Media and Culture

Contents of the programme

Media en cultuur

Films, broadcasting companies, CDs and the Internet are part and parcel of contemporary culture. For most of us they are the main source of entertainment or information and are indispensable for art forms like fashion or music. In addition, the visual media in particular exert an enormous influence on our ideas on for example personal relationships and violence. And revolutionary changes are expected from interactive media as regards how we process and convey information.

The bachelor’s programme in Media and Culture focuses on how audiovisual products are made and what their function is in society. Attention is also devoted to the history of radio and television and students try to get an impression of what the future is apt to bring.

The UvA is the only university in the Netherlands where you can concentrate completely on media and culture.
In the first year, students take an introductory course in the history and present state of audiovisual and digital culture, various orientation courses and courses in the media landscape and culture & society.

After the first year, in the second year students choose one of the three specialisations: Film & visual culture, Television & popular culture or New media & digital culture. Each of these specialisations covers a combination of scientific, social and practical elements. So students are not only acquainted with theories and research methods, they also gain insight into film-making, the television industry, Web sites and CD-ROMs.

In addition to courses in their own area of specialisation, students have ample opportunity to take courses at other departments, do an internship, or do part of the study programme at a university abroad.

After the bachelor’s programme in Media and Culture, you will graduate as a Bachelor of Arts (BA).

Master's programmes and afterwards

The UvA offers various types of master’s programmes. After obtaining their bachelor’s degree, students can choose from the following:

• Master's programmes
  After the bachelor’s in Media and Culture, you can specialise in the master’s in Media and Culture. 
• Professional master's programmes
  You can also choose a professional master’s programme; vocationally oriented programmes at an academic level of a year and a half to two years including work experience. With a BA degree in Media and Culture you can apply for Preservation and Presentation of the Moving Image, Journalism and Media, and Editing and Publishing.There is a selection procedure for these professional master's programmes due to limited work experience places.
• Research master's programmes
  Students interested in research can apply for the two-year research master's in Media Studies and Cultural Analysis. After this kind of master’s programme they can opt for an academic career at the university. There is a selection procedure for research master's programmes.
• Other options
  You might be able to enrol in other master's programmes depending on the so-called minor courses followed during the bachelor's.

Follow the link below for a complete overview of master's programmes offered by the UvA (in Dutch).

The job market

Graduates of the track in Film or Television find work as editor or producer in media industry, or as film curator or image researcher. Graduates from the track in New Media can find work as project developer or project manager for new media, multimedia researcher, or intermediary for designers and users of new media.

Additional entry requirements

There are no additional entry requirements apart from the entry requirements which apply to all students (see below). A good command of English however is very useful since much professional literature is in English.

Application and admission

The application procedure for regular study programmes taught in Dutch depends on the country where you have obtained your diploma. Follow the link below for detailed information on application and admission.