Communication Studies

Communication is everywhere. Think of commercials, Facebook and TV. Professionals carefully plan what type of information people come across. Like to learn more? Then this programme is for you.

N.B. This programme is partly taught in Dutch, but can also be followed entirely in English. International students are welcome to apply.

The programme Communication Studies is one of the programmes of the Master's programme Communication and Information Studies.

You will learn to analyze organizational, media, computer, persuasive and health communication. During the master, a lot of attention is paid to problem solving, analytical and research skills. In addition, it is a strongly interdisciplinary programme: you not only study communication science, but also language skills and information science. Within this programme you can specialize in health communication.

An internship can be part of your programme.

Sign up now for our information session during the Online Master's Week from 20-24 March!

Facts & Figures

Degree: MA in Communication & Information Studies
Course type: Master
Duration: 12 months (60 ECTS)
Croho code: 66826
Language of instruction: Dutch, English
Start: February, September
Faculty: Arts

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Why study this programme in Groningen?

Qualitative and quantitative research is being done in the field of organizational-, media-, computer-, persuasive-, and health communication.
Language and language-use in communicative situations stand at the core of our program.
Problem-solving and analytical skills receive a lot of attention.
An interdisciplinary program is offered; including communication sciences, language skills, and information sciences.
Affiliation with current themes and public debate is being sought.

Programme

	Semesters
CoursesCourse Catalog >	1a	1b	2a	2b
Multichannel Management (5 EC, optional)
Analysis of Dynamic Audiovisual Multimodal Communication (10 EC, optional)
Argumentation and Resistance (10 EC, optional)
Communication Skills in Medical Interaction: Analysis, Education and Advice (10 EC, optional)
Consultancy in Organizational Communication (10 EC, optional)
Design of Communication Training (10 EC, optional)
Discourses of Health and Illness (10 EC, optional)
Experimental Research on Persuasion (10 EC, optional)
Language and Text Optimization: the case of news discourse (10 EC, optional)
Questionnaire Design (10 EC, optional)
Writing: Context, Process and Text (10 EC, optional)
Communication Technology (5 EC, optional)
Computer-Mediated Communication (5 EC, optional)
Interaction Quality in Professional Communication (optional)
User Interface Evaluation (5 EC, optional)
Corporate Communication in the Digital Age (10 EC, optional)
Living Lab: Communication for Change (10 EC, optional)
Master's Thesis (20 EC)
Master's Work Placement (10 EC, optional)
Multimodal Instructive Texts in Health Communication (10 EC, optional)

Programme options
Vakken mastertrack Communicatiekunde (specialization) Het vakkenaanbod van de mastertrack Communicatiekunde is aan verandering onderhevig. Bekijk Ocasys voor de meest actuele stand van zaken. More information about this option
Gezondheidscommunicatie (specialization) Binnen Communicatiekunde kun je een aparte specialisatie volgen op het gebied van gezondheidscommunicatie. Zie voor de vakken Ocasys. More information about this option
Master's Honours Programme (honours program) The Master's Honours Programme was developed especially for students who want to get more from their studies. It is a programme worth 15 ECTS that is followed in addition to the standard Master's programme. It is a one-year interdisciplinary programme that is designed to introduce students to various aspects of leadership. More information about this option
Master's placement (specialization) During this Master's track, you can follow a placement for ECTS credit points. It is your responsibility to find a placement yourself, but the Office for Student Affairs can offer help with this where necessary.

Study abroad

Study abroad is discouraged

Studeren in het buitenland is mogelijk, maar wordt sterk afgeraden vanwege studievertraging en beperkt vakkenaanbod.

Entry requirements

Transfer options

Transferring from...

Hanze University Groningen, University of Applied Sciences

nhlstenden

All Universities of applied sciences

All Research universities

University of Groningen

Study programme	Organization	Transition
Communication	Hanze University Groningen, University of Applied Sciences	Deficiency program with a maximum of 60 EC

Study programme	Organization	Transition
Communication	nhlstenden	Deficiency program with a maximum of 60 EC

Study programme	Organization	Transition
Communication	All Universities of applied sciences	Deficiency program with a maximum of 60 EC

Study programme	Organization	Transition
Communication Science	All Research universities	No additional requirements

Study programme	Organization	Transition
Communication and Information Studies	University of Groningen	No additional requirements
Dutch Language and Culture	University of Groningen	Additional requirements More information: Rechtstreeks toegang met specialisatie Taalbeheersing Bij andere specialisaties: extra vakken in keuzeruimte aanbevolen.
English Language and Culture	University of Groningen	Deficiency program with a maximum of 60 EC More information: Geldt voor alle BA's Vreemde Talen en Taalwetenschap. Met een andere letterenopleiding: pre-master van 60 EC. Informatie via studieadviseurs.

