Application & admission
Application deadline
The application deadline for this selective Master's programme is 1 March 2024, 23:59 CET (register in Studielink before 23 February, see step 2).
Application process
Please make sure to follow the steps of the application process carefully to ensure that your application can be processed.
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1. Check entry requirements
The selective Dual Master's programme in Communication and Information is open for application to students with a Bachelor's degree from an accredited university in the Humanities or Social Sciences.
Hbo-bachelor not eligible
It is not possible to apply to this programme with a degree from a Dutch University of Applied Sciences (hbo). We do not offer a pre-Master's programme (schakelprogramma) for this 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 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.
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.
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2. Register for the Master's in Communication and Information Studies (Dual) in Studielink
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 Communication and Information need to submit an enrolment request in Studielink for the Master's in Communicatie- en Informatiewetenschappen (duaal) or Communication and Information Studies (Dual).
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).
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3. Pay the application fee (international prior education only)
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 via SIS 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 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 are applying through the Foundation for Refugee Students (UAF).
Please note that the application fee is non-refundable. You are not entitled to a refund even if you do not submit your application form, if you submit an application form after the deadline (which will not be taken into consideration) or if you submit an incomplete application.
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4. Submit your application form in MyInfo
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).
*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.
This programme does not require any other documents, such as a reference letter. Only the above-mentioned documents are taken into consideration by the Admissions Board.
After submitting your application
Because this is a selective programme, applications will be evaluated by the Admissions Board after the application deadline has passed. You will be notified of whether you have been admitted to the programme after this time.
If you are admitted to the programme, you will receive a letter of conditional acceptance. In order to proceed with your enrolment, you must accept this offer at your earliest convenience. Read more about the steps you need to take after (conditional) acceptance on the website of the Graduate School of Humanities:
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What knowledge, insight and skills should I have?
As a student in the Master’s programme in Communication and Information you are expected to have the following knowledge, insight and skills:
- You have a strong interest in verbal communication and argumentation;
- You have a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university and have taken academic courses equivalent to at least one full-time semester of academic studies in the Humanities, Political science or Sociology;
- 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 on a Bachelor’s level;
- You are familiar with giving presentations in class and with working in a team;
- You are interested in communication, writing, argumentation and rhetoric.
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Can I apply for more than one Master's programme?
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.
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Can I apply before having completed my Bachelor's?
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.