Sorry! De informatie die je zoekt, is enkel beschikbaar in het Engels.
This programme is saved in My Study Choice.
Something went wrong with processing the request.
Something went wrong with processing the request.

The critical study of design and fashion

The MA Design Cultures equips students with theoretical, methodological and historical knowledge on design. If you want to know more about how objects and design thinking shapes –and are shaped by– our world, then we can provide you with solid expertise.

You will gain solid research skills and learn how to generate in-depth, design-related content. Moreover, you will have access to well-established networks since often you will end up working with other Design Cultures graduates.

Our graduates achieve expertise in design, distinguishing them in an increasingly specialised job market. They are capable of critically analysing, situating and reflecting on design as a topic for research.

Here, we help you to develop your own personal vision on design. You will bring your personal interests and curiosity to research. We will coach you on how to articulate this vision and transform it into solid academic work.

Our graduates in the field

We are very proud of our graduates. They have achieved positions in the field of research, teaching, museums, writing and journalism and management. Our graduates include academic design researchers, magazine editors, lecturers in higher education, authors on design and exhibition curators.

For example, one of our graduates, Irene, got the 2020 research award from the Amsterdam University of Applied Science for her PhD thesis on sustainability, Enya completed her PhD at the University of Technology Sydney in 2022 and now works as a postdoctoral researcher at TU Dublin, Lisa published a book on shoe designer Jan Janssen, Zoe is editor of the magazine Vogue NL, Tamara is a freelance researcher for the design curatorial department at the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam and Julie works at the foundation that organizses Dutch Design Week.

What can you do after your Master's degree?

Entering the job market

After finishing your Master's programme, you can work in various job fields. Our graduates have careers as:

project managers (Modemuze, Dutch Design Foundation)
editors at design and fashion magazines (Vogue NL)
book authors (nai 010 Publishers)
lecturers in design history and theory (Hogeschool Willem de Kooning, Rotterdam; Hogeschool van Amsterdam; University of Technology, Sidney; The Royal Academy of Art, The Hague)
museum curators (Vitra Design Museum, Art and Design Atomium Museum in Brussels (ADAM), Museum für Gestaltung in Zurich)
PhD candidates

Opting for a PhD/specialization

If you wish to have an academic career, you may also want to apply for the research master’s in Humanities Research: Critical Studies in Art and Culture.

Want to apply for Design Cultures?

Check the admission requirements

Quick links

Research Research and Impact Support Portal University Library VU Press Office

Study

Education Study guide Canvas Student Desk

Featured

VUfonds VU Magazine Ad Valvas

About VU

About us Contact us Working at VU Amsterdam Faculties Divisions
Privacy Disclaimer Safety at VU Amsterdam Colofon Cookies Web archive

Copyright © 2024 - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam