Bachelors in Media Art Design and Architecture

What is the Media, Art, Design and Architecture program about?

This three-year, full-time academic program offers an interdisciplinary exploration of visual and material culture. It integrates four disciplines—media, art, design, and architecture—providing students with a broad theoretical and historical foundation. The program emphasizes critical analysis over practical creation, preparing students to examine cultural expressions within various societal and global contexts. 

Key Focus Areas:

• Critical examination of visual and material culture

• Historical and theoretical perspectives on media, art, design, and architecture

• Interdisciplinary analysis of cultural expressions

• Understanding the societal and environmental impacts of culture

Unique Selling Points:

• Interdisciplinary curriculum combining four creative fields

• Opportunity to specialize in one discipline from the second year

• Located in Amsterdam, a vibrant cultural hub

• Courses taught entirely in English

• Emphasis on academic research and critical thinking

Year-wise Breakdown of Core Modules

Year 1: Foundations

• Approaching Visual and Material Culture

• European Cultural History

• History of Media, Art, Design and Architecture: Early Modern, Modern, and Contemporary

• Image and Object Analysis

• Academic Skills in Arts and Culture

• Research Methods

• MKDA Orientation Modules

Year 2: Specialization and Integration

• Exhibition Machines

• Film and Media History

• Media Theory and Analysis

• Urban Culture and Public Space

• Historiography of Media, Art, Design and Architecture

• The Postmedium Condition: Contemporary Art and Media

• World Heritage and Conflict

• Study Trip focusing on chosen specialization

Year 3: Deepening Knowledge and Thesis

• Bachelor Thesis in chosen specialization

• Current Debates in Art and Culture

• Research Seminar aligned with specialization

• Contesting Images

• Electives, minors, internships, or study abroad opportunities

Learning and Assessment Methods

Teaching Formats:

• Lectures and seminars

• Case study analyses

• Field trips to museums and cultural sites

• Group discussions and presentations

Assessment Types:

• Written essays and research papers

• Oral presentations

• Participation in seminars and discussions

• Bachelor thesis (7,000–10,000 words) 

Rankings

• Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is consistently ranked among the top universities globally, recognized for its strong programs in humanities and social sciences.