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Heritage Studies, MA, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

the Netherlands

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Study options for this course

The award	How you will study	Study duration	Course start	Domestic course fees	International course fees
MA	find out	1 year	September	EUR 2694 per year	EUR 24830 per year

About Heritage Studies, MA - at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Based in Amsterdam, a world heritage site with a vibrant everyday life, this master’s programme in Architecture, Cities, Landscapes: History and Heritage offers the unique combination of architectural history and heritage studies.

History examines why the spatial environment looks and works in particular ways; heritage explores the value and meaning created around space in the present by diverse communities and understands creative approaches to the uses of the past. Thus, during this programme you will develop a multi-disciplinary analytical approach through the lenses of history and heritage.

The programme focuses on ongoing societal challenges as a point of departure, like climate change, diversity in cities, sustainable re-use of abandoned sites, decolonial perspectives, and landscape heritage and sustainability.

Summer School

Apply to VU Amsterdam Summer School and develop your academic skills in a focused and inspiring study abroad experience.

Learn more about Heritage Studies, MA - at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

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Entry requirements

1. Academic requirements

Your previous education needs to be deemed equivalent to at least a Dutch academic Bachelor’s degree (wetenschappelijk onderwijs, WO) obtained at a research university (nominal duration 3 years).

2. Programme specific requirements

The MA Architecture, Cities, Landscapes: History and Heritage is open to students who have completed a Bachelor’s degree in:

Archaeology;
Art History (with a specialization in Architectural History);
Ancient Studies (provided that 60 ECTS is spent on Archaeology);
Social Geography (with knowledge of Historical Geography);
History (with some specialization in environmental or city-country relations);

or Students who have completed a Bachelor’s degree in one of the following design disciplines:

Planning;
Architecture;
Landscape Architecture;
Town planning (preferably with a focus on the history of the built environment or the history of the discipline).

If you have an academic Bachelor in a different field, please contact the course coordinator ([email protected]) to discuss your possibilities. 

3. English-language proficiency requirements

You will have to demonstrate sufficient English language proficiency. You can find an overview of relevant information to demonstrate your English language proficiency on the language requirement page.

Fees, Funding and Scholarships at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Need financial assistance? Read about scholarships: Scholarships for Master's programmes

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Masters Webinar

Each year, we organise an online session for aspiring Master's students that covers everything you need to know about the application process and beyond. This year, the International Master's webinar took place on Tuesday, October 15, at 16:00 (CET). You can watch the recordings all year.

During the webinar, you will have the opportunity to:

Discover what it is like to study at VU Amsterdam;
Learn everything you need to know about the admission and application process;
Get the latest insights on scholarship opportunities;
Hear first-hand experiences from one of our current international students about being a student in the Netherlands' dynamic capital city.

Bachelors Webinar

Each year we organise an online session for aspiring Bachelor's students that covers all you need to know about the application process and beyond. This year, the International Bachelor's webinar took place on Thursday 24 October at 16:00 (CET). You can watch the recorder version all year.

During the webinar, you will have the opportunity to:

Discover what it is like to study at VU Amsterdam;
Learn everything you need to know about the admission and application process;
Ask all your questions about the housing market in Amsterdam;
Hear first-hand experiences from one of our current international students about being a student in the Netherlands' dynamic capital city.