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Be at the forefront of the communication revolution

Communication Science

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Find solutions to major communication issues

Deepfakes, cybercrime, the platform economy, the fake news industry and the advent of contact tracing apps. Being knowledgeable about these developments in the media landscape is crucial. During this media and communication Master you will identify new developments and examine the complex dynamics between media, people and society from a scientific perspective.  

During your Communication Science programme you will learn to conduct independent social science research and analyse communication processes at an academic level. You can choose one of three specializations, depending on your specific interests, to enhance your knowledge and skills. 

The programme of Communication Science will start on 1 September.

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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 of this Master 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 this Master 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 this Communication Science Master 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 Communication Technology in Organizations, 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. 

Summary

How do psychological processes work for media users? Why has cyberbullying increased through the use of social media, for instance? Can we socialize with robots or avatars? During the Media Psychology track, which is unique in the Netherlands, you will study the positive aspects of the use of media as well as problematic social and other effects. 

Subjects

  • Masterthesis Communication Science
  • Essentials of Media Psychology
  • Research Methods in Communication Science
  • Media Psychology for Impact
  • Computational Analysis of Digital Communication
  • Problematic and Beneficial Effects of Media Use

Please consult the Study Guide for more information

Summary

How can you use communication to influence human behaviour? In this track you will focus on research about marketing and PR communication and how media and social media are used as tools. You will learn how organizations use communication to achieve a variety of goals, such as improving their offline and online reputation or attracting more customers.

Subjects

  • Masterthesis Communication Science
  • Marketing Communication and the Consumer
  • Research Methods in Communication Science
  • Marketing and Corporate Communication for Impact
  • Computational Analysis of Digital Communication
  • Public Relations

Please consult the Study Guide for more information

Summary

Although all tracks will cover working with media and social media data, this will be particularly so for the Political Communication module. You will find out how to use social media data to identify the impact of political messages, for instance, and how news spreads across traditional and online media. You will learn which influencing and communication techniques are effective in the eternal battle to gain the favour of voters. 

Subjects

  • Masterthesis Communication Science
  • News and Information in the Digital Age 
  • Research Methods in Communication Science
  • Political Communication for Impact
  • Computational Analysis of Digital Communication
  • Political Communication and Public Opinion

Please consult the Study Guide for more information

  • Media Psychology

    Summary

    How do psychological processes work for media users? Why has cyberbullying increased through the use of social media, for instance? Can we socialize with robots or avatars? During the Media Psychology track, which is unique in the Netherlands, you will study the positive aspects of the use of media as well as problematic social and other effects. 

    Subjects

    • Masterthesis Communication Science
    • Essentials of Media Psychology
    • Research Methods in Communication Science
    • Media Psychology for Impact
    • Computational Analysis of Digital Communication
    • Problematic and Beneficial Effects of Media Use

    Please consult the Study Guide for more information

  • Marketing and Corporate Communication

    Summary

    How can you use communication to influence human behaviour? In this track you will focus on research about marketing and PR communication and how media and social media are used as tools. You will learn how organizations use communication to achieve a variety of goals, such as improving their offline and online reputation or attracting more customers.

    Subjects

    • Masterthesis Communication Science
    • Marketing Communication and the Consumer
    • Research Methods in Communication Science
    • Marketing and Corporate Communication for Impact
    • Computational Analysis of Digital Communication
    • Public Relations

    Please consult the Study Guide for more information

  • Political Communication, Digital News and Public Opinion

    Summary

    Although all tracks will cover working with media and social media data, this will be particularly so for the Political Communication module. You will find out how to use social media data to identify the impact of political messages, for instance, and how news spreads across traditional and online media. You will learn which influencing and communication techniques are effective in the eternal battle to gain the favour of voters. 

    Subjects

    • Masterthesis Communication Science
    • News and Information in the Digital Age 
    • Research Methods in Communication Science
    • Political Communication for Impact
    • Computational Analysis of Digital Communication
    • Political Communication and Public Opinion

    Please consult the Study Guide for more information

Political Communication, Digital News and Public Opinion

Are you curious about the experiences of students of the track Political Communication, Digital News and Public Opinion? Then watch this video. 

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Interdisciplinary

The programme of this Communication Master 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 Master's Communication Science 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. 

Change your future with Communication Science

Change your future with Communication Science

After this Communication study you will be able to work as a strategist at a marketing or advertising agency, for example, or you can become a communications adviser for a for-profit, not-for-profit or government organization. 

Explore your future prospects
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