This pre-Master's programme offers access to: Corporate Communication, Entertainment Communication, Persuasive Communication, Political Communication and the Research Master's in Communication Science.

First apply for the (Research) Master's

You have to submit a full application for the (Research) Master’s programme in Communication Science first, and subsequently, the admissions board will decide whether you are directly admissible or whether you might qualify for a pre-Master’s programme. You can check the entry requirements of the Master's programme on above mentioned websites to get an indication of the possible outcome. 

It is not possible to apply for the pre-Master’s programme or online courses independently.

Conditionally admitted: the possibilities

If you have the correct academic level and background, but a lack of knowledge and experience in the required areas, the Admissions Board may consider conditionally admitting you to the (Research) Master's programme. If you are conditionally admitted, you have to complete a pre-Master's programme or online course before your (Research) Master’s. If this is the case, you will receive an invitation for the pre-Master's or online course. The different options are described below.

Important: If you obtained a Bachelor’s degree at a University of Applied Sciences (hbo) or equivalent, you cannot be admitted to the (pre-)Master’s. You can opt for the short-track Bachelor's programme to meet the criteria, and then reapply for the Master's programme. The short track programme is only offered in Dutch. 

Option 1. Pre-Master's study programme

The pre-Master's programme includes a maximum of 30 EC and takes one semester to complete. An academic year at University of Amsterdam is divided in two semesters: semester 1 (September-January) and semester 2 (February-August). After completion of your pre-Master's programme, the earliest official start of the Master’s programme is the next semester. The 1-year Master's programmes start in September and January. The 2-year Research Master's programme only starts in September.

You may be required to complete one, two or all three of the following courses of the pre-Master's programme:

Option 2. Online course: Foundations of Communication Science

When you have a broad background in social behavioural science theories, but you do not meet all our admission requirements, you may be given the option to complete the Online Foundations of Communication Science. The online course is an intensive 2-week introduction course in the area of Communication Science and can be followed at home via online videos. The online course takes place in the month before the intended start of the Master’s programme (August or January). 

Tuition fee

For pre-Master’s programmes, you will pay tuition fees per course (each course consists of several EC credits). The tuition fees will be calculated after we receive certified copies of your previous degree and final transcript. Read more about the fees for pre-Master's programmes.

No retake possible

It is not possible to retake courses in the pre-Master’s programme. This means that you must successfully complete the pre-Master’s programme within one semester. If you do not complete your pre-Master’s programme within one semester, you are not admissible for the (Research) Master’s in Communication Science and will be rejected.

Questions?

If you have questions about the pre-Master's programme, please contact our study advisers.