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

Do you aspire to a career in global politics, media, business, journalism, or education? Are you interested in all things American, from the U.S. political system to cultural imperialism, and from literature and film to contemporary digital cultures?

Would you like to spend a semester studying abroad at one of our partner universities in the U.S. or Canada?

Our American Studies MA will provide you with an English language learning environment that challenges you to develop your own interests and formulate your own arguments in small-group seminars. Along the way, you’ll be guided by our team of leading international researchers in the field of American Studies.

Since at least 1945, American culture and American politics have sat at the heart of our contemporary world, and American Studies is the interdisciplinary, wide-ranging study of that culture and politics and the ways that they interact not just in the United States but around the world. But doing American Studies involves more than mastering knowledge related to America and its place in the world.

After completing our MA in North American Studies, you’ll certainly know a lot about America. But you’ll also be able to think, talk, and write critically about it, independently analyze any aspect of its culture that fascinates you, and conduct your own research project that cuts across traditional academic boundaries. We don’t use boring textbooks, and we don’t just ask you to summarize what others think about a topic. We challenge you to build your own persuasive analysis of whatever it is about America that interests you.

Our students’ research topics are as diverse as America itself. From the Stars Wars franchise and its place in U.S. and global culture to gerrymandering, voter suppression, political polarization, or the history of Audubon's Birds of America –in American Studies, we let you follow your own path. And through a specially designed writing course and our network of local, national, and international partners, our students also learn how to write and communicate their ideas in English to a wide variety of public audiences.

In your first semester, we make sure you’re up to date on the latest developments in the exciting and often argumentative field of American studies, while also teaching courses based on our own research interests. Students can also do an internship during their degree. From small Dutch tech start-ups to national newspapers and consular offices in the U.S., those who have hosted our American Studies students send back glowing reports of culturally savvy, intellectually mature, and highly effective interns.
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 202501 September 2025
EU/EEA students01 May 202501 September 2025
non-EU/EEA students01 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 202501 September 2025
EU/EEA students01 May 202501 September 2025
non-EU/EEA students01 May 202501 September 2025
Tuition fees
NationalityYearFeeProgramme form
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.

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NL Scholarships

The University of Groningen offers NL Scholarships to international students from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) who want to do their master’s in the Netherlands. Read more on the NL Scholarships and on how to apply.
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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/
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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.