FAQ for the Master Media Design and Communication: Networked Media (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q: What kind of Master degree do you offer?
A: Our Master is an art school degree that is equivalent to an Master of Fine Art/Master of Design. It is fully accredited by the NVAO (Nederlands-Vlaams Accreditatie Organisatie), the standard academic accreditation council for higher education in the Netherlands and Flanders.
Q: What studio facilities will I have?
A: Typically, two or three students can share a studio room and have 24 hour access 7 days a week. All studios have internet access and a wireless network covers the building.
Although you are expected to have your own laptop/netbook, there are also specialist computers for audio and video work or other processor-intensive uses as well as a range of cameras and recording devices.
Q: What kinds of students do you look for?
A: The course is designed to bring together people from different backgrounds. Over recent years students have come from backgrounds in art, architecture, business, psychology, sound performance, graphic design, interactive media, computer science, mathematics and other areas. As the Master is two years long, the course provides a serious opportunity to combine your existing knowledge and skills with a whole range of others.
Graduates of humanities-based courses in of new media and related subjects who want to strengthen their theoretical knowledge with practice are also encouraged to apply. Mature students are a strength the course particularly welcomes, and we have a strong interest in developing an inter-related practice between art and design in digital media, so artists who study here and who wish to develop their work in digital media find it a particularly positive environment.
Q: What level of English do I need to take part effectively?
A: Please read our updated page with information for international students for the details. If you are a Dutch student, the level of your spoken and written English should be sufficient that you can fully participate in class discussions, have all your communication with your instructors and fellow students in English, and be able to write essays in the language. If you have doubts, we can easily assess your skills via correspondence and a personal conversation.
Q: Where do students come from?
A: Over the years the course has been running we have had students from South and North America, all parts of Europe, from Tasmania, Asia, Africa, and also of course from the Netherlands.
Q: I have no particular technical or programming skills. Can I still take part in the course?
A: Yes, programming and code structures form an increasingly integral part of modern life. That’s why we see it as important to have a literacy in them, but we also find that even the students who feel the least tech-savvy know more than they think they do, simply having to transpose terms and experiences from one domain to another and given the self-tailored approach we have to technical learning you’ll get up to speed fast. Alternately, if you are already busy with the technologies of digital media, the course provides a perfect context to intensify, deepen and challenge your skills
Q: How many students are there?
A: The average number of students per year is nine. However, there is no upper limit to the amount of students participating in the course. We are looking to enlarge the course and welcome your application.
Q: How much does a year’s tuition cost?
A: The annual tuition fee for 2011 – 2012 will be:
for Dutch and EU students 1713 Euros
for NON EU students 8300 Euros.
Q: I am a Dutch student and think I might be entitled to Studiefinanciering. What is your CROHO number?
A: The Hogeschool Rotterdam CROHO number is 220J. The Master Media Design CROHO number is 49107.
Q: Is it easy to find reasonably priced accommodation in Rotterdam?
A: Yes.
Q: Is it possible to visit?
A: We certainly advise you to get in touch with us before applying to the course and we are happy to accept a visit where this is possible.
Q: What is the application procedure?
A: For full information on our application procedure and a downloadable application form, please go to the application page.
Q: Can PZI finance my study?
A: No, unfortunately we are not able to provide financial support for students. Study financing is available to provide partial costs of fees for some students depending on country of origin. Information about this is available at http://www.hogeschool-rotterdam.nl and at http://www.ib-groep.nl Non-Dutch students are also advised to enquire about possible scholarships in their country of origin. You can also look for such arrangements at: http://www.studyin.nl
Q: What kind of work will I do after I graduated from this course?
A: Media Design is a professional field which is multivalent and diverse. One way to understand this is simply to survey the activities of our students: busy as freelance and employed web-designers, as entrepreneurs working in culture industries, as artists, as architects and as researchers. Graduates from the PZI work within organisations or as freelancers, being called upon as independent experts to make or consult on specific projects. Projects you could be involved in after finishing your studies:
- customising a content management system according to the needs of a client, designing its visual interface but also its information architecture
- creating interfaces to exhibits for museums, trade shows and schools
- synthesising and adding value to communications, information and entertainment of media organisations. Make critical interventions in these contexts.
- extending the integration, evaluation and development of the services of an organisation, creating their interface to the outside world.
- working for and create cultural institutions.
- carrying out research commissioned by companies, ministries, governmental and non-governmental organisations
Q: What are the application deadlines?
A: Applications can be submitted throughout the year, and will be reviewed continuously. If you apply early, you will know early in advance whether or not you have been accepted for the programme, and can plan your move to Rotterdam. Students from abroad are strongly recommended to apply early to leave enough time for arranging housing, permits etc.
The application deadline for the academic year of 2012/13 will be:
- May 1st 2012