You are eligible to apply for admission if you hold an academic Bachelor's degree from an accredited research university in:

• Art History
• History
• Cultural Studies
• the Humanities with at least 30 ECTS obtained in the research field of Art History, History, Cultural Studies, History of Design or Fashion

If you obtained your degree outside the Netherlands, the minimum level of your diploma should be at least equivalent to or comparable to three years of a Dutch research-oriented university. The assessment of whether your degree is considered equivalent will be completed by professional diploma evaluators according to the guidelines set forth by Nuffic, the independent organisation for internationalisation in education in the Netherlands. More information on this assessment can be found on the Graduate School of Humanities website.

Hbo-bachelor not eligible

It is not possible to apply to this programme with a degree from a Dutch University of Applied Sciences (hbo) or international equivalent. We do not offer a pre-Master's programme (schakelprogramma) for this Master's.

Master's students should be able to speak, read, write and understand English at an advanced academic level. Before starting your application in MyInfo,  make sure to check on the Graduate School of Humanities website whether you already meet the English language requirements or whether you may need to arrange to take an official English language test. In your MyInfo application, you may also need to upload an English language test score report which meets the English language requirements of the Graduate School Humanities.

Additionally, the internship at a Netherlands-based museum or cultural institution is an integral component of the programme. Students applying to the programme should therefore also be able to demonstrate an understanding of Dutch before the start of the internship. We recommend non-native students take a Dutch course during the first six months of the programme in order to obtain an A1 or A2 certificate before commencing the internship. Please note that there are a limited number of English-only internships.

This is a selective Master's programme, which means that apart from having to meet the entry requirements, you also need to meet the selection crtieria. Because of the limited number of places available, prospective students are subject to a selection process, where we will compare your file to that of other applicants. The selection criteria are as follows.

Grade average

B/3.2 (American system) 
2.1 (an upper second class degree in the British system)
C (ECTS-system) 
7.0 (Dutch system) 

Motivation Statement

You must submit a completed motivation form as part of your application. In your statement, be sure to explain:

• Why you want to pursue this particular master's programme, and which elements of the programme are of particular interest to you.
• How this programme fits with your career goals and future ambitions.
• How your previous education (and possible work experience) relates to the programme's focus areas and objectives.

Make sure your motivation aligns with the structure and objectives of the programme.

Resume

Your resume should demonstrate relevant work experience in the field of study. Highlight any experience that shows your practical skills and knowledge in areas related to this master's programme. Additionally, you should illustrate that you have obtained the following specific experiences: 

• Experience in a museum and/or curatorial context of minimum 3 ECTS. 
• Familiarity with museology and museological issues of minimum 6 ECTS

The programme Curating Art and Cultures has two separate specialisations. Depending on which specialisation you wish to pursue, the application and selection procedure differs slightly.

Specialisation Curating Art and Cultures

The Dual Master’s in Curating Art and Cultures is a competitive and professional programme that includes a year-long curatorial internship. There are only a limited number of available internships; this applies even more so to internships that do not require command of Dutch. In the academic year 2023-2024, a total of 18 students were admitted to the programme. Due to the limited number of internships, a strict, three-round selection process is in place.  

In the first round of the selection procedure, the student’s application (consisting of the standard application documents) will be evaluated by a selection committee comprising the programme coordinators from the UvA and the VU, as well as additional academic staff. Applicants who have reached the second round will be asked to write an opinion piece regarding one of the participating museums or cultural institutions in the Netherlands, or an equivalent institution in their own country. Applicants progressing through to the final round will be invited for a (online) interview with the coordinators and curators. During the interview, candidates will be asked to further explain their motivation, reply to questions about their opinion piece and indicate what type of internship they envision. After the three rounds, a final selection will be made.

Specialisation Arts of the Netherlands

Arts of the Netherlands is a competitive and selective research programme that offers entrance to a maximum of fifteen outstanding students per year. The selection is based on merit, which will be determined on the basis of grades, undergraduate degree, general suitability for the programme, references and motivation.

