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How do communication and society influence each other? This question is central to the Communication Science Bachelor's programme. You will study media and the effects of media use on people and society through various research methods and theories, and from different angles, such as politics, business, entertainment, marketing, and health communication. Have a look below at the courses you will follow during the Bachelor's programme.

Overview per year

During the first year, you will be introduced to the most important theories within Communication Science. By means of, among other things, reading and discussing literature and doing individual and group assignments, you learn to understand these theories and apply them to current events. You will also follow courses in statistics and research skills and you will be introduced to a number of specialised content courses, including the domain courses Corporate Communication and Entertainment Communication.

During the second year you will deepen and broaden your knowledge of communication science. You will follow in-depth courses on methods and statistics of social research, such as statistical modelling and qualitative research. You will practice your knowledge and skills in various (group-) projects. In addition, you will follow the domain courses on Persuasive Communication and Political Communication & Journalism. In the second semester, you will be able to tailor your study programme with Electives.

During the third year, you will apply your acquired knowledge in practice during an internship. This can be at a company in the Netherlands, but you can also choose to do your internship abroad. In the second semester you will work on the graduation project. Here, you will bring all the knowledge you have acquired in recent years together in your own research. In addition to the internship and graduation project, you will take a number of other courses, including two 'Topics' of your choice.

Additional options

Students with excellent study results can opt for the additional challenge of the Honours Programme that starts in year 2. It entails taking additional courses on top of your regular course load together with other motivated students. The courses will help you develop your skills and acquire more knowledge on an academic level. Each Honours Programme consists of courses in your own Bachelor's programme and interdisciplinary honours courses that are organised elsewhere. After successfully completing the Honours Programme you will receive an Honours Bachelor's degree upon graduation.

The UvA has partnerships and exchange agreements with more than 100 other universities. During your electives space you can do an exchange semester abroad. This can be a valuable learning and cultural experience, and a great addition to your study programme.

Note: You can only go abroad in your third year. This means you would have to swap around your modules and do your internship or graduation project in your second year.

There are various opportunities during the Bachelor's programme for you to shape your programme to your liking. You can gain 30 elective study credits with courses that are part of another  Bachelor's programme at the UvA, thereby doing a second specialisation.

Also you can  choose a minor: a cohesive programme lasting half a year (30 credits) taken outside your own degree programme. You could choose a minor in Sociology or Business Economics, for example. Communication Science students are especially encouraged to take the minor Communication in the Digital Society, in which you can delve into how digital technologies influence our way of learning, working, entertainment, and social connection. In this minor you engage with theories and ethical issues that are relevant to how we organise our digital society. You will also learn the basics of the Python programming language for data analysis, a skill that is becoming increasingly important in both corporate and academic jobs.

In the Bachelor's programme you will do an internship at an organisation of your choice. This internship will give you the opportunity to gain relevant work experience, and apply your academic knowledge in a professional setting. Moreover, the internship will enable you to develop and apply practical skills while using the knowledge you have gained during the programme.

Workload

Only a limited number of hours consist of lectures, from the first year there is an emphasis on working on challenging assignments together with fellow students in tutorial groups. During these tutorials you will apply the knowledge from the literature and the lectures to practical matters and current events. In addition to the lectures and tutorials, you will spend a large part of your time in the library or at home studying the literature independently and completing assignments. Most of the courses are evaluated with one or more tests. This is usually a written examination, but it can also be an essay, a report, or a presentation.

Lectures: 4 hours per week

Tutorials: 12 to 14 hours per week

Self study: 25 to 30 hours per week

Dutch track

Are you a Dutch-speaking student? Then you can also participate in our Dutch track. The programme of the Dutch track is exactly the same as the programme of the English track.

HBO degree or equivalent

If you have obtained a Dutch HBO degree or you have obtained an international degree equal to a Dutch HBO, there are possibilities to receive exemptions in the Bachelor's programme in Communication Science. For more information please select the statement that applies to you below.

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Study programme - Bachelor's Communication Science

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How do communication and society influence each other? This question is central to the Communication Science Bachelor's programme. You will study media and the effects of media use on people and society through various research methods and theories, and from different angles, such as politics, business, entertainment, marketing, and health communication.

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INTERESSANTISSIMO, CAPIRE BENE I CRITERI DI AMMISSIONE

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Online open day

Do you want to know more about studying Liberal Arts and Sciences at AUC? You can visit our online open day page any time to learn more about our study programme through videos, downloadable content, chatting with a student or signing up for one of live events either online or in-person!

Liberal arts and sciences at AUC

Do you have broad interests, enjoy discussions and debates, like to be challenged and feel at home in an international environment? AUC offers a Bachelor (Honours) degree programme in the liberal arts and sciences, taught in English, and open to both Dutch and international students. As a student at AUC, you will learn to analyse complex issues from different perspectives by drawing on various academic fields of knowledge. Discussions start with the 'big questions' in science and society and lead to in-depth study in a wide range of academic disciplines.

