To gain admission to the Master’s programme International Dramaturgy, you must hold a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in:

• 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 theatre, drama or performance studies.

Pre-Master's

If you do not meet the entry requirements above, for example if you have a degree from a Dutch University of Applied Sciences (HBO) or an equivalent thereof, you might be eligible to eliminate your deficiencies by completing the pre-Master’s programme in International Dramaturgy and Theatre Studies (offered in Dutch) first. The Admissions Board will determine if your academic background is sufficient for admission to the (pre-)Master’s programme. Admission to the (pre-)Master’s programme is not guaranteed.

Selection procedure

The admission process for the Master's in International Dramaturgy is competitive with a merit-based selection of candidates. In addition to the application documents that have to be submitted for all Humanities Master’s programmes, you are expected to formulate a first vision about dramaturgy based on literature. During a personal Skype interview, the selection committee will discuss this dramaturgical concept and the rest of your application dossier. Basic test questions to assess your understanding of theatre processes and theories may be part of the interview.

English language requirements

New Master's students should be able to speak, read, write and understand English at an advanced academic level. Please check carefully on the page below whether:

• you already meet the English language requirements based on your prior education; or
• you need to arrange to take an official English language test. If you have serious reasons to believe you should be exempted from taking an official English language test, you will need to file a strongly motivated, official exemption request at the Graduate School of Humanities’ Examinations Board. Please note that there is a strict deadline in place for such a request, which is one month prior to the Master's application deadline.

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 International Dramaturgy need to submit an enrolment request in Studielink for the Master's in Arts and Culture 90 EC or Kunst- en cultuurwetenschappen 90 EC. Please note: if you will be following the pre-Master's programme, you need to start your application by submitting an enrolment request for the Master's in Arts and Culture 90 EC, and not for the pre-Master's programme.

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).

All students applying for a Master’s programme with a non-Dutch degree must pay a non-refundable application fee of €100. The UvA cannot start processing your application until this fee has been paid. You can pay the application fee by credit card (Master or Visacard) or iDEAL.

You do not have to pay the application fee:

• If you have obtained or will obtain a Bachelor’s degree from a Dutch research university or university of applied sciences (HBO);
• If you have the Dutch or Surinamese nationality;
• If you have already applied and paid the application fee for another Master’s programme at the UvA for the academic year 2024-2025;
• If you have already applied and paid the application fee for a Master's programme at the Graduate School of Humanities for the academic year 2023-2024;
• If you have started a UvA Master’s programme in 2021, 2022 or 2023;
• If you are applying through the Foundation for Refugee Students (UAF) and/or have an official refugee status in the Netherlands (as stated on your residence permit).

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 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);
• 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 August.

Dramaturgical concept: assignment to apply for the academic year 2024-2025

All applicants to the Master's International Dramaturgy are required to submit a dramaturgical concept in preparation of the interview (for more information, see 1. Check the entry requirements). Upload this under 'programme-specific document' in MyInfo.

Formulate a brief but consistent dramaturgical concept (maximum 1,000 words) for one of the four sources below. Approach the text of your choice as a source for a dramaturgical concept that envisions staging. Add a bibliography of secondary material you used.

• Lucas Rijneveld: The Discomfort of Evening / De avond is ongemak
• Samuel Beckett: Waiting for Godot
• Tania León: Scourge of Hyacinths 
• Inua Ellams: Half-God of Rainfall

As a student in the Master’s programme in International Dramaturgy you are expected to have the following knowledge, insight and skills:

• You are able to conduct research independently and know how to formulate consistent and functional research questions, collect material, apply theory, and write a thesis. Substantial experience in doing research and academic writing is a plus.
• You have an awareness of basic theoretical notions in theatre and performance studies and methods of drama and performance analysis (additional practical experience in dramaturgical work is an advantage, but even the longest experience in practice does not compensate for the aforementioned required minimum of academic credits in the field of study). 
• You have the readiness and curiosity to delve into and combine both academic research and practical dramaturgical skills.
• You have a keen interest in all kinds of theatre performances and have demonstrable knowledge about (local) productions.
• You are interested in current political and social discourses and their translation into artistic theatrical processes.

Yes, you can apply for up to a maximum of four Master’s programmes. Some Master’s programmes offer different tracks. You may apply for a maximum of two tracks within the same Master's. If you wish to do so, you can select a second track in the MyInfo application form. Note that we will start by processing the track of your first choice. Only if you are not conditionally admitted to your first track will we continue to process your second track. If you are conditionally admitted to your first track, your application to the second track will be cancelled.

Please note that it is not possible to choose a selective track as your second choice option. If you are interested in a selective track or programme, be sure to put that as your first choice.

Many applicants to Master's programmes have not finished their previous education when they apply. If this applies to you, then you can upload a transcript of records with the courses and grades obtained so far. Make sure to also include a list of courses from your Bachelor's that you still need to complete. This applies to the scholarship applications as well.