American Studies
Rijksuniversiteit Groningen

Deze opleiding
locatieGroningen |
diplomaBA |
typeregulier, 180 EC |
start1 september |
taalvolledig English |
opleidingsduur3 jaar voltijd |
accreditatiesNVAO |
croho-code50623 |
numerus fixusnee |
honoursheeft honours track |
In American Studies, you learn in depth about the popular culture, politics, history, literature, economics, race relations, and religions of the United States. And you study the connections between the Americas and the wider world. American Studies is not only 'American' - its international scope and inter-American perspective prepare you for an international career.
Our entire program is taught in English by top-notch international faculty, who help you get acquainted with a range of academic disciplines. With America as your case study, you develop essential skills in writing, speaking, and research-skills that you can apply far beyond the analysis of U.S. culture and politics.
The United States was once considered “the land of the future” - today, it is the oldest continuously existing democracy. An American Studies degree will help you understand the high stakes of the debates that animate global political and social movements today, so you can be an informed citizen of your country and the world.
Waarom aan de University of Groningen?
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- Think Independently: American Studies at UG is the only program of its kind in the Netherlands. Because we're a freestanding program (not part of the History or English Departments), every course is designed to look at America from multiple angles. Faculty experts in fields like political history, literature and media, religious studies, and Latin American culture will help you to form your own views on America and the world.
- Connect at University of Groningen: In our small seminars and close-knit intellectual community, you can learn and challenge yourself with the help of classmates, faculty, and our knowledgeable Study Advisor.
- Connect Abroad: With our network of partner institutions, you can spend a semester working on your BA and experiencing American culture and politics first-hand in a U.S. city like Orlando or Charleston, or at a leading university in Canada or Mexico.
Studieprogramma

periode | |||||||||
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | ||||||
Theories of Culture I a/b: Race, Class and Gender | 10 EC | ||||||||
American Studies in Practice I a/b | 10 EC | ||||||||
The Americas I a/b: The American Century and Beyond | 10 EC | ||||||||
North & South Americans I & II | 10 EC | ||||||||
The Americas II a/b: New Frontiers | 10 EC | ||||||||
American Politics I & II | 10 EC |
periode | |||||||||
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | ||||||
The Americas III a/b: From Exploration to Early Republic | 10 EC | ||||||||
Theories of Culture II: Media Theory | 5 EC | ||||||||
American Studies in Practice II a/b | 10 EC | ||||||||
Theories of Culture II: Political Theory | 5 EC | ||||||||
Global USA I & II keuzevak | 10 EC | ||||||||
Media Specialization I & II keuzevak | 10 EC | ||||||||
Special Topics (choose 4 courses of 5 EC each) | 20 EC |
periode | |||||||||
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | ||||||
Minor | 30 EC | ||||||||
Mobility, Migration, Transculturation | 10 EC | ||||||||
BA Thesis | 10 EC | ||||||||
Theories of Culture III a/b | 10 EC |
minors
minor Minor
The fifth semester of your studies is dedicated to your Minor: a coherent set of future-oriented course units. It prepares you for a follow-on Master's degree program or for entering the labour market. You can opt for a Career Minor, a Minor abroad, a University Minor or a Faculty Minor.
Onderwijs
taal van onderwijs | 100% en |
---|---|
avondonderwijs | n.v.t. |
afstandsonderwijs | n.v.t. |
onderwijsvormen
case study, group assignment, group discussion, individual assignment, internship, lecture, literature study, research project, project, self evaluation, self study, tutorialstudy guidance
If you have any questions about your studies, you may contact the American Studies study advisor who can assist you with academic planning, university services, and other relevant matters. Students can schedule an appointment via the Office of Student Affairs or stop by during the advisor's weekly consultation hours to discuss a variety of academic issues.study abroad
Studying abroad in the United States during the first semester of your third and final year is an asset to the American Studies experience at The University of Groningen. Selected students can enroll in a variety of courses of your choosing at one of our highly valued partner institutions in the U.S.
