Studying Dutch as a foreign language within European Languages and Cultures

Dutch language and culture play an important role worldwide. Whoever masters Dutch and knows Dutch culture has gained socially valuable knowledge. You will develop knowledge of the significance of Dutch culture in Europe in the past and the present as well as explore the current and past role of the Netherlands as a mediator in Europe.

Language, literature and diplomacy

Historically, the Netherlands has played an important role as a mediator in Europe. In the seventeenth century, the Republic became a refuge for all those who had to flee their own countries due to their political or religious convictions. A small nation among great powers, the Netherlands is still open to foreign influences today. Translations form an important part of the Dutch book industry, for instance, while foreign debates on language and culture are meticulously monitored and commented on. At the same time, exports are important for the Netherlands – not only tulips and cheese, but also Dutch fashion, architecture and literature are in great demand across the globe. Dutch writers such as Mulisch, Haasse, Nooteboom and Koch are highly appreciated abroad. Dutch culture does not stand alone, and therefore it requires international academic study.

After your Bachelor’s degree

The unique Dutch as a Foreign Language programme prepares you for a number of jobs at home and abroad, both in culture and in business. The Bachelor’s programme grants access to the Groningen Master’s degree in Dutch Studies, which distinguishes itself through a cross-disciplinary interplay of literature, linguistics and language proficiency. You can also take the Master of Arts in Teaching and become a fully qualified secondary school teacher of Dutch. Graduates are experts in Dutch language and culture, contribute to cross-border communication and foster the relations between the Netherlands and other countries. Education, government, international business, diplomacy and the non-profit sector all have a growing need for academically trained Dutch-language specialists able to build bridges across different cultures and fields of knowledge.

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