Study programmes higher education

The Dutch educational system has a bachelor-master structure. After the bachelor’s course, you can take a follow-up course: a more advanced course or a master’s course.

Admission

A high level is required for admission to a course in one of the arts. The criteria for admission are laid down by law for each discipline. Not only talent but also experience and training are necessary. Some institutions often offer orientation courses that can be followed in addition to regular education, for example on Saturdays.

Most courses in an arts disciplines have selection rounds that determine whether a person can be admitted as a student. You can find information about that on the websites of the relevant institutes. If you are admitted for a particular course, that does not mean that you can switch to a different institute with a similar course.

You can train to become an all-round heritage professional at the Reinwardt Academy, which is part of the Amsterdam University of the Arts. The bachelor’s course lasts four years and is the only course of its kind at bachelor’s level in Europe. The course is based on the current developments and discussions in the field of heritage. The professional orientation of the course is subject of regular consultations of professional organisations on a national and a international level.

Master Applied Museum and Heritage Studies, Amsterdam University of the Arts

Universities master:
Heritage Studies, Universiteit van Amsterdam
Heritage Studies, VU Amsterdam
Arts and Society, Utrecht University
Arts, Culture and Society, Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam
Arts and Heritage: Policy, Management and Education, Maastricht University

Universities abroad:
The University of Manchester

  • MA Art Gallery & Museum Studies
  • MA Arts Management, Policy and Practice

The University of Leicester

  • MA Museum Studies
  • MA Learning and Visitor Studies
  • MA Art Museum and Gallery Studies
  • MA Digital Heritage
  • MA Interpretation, Representation and Heritage

Brandenburgische Technische Universität Cottbuss-Senftenberg

  • MA World Heritage Studies 

Most master courses at universities offer pre-master programmes for hbo-students to fulfill all requirements. You register for a master's course, just like students who meet all the entry requirements. The commission of admission decides whether you may follow the pre-master program and what the program will look like.

Pre-Master's programmes, University of Amsterdam