CIS: Multimodal Communication

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 from another university)

  Direct admission to the Master’s programme Multimodal Communication is possible with a Bachelor's degree from one of the tracks in Communication and Information Studies from VU Amsterdam. All applications will be assessed by the Admission Board.

  If you have a Bachelor's degree in another subject, the Admission Board will decide what subjects you will be required to take in preparation for the Master’s programme. Depending on the number of subjects you have to take, you will either have to register for and complete the Bachelor's programme or you will be permitted to register for the pre-master's course. This programme consists of a maximum of one year of university courses, although most pre-Master’s programmes consist of approximately 30 EC.

• I have a Dutch higher vocational education (HBO) bachelor’s degree

  If you have degree in communication or language from a Dutch university of applied sciences (HBO), the Admissions Board of the programme will decide whether you are admissible to the pre-master's programme. This programme consists of a maximum of one year of university courses, although most pre-Master’s programmes consist of approximately 30 EC. 

• 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

  Students are eligible for admission to the Multimodal Communication programme with a Bachelor’s degree in English, Linguistics or Language and Communication. If you have not studied English, Linguistics or Language and Communication, you may still be eligible - provided your Bachelor’s degree has a strong linguistic component. We will assess your previous education at course level to decide whether you have completed a sufficient number of linguistics courses. 

  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. 

  Pre-Master

  VU Amsterdam’s Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities offers a pre-Master to students who do not meet the admission requirements for this master programme. However, international students cannot apply to this pre-Master directly. International students must apply to the master programme. The Admission Board may award the pre-Master as part of their decision on an applicant’s eligibility for the master. The pre-Master is only a relevant option if it would be sufficient to cover the gap between an applicant’s academic background and the admission requirements. The pre-Masteris taught fully in English and contains mandatory courses on both research methods and topics that prepare you for this specific master programme. The current content of the pre-Mastercan be found in the study guide.

  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 a Dutch degree

   How to apply

  1. Apply for the Pre-Master’s or Master’s programme in Studielink by 1 June. After applying in Studielink you will receive login information for your personal dashboard. See also Additional information on the enrolment procedure.
  2. Add the requested Application File to your personal 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.

  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.

• Application procedure for international degree holders

  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.

Want to know more?

Don't hesitate to contact us!

Are you applying with a Dutch diploma? You can contact the Admissions Board for questions and practical information using this online form.

For questions about tuition, Studielink, etc., please contact the Student Desk

Call +31 (0)20 59 85020 (Mon – Fri: 10:30 – 12:30 and 14:00 – 16:00)

International diploma applicants

Questions? You can get in touch with the International Student Advisors of this programme via the online form. 

Make sure to take a look at our FAQ page - you might already find your question answered there.

Contact

• Nina Vredegoor
• International Student Advisor
• School of Humanities
• masters.hum@vu.nl

• Marko Jovic
• International Student Advisor
• School of Humanities
• masters.hum@vu.nl