Curating Art and 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)

  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:

  • 7.0 (Dutch educational system)
  • B/3.3 (American system)
  • 2.1 (an upper second class degree in the British system)
  • C (ECTS-system)

  If the bachelor’s degree has not yet been completed by the application deadline, the required GPA must be demonstrated based on courses taken to date. Please note that admission will not be granted solely on the basis of sufficient grade point average.

  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.

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

  Students with a higher professional education qualification cannot proceed directly to the Master’s programme in Curating Art and Cultures. There is no pre-master's available for this programme.

• Application with a Dutch degree

  If you want to apply for and enrol in a Master's programme at VU Amsterdam, the procedure you need to follow depends on your prior edcation and whether you obtained your diploma in the Netherlands or abroad.

  Please first check whether or not you are eligible for this programme and then apply.

  Please note: only students holding a Dutch/EU nationality can apply to this programme.

  How to apply

  1. Dutch students can apply via Studielink before 15 March for the Dual Master’s programme in Curating Art and Cultures under the label Curating Art and Cultures (master).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.
  3. Upon receipt of your application, your admission request will be processed. Due to the limited number of internship placements, applicants must first undergo a two-round selection procedure before being admitted. Read more about this process in the section 'I have a Dutch university level (...)'.
  4. Ensure that your payment of tuition fees for the Master’s programme 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 English language requirement page for the steps you need to complete.

  The Admissions Committee will determine whether you are admissible or not.

• I have an international degree

  Admission requirements

  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 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: 

  • 7.0 (Dutch educational system) 
  • B/3.3 (American system) 
  • 2.1 (an upper second class degree in the British system) 
  • C (ECTS-system) 

  If the bachelor’s degree has not yet been completed by the application deadline, the required GPA must be demonstrated based on courses taken to date. Please note that admission will not be granted solely on the basis of sufficient grade point average. 

  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. 

  3. English-language proficiency 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. 

  English 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. 

  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.  

  The internship at a Netherlands-based museum or cultural institution is an integral component of the programme. Non-native students (English-only speakers) 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. 

• Application with an international degree

  Required format and required documents
  
  Please note: you will need to upload all required documents in one PDF file. You can download this Master Application File from this page. In it you can also see which documents are required to apply for your programme. 

  If you have read the admission criteria and feel you are eligible for admission, please take the following steps to submit your application. Note that the initial application procedure is fully online and that scans of your original documents are required.

  Please note: only students holding a Dutch/EU nationality can apply to this programme.

  The application deadline is 15 March.

  Step 1: Review the admission criteria

  Step 2: Prepare your documents and apply online  

  Your application for the Master's programme Curating Art and Cultures should contain the following documents.

  • motivation letter
  • cv
  • Bachelor's diploma or a certified list of completed bachelor courses (including grades) as well as a list of courses you still have to complete
  • average grade of your bachelor

  Due to the limited number of internship placements, applicants must first undergo a two-round selection procedure before being admitted. Read more about this process in the section 'I have an international degree'.

  Please prepare the required documents and arrange the payment of the application fee, a non-refundable €100 application fee applies. You can find an explanation of each document on the application page. All documents should be provided in English.

  After preparing the required documents, please follow the online application procedure. Once you have completed the application, our international student advisors will contact you via email.

  Step 3: Await the decision on admission
  The selection procedure will take place in April/May. Students will be informed of the final application decision by May 15th. If you are admitted to the programme, you will receive a letter of conditional admission by email. 

  Step 4: Finalise your registration!
  Make sure to finalise your registration as a student before the start of the programme. Here you will find an explanation on what to do after you are admitted. When all of the conditions are met, you will be ready to start your programme at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam!

  Application fee & deadlines

  All students seeking admission to an international Bachelor’s or 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.
  For more information, international students may also contact the International Student Advisor: masters.hum@vu.nl.

  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.