AUC is:

Interdisciplinary. Students are encouraged to think beyond traditional disciplines to address contemporary problems and issues.

Personalised. Students work with their tutors to determine a tailor-made study plan that suits individual interests and academic goals.

Residential. On-campus housing in Amsterdam is guaranteed for all students for the duration of their studies at AUC.

International. More than 50% of the student community comes from abroad, the lingua franca is English and students are immersed in the 'global village' of Amsterdam.

Challenging. As an Honours programme, the curriculum is designed to be rigorous and prepare students for prestigious graduate schools and careers at internationally renowned companies.

Supportive. Between the tutoring team, peer supporters, resident assistants, well-being team, student life officer and accessible teaching staff, the tight-knit atmosphere at AUC offers a strong support network for students to thrive.

Curriculum

Three majors across six themes

The curriculum features three majors (Sciences, Social Sciences and Humanities) and more than 20 concentrations and areas of specialisation. These are spread across six interdisciplinary themes that encourage you to develop your own unique study plan, combining courses from both in- and outside of your major to best prepare you for your future academic and/or career goals.

Programme structure

Students at AUC choose to major in the Sciences, Social Sciences or Humanities. Within each of these majors are a variety of "tracks" through which students specialise in more specific areas of knowledge known as concentrations. These concentrations make the programme cohesive, and ensure that students attain a certain level of expertise in a specific field to proceed to Master's degree programmes or more advanced studies in an exact field.

These areas of study can also be combined to create unique programmes designed to address contemporary issues (for example, "health" and "biomedical sciences" to better understand public health policies, or "information" and "communication" to study the increasing effect of big data on society).

Majors and concentrations

The three majors (Sciences, Social Sciences, Humanities) are at the top of the chart in bold, followed by the various areas of specialisation (concentrations).

Housing and living on campus

All students at AUC live in on-campus housing for the duration of their studies. Residential life is seen as an extension of the liberal arts and sciences philosophy in which students live and learn together. By living together, a sense a community is fostered, creating a dynamic academic and social environment for students to grow.

The affordable rooms are a mix of studios, shared and apartment style housing equipped with modern facilities interspersed with spacious courtyards. Situated on Amsterdam Science Park in the east of the city, the AUC Academic Building (where classes are held) is just a short walk away.

Admissions and applying

Admissions

AUC aims to admit 300 students per year. Students from all around the world are encouraged to apply. In principle, all those who have completed a secondary school diploma that is considered equivalent to a Dutch VWO diploma can be considered for admission. However, please note that admissions are competitive and the following criteria play an important role:

Academic excellence, both in terms of grades and motivation

High levels of proficiency in English and mathematics

Ambition to follow an intensive and broad liberal arts and sciences programme

Commitment to contribute to AUC's international student body and campus life

ASF Scholarship Fund

AUC has its own scholarship fund, through which we work with our industry and civic partners with an aim to increase diversity and excellence in the student body. The Amsterdam University College Scholarship Fund (ASF) bestows ASF Scholarships. ASF Scholarships are awarded annually on the basis of merit and need. Around 5-10% of AUC students receive full or partial scholarships from the AUC Scholarship Fund.

Talent Fellowship at AUC

Part of the AUC Scholarship Fund, the Talent Fellowship at AUC (TFA) aims to empower the next generation of talented Dutch students from communities that are underrepresented in higher education, including first-generation students, students with a migration background and refugee students. Talent Fellows receive 2500 EUR per academic year and participate in a tailor-made talent development programme.

Academic and career prospects

AUC graduates are well-prepared to continue their studies at the Master's or PhD level at major universities in the Netherlands and abroad, or to pursue a career at renowned corporate or public organisations. AUC alumni have gone on to study at prestigious institutions and programmes all around the world, including the University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, Columbia University and, of course, our parent institutions the University of Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.

Upon graduating, other alumni have chosen to enter the work force at internationally known companies, research institutes and organisations. Our graduates are highly sought after as they combine a high level of academic knowledge with the ability to solve problems, contribute to debates, and exhibit an awareness of the social, cultural and personal perspectives that equip them for success, leadership and global citizenship.

Contact us

If you have questions about the academic programme, admissions requirements, application procedure, scholarships, housing or life at AUC, we encourage you to send us an email (via the link below) or contact one of our student ambassadors.

Visit Amsterdam University College

Curious about learning more about Amsterdam University College? You can join one of our informational tours led by an AUC student ambassador or member of our staff. These tours are run throughout the year, including over the summer. Alternatively, you can also visit one of our (digital) Open Days or find us at the Bachelor Days of the University of Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.

Visiting address

Science Park 113
1098 XG Amsterdam
The Netherlands

Postal address:

Amsterdam University College
PO Box 94160
1090 GD Amsterdam
The Netherlands

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Bachelor's Liberal Arts and Sciences (Amsterdam University College)

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Do you want to know more about studying Liberal Arts and Sciences at AUC? You can visit our online open day page any time to learn more about our study programme through videos, downloadable content, chatting with a student or signing up for one of live events either online or in-person!