The Master's programme in Curating Art and Cultures is open for application to students with a Bachelor's degree from an accredited university in:
- Art History,
- Cultural Studies,
- History, and
- VU Bachelor Media, Kunst, Design en Architectuur (MKDA),
or an equivalent humanities Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of one full semester (30EC) in one of these disciplines, or the history of design or fashion (e.g. a minor).
For the specialisation Curating Art and Cultures we recommend in addition that you have followed courses in museum or curatorial studies (6 EC), and/or to have done a relevant internship (minimum of 3 EC).
The program is not open to those with a higher vocational/professional degree or from a university of applied sciences (Dutch ‘HBO’), including art and technical academies, a degree from a faculty of social sciences (e.g. Sociology, Anthropology), or those with management or business degrees (e.g. in culture or heritage management).
Grade average
If you wish to apply for a Dual Master's in Curating Art and Cultures, you are expected to have an overall grade point average (GPA) of at least:
- B/3.3 (American system)
- 2.1 (an upper second class degree in the British system)
- C (ECTS-system)
Please note that admission will not be granted solely on the basis of sufficient grade point average.
Language requirements
Dutch language requirements
The internship at a Netherlands-based museum or cultural institution is an integral component of the programme. Non-native students are recommended take a Dutch course during the first six months of the programme and in order to obtain an A1 or A2 certificate before commencing the internship. Please note that there are a limited number of English-only internships.
Due to the limited number of internship placements, applicants must first undergo a two-round selection procedure before being admitted.
English 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.
Selection Procedure
The Dual Master’s in Curating Art and Cultures is a competitive and professional programme that includes a year-long curatorial internship. Due to the limited number of internship placements, applicants must first undergo a two-round selection procedure before being admitted. During the process, the selections committee scrutinises the content of an applicant’s Bachelor’s programme, their study results and motivation letter, as well as social skills.
In the first round of the selection procedure, a student’s application will be evaluated by a selection committee comprising the programme coordinators from VU Amsterdam and the UvA, as well as additional academic staff. Applicants who have reached the second round will be asked to write an opinion piece regarding one of the participating museums or cultural institutions. Applicants progressing through to the final round will be invited for an interview with the coordinators and curators. Students will be informed of the final application decision by May 15th.
The deadline of application to the program Curating Art and Cultures is 15 March.