This is your opportunity to experience first-hand everything you have studied in the classroom, a truly enriching opportunity for students, both academically and personally! For more information regarding exchange locations, please visit the Department of American Studies website at https://www.rug.nl/let/studeren-bij-ons/american-studies/internationalization/
bindend studieadvies
- minimaal 45 EC in de eerste 12 maanden
N.B. Some degree programmes use a tutoring system; please check with your study advisor.
honours-/excellence program University of Groningen Honours College
The Honours College will give talented, motivated students the chance to be challenged even more by following Honours programmes and taking part in numerous other activities.
The Honours College comprises a broadening part and a deepening part and has a study load of 30 ECTS credit points besides the 180 ECTS credit points from your regular Bachelor programme.
Toelating en kosten
startmomenten
aanmelding deadline : 1 mei 2025
wettelijk tarief : € 2601 (€1301 in het eerste jaar)
instellingstarief : € 11800
niet-EU/EER studenten : € 13500
aanmelding deadline : 1 mei 2026
collegegeld nog niet bekend
toelaatbare profielen
VWO N&T | aangevuld met If you have passed the VWO (pre-university education) exam in English, you satisfy the language requirement. |
---|---|
VWO N&G | aangevuld met If you have passed the VWO (pre-university education) exam in English, you satisfy the language requirement. |
VWO E&M | aangevuld met If you have passed the VWO (pre-university education) exam in English, you satisfy the language requirement. |
VWO C&M | aangevuld met If you have passed the VWO (pre-university education) exam in English, you satisfy the language requirement. |
hbo-p | Language requirement English: A VWO diploma or a subject certificate for VWO English (mark 6 or higher), minimum requirement of TOEFL iBT 90 (with a minimum of 21 on all items), or IELTS 6.5 (with a minimum of 6 on all items). Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency with a minimum score of 180. For more information, see: https://www.rug.nl/let/studeren-bij-ons/bachelor/aanmelding-en-inschrijving/language-requirements-ba |
De stad
studievereniging
EPU
E Pluribus Unum (EPU) is the study association for students who study American Studies. EPU's main goal is to unite all American Studies students, both from the Bachelor and Master programs. By doing so, the study association can represent the entire student body in their interests, and provide them with ample opportunities to expand those interests. EPU organizes a vast array of activities, ranging from monthly (themed) drinks to study trips abroad.Na de studie

- American Studies
- Digital Humanities
- Writing, Editing and Mediating (with 40 ECTS in literature courses)
- Euroculture (Erasmus Mundus)
- International Humanitarian Action (Erasmus Mundus)
- Arts, Media and Literary Studies (research)
- Modern History and International Relations (research)
Beroepsperspectief / arbeidsmarkt
- Stand for Something - Want to understand what's behind the news headlines? The program's thematic focus on the history, theory, and technologies of democracy will help you become an informed citizen of your country and the world.
- Go Deep – Rigorous training in history and cultural analysis will help you approach real-world topics with critical insight and historical perspective.
- Smash the “Thought Bubble” - The world does not stop at the borders of a university department, or behave according to the rules of a particular group--so our students learn to examine questions from every angle.
- Write and Speak with Confidence - Our writing courses (Rhetoric & Composition I and II) will polish your English language skills, giving you the freedom to work in the Netherlands or internationally.
- Make a Splash - Innovative classroom assignments let you engage with different audiences and platforms: record a TED talk, create a Tumblr site, write an editorial--it might even get published!
- Join the Conversation - Top-notch international professors prepare you to engage in cutting edge research in the Humanities and Social Sciences. Our BA students have presented at local and international academic conferences, and recent graduates have gone on to PhD programs at Brown University and the University of Michigan.
Journalism and Media
Use your knowledge of U.S. history, culture, and politics to write for international media outlets, or build new platforms for new audiences.
Business and Banking
Your ability to think, write, and speak confidently in English, coupled with your deep knowledge of U.S. economic, cultural and commercial policies and practices, make you an asset to companies seeking to expand into the Dutch, European, and U.S. markets.
Arts and Culture
Your cross-cultural experiences and English skills can serve you well in roles like organizing cultural programs for a museum, guiding visitors for a travel organization, helping international workers integrate into the Netherlands, or launching your own cultural enterprise.
