Design Cultures

Design Cultures at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is an interdisciplinary master's program that explores the multifaceted world of design from cultural, social, artistic, and theoretical perspectives. This program is dedicated to examining how design influences and reflects contemporary society, and how cultural contexts shape design practices and products. Students will engage with a broad spectrum of topics, including the history and theory of design, visual culture, design methodology, sustainable design practices, and the role of design in social innovation. The curriculum encourages critical thinking and innovative approaches to understanding the complexities of design beyond aesthetics, emphasizing its societal implications and cultural significance.

Throughout the program, students have the opportunity to analyze and critique various design phenomena and develop their own theoretical and practical insights. The program fosters a collaborative learning environment where students can work on projects that address real-world issues, combining academic research with practical application. Interdisciplinary coursework integrates elements from anthropology, cultural studies, art history, and media studies, enabling students to adopt a comprehensive perspective on design and its impact.

The master's program is designed to prepare students for careers in academia, research, cultural institutions, museums, galleries, media, consultancy, and creative industries. Students are encouraged to develop a reflexive and critical approach towards design practices and to contribute thoughtfully to debates on contemporary visual culture and societal development. With its focus on cultural analysis and creative thinking, Design Cultures at VU Amsterdam empowers students to become insightful designers, researchers, and cultural analysts who can influence and innovate within the dynamic field of design.

The Master’s programme in Design Cultures at Vrij Universiteit Amsterdam explores the complex interplay between design, culture, and society.This innovative programme is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of how design influences social practices, cultural identities, and everyday life.Throughout the course, students engage with a diverse range of topics, including design history, critical theory, sustainable design practices, and the social implications of technological advancements.They are encouraged to think critically about design processes and to develop an analytical perspective on the cultural significance of various design forms and practices.The curriculum combines theoretical knowledge with practical application, allowing students to undertake research projects, participate in workshops, and collaborate with design professionals and institutions.The programme emphasizes an interdisciplinary approach, drawing insights from anthropology, sociology, visual culture, and media studies to enrich students' understanding of design phenomena in different contexts.An important component of the programme is the exploration of design as a cultural practice that both reflects and shapes societal values and power structures.Students learn to evaluate design artifacts, processes, and discourses through critical lenses and to appreciate the role of design in fostering social change and innovation.The programme also offers opportunities for international exchange and networking with global design communities, preparing graduates for careers in academia, cultural institutions, design consultancy, policy advising, and creative industries.Diversity of thought and cultural awareness are central to the programme’s ethos, aiming to cultivate reflective design practitioners who can contribute thoughtfully to societal development.Graduates of the Master’s in Design Cultures will leave equipped with analytical skills, cultural sensitivity, and a nuanced understanding of design’s role within contemporary culture, enabling them to influence and challenge existing paradigms in the design field and beyond.

Admission and Application

Admission is based on a strict selection procedure. The Faculty’s Admission Board will decide upon your admission after having evaluated your complete online application. If you have read the admission criteria below and feel you are eligible for admission, please take the following steps to submit your application. Note that the initial application procedure is fully online and that scans of your relevant documents are required. 
 

Step 1: Meet admission criteria 
Step 2: Prepare documents and apply online 
Step 3: Await decision on admission 
Step 4: Finalize registration and move to Amsterdam! 

Step 1: Meet admission criteria

In order to gain admission to one of our Master’s programmes, you will need to have at least a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited research university including at least three full years of academic study amounting to a minimum of 180 ECTS or equivalent. 

Specific admission requirements for the Master’s programme Arts & Culture, specialization in Design Cultures 

The Master’s Arts & Culture is designed for students with an academic Bachelor’s in either design, fashion, art or (visual) cultural studies. You may also be accepted if you have an academic Bachelor’s in other disciplines of the Humanities (history, journalism, communication studies) or in anthropology or sociology, with a major or specialization in design, fashion, art or visual culture (equal to a minimum of 30 ECTS). Students with a historical and theoretical interest in the broad field of design are particularly welcome. 

You must always present official test results proving your proficiency in English. Only students who have completed a  full high school/International Baccalaureate in English or bachelor’s degree in Canada, USA, UK, Ireland, New Zealand, or Australia may be exempted. You can already apply online without having the test results. In case you haven’t taken a test yet we advise you to plan a test date as soon as possible. Below you will find the minimum English test scores for the English taught programmes at the Faculty of Humanities: 

TOEFL score (score 600 paper based with a minimum of 55 in each of the subtests plus 4.0 in TWE, score 250 computer based or score 100 internet based with a minimum of 20-23 in each of the subtests).  IELTS score of 7.0 overall band score (with none of the separate section scores dropping below a minimum score of 6.5). 
Cambridge English: Cambridge Proficiency Exam A, B, C, or Cambridge Advanced Exam A, B, C. 

Please refer to the language requirement page for the general requirements regarding the English language test. 

Step 2: Prepare documents and apply online 

Please prepare the following documents. You can find an explanation of each document on the application page. All documents should be provided in English. 

• Copy of your valid passport or ID (ID only for EU residents) 
• Curriculum Vitae
• Motivation Letter
• Two Letters of Recommendation
• Transcript of records 
• Thesis (or another sample of academic writing, at least 5 pages plus a list of used literature)
• A description of the relevant courses you have taken during your previous higher education 
• A list of all the main literature used during your previous higher education  

After having prepared the required documents, please follow the online application procedure. After you have completed the application, our international student advisors will contact you via email.

Step 3: Await decision on admission
The admission board will review your application as soon as it is complete. Normally this takes about four weeks, but it might take longer in busy periods so be sure to apply as soon as possible. If you gain admission, you will receive a letter of conditional admission by email. You can start planning your move to Amsterdam!

Step 4: Finalize your registration and move to Amsterdam!
Make sure to finalize your registration as a student before the start of the programme. Here you will find an explanation what to do after admission. When all conditions are met you will be ready to start your programme at VU University Amsterdam! 

Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

Scholarships

International students may apply for various kinds of funding. Some possibilities are:

VU Fellowship Programme
Direct Loan Programme (US students)
Netherlands Fellowship Programme
STUNED Scholarship Programme

Career Prospects

The Design Cultures course is taught in English. It is an internationally oriented course which has close ties with real-life practice. Besides studying the theoretical and historical background of design, students get a chance to do their graduation project in association with key players in the design world. Students of Design Cultures can look forward to careers in cultural institutions (editor, project manager), museums (researcher, curator), media, (author, critic, producer), government (administrator, advisor), design agencies (researcher, consultant) and educational and research institutes (teacher, researcher).