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Education Master's and PhD degree programmes Media Studies Datafication and Digital Literacy
Header image Datafication and Digital Literacy

Datafication and Digital Literacy

How do algorithms make sense of our digital activities to determine what we see and do online? How is big data is affecting our daily lives? How does digital literacy empower people to navigate digital societies?

This programme offers students the opportunity to gain cutting-edge knowledge of the digital transformations that profoundly change society. New media technologies and platforms are increasingly central to people’s daily lives. Many activities, from doing business to getting information and organizing our health care, are now moving online. The data this generates allows for large-scale data mining and algorithmic filtering. This opens up opportunities to enhance our life, but also raises ethical issues and pushes us to thoroughly understand and reflect on the implications. By critically engaging with the role of digital media in our day-to-day lives, you will understand the wider consequences of our growing reliance on data for society, policy and business. By taking a digital literacy perspective, this MA empowers you to address these challenges of datafication.

Facts & Figures
Degree
MA in Media Studies
Course type
Master
Duration
18 months (90 ECTS)
Croho code
60831
Language of instruction
English
Start
September
Faculty
Arts
Why study this programme in Groningen?

This programme enables you to anticipate the challenges and opportunities of an increasingly digital society. The digital literacy approach allows you to become an expert with highly valued skills and state-of-the-art knowledge. You will do an internship to familiarize yourself with the job market and kick-start your career. Acquired skills include:

  • Cutting-edge knowledge of digital transformations
  • Digital literacy
  • Data analysis
  • Excellent writing and communication skills
  • Entrepreneuria
Programme

In the 1st year of the programme courses on transformations in the digital society, algorithmic culture, digital literacy and media use give you a solid theoretical foundation. Methods courses prepare you for doing research independently in a research seminar and MA thesis. In professional skills courses you learn more about media law, economy, ethics and policy, and get more practical experience. In the 3rd semester you write your MA thesis and apply your knowledge and skills in an internship.

Semesters
CoursesCourse Catalog >1a1b2a2b
Algorithmic Culture (5 EC)
Multimodal Discourse Analysis (5 EC, optional)

One of four elective methodology courses

Statistical Analysis with R (5 EC, optional)

One of four elective methodology courses

Transformations in the Digital Society (5 EC)
Analyzing Social Media Data (5 EC, optional)

One of four elective methodology courses

Capturing Media Use (5 EC, optional)

One of four elective methodology courses

Conceptualizing Audiences (5 EC)
Digital Literacy (5 EC)
Datafication: contemporary debates (5 EC)
Data for Society: Civic Media (5 EC, optional)

One of four professional skills courses

Media Policy and Regulation (5 EC, optional)

One of four professional skills courses

Research Seminar DDL (10 EC)
Start-up Lab (5 EC, optional)

One of four professional skills course

Story Lab (5 EC, optional)

One of four professional skills courses

Thesis Lab: DDL (5 EC)
Semesters
CoursesCourse Catalog >1a1b2a2b3a3b
Master's Thesis: DDL (15 EC)
MA Thesis Plus: DDL (25 EC, optional)
Tutorial (5 EC, optional)
Master's Internship: DDL (15 EC)
Programme options
Master's Placement (specialization)

During this Master's track, you follow a mandatory placement for 15 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 unaccommodated
Entry requirements

Transfer options

Transferring from...

Study programmeOrganizationTransition
All Universities of applied sciencesVia a pre-master with a maximum of 60 EC
Study programmeOrganizationTransition
All Research universitiesVia a pre-master with a maximum of 30 EC
Media StudiesAll Research universitiesNo additional requirements
Study programmeOrganizationTransition
Media StudiesUniversity of GroningenNo additional requirements

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

Students with a BA degree in Media Studies from the University of Groningen are directly admitted to the programme. Students with any other BA degree need to have at least 30 ECTS credit points from course units from the Minor in Media Studies provided by the University of Groningen, or course units equivalent to these in content followed at a different university.

