Degree from a Dutch university of applied sciences (HBO)
This page outlines the step-by-step process for completing your application to a Master's programme at Utrecht University. Please read this information thoroughly before starting your application.
To be admitted to the Master's programme in Film and Culture Studies with a degree of a University of Applied Sciences, you almost always have to complete a Pre-Master's programme first. Below you will find the required competences to be admitted to the Master's programme and the selection procedure for the Master's programme. Information about the Pre-Master's programme you will find under step 2.
Competences
This is a selective Master’s. You will be considered for admission to the Film and Television Cultures programme if you have a Bachelor's degree from a Dutch university (or international equivalent) and can demonstrate the following competences:
- You have knowledge of theories and debates in the fields of Film Studies, Television Studies and/or Media and Cultural Studies, as evidenced by the courses you took in your Bachelor's programme (at least 30 EC in these fields at an advanced level), your study results and your writing assignment.
- You have knowledge of historical and current developments in film, television and the media and culture industries, as evidenced by your motivation statement and writing asignment.
- You have knowledge of research methods particular to the Humanities.
- You are able to set up and carry out research in the field of Film Studies, Television Studies and/or Media and Cultural Studies, as demonstrated by your writing assignment and study results.
- You are able to report your research according to academic standards in both oral and written from.
- You have social and communication skills, and are able to professionally collaborate and communicate with fellow students and professionals.
- You are able to communicate in proficient English in both oral and written form, as evidenced by your letter of motivation, writing assignment and interview, or you are able to communicate in proficient English in oral form, as demonstrated by your interview, and in correct Dutch in written form, as evidenced by your letter of motivation and writing assignment.
Selection procedure
An Admissions Committee will decide whether you will be admitted to the programme. The Committee will take into account the following in its decision:
- level of relevant knowledge and command of methods and techniques in the discipline
- motivation
- grade point average (GPA) and study progress
- general academic level of intellectual and professional ability
- proficiency of the language or languages of instruction (English)
The Admissions Committee’s decision will be based on the study results of your Bachelor's programme and on your motivation statement and writing assignment. If, on the basis of the submitted documents, you qualify for admission to the Master’s degree in Film and Television Cultures, you could be invited for an interview.
The programme will admit a maximum of 40 students per year. If the number of applications exceeds the number of available places, the committee will select the most eligible candidates. In their overall selection, the committee will also strive for a balance between international and Dutch students.
Not sure if you are eligible?
You can contact us with questions about your eligibility.
If you do not meet the entry requirements (see step 1) you might be eligible for a Pre-Master’s programme. This is for the Admissions Committee to decide. The Pre-Master's programme comprises a maximum of 60 EC. After you successfully finish this project you will be admitted to the Master’s.
Previous education
Whether you are eligible for the Pre-Master’s programme depends on the level and content of your previously attained degrees, which should be relevant to the Master’s programme, and on your grade point average. The regular requirements regarding motivation and communicative skills apply to you as well as to all students.
Courses
The Pre-Master’s programme is a personalised programme and consists of courses from the Bachelor's programme in Media and Culture, particularly the courses from the advanced trajectory Screen Cultures in Transition. The Pre-Master’s programme is finalised with the Media and Culture research seminar and a Bachelor’s thesis.
To give you an impression of the courses you might follow, here are the course descriptions for Screen Cultures in Transition:
- Hollywood Cinema and Beyond
- Television Genres and Representation
- Convergence Cultures
- Spaces and Screens
Costs
Have a look at the costs of a Pre-Master's programme (in Dutch).
Application procedure Pre-Master's programme
If you want to be considered for a Pre-Master's programme, you simply go through the application procedure for the Master's programme, just like students who meet all entry requirements. The Admissions Committee will decide whether you can follow a Pre-Master's programme and what form it should take. Once you have been notified, you can register for the Pre-Master's programme.
Have you completed an HBO programme and are you about to embark on a Pre-Master's programme? Then you might need some support. On the Premaster support page you will find information about the Premaster kick-start, which consists of workshops and useful tips. Utrecht University also offers numerous training courses, such as Academic Learning, Academic English, Research Design and Scientific Writing.
Applications open | 1 October |
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Application deadline for scholarship candidates | 1 February |
Application deadline for Non-EU passport holders | 1 April |
Application deadline for EU passport holders | 1 April |
All deadlines expire at 23:59 [CET/CEST] on the specified date. You must complete the application process (including submitting your application documents in OSIRIS Online Application and paying the application fee) by this time.
The following documents must be uploaded before the application deadline:
A scan of your transcript (including courses, grades and GPA)
Please make sure the document has a stamp and signature of the institute.Writing assignment: Please use these instructions.
Visit Studielink and complete the registration process. You can find all information on how to use Studielink here. After completing your Studielink application, you will receive login details for OSIRIS Online Application within 2 working days.
Apply via StudielinkAfter submitting your application to Studielink, you will receive an email with login details for OSIRIS Online Application. Here you can upload all required documents, check the status of your application and enter contact details of your referee(s).
After you upload all documents in OSIRIS, the Graduate School will evaluate them. We strive to inform you of our decision within 30 working days after the application deadline.