Do you want to be well prepared for a career in the world of the Visual Arts? The Master Program in Art History offers all the knowledge and expertise that you need.
The one-year Master Program in Art History offers courses in Western art from the late Middle Ages to the present. The program is committed to historical as well as theoretical depth. Students are also trained with an eye to their post-graduate career prospects. We offer internships in major museums throughout the Netherlands and abroad, as well as an excursion to a major European metropolis.
Programme: 1 year
The first semester consists of one required course, Art History Now, and two courses that complement the student's specialization.
In the second semester, the Early Modern and Modern and Contemporary Art students write a thesis of 15 EC and complete an internship of 10 EC. The Curatorial students write a thesis of 20 EC and follow a tutorial of 5 EC. These students conclude their studies in the third semester with an internship of 30 EC. All students go on an excursion abroad in the second semester.
Programme options
Modern and Contemporary Art (specialization)
The Modern and Contemporary Art specialization offers courses from the Enlightenment to the present. Course offerings include the study of the broad spectrum of media used during this period: photography, film, video, multi-media installations, and post-digital art, in addition to painting, sculpture, drawings, and prints.
Early Modern Art (specialization)
The specialization Early Modern Art focuses on art made between the late Middle Ages and the Enlightenment. Courses deal with a wide variety of media: painting, sculpture, prints, drawings, and applied arts. Students study the historical embeddedness of artworks in addition to art's theoretical reach.
Curatorial Studies (specialization)
This specialization prepares students for a career in a museum or as an independent curator. All students take Art History Now and make a selection from the offerings in Early Modern or Modern and Contemporary Art. After having fulfilled all course requirements, including the thesis, students complete their program with an internship of six months in a museum in the Netherlands or abroad. Higher than average scores are a requirement for this specialization.
Master's Honours Programme (honours programme)
The Master's Honours Programme was developed especially for students who want to get more from their studies.
It is a programme worth 15 ECTS that is followed in addition to the standard Master's programme. It is a one-year interdisciplinary programme that is designed to introduce students to various aspects of leadership.
Programme schedule
The master-track in Art History has three specializations: Early Modern Art, Modern and Contemporary Art, and Curatorial Studies. Students specialize in one of these three specializations. Specific qualifications are required for Curatorial Studies.
All students take the course Art History Now, which offers the fundamental theoretical and methodological preparation for the Master-thesis. Students select the rest of their coursework from our course list (see table below)
Study abroad
- Study abroad is optional
Admission requirements
| Specific requirements | More information |
| language test | Minimum language requirements of TOEFL iBT 90 (with a minimum of 21 on all items), or IELTS 6.5 (with a minimum of 6 on all items). ERK level B2 (preferably C1). Students who acquired a bachelor's degree certificate from an English-taught degree programme will automatically meet the language requirements. |
Language requirements
| Exam | Minimum score |
| IELTS overall band | 6.5 |
| TOEFL internet based | 86 |
Tuition fees
| Nationality | Year | Fee | Programme form |
| EU/EEA | 2019-2020 | €2083 | full-time |
| non-EU/EEA | 2019-2020 | €12500 | full-time |
Application deadlines
| Type of student | Deadline | Start course |
| EU/EEA students | 01 May 2019 | 01 September 2019 |
| non-EU/EEA students | 01 May 2019 | 01 September 2019 |
Job prospects
Our Department's graduates pursue a wide variety of jobs and professions, ranging from cultural policy makers, academics, museum staff, and the art market.
Program taught in:
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- EU, 12500 EUR. - non-EU per year