Jos Rouw_alumnus CIW

Pre-Master’s program Communication and Information Sciences

The pre-Master’s programs in Communication and Information Sciences are designed for international and Dutch students with (1) a university degree that does not entirely meet the entry requirements of the Master’s program in Communication and Information Sciences, or (2) a relevant Dutch hbo degree.

Advantages of taking the pre-Master's program

  • The pre-Master's semester consists of Bachelor's courses familiarizing you with the basic theories and research skills necessary for starting on the Master's program, such as methodology and statistics.
  • It gives you some extra time to get used to studying in a different education system.
  • You will meet more international students, since all students from all Master’s tracks take the same pre-Master's program. 
  • This completed pre-Master's program provides access to the following Master's tracks:
    MSc track Business Communication and Digital Media
    MSc track Communication and Cognition
    MSc track New Media Design

A good fit for you?

To determine whether the pre-Master program is a good fit for you, your abilities, and aspirations, prospective students are invited to participate in a matching activity consisting of an online self-assessment, a seminar taught by one of our lecturers and a panel discussion with current pre-Master students.

Students will receive more information about the matching activity closer to the start of the academic year. 

Pre-Master's programs

For university graduates

Tilburg University offers a program designed for students with a university Bachelor's degree that does not entirely meet the entry requirements of the Master's program in Communication and Information Sciences.

There are also a number of Bachelor’s of other Tilburg University schools that can make you eligible to an individual bridging program.

Tailor made to individual learning needs

The program is tailor-made to individual learning needs and consists of 30 ECTS, providing you with the essential foundation needed to pursue your Master's in Communication and Information Sciences. 

After completing this program with good results, you can start with the one-year Master's program in one of the tracks within the Master’s program Communication and Information Sciences end of January, or end of August next academic year.

Tuition fees

Please consult the page about the tuition fee rates concerning the Weighted fees pre-Master. This rate is the same for EEA and non-EEA students.

Application and admission

After you have submitted your complete application, the Admissions Committee will, based on this, decide whether:

  • You can be admitted directly into the Master’s program.
  • You can be offered a pre-Master’s program.
  • You cannot be admitted to the (pre-)Master’s program.

More on the application and admission procedure

For Dutch hbo graduates

The pre-Master's program for Dutch hbo graduates builds on the practically-oriented knowledge you acquired during your Bachelor's by enhancing your theoretical knowledge as well as your capacity for conceptual thinking.

  • This half-year pre-Master's program (30 ECTS) starts end of August and end of January.
  • After completing this program with good results, you can start with the 1-year Master's program in one of the tracks within the Master’s program Communication and Information Sciences end of January, or end of August next academic year. 

Tuition fees

Please consult the page about the tuition fee rates concerning the Weighted fees pre-Master. This rate is the same for EEA and non-EEA students.

Application and admission

To be eligible for this pre-Master's program, you must have completed a Dutch hbo Bachelor's program that gives direct access to the pre-Master's program.

More on the application and admission procedure

Program content

Course overview

Starting end of August:

Mandatory courses

  • Statistics for PM CIS (Fall)
  • Methodology for PM CIS (Fall)
  • Academic English for PM CIS (Fall)
  • Research Seminar for PM CIS (Fall)

Choose one course out of:

  • Psychology of Language
  • Play and Game
  • Business, Technology & Innovation

You will find a detailed description of the courses and required literature in our course catalog.

Go to the course descriptions

Starting end of January:

Mandatory courses

  • Methodology for PM CIS (Spring)
  • Research Seminar for PM CIS (Spring)
  • Statistics for PM CIS (Spring)
  • Academic English for PM CIS (Spring)

Choose one course out of:

  • Human Centered Design
  • Corporate Communication
  • Voice & Body Language

You will find a detailed description of the courses and required literature in our course catalog.

Go to the course descriptions


Please note: programs are subject to change. We advise you to look up the current program in OSIRIS Student at the start of the year.


Do you want to know more about this pre-Master’s program?

Visit this pre-Master’s information session during the upcoming Open day

Open day Master's programs

Interested in the MSc Communication and Information Sciences?

Check your eligibility and the deadlines for application