The application deadline for this selective Master's programme is 1 March 2024, 23:59 CET (register in Studielink before 27 February, see step 3).

If you are interested in a scholarship, you need to apply for both the Master's programme and the scholarship before 15 January. Learn more at:

The Master's programme in Heritage and Memory Studies is open for application to students with a Bachelor's degree from an accredited university in:

• the fields of cultural anthropology, cultural studies, (art) history, archaeology and prehistory, social geography, or urban planning;
• the humanities or social sciences with a minimum of 30 ECTS (equivalent to a full-time semester of academic studies) taken in the field of heritage and memory studies.

You will be considered for admission to the Master’s programme if you can demonstrate the following knowledge, insight and skills:

• You are able to conduct academic research independently and know how to formulate consistent and functional research questions, collect and critically evaluate source material, apply theory and communicate your research findings in logically structured writing. Substantial experience in doing research and academic writing is a plus.
• You have knowledge of basic theoretical notions in heritage and memory studies.
• You are eager to contribute to the research into and preservation, management or presentation of objects and sites.
• You have insight, preferably through some practical experience already gained in the field, into the type of work performed in the heritage sector.
• You fit the student profile.

Student Profile

• Keen interest in the societal and political issues at play in the uses of the past in the present. You are able to express a well-argued opinion on, for example, the role of heritage in urban planning or cultural tourism, the preservation of cultural and natural heritage, the selection of world heritage or the commemoration of events.
• An understanding of the type of work performed in the heritage sector and a clear idea of how you would like to contribute to the preservation, management or presentation of tangible or intangible heritage, or to the performance of memorial practices.
• Readiness and curiosity to delve into both academic research and heritage practice, and combine the two.
• A desire to contribute eagerly and critically to the academic and interdisciplinary environment of our Graduate School, demonstrated in a convincing written motivation letter.

Pre-Master’s

It is not possible to apply to this programme with a degree from a Dutch University of Applied Sciences (hbo) or an international equivalent thereof. However, a pre-master’s programme in cultural anthropology, cultural studies, (art) history, archaeology and prehistory, social geography, or urban planning will enable you to meet the degree requirements for application. We do not offer a preparatory programme (schakelprogramma) specifically for this Master's programme. For further advice, please contact the programme coordinator before applying.

English language requirements

Master's students should be able to speak, read, write and understand English at an advanced academic level. Please check carefully whether you already meet the English language requirements or whether you need to arrange to take an official English language test. See the English language requirements on the Graduate School of Humanities website.

Selection procedure

Because of the limited number of places available, prospective students are subject to a selection process. We will compare your application  to that of other applicants, thereby assessing which candidates fit the student profile best. As part of the selection procedure, we ask you to upload a sample of academic work written in English in the application form (see step 4 below).

Interview

The application for the Heritage and Memory Studies programme will entail an (online) interview in English with an Admissions Board consisting of the coordinator for the Master's track in Heritage and Memory Studies and at least one lecturer and one student from the programme, with in addition representatives from heritage institutions affiliated with the programme as providers of internship positions. During the interview, candidates will be asked to further explain their motivation, reply to questions about their sample of academic work and indicate what type of internship they envision, preferably naming specific heritage organisations they are interested in. 

Grade average

During the selection procedure for the Heritage and Memory Studies programme, preference will be given to students who have obtained at least the following grade average for the courses related to the dual master’s programme you are pursuing:

• A/3.6 (American system)
• 2.1 HONS (an upper second class honours degree in the British system)
• B (ECTS-system)
• 7.5 (Dutch system)

Students with lower grade averages are welcome to apply, particularly those who obtained a sufficient grade average in the advanced phase of their prior education. Please offer an explanation in your motivation form about what may have affected your academic development.

All students applying will need to start their application by submitting an enrolment request in Studielink, the Dutch online system for students applying for a degree programme at a Dutch university.

Applicants for Heritage and Memory Studies need to submit an enrolment request in Studielink for the Master's in Heritage Studies 90 EC (Dual) or Erfgoedstudies 90 EC (Duaal).

It is extremely important that you register in Studielink at least 48 hours before the application deadline (see above). This is to ensure that you receive your login information (UvAnetID) in time to fill in your UvA application in MyInfo (see next step).

After enrolling in Studielink, you will automatically receive an email with a link to your MyInfo UvA application form. To log in to MyInfo you need your UvAnetID. Please fill out the application form, upload the required documents and submit your MyInfo application form before the application deadline.

Application fee

All applicants holding a nationality outside the EU/EEA are required to pay an application fee of €100 per Studielink enrolment before submitting your MyInfo application form. You will find payment instructions on your application form.

Application documents

Make sure you are well prepared before you start your application, and you have all necessary documents ready. You are asked to upload the following documents:

• curriculum vitae;
• proof of language proficiency (if required, see language requirements);
• transcript of records, up-to-date and issued by your home institution (if you are already a student at the UvA, a screenshot from SIS is sufficient);
• diploma (if already obtained)* or list of courses yet to complete;
• translation of your diploma and transcript of records (if they are not in English, Dutch, German or French);
• motivation form (PDF);
  Important: if you intend to pursue the specialisation Restitution Studies, please indicate this on the motivation form.
• programme specific documents (see below).

*Please note: If you have not yet obtained your diploma but are in possession of all other application documents, you may proceed with your application - as long as you obtain your Bachelor's degree before 1 September. If you have a non-Dutch prior education, please bear in mind that you must submit your certified documents before 1 May (non-EEA students) or 1 August (EEA students).

Programme-specific document

The Admissions Board will request a sample of academic work written in English (750 words) in which you discuss and problematise a heritage or memory issue that illustrates how traces of the past (e.g. historic sites, objects, memorials) can be contested or instrumentalised. Use source citations: preferably MLA, but other referencing styles are accepted as long as used consistently. This programme-specific document should give evidence of the candidate’s ability to:

• design and carry out a research project with proper source acknowledgements;
• form a logically-argued opinion on a current heritage or memory issue;
• express himself or herself effectively in writing.

Please collect and prepare all necessary documents before starting your application. You can find detailed information and guidelines on the Graduate School of Humanities website: