Communication Science

Overview

The programme

The Master’s programme in Communication Science features theoretical enrichment together with putting theory into practice in the professional field. You will be trained to put theoretical knowledge to use in societal issues. 

In the first semester you will take subjects that are part of your track. Moreover, you will take two methodology and statistics modules that focus on innovative data collection and analysis. In the first half of your Master’s programme you will also take a course that teaches you to put scientific research into practice to solve communication issues: Science for Impact. 

In the second part of your Master’s programme you will take two optional subjects to broaden your knowledge or to explore issues in more depth. The optional subjects that you can take are Internal Communication and New Media, Branding and Design, Social Marketing, Storytelling: the Persuasive Power of Narratives, Privacy, Self-disclosure and Big Data, or Social Robotics. You will also start your Master’s thesis in the second semester. One of your lecturers (who are all leaders in their field) will supervise you in your research on the latest developments in communications and media. 

Interdisciplinary

The Communication Science programme at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is taught by lecturers and researchers from different backgrounds, including communication science, social psychology, political science and text, film, and literature studies. The teaching and research activities of our lecturers are closely linked. 

Science for Impact

In the subject Science for Impact you will be challenged to address problems in society. You will be commissioned to conduct research by a company or organization that is faced with a communication problem. You will present the organization with a specific recommendation or intervention based on a scientific analysis. 

This has proven to be very useful for external stakeholders: many of the recommendations have been adopted in the past and put into practice. These practical assignments will help you gain valuable practical experience during your studies and will ensure that you are aware of the various kinds of challenges faced by many companies and organizations. 

Practical cases will also be presented by companies in other modules thus giving you the opportunity to build your professional network and skills during you studies. 

Future

Having gained your Master’s degree in Communication Science you will be able to look analytically at communication issues. You will understand the effects of media on society and the workplace. You will be able to identify communication problems and know how to solve these problems.

In an ever-changing media landscape, a Communication Science degree will make you a sought-after expert who is versatile and deployable in various sectors now and in the future. 

Our graduates often end up working for large offline and online communication agencies or in the communication department of an organization. And at a later stage we often see our alumni advance to roles in which they become responsible for the communication strategy of corporations and government organizations, including breweries, ministries, online platforms, chain stores, media companies and NGOs. Yet another group of students ends up working more hands-on at smaller organizations or agencies where they combine communication strategy and its implementation.