Media Studies (research)

The Research Master's in Media Studies offers an interdisciplinary, humanities-oriented focus on media as multimodal discourses and cultural practices.

The Research Master's programme Media Studies offers an interdisciplinary, humanities-oriented focus on media as multimodal discourses and cultural practices, while acknowledging the effects of technology, social and institutional forces on media contents. Its scope encompasses film, television, digital media and (audiovisual) archives. Themes include the convergence of media and information technologies and infrastructures, cognitive studies and the digitialisation of culture. With roots in philosophy, history, and literary and linguistic (discourse) analysis, this young discipline has developed pertinent theoretical approaches to the study of media in contemporary culture. The Research Master's programme Media Studies seeks to enhance students' understanding of media as a complex social and cultural phenomenon in its historical and contemporary context. Students can opt to specialise in film, TV, or digital media; develop expertise straddling these media, or choose the unifying perspective of information science, the latter including archival science as one of its branches.

This two-year Research programme prepares participants for entry into a related PhD programme or for an advanced position in the culture industries. It seeks to enhance students understanding of media as a complex social and cultural phenomenon within its historical and contemporary context. Students can opt to specialise in film, TV, or digital media; or alternatively develop expertise straddling these media.

As well as developing analytical skills and academic rigour, students are expected to acquire a firm grasp of the various theoretical and historically relevant approaches to the study of media.

Media Studies students have numerous opportunities for participating in exchange programmes at the Freie Universität Berlin, Bauhaus-Universität (Weimar) and New York University.

Programme outline

The programme in Media Studies yields 120 ECTS credits:

• 30 credits for core courses
• 30 credits for electives
• 30 credits for tutorials
• 30 credits for a Master's thesis

The specific number of credits a student is required to obtain through coursework is determined by the admissions committee and is based on the student's previous qualifications. Fulfilment of all the requirements will take at least two years. Students with a related Master's degree should be able to complete the programme in one year (70 ECTS credits).

Due to the limited number of places available in Research programmes, all applicants are required to take part in a selection procedure.

Core courses

The core courses are devoted to three important research areas in the field of media studies. They offer in-depth analyses of classic texts, theories and approaches, a thorough immersion in the connections between media and cultural identity and an introduction to methodologies used in the investigation of multimedial modes of representation.

Electives

A selected number of electives are offered each year in Media Studies, but, with a few exceptions, students may also select courses offered by other Masters programmes or at other universities. Please note that not every elective is offered each semester and that not every course is open to Research programme students.

Tutorials

Tutorials are given in small groups supervised by specialists. They are usually initiated by staff members but may also be proposed by students, provided a suitable supervisor can be found. Students can indicate which topics are of particular interest to them in the study plan submitted with their application for admission.

Thesis

The Master's thesis reports on research carried out by the student under the supervision of two academic staff members involved in the programme. The subject of the thesis must be mutually agreed upon by the student and the academic adviser(s). Researching and writing the thesis should take half a year.

Degree requirements

Students who successfully complete this programme receive a Master's degree in Media Studies and the title Master of Arts (MA).

Credit transfer

Students who show exceptional promise during a regular or professional Master's programme are encouraged to continue their studies in a Research Master's programme. Once students are admitted to the Research Master's programme, they can transfer credits earned during their previous course of study towards their Research Master's degree. The examination committee determines which courses qualify for transfer.

Previous education: The Research Master’s in Media Studies is open to all students with a Bachelor’s diploma from the UvA, or a recognised equivalent from another accredited university in: - Media and Culture - Cultural Information Science Another discipline if, however, you followed a substantial amount of Bachelor’s courses (minimum 60 ECTS credits) in the areas of Media and Culture, Information Science and/or Archival Science (to be judged by the Examinations Board) The level of the Bachelor’s diploma from a foreign higher education institution must be equal to three years of Dutch university education (to be judged by the Examinations Board). Language test: IELTS: average score 7 TOEFL: score 100 Cambridge Advanced English: score A2 Cambridge Proficiency in English: score B1 Written request: Students can apply from 1 December until 1 April by filling out the digital application form and uploading the necessary documents via the website of the Graduate School of Humanities (www.gsh.uva.nl). Grade average: Applicants are expected to have an overall grade point average (GPA) equivalant to at least: A/ 3.8 (American system) 2.1 (a second class upper/division one degree in the British system) B (ECTS-system) 7.5 (Dutch system) Additional language requirements:Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English: A2Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English: B1IELTS overall band: 7IELTS listening: 7IELTS reading: 7IELTS writing: 7IELTS speaking: 7TOEFL internet based: 100 English Language Requirements IELTS band: 7 CAE score: (read more) Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) is part of the Cambridge English suite and is targeted at a high level (IETLS 6.5-8.0). It is an international English language exam set at the right level for academic and professional success. Developed by Cambridge English Language Assessment - part of the University of Cambridge - it helps you stand out from the crowd as a high achiever. 80 (Grade A) TOEFL iBT® test: 100

Scholarships / Grants:

The University of Amsterdam:
The University of Amsterdam provides a limited number of full and partial scholarships for excellent students from outside the European Economic Area. The Amsterdam Merit Scholarships have specifically been designed to offer talented, ambitious and dedicated students the opportunity to pursue a Mast
For additional information: Website

Accreditation

Accredited by: NVAO in: The Netherlands