Government and the Public Sector
Your subject-matter expertise in U.S. socio-political affairs and strong English skills transfer readily to positions in local, national, and international governance. Consider working for an embassy, local or national government office, or NGO.
Communications and Public Relations
American Studies teaches you how to analyze difficult problems and craft a message that will speak to your audience--that’s what the fields of Communication and Public Relations are all about. Our graduates work in communications roles for businesses, governments, and non- profit organizations.
Management Consulting and Human Resources
Put your strong analytical, communication, and writing skills to use helping businesses and organizations assess internal challenges and manage change constructively.
aansluitende masteropleidingen
instelling | opleiding | instroomeisen |
---|---|---|
University of Groningen | American Studies | geen aanvullende eisen |
University of Groningen | Applied Linguistics - TEFL | + aanv. eisen |
VU University Amsterdam | Design Cultures | + aanv. eisen |
University of Groningen | Arts, Cognition and Criticism | + aanv. eisen |
University of Groningen | Arts, Media and Literary Studies research | + aanv. eisen |
University of Groningen | Arts, Policy and Cultural Entrepreneurship | + aanv. eisen |
Universiteit voor Humanistiek | Burgerschap & Kwaliteit van Samenleven | geen aanvullende eisen |
University of Groningen | Digital Humanities | geen aanvullende eisen |
University of Groningen | East Asian Studies | + aanv. eisen |
University of Groningen | Euroculture (EM) | geen aanvullende eisen |
University of Groningen | European Politics in a Global Perspective | + aanv. eisen |
University of Groningen | Europese Studies | geen aanvullende eisen |
University of Groningen | Film and Contemporary Audiovisual Media | + aanv. eisen |
University of Groningen | Geopolitics & Connectivity | + aanv. eisen |
University of Groningen | Geschiedenis | + 30 EC pre-master |
University of Groningen | Griekse en Latijnse Taal en Cultuur | + aanv. eisen |
University of Groningen | Heritage and Religion | + aanv. eisen |
University of Groningen | History and Heritage Consultancy | + aanv. eisen |
University of Groningen | History of Architecture and Town planning | + aanv. eisen |
VU University Amsterdam | Global History research | geen aanvullende eisen |
University of Groningen | International Political Economy | + aanv. eisen |
University of Groningen | International Relations and International Organization | + aanv. eisen |
University of Groningen | International Security | + aanv. eisen |
University of Groningen | Internationale Betrekkingen research | geen aanvullende eisen |
University of Groningen | Internationale Betrekkingen (60 EC) | + aanv. eisen |
University of Groningen | Kunstgeschiedenis | + aanv. eisen |
University of Groningen | Landschapsgeschiedenis | + aanv. eisen |
VU University Amsterdam | Letterkunde | + aanv. eisen |
Radboud University Nijmegen | Literary Studies research | + cijfergemiddelde + toelatingsgesprek + motivatiebrief |
Leiden University | Literary Studies | + aanv. eisen |
Leiden University | Literature in Society. Europe and Beyond | + aanv. eisen |
Universiteit voor Humanistiek | Master Humanistiek | geen aanvullende eisen |
Universiteit voor Humanistiek | Master Zorgethiek en Beleid | geen aanvullende eisen |
University of Groningen | Midden-Oostenstudies | + aanv. eisen |
University of Groningen | Modern History and International Relations research | geen aanvullende eisen |
University of Groningen | Multilingualism | + aanv. eisen |
University of Groningen | Music, Theatre and Performance Studies | + aanv. eisen |
University of Groningen | Noord-Amerika Studies | + aanv. eisen |
Radboud University Nijmegen | North American Studies | geen aanvullende eisen |
Leiden University | North American Studies | + aanv. eisen |
University of Groningen | Oude Geschiedenis part-time | + aanv. eisen |
University of Groningen | Politics, Organizations and Learning Histories | + aanv. eisen |
University of Groningen | Religion, Conflict and Globalization | + aanv. eisen |
University of Groningen | Theoretical and Empirical Linguistics | geen aanvullende eisen |
Radboud University Nijmegen | History, Culture and Politics | geen aanvullende eisen |
University of Groningen | Past, Present and Future | + aanv. eisen |
University of Groningen | Vertalen in Europa | + aanv. eisen |
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