Admission requirements

Specific requirements	More information
previous education	Bachelor in Communication studies. If you finished a bachelor at a Dutch university or university of applied sciences in a related field, you can send in your request for admission to sec-millc rug.nl. Students with a non-Dutch qualification can follow the admission procedure, which is published on https://www.rug.nl/education/bachelor/international-students/admission-and-application/
language test	Extra taaleis Engels: een vwo-diploma of een certificaat vwo Engels (cijfer 6 of hoger), minimum TOEFL eis iBT 90 (met een minimum van 21 voor alle onderdelen), of IELTS 6.5 (met een minimum van 6 voor alle onderdelen). Als je een VWO diploma hebt, hoef je geen taaltoets te overleggen.
other admission requirements	Ben je niet rechtstreeks toelaatbaar? Dien dan een verzoek tot toelating in bij de toelatingscommissie vóór 1 augustus (indien je per 1 september wilt beginnen) of vóór 1 januari (indien je per 1 februari wilt beginnen). Je kunt dit verzoek via e-mail indienen: sec-millc rug.nl. Vermeld je vooropleiding, voorkeur mastertrack, je adresgegevens en geef een korte motivatie. Wij adviseren in alle gevallen eerst contact op te nemen met de studieadviseur CIW.

Admission requirements

Specific requirements	More information
previous education	Bachelor in Communication studies. If you finished a bachelor at a Dutch university or university of applied sciences in a related field, you can send in your request for admission to sec-millc rug.nl. Students with a non-Dutch qualification can follow the admission procedure via https://www.rug.nl/education/bachelor/international-students/admission-and-application/
language test	Additional requirements English: A VWO diploma or a subject certificate for VWO English (mark 6 or higher), 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).
other admission requirements	Please note: whether it is possible to start this Master's degree programme as of 1 February 2023 depends on several different factors. Please contact the study advisor (under the "Contact" button) for more information.

Tuition fees

Nationality	Year	Fee	Programme form
EU/EEA	2022-2023	€ 2209	full-time
non-EU/EEA	2022-2023	€ 14570	full-time
EU/EEA	2023-2024	€ 2314	full-time
non-EU/EEA	2023-2024	€ 16000	full-time

Practical information for:

Dutch students International students

After your studies

Job prospects

Graduates of Communication Studies have a wide range of career possibilities. You could work in communication, education, PR and marketing. It is also possible to find work as a text and speech writer, web editor or journalist.

Job examples

Press Officer
Communications Officer, Manager or Advisor
Journalist
Marketing Manager
Public Relations Consultant
Text or Speech writer
Web editor

Research

Research in the field of Communication Science at the University of Groningen focuses on oral, written, audiovisual and digital communication in one's mother tongue or in a second or foreign language, linking the functional characteristics of the various communication media and channels to the contexts and aims of the communication. In addition to careful analyses of the communication itself, experiments are also conducted to measure its effects.

The CIW research is coordinated by the Discourse and Communication group, which is part of the Centre for Language and Cognition Groningen (CLCG). This research group conducts both qualitative and quantitative research on the use of language and other semiotic systems in specific communicative contexts. Particular attention is paid to the effects of strategic (persuasive) communication in professional settings, such as organizational, media and health communication.

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Dutch brochure English brochure

20Mar

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Contact

Ask Your Question Here (please fill in this contact form, we will answer you as soon as possible.)
Drs. Marloes Bergmans (Studieadviseur)
Email: studyadvicecis rug.nl
Daan van Ommen (Student Ambassador)
Email: d.m.l.m.van.ommen student.rug.nl
Admission Office (Contact form)
Telephone: +31-(0)50 363 8976

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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.

"Vooraf hoopte ik dat ik binnen de vakken die ik wilde kiezen ook praktijkgerichte opdrachten zou krijgen. Deze verwachting is gelukkig waargemaakt."

In september 2017 ben ik begonnen aan de master Communicatiekunde aan de RUG. Het voordeel van deze master is voor mij dat je zowel verbredende als verdiepende vakken binnen het werkveld van communicatie kunt kiezen, zonder gelijk aan een bepaalde richting, zoals organisationele communicatie vast te zitten. Je hebt de keuze om zelf een aantal vakken te kiezen, waarmee je een eigen studiekader kiest.

Vooraf hoopte ik dat ik binnen de vakken die ik wilde kiezen, ook praktijkgerichte opdrachten zou krijgen. Deze verwachting is gelukkig waar gemaakt. Binnen het vak Ontwerp van Communicatietrainingen leer je bijvoorbeeld niet alleen de theorieën achter verschillende trainingskeuzes, maar krijg je ook de kans om zelf een training te ontwerpen en daadwerkelijk te geven. Per week ben ik in totaal ongeveer 25 tot 30 uur bezig met mijn master. Hiervan ben je ongeveer een kwart van de tijd kwijt met colleges en de rest met zelfstudie. Mocht je je kunnen vinden in alle bovenstaande aspecten, dan kan ik je deze master Communicatiekunde aan de RUG van harte aanbevelen!

Study associations

Commotie

Commotie is the study association for all communication students in Groningen.They offer their members a wide range of both educational and social activities and want their members to get the most out of their student life. In-house days, workshops, lectures and congresses give a broad insight in the workfield and career possibilities of communication.

Social activities contain an annual trip abroad, monthly socials, parties and many other fun activities. These activities give members the opportunity to make new friends and meet new people. More info? Check the website.

https://www.svcommotie.nl/home

Marug

The Marketing Association of the University of Groningen (MARUG) is the inter-departmental study association for students who are interested in marketing.

The MARUG acts as an intermediary between marketing theory and marketing practice and organises several career events and social activities during the year, such as a monthly social. At this moment, the MARUG has more than 1500 members from different fields of knowledge.

https://www.marug.nl/