Master

Media Studies: Digital Cultures

Digital technologies have transformed the ways we share and distribute information, understand the past, interact with each other and spend our leisure time. The digital world has changed the terms of engagement in areas as diverse as politics and culture: while it can function as a force for good in democratising participation, production, and sharing, it can also be exploitative, introducing new forms of control and surveillance. As the digital world pervades all aspects of our lives, traditional media and analogue culture are being reshaped in new and complex interrelationships. The master's programme in Media Studies: Digital Cultures (MS:DC) combines theory and reflection with praxis and making. It will provide you with a wide skill set in digital tools and qualitative research methods to become both a media researcher and an active player in today’s digitally-mediated world.

Fast facts

An interdisciplinary approach combining theory, technology, and user practices
Problem-based and research-oriented learning methods
The student population and the curriculum are truly international
1-year, full-time master's, taught in English
Starts in September
Weekly: 8 hrs classes, 32 hrs group work/independent study
You will get an MA in Media Studies

Want to know more about this programme? Request a brochure

Lena Reichel, Student Ambassador Media Studies: Digital Cultures 2023-2024

Why Lena decided to choose this programme:
“I noticed that I like social media, and I like analysing social media, making reports to show how people react to certain types of posts. Digital Cultures teaches us about how social media affect our current society. I want to gain deeper knowledge about how digital media influences our daily lives and our behaviour.

Some of the practical parts are great too. It may sound strange, as this is a digital media programme, but we often work with analogue media equipment. It is interesting to work within certain limitations. For example, with a Polaroid camera, you only have ten photos per cartridge. This makes capturing moments more unique, and the photos can’t be shared a quickly as with a smart phone. It teaches you to appreciate the things you make.”

Lena's background:
“Before the master’s I did the bachelor Arts and Culture at FASoS. I also have a degree in event management. During my internship, I worked for an AI-powered start-up database for sustainable business and green technologies. I was mainly in charge of their social media content creation and strategy. I helped to increase their followers, but I worked on creating meaningful engagement as well.”

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“In the master’s programme Media Studies: Digital Cultures I learn to use design tools and enhance my writing skills. I’m looking forward to doing my internship at the Maastricht Museum where I’ll do research to contribute to improving digitalisation of the museum.”

UM and FASoS Campus Tour

At FASoS, we offer our prospective students the opportunity to join a campus tour on 18 December, 12 March 2025 and 7 May 2025. During this campus tour, one of our student ambassadors will show you our faculty, inner city and all important UM buildings. Are you not able to come one of the aforementioned dates? Don't worry! We also offer campus tours during our Open Days, Experience Days and Introduction Days.

Online Campus Tour

Are you not able to come from abroad for a campus tour? We also offer a virtual campus tour! Check it out through the interactive video on the left.

Kickstart your career at our Master's Open Day

Experience Maastricht University: find out more about one of the most international universities in Europe, immerse yourself in your programme of choice, and explore our beautiful city. The next Master’s Open Day is on 9 November 2024.

Q&A sessions

We regularly offer Instagram Live Q&A sessions for students who are interested in our master's programmes. Our student ambassadors will answer all your questions about the programme of your choice and studying in Maastricht. For more information and registration, take a look at our Master events page.

Pre-master's programme

If you do not satisfy the admission requirements of this Master's programme you may be able to enrol in a Pre-master's course year. Check out the Pre-master information and learn more about the programme, the courses and the requirements.

Pre-master Media Studies: Digital Cultures

UM is the 10th best Young University in the world

Times Higher Education 2024 Young Universities Ranking

Student testimonials

I’m passionate about initiating debate, encouraging people to reflect on current issues in society. Using digital media to realise that would be a dream come true for me.

Rebecca Haselhoff

After I graduate, I definitely want to work in a media or contemporary art environment. Maybe as a sound technologist, helping people understand about the world.

Anna Ivanova

I’d like to be a journalist, but after I graduate I will have many more opportunities and can expand my scope.

Alexandra Koukidou

Blogs by staff and students

On the blog for the MA in Media Studies: Digital Cultures at Maastricht University we share the research projects from our students and staff, share news, and document our events. It also provides insights into our student’s learning journeys during and after the MA programme.

To the blogs