Literary and Cultural Analysis (Literary Studies)

The Master's Degree in Literary and Cultural Analysis at the University of Amsterdam offers an in-depth exploration of literature and culture through critical analysis and interdisciplinary approaches. Designed for students passionate about understanding the complexities of texts, cultural phenomena, and their societal contexts, this programme provides comprehensive training in literary theory, cultural studies, and research methodologies. Students will engage with a wide range of literary works, media, and cultural texts from different periods and regions, critically examining their themes, narratives, and underlying ideologies. The curriculum encourages analytical thinking, close reading, and theoretical reflection, equipping students with the skills necessary to contribute to academic debates or pursue careers in media, publishing, education, and cultural policy. Throughout the programme, students have the opportunity to specialize in areas such as narrative analysis, postcolonial studies, gender and sexuality studies, or media theory, among others. The university’s vibrant academic community, experienced faculty, and extensive library resources create an inspiring environment for research and intellectual growth. The programme emphasizes a combination of individual research projects, seminars, and workshops that foster analytical rigor and creative thinking. Graduates will be prepared to critically interpret texts and cultural narratives, participate in cultural debates, and produce scholarly work that advances understanding of literature and culture in contemporary society. Overall, the Literary and Cultural Analysis programme at the University of Amsterdam combines theoretical depth with practical application, making it an ideal choice for students aiming to deepen their insights into the intricate relationship between literature, culture, and society.

Literary and Cultural Analysis

In this programme, you will develop the intellectual knowledge and skills to interpret and reflect on literature, art, and popular culture. The programme is taught entirely in English.

Programme structure

Literary and Cultural Analysis is a three-year Bachelor’s degree of 180 ECTS credits. Each academic year accounts for 60 credits (ECTS) and comprises two semesters, with each semester composed of two 8-week blocks and one 4-week block.

• The first year of the programme comprises a number of mandatory subjects that introduce you to the fields of study, various methods of analysis and interpretation, and key theoretical concepts.
• In the second year, you will focus on Cultural Theory and Cultural Studies, as well as tailoring your curriculum by choosing a minor and electives in a wide range of subjects.
• In the third year, you will write your Bachelor’s thesis and have the opportunity to study abroad for a semester or do an internship.

The first year

The first year of the programme is introductory in character. This means that your courses will provide you with an overview of the entire discipline.

• You will be introduced to the most important ideas, approaches, debates and topics in the field, and learn about discourse, intertextuality, intermediality, cultural capital, gender, semiotics, cultural memory and more.
• You will test different ways of analysing and interpreting specific cultural artefacts, including narrative, rhetorical, discourse and visual analysis, and explore a series of case studies to strengthen and expand your analytical and interpretive skills.
• You will study a number of philosophical concepts that are right at the heart of contemporary debates about the arts, popular culture and literature, and practice ways of relating particular cultural, literary, and artistic objects to different contexts.
• You will develop specific academic skills, such as academic writing and conducting independent research.

The second and third years

The second and third years of the programme build on the foundations laid in the first year courses, focussing specifically on Cultural Theory and Cultural Studies.

• In the second year, you will engage with the historical philosophies that have shaped academic and intellectual debates to the present day, as well as contemporary and 20th century literature and cultural theories that have enabled new ways of analysing, interpreting and reflecting on literature, the arts and popular culture.
• You will be introduced to Cultural Analysis and become familiar with the debates, approaches and concepts that are central to its development in the Humanities.
• You will also be able to tailor the programme to your own interests by selecting a minor or elective courses in a wide range of subjects.
• In the third year of the programme, participate in a research seminar designed to prepare you for your thesis research and writing, and work with your fellow students on concrete case studies ranging from installation art to theatre 
• You will be able to further specialise in your field of interest through a range of electives or take the opportunity to study abroad for a semester or do an internship.
• In the course, ‘Philosophy of the Humanities’, you will explore the historical and philosophical background of the Humanities, with a particular emphasis on the literary, cultural and artistic disciplines.
• You will conclude your Bachelor's programme by writing a Bachelor’s thesis, your first major piece of independent research.

Learning and assessment

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 will 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.

Studying part-time

It is possible to enrol in this programme as a part-time student.

• Part-time students follow the same programme as full-time students. However, the course load of the programme will be 40 credits per year instead of the full-time course load of 60 credits per year.
• The duration of the programme is four and a half years.
• Part-time students need to be flexible with regards to the timetable as the courses will be taught during the daytime – there are no separate nighttime courses. Additionally, the timetable changes approximately every eight weeks. 
• Students who are interested in studying part-time need to contact the study adviser to discuss the options and consequences. 

Prior education

• Studying with a foreign diploma at the University of Amsterdam means that a student's preparatory education must be equivalent to the Dutch VWO diploma, with English included in the final examination.
• The starting level of a regular study programme at Dutch universities is comparable to that of other European countries, which is usually one or two years higher than in most countries outside of Europe.
• A student's diploma or certificate from prior education will be compared with the list of country qualifications that has been drawn up by the Netherlands Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (Nuffic).

Required documents

In this application you will need to indicate your previous education and upload all of the required documents:

• Final secondary school/higher education diplomas and grade lists obtained;
• Proof of recent results (if you are still attending a programme);
• Official translations in English or Dutch if the diploma and/or transcripts are not already in English, Dutch or German;
• A sufficient English test result, if required and already available. If your results are insufficient, do not upload this test, but send another one at a later date;
• A curriculum vitae;
• UvA Matching form.

