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Education Master's and PhD degree programmes Pedagogical Sciences Deafblindness
Header image Deafblindness

Deafblindness

Would you like to analyse and improve the possibilities of deafblind people? Then this is the programme for you.

The Master's degree in Deafblindness is a unique programme during which you acquire theoretical and methodological skills. These skills will enable you to analyse the impact of combined visual and hearing impairments (“deafblindness”) on development, daily functioning and quality of life. You will learn to apply this knowledge in the contexts of research, assessment and intervention. The programme is especially interesting for those who are already working as professionals and who would like to expand their basic knowledge and research skills.

The programme starts with the course Introduction to people with deafblindness. In this course, you will learn about fundamental developmental processes, including topics like early symbolic communication embodied cognition, and the acquisition of sign language.

After the introductory course, students receive coaching in methodology. You will also perform a practical training and write a learner's report. In addition, you will carry out research and write a Master's thesis.

Facts & Figures
Degree
MSc in Pedagogical Sciences
Course type
Master
Duration
12 months (60 ECTS)
Croho code
66607
Language of instruction
English
Start
September
Faculty
Behavioural and Social Sciences
Why study this programme in Groningen?
  • Only master's programme in the world focusing on people with deafblindness
  • Aims to provide insight into effective tools that assess and support cognition, social-emotional development, communication and language, and personal development
  • Tools acquired in this programme are also applicable to other people with disabilities
  • students from certain countries are eligible for the Orange Knowledge Programme grant - see Grants & Scholarships for a link to selection criteria and more
Programme
The programme starts on campus with the intensive three-week course, Introduction to Deafblindness. In this course, you will learn about fundamental developmental processes, including topics like early symbolic communication embodied cognition, and the acquisition of sign language.

After the first course, the students continue their study back home and the curriculum takes place online. The students receive coaching in methodology, perform a practical training and write a learner's report. In addition, you will carry out research and write a Master's thesis.

Study abroad

  • Study abroad is optional
  • Maximum of 30 EC
Entry requirements

Transfer options

Transferring from...

Study programmeOrganizationTransition
All Research universitiesVia a pre-master with a maximum of 60 EC
Academic training primary school teacherAll Research universitiesNo additional requirements
Study programmeOrganizationTransition
Pedagogical SciencesUniversity of GroningenNo additional requirements

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education
  • A bachelor's degree programme in special needs, education or another relevant bachelor's degree programme and sufficient knowledge of methodology.
  • A non relevant bachelor's degree and a completed SPO premaster.
knowledge minimum

If you have any deficiencies in connection with Statistics and Research Methodology then we offer the possibility to take pre-master courses. The Admissions Office will inform you if you would qualify for this. For more information have a look at the SPO site about this premaster: https://spo-groningen.nl/opleidingen/schakelprogrammas-premasters/

The transcripts show evidence of sufficient courses on: Research methods for the social sciences (preferably quantitative AND qualitative). Academic disciplinary knowledge on education, developmental psychology, educational psychology, sociology of education, and adjacent fields.

Previous experience with academic writing (e.g., Bachelor thesis), is desirable, but not an entry requirement.

other admission requirements

For more information about

  • the admission procedure, please contact the admissions committee: toelatingscommissie.pedok rug.nl
  • the tracks, please contact the study advisor: studieadvies.pedok rug.nl


Registration procedure

For the registration procedure please have a look at this page.
For more information about the tracks, please contact the study advisor: studyadvice.peduc rug.nl.

Application deadlines

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

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

Bachelor Pedagogical Sciences, Educational Sciences, Social Sciences or a similar relevant Bachelor's degree (e.g. Youth Studies, Special Needs Education etc.) and sufficient knowledge of methodology.

knowledge minimum

The transcripts show evidence of sufficient courses on: Research methods for the social sciences (preferably quantitative AND qualitative). Academic disciplinary knowledge on education, developmental psychology, educational psychology, sociology of education, and adjacent fields.

Previous experience with academic writing (e.g., Bachelor thesis), is desirable, but not an entry requirement.

language test

The official language of the programme is English. Non-native English speakers must provide evidence of satisfactory results for one of the standard tests mentioned below. Official test results must be supplied. Please note, we do not accept Institutional TOEFL results as evidence of English proficiency.

C1 Advanced (formerly CAE): C1 | IELTS: overall 6.5; listening 6; reading 6; writing 6.5; speaking 6.5 | TOEFL paper based: overall 575; speaking 55; writing 45 | TOEFL computer based 237 | TOEFL internet based: overall 90; speaking 19; writing 21 |

Registration procedure

To apply for this programme, first go to Studielink. After you have submitted your details in Studielink, you will receive an e-mail with the information necessary to activate your user account for The Progress Portal.
See the application procedure for some guidance in Progress Portal.

Then, please upload the following documents in The Progress Portal:

* a certified copy of the (Bachelor) diploma on the basis of which you ask admission to our programme (both original language and translated in English)
* a certified copy of your transcript of records (both original language and translated in English)
* a copy of your passport or ID card

If you have any doubts about your application, please contact us at: admissionsoffice rug.nl

For more information about the tracks, please contact the study advisor: studieadvies.pedok rug.nl

Application deadlines

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

Practical information for:

After your studies

Job prospects

After graduation, you have the knowledge and skills needed to work in the field of education related to deafblindness. This programme gives you a good basis for consultancy work in education and for further research.

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

Research Centre on Profound and Multiple Disabilities

The Master programme Deafblindness is linked to the Research Centre on Profound and Multiple Disabilities.

Field of research

  • domains for research are concentrated on the topic of communication with people with deafblindness
  • research is also conducted in the field of people who are deafblind and have additional disabilities, or in the field of people with sensory and multiple disabilities
  • research lines are: meaning-creation, tactile communication, assessment, communication and transition to a cultural language

Research Centre on Profound and Multiple Disabilities.

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

Contact

Watch this video

For the master's track Deafblindness

Read more

Study associations

ODIOM

As a student of the programmes Pedagogical Sciences, Educational Sciences, the AOLB and the Switching Programme of Pedagogy (SPO), you can become a member of ODIOM, the friendly and active study association.
As a member, you benefit from discounts on all required textbooks and receive the newsletter every two weeks. ODIOM has over 800 members and organises a wide range of educational, sporting and social activities every year, such as guest lectures, excursions to pedagogical and educational institutions, the introduction camp for first-year students, trips abroad, get-togethers and parties.
https://www.odiom.nl/
Read more
Study support

In the programmes of Pedagogical and Educational Sciences, there is a strong focus on study advice. There are several study advisors are available. 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: studieadvies.pedok rug.nl
You can make an appointment via the online scheduling system: https://fbss.as.me/schedule/9de94536 ,
or by phone through the Student Service Desk: +31 50 3636301