This MA programme offers a critical exploration of digital media within contemporary networked societies and trains students to work with (big) data in a responsible way.
Media platforms (including social media) have changed the fabric of everyday life and society. This has had important implications for how we inform ourselves, with whom we connect and in which ways, how we organize our daily lives, and how we perform as citizens. Besides increased access to information and connectivity, digital media have also increased divides in society and created new ones. Moreover, who can participate in the digital society depends on levels of literacy and critical understanding of the digital media that surround us. Knowledge of the ways these quickly emerging communication infrastructures are fundamentally transforming society is indispensable. At a time when intensive data-gathering and analysis is key for companies and governments, this MA programme's theoretical approach to social media, platforms and government technology – including their data-driven impact on society – helps students in understanding and reflecting on critical issues in order to respond to current societal transformations. From a practical perspective, students are trained to investigate data and digital technology in the context of social, political and economic change.
Sign up now for the Open Day on Friday 1 3 M arch !This programme trains you to critically engage with the profound societal changes that social media bring about, with hands-on experience with analysis of social media data. The internship familiarizes yourself with the job market and kick-starts your career. Acquired skills include:
The specific courses for this track are currently under development. A course overview be made available here by the end of 2025. These courses, built on the previously successful tracks Social Media and Society and Datafication and Digital Literacy, will focus on: 1) theories of networks, platforms and algorithms 2) studying data and technology, 3) digital literacies and inclusion.
| Semesters | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CoursesCourse Catalog > | 1a | 1b | 2a | 2b |
| Networks in the Platform Society (5 EC) | ||||
| Transformations in the Digital Society (10 EC) This course examines media-driven transformations in digital society, focusing on changes in production, communities, and broader social structures within their historical context. Students engage with contemporary debates through lectures, independent study, and group discussions to develop informed and critical arguments. | ||||
| Media and Global Challenges (5 EC) | ||||
| Media and Global Challenges (5 EC) This course explores the role of media in addressing global societal challenges such as climate change, misinformation, AI and labor, and political polarization. Through lectures and seminars, students examine how media both contribute to and can help mitigate these issues. The course focuses on current, evolving debates informed by the instructors' active research. | ||||
| Media Lab (10 EC) In this seminar-based course, students develop their own media-related projects, ranging from media startups and innovative storytelling formats to policy reports and awareness campaigns. The course provides space for creative, practical experimentation around media innovation and media-related issues. | ||||
| Research Seminar MDTS (10 EC) | ||||
| Thesis Lab Media Studies (5 EC) In this module students are guided towards designing their MA Thesis proposal. The research itself is to be carried out in the first block of the second year. | ||||
| Semesters | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CoursesCourse Catalog > | 1a | 1b | ||
| MA Thesis: Media Studies (15 EC) As both programs are 90 ECTS, in the first semester of the second year of this MA track students start writing their MA Thesis and then complete an internship at a company, (N)GO of their choice. | ||||
| MA Thesis Plus: Media Studies (25 EC, optional) | ||||
| Tutorial: MA Thesis Media Studies (5 EC, optional) | ||||
| MA Internship: Media Studies (15 EC) As both programs are 90 ECTS, in the first semester of the second year of this MA track students start writing their MA Thesis and then complete an internship at a company, (N)GO of their choice. | ||||
| Specific requirements | More 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) or 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 Media, Digital Transformations and Society. 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. |
| Study programme | Organization | Transition |
|---|---|---|
| All Research universities | Via a pre-master with a maximum of |
|
| Media Studies | All Research universities | No additional requirements |
| Study programme | Organization | Transition |
|---|---|---|
| University of Groningen | Via a pre-master with a maximum of |
Note: it's not possible to start in February. For more information, please contact the study advisor.
| Type of student | Deadline | Start course |
|---|---|---|
| Dutch students | 15 August 2026 | 01 September 2026 |
| 15 August 2027 | 01 September 2027 | |
| EU/EEA students | 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 |
| 01 May 2027 | 01 September 2027 | |
| non-EU/EEA students | 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 |
| 01 May 2027 | 01 September 2027 |
For students with a non-Dutch diploma: deadline May 1, to start in September For students with a Dutch diploma: deadline August 15, to start in September
| Specific requirements | More 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) or 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 Media, Digital Transformations and Society. 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. |
Note: it's not possible to start in February.
| Type of student | Deadline | Start course |
|---|---|---|
| Dutch students | 15 August 2026 | 01 September 2026 |
| 15 August 2027 | 01 September 2027 | |
| EU/EEA students | 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 |
| 01 May 2027 | 01 September 2027 | |
| non-EU/EEA students | 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 |
| 01 May 2027 | 01 September 2027 |
For students with a non-Dutch diploma: deadline May 1, to start in September For students with a Dutch diploma: deadline August 15, to start in September
| Nationality | Year | Fee | Programme form |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU/EEA | 2025-2026 | € 2601 | full-time |
| non-EU/EEA | 2025-2026 | € 19200 | full-time |
| EU/EEA | 2026-2027 | € 2695 | full-time |
| non-EU/EEA | 2026-2027 | € 19900 | full-time |
Important: the master track Media, Digital Transformations and Society 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:
Students who finish this MA degree have:
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.
