Applicants with a non-EU/EEA nationality
1 March 2023, 23:59 CET (register in Studielink before 27 February, see step 3)

Applicants with a Dutch or other EU/EEA nationality
15 May 2023, 23:59 CET (register in Studielink before 13 May, 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.

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:

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

• History
• American Studies (RUG, Radboud)
• European Studies with a major in European History (UvA) 
• the humanities, liberal arts or social sciences, with a minimum of 30 ECTS (equivalent to a full-time semester of academic studies) taken in the field of history or American Studies. The interdisciplinary minor in American Studies at the UvA is an ideal preparation for this Master’s, too, and automatically meets the 30 ECTS requirement.

Student profile

As a student in the Master’s programme in American Studies, you will be expected to have the following knowledge, skills, and insights:

• You have a strong academic interest in American history, society, culture, literature, media, and/or politics.
• You are eager to grapple with scholarship in different fields. By following an interdisciplinary programme based within a history department, American Studies students can pollinate their historical sense with the approaches of other disciplines, and bring a historical sensibility to bear on the present and future.
• You know how to formulate inquiries into primary sources, how to gather materials, and how to make your way to an original argument. You are also committed to good and lively writing.

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 may be eligible for admission after completing the pre-Master's programme History / Geschiedenis.

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.

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 American Studies need to submit an enrolment request in Studielink for the Master's in History or Geschiedenis. Please note: if you will be doing the pre-Master's programme, you need to start your application by submitting an enrolment request for the Master's in History, 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). 

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 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).

This programme does not require additional programme-specific documents.

*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).