Arts & Culture: Design Cultures

Check whether you meet the programme requirements and apply

• I have a Dutch university level (WO) Bachelor’s degree (VU Bachelor’s degree, VU pre-master's or Bachelor’s degree at another university)

  Direct admission to the master’s programme in Arts and Culture, with a specialisation in Design Cultures, is possible with an academic bachelor’s degree (WO) in MKDA, art history, art, industrial design, graphic design, architectural design or fashion.

  If you have an academic Bachelor’s degree in history, (visual) cultural studies, anthropology or sociology, you must have completed a minimum of 30 ECTS in the history and/or theory of the decorative arts, dress, design or fashion. Students with an interest in history and theory are particularly welcome.

  English language requirementsEnglish language requirements

  If you are applying for one of our English-taught Master's degree programmes you will have to demonstrate sufficient English language proficiency by submitting English test results.  

  Although complete applications are preferred, you can begin your application before you have completed the test and then submit your passing score once you have been conditionally admitted. 

  You can find an overview of all accepted tests and scores that can be used to demonstrate your English language proficiency on the language requirement page.

• I have a Dutch higher vocational education (HBO) Bachelor’s degree (pre-master's)

  If you have an applied Bachelor’s degree (HBO) in design, you can apply for a a pre-master's programme. The pre-master’s programme is put together by the Admissions Board, based on your previous qualifications. Please note that the pre-master’s programme is only offered in Dutch and is not accessible for students who do not speak the language.

  If you have an applied Master’s degree (HBO-MA) in art, industrial design, graphic design, architectural design and fashion, you need to submit an application to the Admissions Board for assessment.

  English language requirements

  This pre-master's programme prepares students for an English specialisation of the MA Arts & Culture. Prospective students of the pre-master’s programmes will need to prove their English is sufficient by submitting English test results. Although complete applications are preferred, you can begin your application before you have completed the test and then submit your passing score once you have been conditionally admitted. 

  You can find an overview of all accepted tests and scores that can be used to demonstrate your English language proficiency on the language requirement page.

• Application with a Dutch degree

  Dutch students and international candidates with a Dutch degree can apply for the Master’s programme via Studielink under the label Kunst- en Cultuurwetenschappen (Arts and Culture).

  How to apply

  1. Apply for the Premaster or Master’s programme in Studielink by 1 June. After applying in Studielink you will receive login information for your VU Dashboard. See also Additional information on the enrolment procedure.
  2. Add the requested Application File to your VU Dashboard and complete your application.
     Please note: students of the School of Humanities at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam do NOT need to upload the application file. However, students need to complete the application. Choose the option to upload the documents at a later time
  3. Upon receipt of your application, your admission request will be processed and you will be notified whether you have been admitted or whether you must first meet additional requirements.
  4. Ensure that your payment of tuition fees for the Master or pre-Master’s has been received by 31 August so that you can complete your registration by then.
  5. Please check if you have to take an English language test. See the language requirement page for the steps you need to complete.

  The Admissions Committee will determine whether you are directly admissible to the Master’s programme or whether you first have to follow a pre-master programme and if so, which courses you should take. If you are not admissible, you will receive a notification with the exact reason.

  The Committee might contact you for additional information.

• I have an international degree

  Students must meet the following admission requirements:

  1. Academic requirements

  Your previous education needs to be deemed equivalent to at least a Dutch academic Bachelor’s degree (wetenschappelijk onderwijs, WO) obtained at a research university (nominal duration 3 years). Please find more information about your admissibility with a non-Dutch degree here.

  2. Programme specific requirements

  The Master’s programme in Arts and Culture with a specialisation in Design Cultures is designed for students with an academic Bachelor’s degree in design, fashion, art or (visual) cultural studies. You may also be accepted if you have an academic Bachelor’s degree in other disciplines of the Humanities (history, media and communication studies, cultural studies) or in anthropology or sociology, with a major or specialisation in design, fashion, art or visual culture (equal to a minimum of 30 ECTS). Students with a historical and theoretical interest in the broad field of design are particularly welcome.

  How to demonstrate that you meet the above requirements

  You are required to indicate in the course description section of the Application Form how you meet the programme specific admission requirements.

  Whether you meet the admission requirements, is determined by the Admission Board based on your complete application.

  3. English-language proficiency requirements

  You will have to demonstrate sufficient English language proficiency. You can find an overview of relevant information to demonstrate your English language proficiency on the language requirement page. 

• Application with an international degree

  Application documents

  To apply you are required to provide the following documents:

  • Scan of your passport or national ID card (ID for EEA students only) valid at the start date of the programme
  • Master Application File please download the correct file from this page. In this file you can see which documents are required to apply for your programme.
  • Proof of English language proficiency (if already obtained): upload your proof of English language proficiency or English language test results. Please find the English language requirements here.

  After having prepared the required documents, please follow the online application procedure. 

  Application fee & deadlines

  All students seeking admission to an international Master’s programme with an international degree are required to pay a non-refundable €100 application fee. Only after you have paid this fee will we be able to start the evaluation of your application file. If you are applying for more than one programme, you will only need to pay the application fee once. Your application fee payment is valid for two years.
  
  Information on how to apply with an international university degree and deadlines can be found here. 

  Grants and scholarships

  As an international student planning to study at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, you can apply for a variety of grants and bursaries. Detailed information about scholarships and deadlines can be found on www.vu.nl/scholarships or www.grantfinder.nl.

  International Student and Alumni Ambassadors 

  Our International Student and Alumni Ambassadors are happy to tell you all about their experiences with studying at VU Amsterdam and living in Amsterdam.

  • Our Student Ambassadors are current students at VU Amsterdam that represent a wide variety of programmes and countries.
  • Our International Alumni Ambassadors are VU Amsterdam graduates who are currently either working in the Netherlands or abroad, or doing a PhD or (second) Master's.

  You will find the full overview of our Ambassadors here: vu.nl/ambassadors. There you can chat with them directly.