Comparative Arts and Media Studies: VU University Amsterdam

Course Description

The Master’s programme in Comparative Arts and Media Studies at VU University Amsterdam focuses on intermedialities in relation to the visual arts, cinema, literature, television and digital media. Intermedialities are crossovers and interrelations between the arts and the media, but also within and between various media.

Different levels, different media & arts

In MA Program they study intermedialities on different levels:

Exploring interconnectedness

Immerse yourself in intermediality as a general environment or cultural trend; one that appears to be all encompassing at present. Observe it in specific forms of interplay between and within specific media: cinema, television, visual arts, hypermedia and computer games.

Where technology meets tradition

Take a historical perspective on intermediality. Trace its roots not only in a technological history of media communication and recorded words and images, but also in a tradition of collage and montage, reproductions and serials, adaptation and synthetic critical art experiments.

Synergy and transgression

Explore intermediality as a conceptual framework within which to understand how specific media are defined in a world of increasing synergies and transgression of boundaries.

A staple of cultural life

Last but by no means least, study intermedialities in relation to institutions and cultural policy-making. What place does intermediality have in such activities as organizing exhibitions and writing reviews?

Career prospects

A training in Intermedialities yields insight into contemporary developments in the arts and the media. Students learn how to comprehend and analyse cross-overs between the media and between arts and media. Students have also been trained to put theory into practice, as a writer, a researcher and as an internee in cultural institutions.

Graduates of the Master’s programme in Comparative Arts and Media Studies go on to work in the fields of cultural and historical research, digital archiving of cultural heritage, education, and cultural policy and administration. They are also employed in other arts and culture sectors, working in museums, theatres, cinemas, foundations and private institutions. Tutorials and internships offer students the possibility to prepare for their professional careers.

Admission requirements

Admission to the Master's programme is possible with a Bachelor's degree in art, film, television, digital media or (visual) cultural studies from VU University Amsterdam. Applications from students with equivalent Bachelor's degrees from other universities have to be submitted to the Examination Board for assessment. If you have an academic Bachelor in the Humanities (history, journalism, communication studies, comparative literature etc.) a solid background with a minimum of 30 credits is required in either art, film, television, digital media or visual culture studies.

Language requirements

Good comprehension skills in English are absolutely necessary for all English taught programmes The minimum English language proficiency requirements for admission to a Master’s programme at VU University Amsterdam are:

• IELTS 6.5
• TOEFL paper-based test: 580
• TOEFL computer-based test: 237
• TOEFL Internet-based test: 92-93

Some Master’s programmes require a higher test score. Applicants from mainland China are required to submit an Academic IELTS or TOEFL iBT test scores due to visa requirements (an average IELTS result of 6.5 and sufficient on all separate modules).