What is it?

UvA Matching for international students is an introduction to the Bachelor’s programme for which you have applied. It is designed to help you assess whether you have chosen the right programme, through a combination of online activities such as assignments, reading course literature and/or making a test. The activities may differ per programme.

Once you have completed these activities, you will receive personal advice based on your test results. This will help you determine whether the Bachelor’s programme matches your interests and capabilities and whether you have the motivation and study skills to start the programme in September.

After submitting your enrolment application in Studielink you will receive more information on UvA Matching for international students.

English language requirements

All our international programmes are conducted in English, therefore, applicants must show their ability to write and speak in English on an academic level. Students with a Bachelor’s degree from a Dutch university and students who successfully finished a full academic programme at an esteemed institute in one of the following countries are exempt: UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Please note we only accept the TOEFL Test, the test of the International English Language Testing Service (Academic IELTS) or a Cambridge Examination Score. For Non-EU/EEA students the required English test result should be received on or before 1 February in the year of application by the International Team at the Faculty of Science. If this in any case is not possible, contact the International Team first, before applying. For EU/EEA students the deadline of submitting the test results is 1 July.

TOEFL Test

The minimum scores required on the TOEFL Test are:

• Internet-based test (iBT): 92 with a minimum of 20 on each subject
  
  Exceptions:
• Artificial Intelligence, Brain and Cognitive Sciences and Information Studies: 98, with a minimum of 22 for reading and listining and 24 for writing and speaking
• Software Engineering: 98 with a minimum of 22 on each subject

Please note the TOEFL-code for the Faculty of Science of the University of Amsterdam is: 8628. 

 IELTS Test (only Academic IELTS is accepted)

• Minimum score 6.5, at least 6.0 on sub-scores (listening/reading/writing/speaking). 

Exceptions

• Artificial Intelligence,  Brain and Cognitive Sciences and Information Studies> minimum score 7.0, sub-scores on writing and speaking at least 7.0, sub-scores on listening and reading at least 6.5 
• Software Engineering > minimum score 7.0, at least 6.5 on each sub-score (listening/reading/writing/speaking)
• The UvA offers the IELTS test for free to current UvA students to assess their English language proficiency.    

Cambridge Examination Score

A Cambridge Examination Score with a minimum test result of C1 Advanced (CAE) A or B will also be accepted. For the C2 Proficiency test (CPE) a minimal score of C is required.

Nuffic Certificate for Chinese students

Chinese applicants are required to take an IELTS test or the TOEFL (Internet-based test only). These are the only two tests accepted by the Nuffic, which provides certificates to all Chinese students who wish to study in the Netherlands.

Please note there are some differences between the TOEFL and IELTS test. Available practice material, test dates, prices and locations differ per country.

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

• Holland Scholarship

Study costs

In addition to your tuition fees, you will need to include a number of other study costs in your budget. Think of books, stationary, excursions, a laptop or other equipment. These costs vary per programme, but academic books and study materials will usually cost you between €50-100 per month.

Living costs

Keep in mind that living in Amsterdam also includes costs such as accommodation, food and public transport.

Holland Scholarship (HS)

For: students from outside the European Union (EU)
Amount: €5,000
Deadline: 1 April

Application procedure

If you are applying for a Humanities Bachelor's programme and would also like to apply for the Holland Scholarship, you can submit your application in the form below. As part of your application you will need to include the following documents (combined in one PDF):

• CV including extracurricular activities, work and study experience;
• transcript of your academic record from secondary and higher education;
• motivational letter of +/- 500 words in which you explain your reasons for applying for the Holland Scholarship;
• two reference letters.

Please note that you can only submit the form if you have already applied for one of the Humanities Bachelor's programmes in Studielink.

The Master’s program in Literary and Cultural Analysis (Literary Studies) at the University of Amsterdam offers students an in-depth exploration of literature and culture through a multidisciplinary approach. This program is designed for students who are passionate about understanding the complexities of literary texts within their cultural and historical contexts. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, analytical skills, and theoretical knowledge, enabling students to engage with literature from a variety of perspectives, including literary theory, cultural studies, and interdisciplinary methods.

Students begin the program by building a strong foundation in key literary disciplines, examining diverse texts from different periods and regions. As they progress, they have opportunities to specialize in areas such as European literature, postcolonial studies, gender studies, or media and digital culture. The program encourages active research and offers various electives, seminars, and projects that promote intellectual development and practical research skills. The teaching combines lectures, tutorials, and group discussions, fostering a collaborative learning environment.

Apart from theoretical courses, students are encouraged to undertake independent research, often culminating in a master's thesis that demonstrates their analytical expertise and scholarly creativity. The program is supported by the university’s extensive resources, including access to world-class libraries, archives, and digital repositories. Students also benefit from the university’s international orientation, engaging with global research communities and participating in conferences and seminars.

Graduates of this program often pursue careers in academia, publishing, cultural journalism, arts administration, or further doctoral research. The program’s emphasis on critical thinking, cultural awareness, and research proficiency prepares students for a wide range of professional paths in the cultural and creative sectors. The University of Amsterdam’s location in an vibrant city rich with cultural history enhances the learning experience, providing students with ample opportunities for internships, cultural events, and engagement with local communities.

Overall, the Master's in Literary and Cultural Analysis from the University of Amsterdam is a rigorous and enriching program suited for students eager to deepen their understanding of literature and culture and to develop their analytical and research skills in a vibrant academic environment.