Program Overview

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Introduction to the Bachelor's Degree in English Language and Culture

The University of Groningen offers a Bachelor's degree in English Language and Culture, which is the oldest and highest-rated program of its kind in the Netherlands. This program provides students with a deep understanding of the literary, cultural, and linguistic evolution of the English language from its early medieval origins to the present day.

Program Description

The Bachelor's degree in English Language and Culture is a full-time program that covers the rich literatures, language developments, and cultures of the British Isles and North America, as well as other countries where English is used. Throughout the course of their study, students have the opportunity to tailor their study to their specific interests and needs. The program develops students' writing, presentation, and debating skills for a professional context, preparing them for entering an international job market.

Facts and Figures

• Degree: BA in English Language and Culture
• Course type: Bachelor
• Duration: 36 months (180 EC)
• Croho code: 50290
• Language of instruction: English
• Start: September
• Faculty: Arts

Why Study this Program in Groningen?

• The program is in line with leading British and North American universities in terms of content and quality.
• The program is tailored to students' needs, with small classrooms that facilitate plenty of interaction with lecturers and fellow classmates.
• Students can design their program to meet their ambitions and interests with a range of electives.
• The program has been rated as the best in the Netherlands in the Keuzegids university rankings over the past decade.
• The academic staff have a reputation for excellence in teaching and research.

Program Structure

The program is divided into three years, with the first year providing a solid grounding in a broad selection of texts and literary methods. The curriculum covers some of the most famous and influential authors, including Geoffrey Chaucer, William Shakespeare, Jane Austen, Margaret Atwood, and many others. Students will also explore lesser-known authors who had a significant impact on the development of English literature and linguistics.

Year 1

• The core of the program in the first year provides a solid grounding in a broad selection of texts and literary methods.
• Courses include English for Academic Purposes (EAP), English Linguistics, and Making Meaning.

Year 2 and 3

• Students can choose from a range of modules to hone their specialization.
• During the course of their degree, students may choose to pursue a minor or undertake a work placement.
• Students will also have the opportunity to study abroad, with established links with British and Irish universities, as well as several other top institutions from across Europe.

Curriculum

The curriculum is designed to provide students with a deep understanding of the literary, cultural, and linguistic evolution of the English language. The program covers a range of topics, including:

• English for Academic Purposes (EAP)
• English Linguistics
• Making Meaning
• Knowledge and Power
• Sound Structure
• English Literatures from 1550
• English Literatures until 1550
• English for Academic Purposes: Argumentation
• English Linguistics: Sociolinguistics
• Chaucer
• Literary Theory for English Studies

Study Abroad

• Study abroad is optional.
• For an average of 16 weeks.
• Maximum of 30 EC.

Entry Requirements

• Dutch diploma: A Dutch VWO diploma.
• International diploma: A German Abitur, an International Baccalaureate diploma, a European Baccalaureate, or another diploma that is sufficient for acceptance to a Dutch university.
• English language requirement: 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) or Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency with a minimum score of 180.

Admission Requirements

• Previous education: A Dutch VWO diploma, a German Abitur, an International Baccalaureate diploma, a European Baccalaureate, or another diploma that is sufficient for acceptance to a Dutch university.
• Other admission requirements: English language requirement.

Registration Procedure

If you apply between 1 October and 28 February and submit all the requested information and documents in full via the Progress Portal, you will receive a decision on your admission within one month.

Application Deadlines

• Type of student: Dutch students, EU/EEA students, non-EU/EEA students.
• Deadline: 01 May 2026.
• Start course: 01 September 2026.

Tuition Fees

• Nationality: EU/EEA, non-EU/EEA.
• Year: 2026.
• Fee: € 2601 (EU/EEA), € 13500 (non-EU/EEA).
• Programme form: full-time.

After Your Studies

After graduating from the BA English Language and Culture program, you will be equipped with academic and professional skills that will prepare you for further study at MA and PhD levels and for the job market. You will have developed the ability to:

• Think independently
• Present in a professional setting
• Work as a part of a team
• Undertake individual research projects
• Communicate professionally for a range of different audiences

Continuing Education

After graduation, you may want to continue your academic education. The BA English Language and Culture qualifies you for many Master's programs. A Master's degree will earn you the title of Master of Arts (MA) and significantly increase your employment prospects.

Job Prospects

Your degree in English Language and Culture is the perfect preparation for your future career. As an English graduate, you will not only have obtained a broad and detailed understanding of the English language, its history, and cultural contexts, but will have acquired specialist skills that are highly sought after by numerous institutions and companies.

Research

Departmental research covers areas of English literature and linguistics, from premodern culture to language development and modern literature. Research topics include:

• Women's travel writing
• King Arthur
• Fan fiction
• Queer linguistics and gender dynamics
• Pirates and poets in the Middle Ages
• Bilingualism and cognitive aging
• Second language pedagogy
• The history of the emotions
• Gender studies
• Modern and contemporary British and American literature
• Children’s and young adult literature
• Gothic literature

Study Associations

The study association for the English department in Groningen is NUTS. NUTS has been the study association of the English department in Groningen for over 40 years and is still going strong. NUTS makes studying English a lot of fun by organizing all sorts of activities throughout the year.

Binding Study Advice

A minimum of 45 EC in the first 12 months (binding). You will be offered study advice after the first year of study. You can expect a positive result if you have earned more than 45 ECTS credit points (out of a total of 60 ECTS). If you have earned fewer than 45 ECTS and are issued a negative result, you will not be allowed to continue with your degree program.