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masters degree
CommuniCation StudieS
The Faculty of Behavioural Sciences provides specialized
Masters
programmes in the disciplines of Psychology, Educational
Science
and Technology, Philosophy of Science, Technology and
Society,
Communication Studies and Teaching. Representing the human
touch in the University of Twentes high tech-human touch
philosophy, we offer Masters degrees that represent solid
scientific
and professional training in each of these disciplines.
Karen van Oudenhoven, dean of the Faculty of Behavioural
Sciences
We are unique because we emphasize the principles of human
behaviour in society. How can we design social and technical
interventions that promote the quality of life of patients and the
elderly? How can we design educational tools to improve learning
processes throughout peoples lives?
Students also learn how to evaluate the impact of social and
technological interventions on human behaviour. How does the
internet change the development of friendships and professional
communication? What is the impact on a citizens experience of
safety when cameras are introduced in public spaces (airports,
shopping centres)? What are the ethical considerations of
introducing new technologies such as robots in hospitals? Students
learn to apply scientific principles in a practical and
multidisciplinary context.
Teaching takes place in an open atmosphere built on close
collaboration between staff and students. We believe that
excellence grows in a context where we place high demands on
students, who in their turn place high demands on a stimulating
learning environment. We also believe in individual initiative and
in education that is tailored to the students needs. There are
plenty of opportunities for students to create an educational
programme that reflects their own interests and learning
objectives. Our aim is to develop the individual talent that the
world needs to build a sustainable and creative future. We invite
students who share this ambition to come and study with us!
Welcome to the Faculty of Behavioural Sciences!
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programmeAcross the globe, organizations are working round the
clock to facilitate effective communication. Are
you keen to explore the limitless possibilities of this exciting
profession?
The global focus on communication is fuelled not just by an
insatiable demand for information. Organizations are well aware
that the distribution of information is a vital component of
effective operations. An organization cannot rely solely on
expertise and skill: their benefits need to be communicated to the
target audience. Whether saving lives or launching a new product,
communication processes are the key to success.
Accordingly, there is a growing demand for communication
specialists and individuals with a broad view of the world of
communication. More importantly, these individuals must be able to
offer practical solutions to all manner of communication problems
and dare to explore uncharted territory.
As you become a communication expert, you will apply yourself to
streamlining and designing communication processes and solving
complex communication issues, many taken from real-life situations.
You will get to grips with new media and communication technology,
learn how to apply them in the modern world and assess their impact
both now and in the future.
SpeCIaLIZaTIoNS
Corporate CommuniCationCorporate Communication focuses on how
organizations handle their internal and external communications
amid the complexities of the modern world. Organizations need
expert communication to interact effectively with their environment
on issues such as positioning and strategy. Internally,
communication resolves tensions between an organizations goals and
the interests of the people employed to achieve those
goals.Identity, image and reputation are central to corporate
communication. Organizations want to create and maintain a positive
image in the eyes of important stakeholders, an ambition that is
more than purely
external. The public image needs to reflect the organizations
identity, and managing that identity is a complicated and demanding
process.
Internal communication is more than simply providing
information. It involves looking at how employees work together and
exchange information, their perceptions and attitudes. How
satisfied are they with existing lines of communication and what
does their work mean to them? Factors such as identification, job
satisfaction and well-being come into play. It means encouraging
optimum cooperation and creating an environment where employees can
get the best out of themselves.
This wide-ranging specialization draws from management and
organization theory, as well as corporate and organization
communication. Research ranges from large-scale quantitative
research to highly detailed qualitative studies.
Offer practical solutions to all manner of communication
problems and dare to explore uncharted territory
2CommuniCation StudieS
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marketing CommuniCationMarketing Communication is all about
explaining, predicting and influencing consumer behaviour.
Understanding the effects of advertising and marketing stimuli is
central to this specialization.
The focus of Marketing Communication can be summed up in a
number of key questions:1. How do consumers acquire information
from the
market? Which psychological processes play a role in processing
this information?
2. What kind of information best helps consumers to make
decisions about products or services that have a significant impact
on their lives (e.g. a new car, major surgery, a new mortgage, a
holiday)? What information is best suited to promoting products
that are purchased daily or routinely?
3. What role can the internet play in consumer loyalty and
communication?
Advertising and marketing communication aims to create positive
ideas about a certain brand among consumers, encouraging consumers
to choose that brand over others. Marketing communication employs a
range of instruments, from print advertising, television
commercials and personal sales, to shop design and IT.
