Environment and Society Studies

How is it possible that, in such an amazingly short period of time, you can select the correct words, put them in the correct order and grammatical form, and pronounce them intelligibly? The acquisition and comprehension of language are based on extremely complex cognitive processes which are not yet entirely understood. It's these processes, and their biological underpinnings, that form psycholinguistics' field of study and are the basis of this specialisation. 

This research Master’s programme focuses strongly on empirical research. You’ll study real language in real-life situations and use your observations to develop possible theories. Later, you’ll test these theories against everyday reality. In this way, you’ll discover the richness of both language and communication and be well prepared to conduct original research on language related issues.

A large majority of our graduates gain a PhD position, while other graduates find jobs in the commercial sector or at research institutes. Graduates of this specialisation can find a position with one of the psycholinguistic research institutes, a government institution or for example, in the care sector (rehabilitation centres) or in education (language disorders).

Unique characteristics

• multidisciplinary perspective combining linguistics and communication studies
• strong focus on empirical research
• flexible programme can be designed to suit students' interests

• Foundations of Language and Communication
• Corpus and Experimental Methods
• Research Orientation
• Specialisation courses (Psycholinguistics, Language Acquisition, Language and speech technology, language and society, communication)
• Skills/methods electives
• Lab Rotations
• Term Paper
• Grant Proposal Writing
• Master's thesis

A completed Bachelor's degree

A Bachelor's degree in Communication Studies, in Linguistics, in a modern language or a related area. Your average grade during the second and third years of your BA studies has to have been at least a 7.5 and your Bachelor’s thesis had to have received a grade of at least 8.0. (Grades in the Netherlands are out of 10. For more information see Conversion of international grades). Your Bachelor's thesis or a dedicated research proposal will also need to demonstrate that you’re sufficiently talented for scientific research.

Proficiency in English

In order to take part in this programme, you need to be fluent in both written and spoken English. Non-native speakers of English* need one of the following:

• A TOEFL score of >=600 (paper based) or >=100 (internet based)
• A IELTS score of >=7.0
• Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE) or Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) with a mark of C or higher

Strong motivation

You have to be able to demonstrate your motivation for and affinity with international academic research. A selection committee will evaluate the motivation of each applicant separately.

* Applicants are considered to be a native speaker of English if they are from Australia, Canada (with exception of Quebec), Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, UK, USA or South Africa.

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.