Art, Literature and Society

The MA in Art, Literature and Society addresses contemporary debates in literature, art, religion, philosophy, and culture. The direction you take depends on your prior studies and your passions. The critique of nationalism in recent German literature? The humanities in academia? Architecture and politics? Fascism and modernism? Darwinian aesthetics? Are we our brain? The role of art in the future of democracy? The key term here is interdisciplinarity: you learn to approach debates not as a philosopher, a political scientist or columnist, a journalist, or as a historian, but rather from a broad spectrum of viewpoints in a programme that remains unique in the Netherlands.

Graduates of this programme will have gained:

• Broad insight into topical issues of national and international importance
• Experience engaging in impassioned debates and tackle a range of contemporary controversies
• The ability to infuse their academic practice with an element of personality

What role do artists and writers play in modern society? What’s the point of art in public spaces? Has the novel lost its importance? What do writers and artists contribute to social and political issues? The main question and focus is: what’s going on in national and international artistic and literary practices right now and how to situate, historicize and contextualize this. This programme is for critical and creative thinkers with broad interests.

Applicants to the Art, Literature and Society programme must have: 

• a bachelor’s degree from a relevant academic field and/or a CV indicating relevant working experience
• a letter of motivation indicating why you wish to study Art, Literature and Society at Maastricht University and why you expect that you will be able to successfully complete the programme  
• high quality of performance in previous education

For students with a relevant University of Applied Sciences degree (e.g. HBO/Hochschule), or an academic BA or BSc Bachelor in a field that does not grant direct admission into this programme, there is a Pre-master year ("schakeljaar").  

Required documents

The following documents must be submitted with your application:

• a motivation letter (see Admissions requirements)
• your curriculum vitae
• a photocopy of your valid passport or EU ID-card
• a recent passport picture
• a certified copy of your bachelor certificate and list of grades (with certified translation for languages other than English, Dutch, German or French)
• a copy of your English Language test with sufficient results (see requirements mentioned above)

There are plenty of scholarships available: http://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/web/ServiceCentres/SSC/AdministrationAndPracticalServices/SSC/Scholarships/UMScholarships.htm