Degree from a Dutch university of applied sciences (HBO)

To be admitted to the Master's programme in New Media & Digital Culture 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'll find under step 2.

Competencies

This is a selective Master's. You will be considered for admission to the Master's programme New Media & Digital Culture if you have a Bachelor’s diploma from a Dutch university (or international equivalent) and can demonstrate the following knowledge, insight and skills:

• You are able to reflect on and query the functioning of media in contemporary culture and everyday practices, as demonstrated by your motivation letter and essay.
• You have knowledge of and insight in Media and Cultural Studies theories and debates, as shown by having taken at least 15 EC worth of courses in this field at advanced Bachelor's level, or an equivalent of this.
• You have knowledge of qualitative and/or quantitative research methods particular to the Humanities and/or Social Sciences, as well as working knowledge of the main concepts used in Media and Cultural Studies, as shown by having taken at least 7.5 EC worth of courses in this field on Bachelor's level, or an equivalent of this.
• You are able to design, perform, analyse and report both in writing and orally on scientific research in Media and Cultural Studies, as demonstrated by your writing sample essay. 
• You have the necessary social and communication skills in order to professionally collaborate and communicate with fellow students and professionals.
• You are able to express yourself in proficient English, both orally and in written text, as demonstrated by your motivation letter, essay and interview.

Selection procedure

The Admissions Committee decides on your application. On the basis of the documents submitted by you, the committee will assess whether you will be able to successfully complete the Master’s programme within the nominal duration. The committee will take into account:

• Motivation and talent (also on the basis of GPA and study progress monitoring).
• Level of required knowledge and the mastery of methods and techniques used in the subject area.
• General high level of professional and intellectual ability.
• Command of the language(s) used in the programme.

If your application is taken into consideration, you could be for an additional admission interview in Utrecht. Alternatively, if you reside outside the Netherlands, the committee may ask for a video conference, or ask for additional written material.

The committee will rank candidates based on the following criteria:

1. Relevant Bachelor's degree
2. Relevant courses within the field of media and cultural studies
3. Motivation
4. Writing sample essay
5. GPA
6. Proficiency in English

The programme admits a maximum of 40 students each year. If the number of applications exceeds the number of available places, the Admissions Committee will select the most eligible candidates. Ranking takes place on the basis of the above criteria. The committee also aims for an diverse cohort, but in terms of academic background and nationality.

If you do not meet the entry requirements for the MA New Media & Digital Culture (see step 1), you might be considered for a Pre-Master's programme which comprises no more than 60 EC.

Previous education

Whether or not you are eligible for the Pre-Master’s programme depends on the nature of your education and your grade point average. If you are an above-average University of Applied Sciences student, with a study programme that is relevant to the Master’s programme, then register for the Master’s programme and write a letter of motivation. 

For the Master in New Media and Digital Culture, you need to have:

• A clear interest in the field of new media, for example the internet, digital mobile technologies, social media, computer games, big data, or virtual reality, and its intersections with culture, art and aesthetics, ethics, politics and society.
• A strong motivation to combine academic and professional training in New Media and Digital Culture within your study programme, elaborated convincingly in your application letter.

Courses

Within the Pre-Master’s programme:

• You will follow six courses (two per study period) from a selection of our media-related Bachelor's tracks.
• You will also follow two courses dedicated to preparing for and writing a Bachelor's thesis on a new media and digital culture related topic.

Your course selection will be based on personal interests and recommendations from the admissions committee. Our media-related BA tracks are:

Part-time

The Pre-Master’s programme can also be followed in part-time over a two year period.

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.