigate the changing processes guiding music's mediation and institutionalisation in the twenty first century. Coordinator Music: k.a.mcgee rug.nl Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MusicStudiesRUG |
| Film (specialization) The Film Studies track offers a specialization in the study of film as an art form, a medium, and a cultural practice. Students following this track become acquainted with a wide range of film genres and styles. They learn theoretical concepts from film and media theory to film philosophy, emotion studies, cognition and aesthetics. These perspectives enable students to examine the various shades of the film experience and to understand trends like techno aesthetics, transmedial storytelling and complex narration. Film students have full access to: devoted staff supervision and hands-on education; a national high-profile network of professional internships; a distinguished international network of associated academic partners for research and education. Groningen is a lively city with multiple (art house) cinemas. We offer great possibilities for ERASMUS exchanges to partner universities like the Freie Universität Berlin, Paris-Sorbonne, and many others. Last but not least, we regularly feature renowned guest lectures by outstanding artists, scholars and cultural critics. Course Coordinator: Dr. Annie van den Oever, a.m.a.van.den.oever rug.nl Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groningenfilmstudies |
| Theater and Performance Arts (specialization) The theater and performance track offers in-depth study of all forms of theater as historical, cultural and social practice, as well as the contemporary market and its related interdisciplinarity. Within this specialisation, students study the rich and diverse history and theory of theater from ancient drama to dramatic, post-dramatic theater, and experimental performance, acquiring insights into a number of perspectives and research methods. Through individual research and group projects, students focus upon the creation and perception of theater; the goals and intentions of theater makers; and the public's experiences and interpretations. During their studies, students of theater and performance remain in constant contact with the contemporary theater market by visiting a number of local and international productions and festivals, participating and organizing pre- and post-show discussions with theater makers and contributing dramaturgically to the creative process of artists. Additionally, they are also asked to create a theater project of their own and present it publicly in a theater venue in Groningen. This way they also have the opportunity to come in contact with the practical side of the artistic process. Coordinator Theater: l.d.m.e.van.heteren rug.nl |
| Arts Analysis and Criticism (specialization) The Arts Analysis & Criticism (AAC) specialisation is there to sharpen your expertise in one or several art disciplines. It challenges you to think critically about different art forms, to analyse how they work, where the boundaries between them lie, and how these are constantly changing. We teach you to analyse artworks from different critical, philosophical and cognitive frameworks, to reflect on the role of historical traditions and new technologies, and to work on your skills as an art critic. |
| Arts Policy and Cultural Entrepreneurship (specialization) The Arts Policy and Cultural Entrepreneurship (APCE) specialisation deals with how arts and culture are organised. The basis for its study lies in the general lectures in sociology of art, in which the position of art in society is studied, as well as the position of artists in society. We also study the organisation of art institutions especially in terms of communication about art. Coordinator Arts Policy and Cultural Entrepreneurship: Quirijn Lennert van den Hoogen (q.l.van.den.hoogen rug.nl) |
| Minors (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. |
If you have passed the VWO (pre-university education) exam in English, you satisfy the language requirement.
If you have passed the VWO (pre-university education) exam in English, you satisfy the language requirement.
If you have passed the VWO (pre-university education) exam in English, you satisfy the language requirement.
If you have passed the VWO (pre-university education) exam in English, you satisfy the language requirement.
Language requirement English: 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) or 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
The degree programme will organize a matching procedure. Attendance is optional. The advice is not binding.
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: https://www.rug.nl/matching
| Type of student | Deadline | Start course |
|---|---|---|
| Dutch students | 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 |
| EU/EEA students | 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 |
| non-EU/EEA students | 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 |
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: https://www.rug.nl/matching
| Specific requirements | More information |
|---|---|
| previous education |
A 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. For other VWO-equivalent qualifications, see: https://www.rug.nl/education/application-enrolment-tuition-fees/admission/procedures/application-informatie/with-non-dutch-diploma/entry-requirements/bachelor-entry-requirements/vwo-equivalent-qualifications. Students with Dutch 'hbo-propedeuse' diploma also need to meet the language requirements as mentioned below. |
| other admission requirements |
Language requirement English: 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) or Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency with a minimum score of 180. |
| Type of student | Deadline | Start course |
|---|---|---|
| Dutch students | 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 |
| EU/EEA students | 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 |
| non-EU/EEA students | 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 |
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 Arts, Culture and Media, you have access to the following Master's tracks at the University of Groningen:
Once you have graduated, you will be qualified to work within organizations related to the arts.
