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Education Master's and PhD degree programmes North American Studies American Studies
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American Studies

Interdisciplinary in Approach. Dynamic in Teaching. Relevant in Practice. American Studies at The University of Groningen.

Comprehensive and Challenging - Entirely taught in English by internationally-renowned faculty, the one-year Master's track in American Studies offers engaging research seminars which examine a wide range of theoretical, historical, social-political, and cultural approaches to the Americas.

Research-Focused and Flexible - Based on your academic and professional interests, you can tailor your research topics to your individual preferences. Your program will culminate in a Master's Dissertation exploring a relevant American Studies topic of your choice.

Practical and Cross-Cultural You can enhance your academic experience by studying abroad or doing an internship in North or South America. Upon graduation, your expertise in U.S. economic, political, and cultural affairs combined with your independent research and English skills will set you apart in your future career.

Sign up now for the Master's Week from 18-22 March!

Facts & Figures
Degree
MA in North American Studies
Course type
Master
Duration
12 months (60 ECTS)
Croho code
60845
Language of instruction
English
Start
September
Faculty
Arts
Why study this programme in Groningen?
  • A supportive, challenging, and international learning environment
  • A truly interdisciplinary approach to the Americas
  • Entirely taught in English by experienced and highly trained international faculty
  • Opportunity to study abroad or do an internship in the U.S.
  • Career preparation with a wide range of transferable skills
  • Program consistently ranks highly in national quality assurance assessments
  • Groningen is an energetic, safe and affordable student city
Programme

In the one-year American Studies Master's track, you can choose from a number of specialization courses.

Semesters
CoursesCourse Catalog >1a1b2a2b
Domestic Cultures of U.S. Imperialism (10 EC, optional)
Histories and Methods of American Studies (10 EC)
The American Revolution Today (10 EC, optional)
Master's Internship American Studies (10 EC, optional)
Master's Thesis American Studies (20 EC)
Study Abroad (10 EC, optional)
Writing for the Real World (10 EC, optional)
Programme options
MA Placement (specialization)

Students have the option to replace one Research Seminar with an MA Placement, which is to be carried out during the second semester, in principle in the U.S. or the Americas.

Because such an internship is part of your degree program, it will have to comply with the curriculum requirements. Further details can be obtained from the department or academic advisor. The Office for Student Affairs can help you with some of the practical issues.

Study abroad

  • Study abroad is optional
  • For an average of 16 weeks

Possibility to study in North or South America

Minimum of 30 ECTS

Studying abroad during the second semester of your Master's program can complement your American Studies experience at The University of Groningen. As availability permits, you can apply to study abroad at one of our first-rated exchange partner institutions in North and South America and enroll in a variety of courses of your choosing.

This is your opportunity to experience first-hand everything you have studied in the classroom, a truly enriching opportunity for students, both academically and personally!

For more information regarding exchange locations, please visit the Department of American Studies website at https://www.rug.nl/let/studeren-bij-ons/american-studies/internationalization/

Entry requirements

Transfer options

Transferring from...

Study programmeOrganizationTransition
American StudiesAll Research universities

No additional requirements

More information:

NL studenten: Geldt voor alle WO instellingen in Nederland.

International students: Refers to all Research universities within the Nederlands

Study programmeOrganizationTransition
HistoryUniversity of Groningen

Additional requirements

More information:

With a pre-Master's/ Faculty Minor (30 ECTS) in American Studies

English Language and CultureUniversity of Groningen

Additional requirements

More information:

With a pre-Master's/ Faculty Minor (30 ECTS) in American Studies

Media StudiesUniversity of Groningen

Additional requirements

More information:

With a pre-Master's/ Faculty Minor (30 ECTS) in American Studies

Arts, Culture and MediaUniversity of Groningen

Additional requirements

More information:

With a pre-Master's/ Faculty Minor (30 ECTS) in American Studies

International Relations and International OrganizationUniversity of Groningen

Additional requirements

More information:

With a pre-Master's/ Faculty Minor (30 ECTS) in American Studies

Art HistoryUniversity of Groningen

Additional requirements

More information:

With a pre-Master's/ Faculty Minor (30 ECTS) in American Studies

Middle Eastern StudiesUniversity of Groningen

Additional requirements

More information:

