North American Studies

The world loves American culture, but is deeply distrustful of American power and politics. In Nijmegen, we offer critical insights into both. Our Master's program gives students the opportunity to acquire solid expertise in relation to the concept of "America" in a variety of fields: US history, literature, culture (including popular culture, film, theater and art) as well as political history, foreign policy, constitutional law and social science. Nijmegen distinguishes itself from other American Studies programs through its emphasis on the cultural and political relations between the United States, its neighbors, and Europe.

True to the tradition of American Studies, our program teaches students to approach issues from different angles and to think in multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary ways. We also offer excellent internships thanks to our global network. This means that students who go on to study for a Master's degree have unique, near-native language abilities. In Nijmegen, you will find yourself in a dynamic learning environment where the level of scholarship and communication in (American) English is extremely high. This is one of the reasons why our programs are so popular. Another is the choice Nijmegen offers between two fascinating fields within which you can create your own custom-made program: "Literatures and Cultures of North America in International Perspective" and "Transnational America: Politics, Culture and Society." Students like the variety these programs offer. They tell us: "It's so much fun. There are so many interesting options to choose from."

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, the influence of American culture around the world is huge. 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. Our program offers courses on the contemporary North 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.

Transnational America: Politics, Culture and Society:

With the so-called "transnational turn," American Studies increasingly looks beyond and across national borders. The program contains two obligatory foundation courses, "American Studies: Theory & Practice" and "America and the World." A central theme is the exchange of cultural and political ideas between North America and Europe and related issues in the field of Americanization and globalization. You can explore processes of cultural contact and exchange at the United States' geographical and non-geographical borders in the course "American Borders" or opt for a course on the international cultural and political relationship between Europe and the United States in "Transatlantic Exchange: Europeans and America." Other options include a special course on the Beat Generation, one of America's most influential avant-garde movement; North American Indians; African- American Literature and Culture; American Constitutional Law or the American Public Sphere.

1. A completed Bachelor's degree in (North) America Studies or related areaWe are looking for students with a Bachelor's degree in American Studies or those with a Bachelor's Degree in English Language & Culture who specialized in American Studies. Your degree should be the equivalent of a Dutch university Bachelor's degree.If you specialized in English you can apply if you had at least 40 ECs in courses related to American Studies. If you have a different academic background, you will need to have achieved 60 ECs in courses related to American Studies.2. A proficiency in EnglishIn order to take part in the programme, you need to have a sufficient level of English. This requirement has been satisfied when the student provides us with one of these documents:In addition to meeting these requirements international applicants should have:TOEFL score of >250 (computer based) Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE), with a mark of B or higher English Language Requirements IELTS band: 7 CAE score: (read more) Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) is part of the Cambridge English suite and is targeted at a high level (IETLS 6.5-8.0). It is an international English language exam set at the right level for academic and professional success. Developed by Cambridge English Language Assessment - part of the University of Cambridge - it helps you stand out from the crowd as a high achiever. 75 (Grade B) TOEFL paper-based test score : 600 TOEFL iBT® test: 100

Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

There are various scholarships available for studying at Radboud University Nijmegen. Please check which scholarship is applicable in your case.

Orange Tulip Scholarship

Open to students from Brazil, Mexico, Indonesia and China - offers a tuition fee waiver of 6,750 euros and exemption from visa and health insurance costs.

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.

Erasmus Mundus ERANET

Open for Russian candidates - applicants may be undergraduate exchange students, Master's students, doctorate and post-doctorate candidates, as well as academic and administrative staff.

Sino-Dutch Bilateral Exchange Scholarship

Open to students from China - the Dutch contribution to the scholarship consist of monthly allowance 1,000 euros, international travel costs 1,400 euros, tuition/research fee 1,906 euros, it also covers the cost of visa, insurance and other.

DIKTI-Neso Scholarships

Aimed at lecturers at higher education instituations 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.

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.