The first year of the programme offers a broad, general overview of the entire discipline of Media Studies.

• You will learn how we constantly interact with and through digital media in our everyday lives. 
• You will take courses covering a broad range of topics and introducing you to the basic concepts of Media Studies and the most important features of contemporary media. 
• From the first year, you will have the opportunity to choose the topics that most interest you. 
• You will explore and analyse contemporary issues in media studies in small, research-oriented seminars.

At the start of the second year of the programme, you will choose to major in one of two specialisations:

• Cultural Information Studies
• New Media and Digital Culture

Cultural Information Studies

Cultural Information Studies is dedicated to the study of media and society through its information fabric and information practices. It is centred on the application of empirical research methods to cultural data, or what is often termed the Digital Humanities. Students will learn to assess and analyse all forms of cultural data, from historical archives and digitized arts collections to contemporary sources such as Wikipedia and social media platforms. The track introduces students to basic programming and the use of data-driven research tools and methods in the context of cultural research. It fully embraces these computational media, not only as objects to study critically, but as powerful tools for research and analysis.  

The programme consists of three closely connected areas:  

• Information practices in context: You study modern information practices and connect these to a fundamental understanding of underlying principles, key concepts, problems and models that may date back to the analogue age or even to centuries ago. 
• Computational methods: You learn the fundamentals of empirical research as well as practical skills that enable you to extract meaningful patterns and insights from massive sets of cultural information. 
• Coding and open data:  You will explore programming from a Humanities perspective, including an introduction to core principles as well as hands-on skills for managing, processing and interrogating data. You’ll learn to use and even customize advanced research tools and other applications. 

New Media and Digital Culture

The New Media and Digital Culture track is dedicated to the critical study of the impact of digital media on culture and society. The track combines historical and theoretical knowledge with empirical research skills to facilitate a holistic understanding of emerging digital technologies, genres, and (online) cultures. The programme consists of three closely connected areas:

• Critical digital cultures and media theory: You study new media theories and histories of digital culture, with an emphasis on the impacts of platformisation, new information technologies like search engines and AI, and the use of these tools in media production including data journalism. 
• Digital methods: You will learn research methods developed specifically to understand apps, social media platforms, AI chatbots and other new media technologies. You’ll work with custom-built digital methods tools to research society and culture with platform data. 
• Practical: The programme also comprises a strong practical component, and you will learn to work with advanced research and data visualisation software, new genres such as podcasting, as well custom tools for collecting and analysing social media data. 

• In the third year of the programme, you can tailor the programme to your own interests. 
• You can choose to specialise in a second major, opt for a minor in a related field or an altogether different discipline, or take electives in a wide range of subjects.
• You also have the opportunity to use your elective credits to study abroad or do an internship for a semester. 

Next to your regular courses and your specialisation, you will also have 30 ECTS worth of space to fill by doing electives, a minor, an internship or by studying abroad.

Electives

In theory, any course can be taken as an elective, from courses offered by the Faculty of Humanities to those offered by other faculties or even other universities. Most programmes offer separate electives.

Minor

A minor is a cohesive teaching programme that consists of 30 ECTS. Doing a minor is not mandatory. However, it may be a good way to prepare for a Master’s programme or for a certain profession.

The programme allows for you to do an internship and/or to study abroad for a period of time.

Internship

You can enrich your study programme as well as your CV by doing an internship. This will allow you to gain experience at an organisation in the field of Media Studies and gives you an impression of the job opportunities they offer.

Studying abroad

The UvA is closely involved with international programmes involved with cooperation and exchange within Europe, the United States and Canada. This gives you the opportunity to study abroad for a period of time.

Would you like to be challenged even more? You can choose to do two Bachelor’s degrees or follow the Honours programme.

Double Bachelor’s in Humanities

The Faculty of Humanities offers the possibility to obtain a degree from two different Bachelor's programmes. By means of exemptions you can obtain two degrees with a reduced effective workload. The double Bachelor's is intended for motivated students who are looking for an extra challenge and/or a broader perspective during their studies.

Honours programme

Highly-motivated students may qualify to take part in a selective Honours programme. This programme accounts for an additional 30 ECTS and will help familiarise you with various other aspects of academic research and prepare you for a subsequent Research Master's degree.

Media and Information is a three-year Bachelor’s degree of 180 ECTS credits. An academic year accounts for 60 credits that are spread across two semesters, with each comprising two 8-week blocks and a 4-week block. As a Bachelor’s student, you are expected to spend an average of 42 hours a week on your studies.

• In your first year, 12 to 15 of those hours will be spent attending lectures, while in your second and third years you will have approximately 8 to 10 hours of class. The remaining time will be spent on self-study, preparing for lectures and seminars, completing coursework and assignments, as well as exams.
• You will attend both lectures and small group seminars. Lectures generally introduce the main topics of the course, discussing and explaining course readings and literature. In the seminars, you will work closely with your fellow students, collaborating on assignments, presentations and talks.
• You will be tested by means of written and oral exams, presentations, essays, reports and assignments. Your final grade for a course is determined by the results you receive for each of these.