With a pre-Master's/ Faculty Minor (30 ECTS) in American Studies

European Languages and CulturesUniversity of Groningen

Additional requirements

More information:

With a pre-Master's/ Faculty Minor (30 ECTS) in American Studies

ArchaeologyUniversity of Groningen

Additional requirements

More information:

With a pre-Master's/ Faculty Minor (30 ECTS) in American Studies

Classical StudiesUniversity of Groningen

Additional requirements

More information:

With a pre-Master's/ Faculty Minor (30 ECTS) in American Studies

American StudiesUniversity of GroningenNo additional requirements

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

All students with a Bachelor's diploma of American Studies from the University of Groningen or from another Dutch university are directly admissible to the programme. Additionally, UG students with a Bachelor's diploma in:

  • Archaeology
  • Art History
  • Arts, Culture and Media
  • Classics
  • English Language and Culture
  • European Languages and Cultures
  • History
  • International Relations and International Organization
  • Media Studies
  • Middle Eastern Studies

with a pre-Master's/ Faculty Minor (30 ECTS) in American Studies are also admissible to the programme

The Admissions Board is responsible for assessing whether students without a Bachelor's degree are admissible on the basis of sufficient knowledge, understanding and skills at the level of a Bachelor's degree.

language test

Additional English language requirement: A VWO diploma or a subject certificate for VWO English (mark 6 or higher), minimum requirement of TOEFL iBT 100 (with a minimum score for speaking and writing of 25 (each)), or an IELTS score of 7 (with a minimum of 6.5 on all items). Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency with a minimum score of 185.

Registration procedure

Note: it's only possible to a very limited extent to start in February. For more information, please contact the study advisor.

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students15 August 202401 September 2024
15 August 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

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

To determine whether your academic qualifications meet the MA degree programme requirements, we will assess the curriculum and level of your first degree. This evaluation is carried out by the Admissions Office of the School of Arts and Humanities and the Department's Admissions Board (which has the final say about eligibility).

other admission requirements

Additional English language requirement: A VWO diploma or a subject certificate for VWO English (mark 6 or higher), minimum requirement of TOEFL iBT 100 (with a minimum score for speaking and writing of 25 (each)), or an IELTS score of 7 (with a minimum of 6.5 on all items). Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency with a minimum score of 185.

Registration procedure

Note: it's only possible to a very limited extent to start in February. For more information, please contact the study advisor.

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students15 August 202401 September 2024
15 August 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
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 program's interdisciplinary curriculum and specializations gives you ample opportunity to find out what topics interest you most and what areas of employment you wish to explore. Pursuing an internship while in the program is a great way to gain experience in the field prior to seeking full-time employment. As an American Studies graduate, you will gain competency in a broad range of transferable skills which will diversify your career prospects.

Your expertise in the US economic, political, cultural, commercial and social domains, coupled with your highly proficient English communication skills and cultural adaptability through your study abroad experience, will set you apart from other job candidates.

Job examples

  • Education

    Your highly proficient English skills will also prepare you to work at education institutions, in particular in the area of the internationalization of teaching and learning. A number of graduates also work in high schools and institutions of tertiary education, where they teach primarily English or History. Several American Studies graduates also wish to continue their studies by completing PhD degrees, either in The Netherlands, the UK or the US.

  • Journalism

    Depending on your areas of specialization, a job in journalism is a possibility. Students interested in journalism may consider using their proficiency in US political and cultural affairs to work as correspondents or reporters for international or US media outlets.

  • Business

    Interested in marketing or international business? Then utilize your knowledge of US economic and commercial policies and practices by assisting companies seeking to expand into the European and US markets.

  • Culture and Arts

    You might prefer to think about working in the cultural field, for example, a job in a museum or organizing a film festival. The American Studies program offers many possibilities for international contacts, which can be utilized for job options in a range of cultural industries. In addition, your cross-cultural experiences and English skills will also prepare you to work in the travel industry, especially organizing and leading guided trips.

  • Public Sector

    Your subject-matter expertise in U.S. socio-political affairs and proficient English skills are relevant transferable skills for work in the public sector. Consider working for an NGO or governmental entity, in positions ranging from Media and Communication Coordinators to Information Officers.

