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| Application Deadline: | February 1; April 1; December 15 | ||
| Annual Tuition Fee: | ≈ € 1,713 ≈ € 10,500 (non-EEA) | ||
| Location: | Amsterdam / Netherlands / View location on map ▾ Hide location on map ▴ | ||
| Duration: | 24 months | Start Date: | September |
| Educational Form: |
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| Education Variants: |
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| Credits (ECTS): | 120 | ||
| Languages: | English | ||
Location of University of Amsterdam
Literature offers us the opportunity of experiencing worlds beyond our own circumstances and situation; literature is always larger than the interpretations it inspires in us, and challenges us to meet the text by expanding our own frame of reference.
In this research master's programme literature is studied as a culturally and historically diverse area, as a historical praxis and as a historically shifting canon. By studying literature as a multilingual phenomenon, the course adopts a supranational point of view.
The expertise at the Faculty of Humanities at the Universiteit van Amsterdam spans across time and the European map: from Hebrew, Greek, and Latin to contemporary postcolonial theory; from Icelandic to Bulgarian, and from Finnish to Portuguese. The faculty hence has a strong interdisciplinary tradition in `area studies´ - the integrated
analysis of literary, cultural, and historical processes, in particular in international relations.
These features are combined in the two-year research MA programme in Literary studies, which offers a theoretically and historically informed survey of the diversity and diachronic complexity of literature.
Contents
The programme prepares participants for entry into a related PhD programme. It does justice to both the breadth of the discipline and the specificity of its various specialisations, and has a strong interdisciplinary approach.
Programme outline
The two-year Research programme in Literary Studies yields 120 ECTS credits: 30 credits for core courses, 30 credits for electives, 30 credits for tutorials and 30 credits for a Master's thesis.
The specific number of credits a student is required to obtain through coursework is determined by the admissions committee and is based on the student's previous qualifications. Fulfilment of all the requirements will take at least two years. Students with a related Master's degree should be able to complete the programme in one year (70 ECTS credits).
Core courses and electives
Three core courses bring together students from a wide range of disciplines to address both theoretical and methodological issues. Electives can be chosen from a wide range of related programmes. These can be taken in any language, depending on individual students' specialisations and the fulfilment of entry requirements. Electives give students the chance to gain a more in-depth knowledge of one or more European language areas or of other literary subjects.
Tutorials
Students are also required to take three tutorials in which they can focus on a specific field within the broad discipline of Literary Studies. The tutorials serve as an instructive apprenticeship where students acquire the necessary experience in conducting scientific research in a domain that interests them and in which the supervising tutor is specialised. Senior faculty members of the Language and Literature Department offer tutorials on subjects linked to their own research interests.
Thesis
The Master's thesis reports on research carried out by the student under the supervision of two academic staff members involved in the programme. The subject of the thesis must be mutually agreed upon by the student and the academic adviser(s). Researching and writing the thesis should take half a year.
Degree requirements
Students who successfully complete this programme receive a Master's degree in Literary Studies and the title Master of Arts (MA).
Credit transfer
Students who show exceptional promise during a regular or professional programme are encouraged to continue their studies in a Research programme. Once students are admitted to the Research programme, they can transfer credits earned during their previous course of study towards their Research programme. The examination committee determines which courses qualify for transfer.
You are normally required to take an English Proficiency Test if you come from a non-English speaking country.
Most European Universities recognise the IELTS test.
More informationRequirements
Specific entry requirements
Applicants for the Master's programme should have at least a Bachelor's degree or its equivalent in literary studies, European studies, language and culture or another relevant field. The level of the Bachelor's degree must be comparable to that of a Dutch Bachelor's degree.
Students with a relevant Dutch Master's degree, or an equivalent thereof, can apply for admission to the one-year programme. In this case, they should state that they are applying for the one-year in the study plan included with the application for admission. The admissions committee reviews applications for the one-year programme on a case-by-case basis, with due consideration for the applicant's academic background.
Due to the limited number of places available in Research Master's programmes, all applicants are required to take part in a selection procedure. The admissions committee will assess each applicant's academic qualifications on a case-by-case basis.
General entry requirements
Applicants must also fulfil the general entry requirements of the Graduate School for Humanities regarding academic background, grade average and English language proficiency.
