Literatures and Cultures of North America in International Perspective

America's cultural icons are the world's cultural icons. From Walt Disney to the Statue of Liberty, from Hollywood to Time magazine, and from Jack Kerouac to Philip Roth, the influence of American culture around the world is huge. Our programme allows students to critically explore the significance of American culture to countries around the globe. Next to studying the variety of meanings that are assigned to American cultural products abroad, students will explore the sheer variety of American cultural expressions themselves. The programme offers courses on the contemporary American novel, on journalism and magazines, the American avant-garde and the expressions of American ethnic diversity. Throughout, you will explore the societal and socio-political context in which literary and cultural communications acquire meaning. To construct a programme you have to take one compulsory course, plus a selection from a wide range of optional courses to make up a total of 40 ECTS. A master's thesis in which you present an independently conducted research project, rounds off the programme.

• American Studies: Theories & Practices
• Contemporary North American Fiction
• Transatlantic Transfer and Cultural Mobility: Grounding Transnational American Studies
• Electives or (international) internship
• Master’s thesis and colloquium

Instruction modes

literature study, research, research proposal, tutorial, lecture, self study

Previous Education

A Bachelor's degree (or equivalent, from a research university) in in American Studies or in English Language & Culture with a specialisation in American Studies. If you specialised in English you can apply if you had at least 40 EC in courses related to American Studies. If you have a different academic background, you will need to have achieved 60 EC in courses related to American Studies.

English proficiency

• A TOEFL score of at least 600 (paper-based) or 100 (internet-based)
• An IELTS score of at least 7.0
• A Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) with a mark of B or higher

There are various scholarships available for studying at Radboud University. Some of the opportunities are described below. A full list, including detailed information, can be found on our scholarships and grants page at our website. 

Radboud Scholarship Programme

Open to a select number of excellent international students. Instead of the institutional tuition fees, non-EEA students pay the legal tuition fees (€2,083 in 2019/2020). Visa and residence permit costs, liability insurance and health insurance are also covered.

Orange Tulip Scholarship

Open to students from Brazil, Mexico, Russia, Indonesia, South-Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, and China. Instead of the institutional tuition fees, non-EEA students pay the legal tuition fees (€2,083 in 2019/2020). Visa and residence permit costs, liability insurance and health insurance are also covered.

Radboud Faculty of Arts Study Funds

Students who receive either the Radboud Scholarship or the Orange Tulip Scholarship are eligible for an additional grant to assist with study costs. The grant consists of 2,500 euros paid in 10 instalments throughout the year.

Fulbright-Radboud Scholarships

Open to excellent American students. The grant will be paid in 12 monthly instalments of 1,050 euros. International travel and the cost of the residence permit will be covered, and an extra allowance of €1150 will be paid on arrival.

Sino-Dutch Bilateral Exchange Scholarship

Open to excellent students from China. Consists of a contribution of € 16,113 towards the total costs of one year of study or research in the Netherlands.

DIKTI-Neso Scholarships

Aimed at lecturers at higher education institutions in Indonesia who wish to pursue a PhD or Master's at a university in the Netherlands. A DIKTI scholarship includes allowances for living expenses, insurance, travel costs, tuition fees and more.

Indonesian Education Scholarship (LPDP)

Open to excellent Indonesian students under the age of 35. Involves a full scholarship.

Holland Scholarship Programme

Open to excellent students from Canada, America, India and Turkey. Scholarship consists of 5,000 euros payed at the start of study.

Dutch Student Finance

EU/EEA students and Swiss students under 30 years of age are eligible if they are working at least 56 hours per month in the Netherlands, or have been living in the Netherlands for five years or more. Dutch student finance consists of four components: a basic grant, a supplementary grant (depending on the parental income), a student travel product, and a loan.