Research

Research Approach and Themes

The research carried out by the Department of American Studies, by and large, mirrors the main concentrations in our educational agenda. At the heart of our research efforts, and hence of our curriculum, are three separate themes.

These themes are:

  • Early American culture and history
  • Contemporary socio-political issues
  • Popular culture and media studies

Given the nature of American Studies, the key distinguishing feature of our research as well as in our teaching is that it is truly interdisciplinary in approach in which the individual researchers actively work across different disciplines and methodologies as opposed to, for example, research on American topics carried out in the History Department, which would generally reflect historical approaches only. The same is true for our teaching agenda: individual teachers are required to be versatile in more than one discipline as all major survey courses combine a range of disciplinary areas, approaches, methodologies, and data sets. Aligned with our teaching practices, our research is generally problem-driven as well as theory-driven. That is to say, we explore specific issues that are controversial, contested, or under-investigated, and then seek to resolve these issues through the generalization of our findings, incorporating elements associated with both the structure and the process of the phenomena we study. Among the themes we are currently exploring are: Contemporary migration and mobility issues in the Americas Alliance cultures in the modern media landscape Cultural memory and popular culture Circum-Atlantic reconstructions the era of the eighteenth-century Revolutions Transnational perspectives on the idea of “America” and the Americas (both in historical and contemporary contexts)

Research Team and Projects

Within the Department of American Studies, research is facilitated by four senior researchers, one Rosalind Franklin Fellow, and three PhD students. Please visit the Faculty Roster and the Faculty Projects sections of the Departmental website to view a listing of current American Studies faculty members and their individual research initiatives.

Apply nowBrochureEventsContact

Contact

Liaison Officer Europe at VH Strategies

During my Master's degree program in American Studies I gained a lot of knowledge about the United States. I also improved my research, writing and spoken English skills. This is of great benefit in my current work for an American political consultant. I deal with transatlantic issues and developments in American politics on a daily basis.

What attracted me to the Master’s program in American Studies was that you learn how to critically analyse culture, history and politics. Following this program also gave me the opportunity to deepen my knowledge of two areas that interest me: the history of the American Revolution and American political culture.
The Lantos Congressional Fellowship was a major highlight for me. In my six months as Lantos Fellow I worked for Congresswoman Napolitano in the House of Representatives. It was a fantastic experience to be able to walk round right at the heart of American democracy.
I also did an exchange at Central Michigan University. This too was one of the best experiences of my studies. Although I really enjoy my current work in American politics, in the future I would like to study for a second Master’s degree at a top university in the United States.

Read more

The Americas have always piqued my curiosity with its similarities and stark differences to European cultures.

My name is Taran Draper, and I am a recent graduate of the Bachelor of American Studies and 1st year student of the Master North American Studies. After having lived abroad for my entire life, yet being Dutch and having family throughout the Netherlands, I decided to come study at the University of Groningen and pursue a degree in American Studies. I enjoy reading, writing, watching all the latest TV shows and most of all following American politics.

A Fascinating Culture

American Studies matches my interests precisely because for me the U.S. and its wide variety of inhabitants are the source of many into questions from an outsiders perspective. The Americas have always peeked my curiosity with its similarities and stark differences to European cultures. The U.S. is also the source of many cultural aspects of our everyday lives and the study of how this culture has evolved helps us understand elements of modern day life. The Masters program gives you the opportunity not only to learn more about this fascinating culture but also to develop your skills in academic writing and critical thinking.

Read more

University of Groningen Orange Tulip Scholarship/Talent Grant of 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

EPU

E Pluribus Unum (EPU) is the study association for students who study American Studies. EPU's main goal is to unite all American Studies students, both from the Bachelor and Master programs. By doing so, the study association can represent the entire student body in their interests, and provide them with ample opportunities to expand those interests. EPU organizes a vast array of activities, ranging from monthly (themed) drinks to study trips abroad.
https://svepu.nl/
Read more
Study support

If you have any questions about your studies, you may contact the American Studies academic advisor who can assist you with academic planning, university services, and other relevant matters. Students can schedule an appointment via the Office of Student Affairs or stop by during the advisor's weekly walk-in hours to discuss a variety of academic issues.