language test

Additional English language requirement (also for students wishing to pursue a premaster programme): a Dutch VWO diploma or Dutch VWO English certificate (grade 6 or higher), minimum TOEFL requirement iBT 100 (with a minimum of 25 for all components), or IELTS 7 (with a minimum of 6.5 for all components). Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency with a minimum score of 185. If you have a Dutch VWO degree, you do not need to submit a language test.

other admission requirements

Students with a BA degree from a University of Applied Sciences (HBO) cannot apply directly for the MA Media Studies, track Datafication and Digital Literacy. You will have to complete a pre-Master's first. You can find an overview of the pre-Master's programme on this webpage. Please contact admission.mediastudies rug.nl for more information on how to proceed.

Registration procedure

Note: it's not possible 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

Students with a BA degree in Media Studies from the University of Groningen are directly admitted to the programme. Students with any other BA degree need to have at least 30 ECTS credit points from course units from the Minor in Media Studies provided by the University of Groningen, or course units equivalent to these in content followed at a different university.

language test

Additional English language requirement (also for students wishing to pursue a premaster programme): a Dutch VWO diploma or Dutch VWO English certificate (grade 6 or higher), minimum TOEFL requirement iBT 100 (with a minimum of 25 for all components), or IELTS 7 (with a minimum of 6.5 for all components). Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency with a minimum score of 185. If you have a Dutch VWO degree, you do not need to submit a language test.

other admission requirements

Students with a BA degree from a University of Applied Sciences (HBO) cannot apply directly for the MA Media Studies, track Datafication and Digital Literacy. You will have to complete a pre-Master's first. You can find an overview of the pre-Master's programme on this webpage. Please contact admission.mediastudies rug.nl for more information on how to proceed.

Registration procedure

Note: it's not possible 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

Important: the master track Datafication and Digital Literacy is a 18 months master programme (1.5 years). This means that you pay 1.5 times more tuition fee, not just ONE year.

Practical information for:

After your studies

Job prospects

Students who finish this MA degree will have:

  • A thorough understanding of how to navigate the shifts undergone in social and political institutions as our societies have become digital societies
  • An understanding of the implications an increased reliance on digital media and digital data has had on society, with a focus on policy and media strategy
  • Strong analytical, methodological and professional skills that allows you to critically explore, and to develop critical research

Job examples

  • Policy maker
  • Educator
  • Consultant
  • Data manager
  • Media analyst
  • Data analyst
  • Media and digital advocate
Research

Research environment

You are taught by lecturers who are internationally renowned in media studies. You benefit from and can be involved in the research of the Centre for Media and Journalism Studies, assessed as an excellent and world-leading research centre. The department is well-known for its informal and vibrant atmosphere, allowing for fruitful exchange between staff and students.

Apply nowBrochureEventsContact

Contact

  • Erika Kastelein MA (Study advisor)
    Email: studyadvicemediastudies rug.nl
  • Gwendolyn Hooijkaas BA MSc (Study advisor)
    Email: studyadvicemediastudies rug.nl
  • Monty Slater (Student Ambassador)
    Email: m.j.slater student.rug.nl
  • Admission Office (Contact form)
    Telephone: +31-(0)50 363 8976

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.

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Study associations

MESA

MESA is the study association of the bachelor and master programs of Media Studies. The association aims to help the cultural and academic growth of its members as well as improve contact between them. Additionally, the association plays a vital role in promoting and introducing the bachelor to both new and prospective students.
MESA is comprised of various committees, each with their own objectives to help us achieve our goals. Numerous events are organized all year round such as the first years introduction camp, parties, trips, excursions and debates amongst other things and offers services such as high-quality summaries.
https://mesagroningen.nl/
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Student profile

If you are interested in digital media, how digitalization and datafication transform society, and how a digital literacy perspective helps you to apply knowledge about this transformation in a range of professions, this programme is the right one for you.

Study support

If you have any questions or doubts about your studies, you can always contact the study advisor. He or she knows all the ins and outs of the program and personal planning. Study advisors are impartial and everything that is discussed is treated confidentially.