Pre-master Arts and Culture
Are you a University of Applied Sciences student looking to obtain a university Master's degree? Or is your bachelor’s study insufficient for admission to the master’s programme of your choice?
If you do not satisfy the admission requirements of the Master's programme you may be able to enrol in a Pre-master's course year. If you successfully complete this Pre-master's programme, then you can start the Master's programme in the subsequent academic year.
Arts and Culture
Who is the Pre-master's course for?
You can also choose to apply directly to the Pre-master's programme of academic year 2023-2024. For admission to the Pre-master's course you must have either a relevant bachelor's degree from a university of applied sciences or another BA or BSc title that does not grant direct admission into the master's programme. You also have to satisfy the language requirements. The admissions committee of the programme will decide whether you are admitted.
Pre-master courses Arts and Culture*
The programme is composed of key courses taken from the Bachelor Arts and Culture. You will gain a foundational knowledge in the field of study, get acquainted with problem based learning (PBL). And you will also train skills like speaking in English in public.
The MA Arts and Culture has three specialisations: Arts and Heritage, Contemporary Literature and Arts, and Modern Political Culture. In your Pre-master, you have choice options that will prepare you for one of these specialisations.
Students who have successfully completed the Pre-master’s programme of 60 credits (ECTS) will be granted admission to any of the three specialisations in the Arts and Culture master’s programme.
| Period | Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
ACU3005 PMG1000 |
Arts and Culture: Policy and Politics Introduction Academic Skills |
12 0 |
| 2 Choose 1 of 3: |
ACU3004 |
Museum meanings |
12 |
| PMG1001 | Academic Writing for Pre-masters | 1 | |
| 3 |
|
Paper Arts and Culture |
6 |
| 4 |
ACU2017 |
Art, Literature and Technoscience |
9 |
Choose 1 of 3: |
ACU2508 EUS3508 EUS3500 |
Analysing Arts II |
3 3 3 |
| 5 |
ACU2007 Skill ACU2509 |
Power and Democracy Doing Conceptual Analysis II |
9 3 |
| any period | ALS9010 | Literature exam | 5 |
Detailed content of the pre-master courses 2022-2023 (Pdf).* This programme overview might still be subject to change.
Please note:
The language of instruction and examination is English. Students may choose to take an exam in Dutch, but need to indicate this before the start of each course.
Requirements
Besides the general requirements:
- A recent passport picture
- A copy of your valid passport or your EU/EEA identity card (valid on 1 September 2023)
- A copy of your most recent certified grades transcript and a copy of your certified diploma
All candidates should meet the additional requirements:
1. Submit proof of a bachelor's degree
All candidates must provide proof of having obtained a bachelor's degree in a relevant academic field with a good overall result (a certified copy of your diploma, including the supplement and associated list of grades). If you have not yet graduated you can upload your official lists of grades from your bachelor's programme.
2. Submit your curriculum vitae
All candidates must provide a cv. Please list your education, relevant extracurricular activities and internship/professional experience.
3. Write a letter of motivation
All candidates must write a letter of motivation. Please provide good arguments about why you want to do this Pre-master's programme at Maastricht University and why you believe that you can successfully complete the programme.
4. Submit a writing sample
All candidates should provide proof of sufficient academic writing/research skills. The Board of Admissions asks the candidate to submit an independently-written research paper of at least 2,000 words (excluding the footnotes and reference list) on a relevant topic. You can use a paper from earlier studies or another occasion. The submitted work should be written in English.
5. Demonstrate proficiency in English
The language requirements below (for our FASoS Master's programmes) also apply to the Pre-master's programmes.
Language requirements for English-language master's programmes
As English is the language of instruction in this study programme, it is essential that your English language skills are good enough for you to undertake intensive and challenging academic courses that are taught and examined in English.
Click here to find out if you meet the language requirements.
Non-EEA students must pay a €100 handling fee
Non-EEA students who apply for this pre-master's programme will have to pay a handling fee. Your application will not be taken into consideration without the required fee of €100 (excl. bank costs) which you will have to pay when you apply.
The handling fee is to cover certain administrative costs in relation to your application.
Application for and admission to the Pre-master's programme
Registration can be done via Studielink as of 1 October 2022:
- In Studielink, select ‘Maastricht University’ in the first drop-down menu (‘Educational institution).
- Do not select anything in the other drop-down menus (Type of study programme, Academic load, Main language).
- Type ‘Pre-master Arts and Culture’ in the search field. You can now select the Pre-master Arts and Culture in the result overview.
Application deadlines: Non-EU/EEA and EU/EEA-students: up to and including 1 June 2023.
Acceptance or rejection to the Pre-master
After the Admission Board has decided on your application, you will receive an email regarding acceptance or rejection to the Pre-master year.
The study fee for this programme is €2,314 (for EU and non-EU students). For more information, see the enrolment provisions (art. 28).