Program Overview

Program Overview

The Master's program in Media, Digital Transformations and Society offers a critical exploration of digital media within contemporary networked societies. It trains students to work with (big) data in a responsible way, providing a theoretical approach to social media, platforms, and government technology, including their data-driven impact on society.

Program Details

• Degree: MA in Media Studies
• Course type: Master
• Duration: 18 months (90 EC)
• Croho code: 60831
• Language of instruction: English
• Start: September
• Faculty: Arts

Why Study This Program in Groningen?

This program trains students to critically engage with the profound societal changes that social media bring about, with hands-on experience in analyzing social media data. The internship familiarizes students with the job market and kick-starts their career. Acquired skills include:

• Cutting-edge knowledge of social media
• Social media analysis
• Profound insights into social media use
• Excellent communication and writing skills
• Social media management skills
• Entrepreneurial skills

Program Structure

• Year 1
• Year 2 The specific courses for this track are currently under development. A course overview will be made available 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

Courses

Study Abroad

Study abroad is unaccommodated.

Entry Requirements

• Dutch diploma
• International diploma

Admission Requirements

Specific requirements:

• Previous education: Students with a BA degree in Media Studies from the University of Groningen are directly admitted to the program. 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 program): 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.

Transfer Options

Transferring from:

• All Research universities
• University of Groningen Study program | Organization | Transition ---|---|--- | All Research universities | Via a pre-master with a maximum of 30 EC Media Studies | All Research universities | No additional requirements

Registration Procedure

Application Deadlines

Type of student | Deadline | Start course ---|---|--- Dutch students | 15 August 2026 | 01 September 2026 EU/EEA students | 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 non-EU/EEA students | 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026

Tuition Fees

Nationality | Year | Fee | Program form ---|---|---|--- EU/EEA | | € 2601 | full-time non-EU/EEA | | € 19200 | full-time EU/EEA | | € 2695 | full-time non-EU/EEA | | € 19900 | full-time

After Your Studies

Job Prospects

Students who finish this MA degree have:

• A thorough understanding of the societal implications of the emerging social media ecology for democracy, social cohesion, and the economy
• Strong analytical, methodological, and professional skills that allow them to design and conduct critical research into social media, networks, and their implications for society and to computationally collect, analyze, visualize, and re-use social media data to study online behavior and content on a large scale

Job Examples

• Data analyst
• Market researcher
• Marketing officer
• Communication and public relations officer
• Consultant
• Entrepreneur
• Policy advisor

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.

Student Profile

If you are interested in how social media transform society and want to learn how you can analyze social media data for research and professional purposes, this program is the right one for you.