You begin your Research Master's journey with a foundational year that includes core theoretical and methodological courses. In this period, you will grasp essential theories, values, and research skills vital for becoming a proficient Communication Science researcher. It lays the groundwork for your growth in the field.

During this foundational year, you will follow the mandatory theoretical courses as part of your core substantive coursework:

• Understanding Communication Theory
• Good Research Practices
• Advancing and Building Communication Science Theory

These courses will give you an insight into the major theories in the field of communication science, as well as the philosophical and practical understanding of what good research is.

In addition, you will follow five core methodological courses to obtain core methods and analytic skills, namely:

• Using R for Data Wrangling, Analysis, and Visualization
• Survey Design
• Experimentation in the Social Sciences
• Content Analysis
• Qualitative Research Methods

You will also follow the course Evaluating Research to prepare you for your so-called ‘flex semester’ and you will follow a themed elective course of your choosing.

After completing the foundational year, you will have the chance to customise your studies during the third ‘flex semester', by choosing either an Academic or Professional specialisation. This allows you to personalise your journey and focus on areas that match your scholarly goals.

In short, the Academic Specialisation focuses more on methodological training and academic research, while the Professional Specialisation emphasises practical research experience in professional settings.

Academic Specialisation:

• You are interested in further academic research or pursuing a career in academia
• In the third semester, you'll follow a theoretical elective along with methodological courses in Structural Equation Modeling, Big Data, and Analysis of Longitudinal Data
• The semester concludes with a 6 EC ASCoR research internship

Professional Specialisation:

• You are seeking practical experience in a professional setting, such as corporations, organisations, or industry sectors related to communication science
• In the third semester, you'll follow a theoretical elective and one methodological course
• The semester concludes with an 18 EC internship at a company or organisation

In your final semester, you will complete your methodological coursework and follow the course Science Communication. This course enhances your ability to communicate scientific concepts effectively to diverse audiences. You will also complete your thesis.

In your third semester, you will do an internship. Since coursework accompanies your internship, it must be conducted in the Netherlands.

Academic Specialisation: In addition to the methodological courses, you'll undertake a 6 EC ASCoR research internship, collaborating on cutting-edge projects alongside ASCoR researchers in the academic field.

Professional Specialisation: In addition to one methodological course, you'll undertake an 18 EC internship at a company or organisation of your choice (with guidance and approval from the internship coordinator). During this internship, you'll be expected to actively participate in research activities and report your findings.

In your final semester, you will complete your thesis, where you are expected to independently demonstrate your ability to navigate the empirical cycle, from generating ideas to collecting data, conducting analysis, and producing a comprehensive write-up. Throughout this process, you will receive guidance from your assigned thesis supervisor.

In the Research Master's program, you'll be fully immersed in campus life. Your time will mostly be spent studying independently, with about 8 hours of class meetings per week, on average. Our teaching approach emphasizes commitment. Tutorials are the main teaching method, with groups typically consisting of 20 to 25 students. You're encouraged to actively participate in tutorials by preparing for meetings, giving presentations, working on small research projects, and engaging in discussions.