Overview
Interiors, fashion, artefacts, graphics and digital design define affect nearly every area of our lives. Design Cultures takes a Humanities perspective and explores the history and theory of design in connection with contemporary issues such as identity, ecology and inclusion. Other programmes train students on how to design objects.
This Arts and Culture - Design Cultures MA programme offered at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam raises the following questions: What makes a design iconic? How is design used to construct national identity? How can we approach design from a post-colonial, ecological and feminist perspective? How do designers think? Why does the very same object mean different things to different users?
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
Programme Structure
Courses include:- Design, History and Culture
- Methods of Design Analysis: The Meanings of Design
- Trending Topics Arts and Culture
- Design in Words: Criticism, Writing and Theory
- The Arts and Crafts of Dutch Design
Key information
Duration
- Full-time
- 12 months
Start dates & application deadlines
- Starting
- Apply before , EEA/EU
- Apply before , International
-
Language
Credits
Delivered
Campus Location
- Amsterdam, Netherlands
Disciplines
Design Area & Cultural Studies Visual Arts View 30 other Masters in Design in NetherlandsWhat students do after studying
Academic requirements
We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.
English requirements
Other requirements
General 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).
- The Master’s programme in Arts and Culture with a specialisation in Design Cultures is designed for students with an academic Bachelor’s degree in design, fashion, art or (visual) cultural studies. You may also be accepted if you have an academic Bachelor’s degree in other disciplines of the Humanities (history, media and communication studies, cultural studies) or in anthropology or sociology, with a major or specialisation in design, fashion, art or visual culture (equal to a minimum of 30 ECTS). Students with a historical and theoretical interest in the broad field of design are particularly welcome.
- English-language proficiency requirements
Student insurance
Make sure to cover your health, travel, and stay while studying abroad. Even global coverages can miss important items, so make sure your student insurance ticks all the following:
- Additional medical costs (i.e. dental)
- Repatriation, if something happens to you or your family
- Liability
- Home contents and baggage
- Accidents
- Legal aid
We partnered with Aon to provide you with the best affordable student insurance, for a carefree experience away from home.
Get your student insurance nowStarting from €0.53/day, free cancellation any time.
Remember, countries and universities may have specific insurance requirements. To learn more about how student insurance work at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and/or in Netherlands, please visit Student Insurance Portal.
Tuition Fee
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International
17960 EUR/yearTuition FeeBased on the tuition of 17960 EUR per year during 12 months. -
EU/EEA
2601 EUR/yearTuition FeeBased on the tuition of 2601 EUR per year during 12 months.
Living costs for Amsterdam
The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.
Funding
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Scholarships Information
Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for Arts and Culture - Design Cultures.
Available Scholarships
You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.
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