BA in Media Studies
Groningen, Netherlands
DURATION
3 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
01 May 2025*
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
EUR 13,100 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* Dutch, EU/EEA and non-EU/EEA students
** for Non-EU|for EU/EEA EUR 2,530
Introduction
Media are at the heart of contemporary life. From social media to print, from websites to television, from search engines to apps: our understanding of the world is shaped by media.
Media have a major impact not only on how we communicate with one another but also on how societies are organised: culturally, politically and economically. This academic programme, therefore, studies the informative and social function of media and conceives 'culture' in its anthropological definition: as the ideas, customs and social behaviour of particular (groups in) societies.
You will acquire knowledge and a variety of theoretical perspectives on the way different media platforms are structured, how they operate and how they relate to each other; how media systems are underpinned politically and economically; and how patterns of media use and production and content develop and change. You will learn to apply and critically reflect on different types of academic research methods on a variety of topics. In addition, you will also get acquainted with the professional fields related to media, and develop your professional skills to help you perform in media-related internships and jobs.
The programme's distinctive features are:
- an international, comparative and interdisciplinary curriculum
- a focus on the informative and social function of media
- emphasis on the theoretical perspectives, methodological skills to understand and research practices of media use and production
- attention to professional skills
Why study this programme in Groningen?
The programme has a specific focus on the informative and social function of media, providing a comparative perspective by studying media in their cultural, international, historical, economic and political contexts, using methods and theories from social sciences. It has attention to the practices of media use and production, as well as professional skills. The perspective of other programmes is more often grounded in popular culture, arts, language and/or film and television studies.
Admissions
Curriculum
Year 1
Students get familiar with different relevant media platforms and industries and with Media Studies as an academic discipline, as well as acquire the necessary academic skills.
Courses
- Media, Culture and Society (5 EC)
- Media Platforms and Industries I (5 EC)
- Studying Media in Everyday Life (5 EC)
- Academic Skills (5 EC)
- Media History (5 EC)
- Media Platforms and Industries II (5 EC)
- Imagining the Digital (5 EC)
- Introduction to Media Studies I (5 EC)
- Professional Writing (5 EC)
- Introduction to Media Studies II (5 EC)
- Media Spaces and Practices (5 EC)
- Social Lab (5 EC)
Year 2
The focus shifts to a thorough theoretical and methodological training. Besides mandatory courses, students follow a profile of their choosing: Audiovisual Culture, Cultural Industries, Digital Cultures, Journalism Studies or Politics and Global Citizenship.
Courses
- Analysing Media Texts (5 EC)
- Audiovisual Culture (5 EC)
- Profiles (elective courses, with a choice from Audiovisual Culture, Cultural Industries, Digital Cultures, Journalism Studies, Politics and Global Citizenship) (5 EC)
- Analysing Media Production and Use (5 EC)
- Digital Curation (5 EC, optional)
- Journalistic Writing and Storytelling (5 EC, optional)
- Media Entrepreneurship (5 EC, optional)
- Profiles (continuation of the chosen profile) (5 EC)
- Web Design (5 EC, optional)
- Media Theory I: Mediatisation and Effect (5 EC)
- Profiles (continuation of the chosen profile) (5 EC)
- Profiles (continuation of the chosen profile) (5 EC)
- Media Theory II: Form and Technology (5 EC)
- Profiles (continuation of the chosen profile) (5 EC)
- Transmedia Production (5 EC)
Year 3
Students do (semi-)independent research as well as make a choice as to which minor (university minor; faculty minor; career minor, including a placement; minor abroad) they would like to follow.
Courses
- Minor (elective) (15 EC)
- Minor (elective) (15 EC)
- Research Seminar Media Studies (10 EC)
- Thinkers and Theories (5 EC)
- Specialization course Media Studies (5 EC)
- Thesis (10 EC)
Throughout the curriculum, there are three distinct learning pathways: a theoretical, methodological and professional learning pathway. These aim to provide students with the combination of a solid knowledge base, substantial understanding of a diversity of theoretical perspectives, sound methodological training, and thorough preparation for the labour market. Students earn 150 ECTS credits in their major, and 30 ECTS can be filled with a minor during the third year.
Programme options
- Honours programme
- Minors (minor)
Study abroad
- Study abroad is optional
- For an average of 20 weeks
- Maximum of 30 EC
To further encourage the international profile of the students, the programme structure allows students to spend one semester at a partner university abroad in the third year of their studies. The Department offers exchange programmes within the framework of the Lifelong Learning Erasmus and Marco Polo.
Career Opportunities
Job prospects
As a graduate of the BA Media Studies, you have acquired the skills you need for the job market of the 21st century: creativity, critical thinking, communication, collaboration and commitment. You could start your career in media or the creative industry, or in any other field that has job openings, which might lead to jobs, such as strategy consultant, social media analyst, policy advisor and digital content producer.
Job examples
- Advisor/consultant: Advise on the e-consulting strategy for a major health institution.
- Content and campaign manager: Develop the website and the social media campaigns for a commercial broadcasting organisation
- Digital product manager: Develop and optimize the digital product range for a medium-sized youth and education publisher.
- Social media strategy advisor: Develop and implement the social media strategy for a non-profit crowdsourcing organisation.
- Copywriter: Produce audiovisual content for a digital television channel.