Marketing communication is all around us; as consumers we are
part of it ourselves. We all experience often unconsciously the
psychological processes involved. As an expert in this field, you
will understand and be able to explain these processes.
media and CommuniCationMedia and Communication is all about
looking to the future and tackling the challenges and questions
that the media generates for academics and professionals alike. We
live in a world of information and communication technologies
(ICTs): mobile phones, smart phones, social networking websites,
gaming, GPS, music, real-time messaging services (e.g. twitter,
MSN) online video, weblogs and (old-fashioned) websites.
Fast-paced advances in technology are continuously resulting in new
communication tools, and the globalizing world we live in is
creating new challenges and opportunities for communication
professionals. The digital revolution is fundamentally changing the
way we live, work and communicate. Is online dating for losers? Can
you use social networks to build a career? Is there a link between
online gaming and school shootings? Information and communication
technology affects the most crucial parts of our lives and
influences how we relate to the rest of the world.
These are the kinds of issues you will engage in while on the
multidisciplinary and innovative Masters specialization in Media
and Communication. You will be encouraged to develop a broad and
thorough understanding of key media issues that cut across
different theoretical and practical domains. Furthermore, the
programme will encourage you to develop an in-depth understanding
of key media topics that fit your individual needs and interests.
To accomplish these goals, the teaching in the programme is
designed to be multidisciplinary, innovative, rooted in theory and
applicable to practice.
It will enable you to think about strategic solutions for
communication challenges. You will study a broad range of media
topics, develop an understanding of the psychological process
behind media use and design with a view to advising on media
communication strategies.
It will enable you to think about strategic solutions for
communication challenges
3CommuniCation StudieS
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Career opporTUNITIeSCommunication Studies is a wide-ranging
Masters programme. On average, graduates find a job within
two months. Here are just a few of the career opportunities open
to you.
BusinessMost major companies have departments dedicated to
internal and external communication, public relations, advertising,
marketing communication, sponsoring, media contacts and PR.
adviCe and ConsultanCyYou could opt for a career as an account
manager or communication consultant, advising clients and designing
communication strategies.
mediaBroadcasters, media companies and publishers offer plenty
of job opportunities in public relations, marketing and
research.
governmentCommunication experts advise central, regional and
local government on how best to approach various target groups. You
could also develop and implement communication policy plans or act
as a media spokesperson.
researCh institutesIf you decide to pursue research, your first
step will be to embark on an in-depth study of a fascinating aspect
of communication studies as a PhD student at a university or
research institute.
non-profit seCtorNon-profit organizations include government
bodies and healthcare institutions. In the healthcare sector, you
could be part of public health campaigns designed to encourage
people to embrace healthy living and ditch bad habits.
Across these sectors, opportunities abound in media training and
education, interactive and electronic marketing, e-commerce,
information technology, social media, new media production,
consultancy and policy, online advertising, web journalism and
computer and web seminars.
admISSIoN reqUIremeNTSdutCh hBo studentsStudents with a
Bachelors degree in a relevant field of study of a Dutch HBO may be
considered for admission. In most cases students will first need to
complete a pre-Masters programme.
university of twente studentsStudents holding a BSc degree in
Communication Science from the University of Twente qualify for
direct admission, conditions may apply.
dutCh university studentsStudents with relevant Bachelors
degrees from a Dutch university will be considered for
admission.
international studentsInternational students with a Bachelors
degree in social sciences are invited to apply for admission. In
addition international students need to pass an English language
test.
More detailed admission requirements are available at
www.utwente.nl/master/cs
4CommuniCation StudieS
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The psychological aspect of marketing is what makes this Masters
unique
NAME LucvanDijk
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN The NeTherLaNdS
Luc van Dijk completed a HBO Bachelors degree in Marketing
Management and he is now enrolled in the
Masters in Communication Studies at the University of Twente. He
chose the Marketing Communication
specialization.
I chose the Communication Studies programme to gain deeper
insights into marketing and communication theories, and to learn
how to do research in this field. The psychological aspect of
marketing is what makes this Masters unique. Its all about consumer
behaviour, which I find to be very interesting. I chose the
University of Twente because of the personal approach. At this
university, you are treated like an individual, not a number.
For one course I did research on teachers knowledge of the
internet with regard to their pupils. It was very challenging to
set up a participatory study in half a year,
but with good communication with the primary school involved and
a lot of time and effort, I succeeded in finishing the research on
time and with very interesting results: pupils do need guidance on
the internet. Not on how the internet works, because in this regard
children already know more about the internet than their teachers.
However, they do need supervision when it comes to computer
security and safety, and the security of profile websites. They
also need assistance when searching for reliable information on the
internet. These results can be useful for creating new primary
school teaching material on safer, more effective internet use.
STUdeNTS ToUCh
ContaCtFor general information about the masters programme or
the university of twente, as well as for questions about the
application form of your enrolment status, please contact:
university of twenteStudy information deskPhone: +31 (0)53 489
[email protected]/master
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