Applicants must demonstrate outstanding preparation in their Bachelor's studies and extracurricular activities, excellent grades, a strong commitment to the programme’s mission and an ability to think and argue in clear, analytical and nuanced ways. In addition to the standard application documents, students are asked to submit a programme specific document (a writing sample).

All students applying will need to start their application by submitting an enrolment request in Studielink, the Dutch online system for students applying for a degree programme at a Dutch university.

Applicants for Curating Arts and Culture need to submit an enrolment request in Studielink for the Master's in Heritage Studies 120 EC (Dual) or Erfgoedstudies 120 EC (Duaal).

It is extremely important that you register in Studielink at least 48 hours before the application deadline (see above). This is to ensure that you receive your login information (UvAnetID) in time to fill in your UvA application in MyInfo (see next step).

All students applying for a Master’s degree programme with an international bachelor’s diploma are required to pay a non-refundable €100 application fee*. 

Only after you have paid this fee, you can access the MyInfo portal and submit your application. It can take up to 24 hours for your fee payment to be processed by SIS. Because of this, make sure to pay your application fee at least 24 hours before the application deadline of your programme**.

You do not have to pay the application fee:

• If you have or will obtain a bachelor’s degree from a Dutch research university or university of applied sciences (HBO).
• If you have already applied and have paid the application fee for another master’s programme at the UvA for the academic year 2025-2026.

• If you are an exchange student.
• If you are applying through the Foundation for Refugee Students (UAF).

* Please note that the application fee is non-refundable. You are not entitled to a refund even if you do not submit your application form, if you submit an application form after the deadline (which will not be taken into consideration) or if you submit an incomplete application.

**You can pay your €100 application fee by credit card (Mastercard, Visacard), GooglePay, ApplePay, Bancontact or iDEAL.

After enrolling in Studielink, you will automatically receive an email with a link to your MyInfo UvA application form. To log in to MyInfo you need your UvAnetID. Please fill out the application form, upload the required documents and submit your MyInfo application form before the application deadline.

Application documents

Make sure you are well prepared before you start your application, and you have all necessary documents ready. You are asked to upload the following documents:

• curriculum vitae;
• proof of language proficiency (if required, see language requirements);
• transcript of records, up-to-date and issued by your home institution;
• diploma (if already obtained)* or list of courses yet to complete;
• translation of your diploma and transcript of records (if they are not in English, Dutch, German or French);
• motivation form (PDF) Important: the programme Curating Art and Cultures has two separate specialisations. Please indicate on the motivation form which specialisation you intend to pursue. As an answer to question 1, please fill in either "Curating Art and Cultures - specialisation Curating Art and Cultures" or "Curating Art and Cultures - specialisation Arts of the Netherlands".
• programme specific documents (see below). 

*Please note: If you have not yet obtained your diploma but are in possession of all other application documents, you may proceed with your application - as long as you obtain your Bachelor's degree before 1 September. If you have a non-Dutch prior education, please bear in mind that you must submit your certified documents before 1 August.

Programme-specific documents

Specialisation Curating Art and Cultures
In the first round, you do not yet need to upload a programme-specific document in MyInfo. Only applicants who reach the second round will be asked to hand in a programme-specific document (an opinion piece). These applicants will receive additional information after the first selection round.

Specialisation Arts of the Netherlands
Your application will be evaluated by a selection committee comprising the programme coordinator as well as additional academic staff. Applicants are asked to submit a recent academic writing sample (no older than one year), in English, and no more than 2.500 words, excluding footnotes and bibliography. Writing samples will be assessed on the basis of research question, argumentation, analysis, language use and evidence of research skills. Students will be informed of the final application decision by 15 May.

Please collect and prepare all necessary documents before starting your application. You can find detailed information and guidelines on the Graduate School of Humanities website: