Last Updated on December 14, 2022
General
Locations
University of GroningenAll LocationsGroningen, Netherlands
Duration24 monthsEarliest Start Date01 Sep 2021
Application DeadlineRequest Info
Languages English, Dutch
Study TypeCampus
PaceFull-timePart-time
Tuition Fees*EUR 2,168*EU/EEA, full-time
Introduction
How does the world of science connect with the worlds of education and society? How do teachers bridge science and education? How are science and its processes communicated in the media? What is the role of informal institutions in shaping the public’s understanding of science?
If you are interested in these questions then this program is for you! We aim to bridge the gap between those who know science, those who teach science, and those who communicate science. The program builds upon an international network of existing institutional links, teaching and research experience, and a well-established Master’s degree program offered in Dutch for the past 14 years. The international program will provide you with a solid foundation in the science, theory, and practice of innovative teaching and effective communication in science and mathematics.
The Master’s degree program in Science Education and Communication is a flexible, two-year program, with six tracks you can choose from. There are five Education tracks (Biology, Informatics, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics) and Communication. All tracks are based on a highly interactive and interdisciplinary global curriculum that integrates theory, research and practice through a series of contemporary courses and internships.
Through this transformative experience, you will gain deep scientific understandings and develop research, teaching, and communication skills needed to assume a range of roles and succeed in diverse formal and informal workplaces:
- Schools
- Science Museums and Centers
- Media
- Community Organizations
- Research and Academia
Why study this program in Groningen?
- A highly interactive and interdisciplinary global curriculum
- Tracks in education and communication
- The communication specialization is largely practice-based
- An international context
- There have been two Nobel Prize winners in our faculty: Ben Feringa (Chemistry, 2016) and Frits Zernike (Physics)
Research
The Institute for Science Education and Communication.
The Institute for Science Education and Communication conducts research aimed at improving teaching in mathematics and science education. Research projects are carried out in secondary and university education.
ISEC staff members teach courses in science education and communication, among others in the two-year masters’ degree program Education and Communication in Mathematics and Science. This masters’ program is a cooperation with the University Centre for Teaching and Learning.
ISEC works on the development of courses and curricula in the Faculty of Science and Engineering in collaboration with the Undergraduate School of Science and Graduate School of Science.Last updated Mar 2021Read more on the institution’s website
Curriculum
All tracks start with a joint selection of courses. You conduct a scientific research project within your own science or mathematics expertise. In the course ‘Science Communication Skills’ written and verbal communication skills are further developed. ‘Science Education and Communication Design’ covers the design process of a website and teaching and communication materials. ‘Introduction to Research in Science Education and Communication’ examines methods of scientific research.
Program options
- Education (track)
At this point in time, the Education specialization is only available in Dutch.
- Communication (track)
The Communication specialization teaches students to be able to act as a mediator between science experts and non-experts audiences in international contexts.
You explore the position of mathematics and natural sciences in society, taking into account historical backgrounds and the current state of scientific research in these areas In courses such as ‘Science Communication and Journalism’ and ‘Science and the Public’ students orient on the main pathways through which scientific knowledge reaches society. Focusing on the written press, as well as museums, the internet, radio, and television. In hands-on workshops, students learn how to write popular science texts and design exhibits for science centers, based on recent insights from research. In the course ‘Science, Communication and Society’ students are engaged in risk communication and the role of the public debate in science communication. The program is very much focused on professional training and students’ individual development. In your ‘External Science Communication Project,’ you bring their knowledge into practice with an in-company internship. You are given a large degree of freedom to decide for which client you want to work with. Many students opt to work for popular scientific magazines, museums, websites, or for radio or television programs.
Admissions
International diploma
| Specific requirements | More information |
| language test | Please note: our language proficiency requirements differ from those of the other programs at the Faculty of Science and Engineering. To be admitted for the Dutch-taught Education-track, you will need to prove your proficiency in Dutch by means of an NT2-II test. To be admitted for the English-taught Communication-track, all applicants must satisfy the following minimum scores:IELTS section scores: 7.0 for speaking and writing; 6.5 for reading and listeningTOEFL section scores: 25 (speaking), 27 (writing), 21 (reading and listening)University of Groningen Language Centre English test section scores: C1 speaking and writing; B2 or C1 for reading and listeningCambridge English CAE or CPE certificate: overall score at least 180 |
| previous education | Bachelor’s degree program in Mathematics, Computing Science, Physics, Astronomy, Chemistry, Biology, Pharmacy, Engineering, or related disciplines. This is merely an indication of required background knowledge. The Admissions Board determines whether the specific contents of this/these course(s) meet the admission requirements of the master program for which you applied. |
Registration procedure
Do you prefer an early decision on your request for admission? Don’t wait until 1 May, but use one of the earlier deadlines for this Master’s program (for a course start on 1 September). If the University of Groningen has received your complete application before, then you will receive a decision at the latest on:
Application – Decision:
- 1 December– 15 January
- 1 February – 1 March
- 15 March – 15 April
- 1 May – 15 June
Application deadlines
| Type of student | Deadline | Start course |
| Dutch students | 01 May 2021 | 01 September 2021 |
| EU/EEA students | 01 May 2021 | 01 September 2021 |
| non-EU/EEA students | 01 May 2021 | 01 September 2021 |
Program Tuition Fees
Tuition FeeEUR 2,168
| Nationality | Year | Fee | Program form |
| EU/EEA | 2020-2021 | € 2143 | full-time |
| EU/EEA | 2021-2022 | € 2168 | full-time |
Career Opportunities
Job prospects
Possible companies and organizations include: Schools, Science Museums and Centers, Media, Community Organizations, Research, and Academia
Job examples
- A spokesperson at a museum or an institute
- A science journalist for a newspaper or broadcasting company
- Teacher in upper-level secondary education
