NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences Speciality : Communication
programme: Content and Media Strategy

Master Content & Media Strategy (MCMS) was an emotional rollercoster. From enjoying super fun activities to stressful deadline periods to frustrating and unexpected results.
However, it really is a fun and short master to study if you are interested in marketing and media. Don’t expect too much design related contents, it really is focusing more on the strategy part. But don’t worry, the creative thinking part is also greatly covered.

Be aware of the stress you will most likely encounter. Afterall, it is only one academic year. If you can generally deal with stress in a good way, that will definitely help you. If not, you will probably learn how to deal with it during these studies.

But don’t worry, working on several group projects, youre never alone in the process & have great support around you.
The coaches are also really helpful and always have time for you if you really need it.

Overall, I can really recommend this programme!!

My experience in the Content & Media Strategy master at NHL Stenden has been overall positive a 7/10. The program combines theory with practical, industry oriented work, which helped me understand how content strategies are developed and applied in real contexts. I especially value the international environment and the collaboration with classmates from different backgrounds, as it truly enhances the learning experience. Most lecturers are approachable, knowledgeable, and open to feedback.

One area where I feel there is room for improvement is the level of guidance given for assignments. The program encourages independence, which I appreciate, and they often say they don’t want to “spoon-feed” students. However, sometimes the lack of clear instructions goes a bit too far, especially regarding what is mandatory or expected in certain tasks. Providing just a little more structure or clearer assignment criteria would make the learning process smoother without taking away the intended autonomy. Despite this, the master has helped me to grow academically so far, improve my English communication skills, and gain confidence in strategic content creation. Overall, I would recommend the program to those looking for a hands-on and practical oriented experience in media and content strategy.

NHL Stenden offers one-year-long master’s programs, which are filled with information in a relatively short time. While one would think the “Content and Media Strategy” Master is filled with content creation and creativity, this master combines strategic thinking with creativity. I am nearly halfway through the program and have already learned a lot. While a lot of my peers expected more creativity and content creation, the first semester actually focused a lot on research and getting to know a brand’s target audience. In general, this process is really interesting, but the time planning for this process seemed a little off. At the beginning of the studies, the workload was rather low until we sent out our surveys. Within an instant, the workload increased by about one month. I believe this could have been planned better so that the workload would be spread out more. I am also curious to see how the second semester is planned out as it involves actual content creation where we will produce and implement our ideas based on the strategic approach we created.
Overall, I really enjoy my studies. I love the fact that we are working very closely with a real-life client who is giving us insights into their brand, business, and content creation. In this master’s, we have a lot of people from different nationalities and academic backgrounds, which makes the learning progress even more interesting. And especially with the fact in mind that this study is only one year long, it is a great opportunity to develop oneself and gain a master’s degree without having to study for very long.