Overview

Guided by experienced scholars, you will assist with research projects and learn to reflect critically on how present-day cultures are shaped by social media, data, games, internet activism, apps, data visualisations, mobile devices, algorithms, and participatory platforms.

The New Media and Digital Culture programme at Utrecht University pivots around three contemporary features of new media technologies and its relationship to culture and society, namely: the mobile/urban aspect, the ludic/games aspect, and the software/data aspect.

While the programme highlights the overlaps and synergies between these aspects, students can also choose to specialise in a profile, e.g. Media, Data and Society. Engaging with a profile means following a set trajectory of courses and a profile-related internship and thesis.

Research Internship

Both our general programme and its more specific profile trajectories cater to a job market and an industry interested in graduates who are capable of critical engagement with the cultural implications of the complex media culture we live in.

To facilitate both in-depth knowledge about new media and digital culture with more practical hands-on experience, you will also complete a research internship towards starting a promising career.

Careers

Graduates of this Master’s programme await a large and expanding professional field:

Media industries: graduates enter careers in media, information, communication, and cultural industries as advisor, producer, developer, interface/software architect, festival organizer, presenter, designers engineer, etc.

Governmental institutions: graduates fill advisory positions in governmental institutions and shape policies that make a difference in how our society gives its citizens the (digital) opportunities to act and have influence. The political ramifications of new media are often hidden in hardware and algorithms, but our students will know how to bring them out in the open and make them subject of critical reflection

Educational and cultural institutions: graduates are well prepared to transfer knowledge and skills in ways that connect with the expectations of many types of audiences in educational and cultural settings. Think of schools and universities, or public organizations that help advocate new media literacies

Accreditation

Accredited by the NVAO - Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Research Lab: Situating Research

Research Lab: Designing Research

New Media Theories: Thinkers, Debates, and Questions

The Ludification of Culture

The Datafied Society: Networks, Software, and Politics

Urban Mobile Media: the Myth and Messiness of Connectivity

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 12 months
Part-time
- 24 months
- Flexible

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2025-08-26 00:00:00
- Apply before 2025-04-01 00:00:00

Language

English

IELTS

6.5

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TOEFL^® IBT

100

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Credits

60 ECTS

Delivered

On Campus

Disciplines

Liberal Arts Computer Sciences Media Studies & Mass Media View 33 other Masters in Media Studies & Mass Media in Netherlands

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Academic requirements

GPA

Required

English requirements

IELTS

6.5

Free IELTS Mock Tests!

TOEFL^® IBT

100

Schedule TOEFL®

Pass IELTS with Swoosh English! Sign up for a free writing masterclass or claim your exclusive 25% Studyportals discount and accelerate your preparation by taking a course designed by experts to get you the results you need.

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 Utrecht University and/or in Netherlands, please visit Student Insurance Portal.

Other requirements

General requirements

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.

Tuition Fee

To always see correct tuition fees

International

20605 EUR/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 20605 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 Utrecht

900 - 1450 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 New Media and Digital Culture.

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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