You can work within organizations such as theatres, arts companies, concert halls, popular music venues, orchestras and museums. You could also work for a publishing firm, within government institutions, for research companies, or within public media organizations (radio, TV or internet). Your employment tasks will range from arts curatorship and arts research and evaluation to management and policy consultation.
In recent decades, the arts have undergone radical transformations and rapidly adapted to late-capitalist phenomena such as globalisation, digitisation and the democratisation of creative channels. Due to the increasing influence of culture and the creative industry within the world's expanding urban metropolises, notions of artistic autonomy, forcefully promoted in the 19th century, have re-emerged in philosophical and ideological discourse.
In light of this, the position of the arts in society demands new form of conceptualisation, definition and legitimatisation.
The Research Centre Arts in Society examines these transformations as well as the emerging values surrounding the arts and their role in society. The Research Centre is divided into seven theme groups:
For more information visit our Research Centre Arts in Society page.
Hi, my name is Pierre Bentz and I am 21 years old. I have been studying Arts, Culture and Media at the University of Groningen since 2022, this is my fourth year in the city. I moved directly to Groningen after completing highschool in Strasbourg, France. I love working on many projects at the same time and getting involved in everything that sparks an interest in me!
I have always been more of an ‘arts person’. At first, I preferred to keep the arts as a hobby but I soon realized that studying something you love is *the way to go*. Enjoying what you study is the most important factor in choosing a potential programme: it will make your life as a student way easier. Arts, Culture and Media, is a theoretical programme that encompasses a very large range of topics regarding the arts and the society that engages with them. Starting off with courses that set the foundation for the knowledge you will use during your bachelor, you are quickly able to specialise in two disciplines to focus on: I chose Music and Visual Arts. You do not need to produce art yourself for this Bachelor which is an important point to note. I myself play music but someone with no knowledge on the topic could excel at the course as much as someone who has been playing an instrument for years.
Read more about Pierre and why he chose to studie Arts, Media and Culture in Groningen!
Hello! My name is Max van der Kooi and I am an Arts, Culture and Media (ACM) student. I am currently in my second year, specializing in Music and Visual Arts. Outside of my studies, I work part-time and I am a member of the Study Association IK. When I am not busy with work or studies, I game with friends or sometimes work on music at home.
Arts, Culture and Media spoke to me because of its variety of topics. I have an appreciation for all different types of art, but some interest me more than others do, so being able to focus on the disciplines I have the most interest in really stood out to me. The programme also lets you choose a specialization in the second year: Arts, Analysis and Criticism, or Arts, Policy and Cultural Entrepreneurship. I chose for Arts, Policy and Cultural Entrepreneurship, because of my interest in event management and the community aspects of art. The programme does not ask you to be ‘’good’’ at producing art, which I also like. I have tried making my own music, but I would not dare to send it to someone.
Hi there! My name is Giulia Cristofoli and I am an Arts, Culture and Media (ACM) student specializing in Theatre and Literature. I am from Brazil and this is my 3rd year living in Groningen. Asides from my studies, I work part-time, but I have also started an art magazine. My favourite hobby is taking dance lessons. I also enjoy reading, spending my days in the sun and hanging out with my friends.
What attracted me to ACM was the variety of topics covered by the course. I love art in general and I found it difficult to only focus on one discipline. The programme allowed me to choose two art disciplines to delve deeper without letting go of the others. It was the perfect opportunity to investigate the world of art in a broader context and still get into specifics on my preferred topics. The way the course was organized enabled me to first get a taste of the options and then choose within my range of interests. Not to mention that ACM was a way for me to stay close to what I love – art – without necessarily having to produce art (let us just say that I am not a gifted artistic genius).
Hello! My name is Andreea and I am from Romania. I study Arts, Culture and Media with a specialization in Music and Film. If I am not studying, you will probably see me enjoying an artistic event or volunteering at a cultural or student organization. I am interested in a variety of topics, from law to religion to fashion, so if you need a conversation partner, do not hesitate to contact me!
I chose to study Arts, Culture and Media because I have always been interested in art although I was never the best at creating it. I could spend hours on end at an art gallery even if my painting skills were never above average and I wholeheartedly appreciate early rock music despite the fact that I cannot play an instrument. Consequently, this degree represented the perfect way for me to establish a relationship with art and to be able to approach it from a theoretical standpoint, inevitably deepening my passion for it.
Are you at secondary school and want to know what studying at university is like? The Arts, Culture and Media 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 Arts, Culture and media web class, register here.
