The application deadline for this selective Master's programme is 1 March 2023 (register in Studielink before 27 February, see step 3).

Please note: if you are an applicant with an EU/EEA nationality and wish to apply for housing, you must submit your application by 1 March.

Applying for a scholarship?

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 Art and Performance Research Studies is open for application to students with 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 art history, musicology, theatre and performance studies or cultural studies. You are expected to have an awareness of basic theoretical notions in the above fields.

The Artistic Research specialisation is open for application to students with a Bachelor's degree from an Arts Academy or accredited university with a focus in the Arts/Culture, such as Art History and Curatorial Studies.

Student profile

As a student in the Master’s programme in Art and Performance Research Studies you are interested in inter-, intra- and cross-disciplinary themes and propositions, in an active dialogue between art theory and art practice, and in the role of the arts within society. Furthermore, you are expected to have the following knowledge, insight and skills. 

For the academic profile:

• You are able to set up and conduct research and know how to formulate consistent research questions, collect and select material, apply theory, plan, structure and write a thesis.
• You are familiar with contemporary theoretical/methodological debates within your original discipline;
• You are interested in inter-, intra- and cross-disciplinary themes and propositions, in an active dialogue between art theory and art practice, and in the role of the arts within society.

For the Artistic research profile:

• You have an autonomous practice as an artist, or you have had a previous partial education in the arts, and you are acquainted with art-making techniques, methods, processes and practices.

Pre-master's

It is not possible to apply to this programme with a degree from a Dutch University of Applied Sciences (hbo), other than an Arts Academy. We do not offer a specific pre-master's programme (schakelprogramma) for this research Master's.

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 whether you already meet the English language requirements or whether you need to arrange to take an official English language test. 

Selection procedure

Because of the limited number of places available, all prospective students are subject to a selection process. We will compare your file to that of other applicants. Distinguish yourself with solid basic academic knowledge in the field of study, sufficient test scores and a convincing and enthusiastic motivation letter.

Grade average

If you wish to apply for a Research Master's programme, you are expected to have an overall grade point average (GPA) of at least an

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

Note: admission will not be granted solely on the basis of sufficient grade point average.

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 Art and Performance Research Studies need to register in Studielink for Arts and Culture - research Master's or Kunst- en cultuurwetenschappen - research master. When asked, select Art and Performance Research Studies as the track you intend to follow. 

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.

Please make sure that in Studielink (step 3) you have selected Art and Performance Research Studies as the track you intend to follow, and it is the selected track in your MyInfo application. Applications for selective programmes that have been selected as a second track will not be processed.

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: the programme Art and Performance Research Studies has two separate specialisations. Please indicate on the motivation form which specialisation you intend to pursue;
• 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 documents

In addition to the other application documents, students applying to the research master’s Art and Performance Research Studies have to submit programme-specific documents.

• for the academic specialisation, provide a sample of academic writing written in English*.
• for the Artistic Research specialisation, provide a sample of academic writing written in English* and a portfolio of realised artwork or art-related projects. Please combine the sample of written work and the portfolio in one file.
  Selected students will be invited for a personal interview to discuss their portfolio and the rest of their application dossier.

* The sample of writing may, for instance, be an article, a review, an essay or BA or BFA thesis.