Language requirements
All non-native English speakers applying for an English taught MA programme are required to demonstrate sufficient proficiency in English before they can enrol. Students must be able to read textbooks, understand lectures, take part in classroom discussions and write at an academic level.
Students with a BA degree completed in the USA, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand are exempted from submitting an English language test.
All other applicants must submit one of the following tests. No other tests are accepted. For contact information regarding these tests please visit their websites.
- The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) - Academic
The IELTS exam is offered by the British Council at least once a month upon request. Students are required to have a score of at least 7.0, with a minimum score of 6.5 for the separate components of the test. Students should contact the nearest British Council centre in their home country to register for this test as soon as possible. Original test scores should be sent either by IELTS directly or by the student to the admissions Office of the Graduate School for Humanities.
- Cambridge International Examination
Students can also take the Certificate in Advanced English exam (CAE) or the Certificate of Proficiency in English exam (CPE). The minimum scores are: 'A' for the Certificate in Advanced English or 'B' for the Certificate of Proficiency in English. Original scores should be sent either by Cambridge Examinations or by the student to the Admissions Office of the Graduate School for Humanities.
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) - International Test
There are several types of TOEFL tests. The Graduate School for Humanities only accepts the Internet-based International test. Students are required to have a score of at least 100, with a minimum of 22 for the separate components of the test.
Students should apply for a TOEFL test with ETS (link below). The institution code for the Graduate School for Humanities is 7247 (U Amsterdam Grad Humanities). Original scores should be sent either by ETS or by the student to the Admissions Office of the Graduate School for Humanities.
Chinese applicants are recommended to do the IELTS (academic) language test in order to apply for the NESO Certificate. See: How to apply / Applicants from China.
Additional Requirements
| Minimal degree required: | Bachelor's degree |
| Minimal amount of work experience | Not specified |
Language Proficiency
| IELTS Band: | 6.5 |
| Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): | Grade A (Score: 80) |
| TOEFL Internet-based: | 100 |
Accreditation
The quality of this master's programme has been positively assessed by the Accreditation Organisation of The Netherlands and Flanders (NVAO). This means that upon successful completion of the programme students will receive a legally accredited master's degree in Literary Studies and the title Master of Arts (MA).
Funding details
Huygens scholarship
The Dutch government has allocated a vast amount for excellent students coming to the Netherlands under the HSP Huygens Programme. The Nuffic is administrating the Huygens scholarship. Please find all all necessary information about application and selection on their website.
! The Faculty deadline for receiving Huygens scholarship requests is: 31 December 2010. On the online application form please mention the Huygens scholarship request by thicking the relevant box.
The International Office will make a first selection of most excellent students. For this students we will write a nomination letter. Applicants that are part of this selection will receive the nomination letter by e-mail before 1 February 2011 which is the Nuffic deadline for application.
Amsterdam Merit Scholarship
The Faculty of Economics and Business provides a limited number of scholarships for excellent students in the Master's programmes. There is no fixed number of available scholarships. The actual number will be determined by the amount that will be allocated to the Faculty.
Selection procedure
1) Applicants should write an AMS motivation letter (tell us in not more than 300 words your motivation to get the scholarship).
2) Applicants should upload the AMS digital motivation letter to their online application for the MSc programme before March 1st 2011.
3) Before the end of May 2011 we will inform all applicants about the results by e-mail.
Ahold Scholarship Programme
Ahold, an international food retailing group based in the Netherlands offers scholarships for non-EU students in the MSc in Accountancy and Control programme. Applicants should have an outstanding academic record and have special interest in retail and the intention to work and live in the USA or Europe after graduation. All non-EU applicants accepted to the MSc in Accountancy and Control programme will receive supplementary information on this Scholarship.
Colfuturo Scholarship
Students from Columbia can apply for this scholarship through their website.
Ford Foundation Scholarship
Scholarships are provided for students from a selection of countries worldwide. For more information see the Nuffic website.
Netherlands Fellowship Programmes
This programme provides funding for women and members of priority groups or marginalized regions. For more information see the Nuffic website.
Other scholarships
Further information on scholarships can be obtained from Nuffic, please refer to their website. Click on the link 'Grantfinder' to search for Dutch scholarships for foreign students.
Studentgrant
In certain cases it is possible for EU students to receive a monthly studentgrant from the Dutch government (i.e. IB Group). Please check their website for further information.
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