Overview

This Art and Culture - Contemporary Art History MA programme at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is unique in the Netherlands in allowing students to focus on the fascinating field of contemporary art – from installation art to artistic research, from photography to digital art, performance art, or artistic activism.

The Netherlands, and Amsterdam especially, is pioneering in contemporary art. Next to museums and exhibitions, you can profit from archives and digital collections, and attend festivals to experience site-specific, performative, and time-based projects first-hand.

Entering the job market

After finishing the Master's programme Arts & Culture: Contemporary Art History, you can start working in various job fields. You will be well-qualified for a position in the field of contemporary and digital art, such as:

curating exhibitions, events or festivals;

writing about art for newspapers, magazines or online media;

working in public programming or educational departments of museums or city councils;

working in public or private archives;

conducting research on a freelance basis or within academia.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Methods and Theories of Art History

Seminar Contemporary Art

Trending Topics Arts and Culture

Media Art History: The Digital Divide

Art Criticism

Study Trip

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 12 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-09-01 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-06-01 00:00:00 , EEA/EU
- Apply before 2026-04-01 00:00:00 , International

Language

English

IELTS

7

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TOEFL^® IBT

100

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Credits

60 ECTS

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Disciplines

Visual Arts Art History Liberal Arts View 24 other Masters in Liberal Arts in Netherlands

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Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

IELTS

7

Free IELTS Mock Tests!

TOEFL^® IBT

100

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Other requirements

General requirements

An academic Bachelor's degree (WO) in art history, MKDA, or an equivalent degree. If you have an academic Bachelor’s degree in the Humanities (history, media studies, philosophy, cultural studies), you must have completed a minimum of 60 ECTS in art history/theory. You must also submit a complete application for review by the Admissions Board.

Copy of your valid passport or ID (ID only for EU residents)

Curriculum Vitae

Motivation Letter

Transcript of records

Thesis (or another sample of academic writing)

A description of the relevant courses you have taken during your previous higher education and a list of all the main literature.

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 now

Starting 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

To always see correct tuition fees

International

17960 EUR/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 17960 EUR per year during 12 months.
EU/EEA

2601 EUR/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 2601 EUR per year during 12 months.

Living costs for Amsterdam

1000 - 1500 EUR /month

Living costs

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

In order for us to give you accurate scholarship information, we ask that you please confirm a few details and create an account with us.

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for Art and Culture - Contemporary Art History.

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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