EXECUTIVE MASTER
APPLICATION
The Executive Master in Cultural Leadership is committed to the highest standards of student recruitment and admissions. The Master’s programme is unique in its content and exposure to an international network in the arts and culture sectors, senior academic and cultural leaders. Equally important is what candidates can learn from peers and each other’s experiences. To enable a stimulating learning environment and ensure the programme delivers cultural leaders of the future, we select talented and motivated individuals with a creative, entrepreneurial spirit and inquisitive mind to take part in this programme.
APPLICATION GUIDELINES
Application procedure
We aim to make our application procedure as simple as possible. However, if you experience any issues during your application, do not hesitate to reach out to us via emcl-sbe@maastrichtuniversity.nl.
Our application procedure in a nutshell:
STEP 1: THE APPLICATION
Your application starts by filling out our online application form, uploading the required documents and agreeing to pay the 200 Euro application fee. You will be invoiced for the application fee upon receipt of the application.
STEP 2: THE INTERVIEW
Once we have received your complete application file, we will invite you to an intake interview with one of our academic directors. This can take place in Maastricht, London or through a virtual connection.
STEP 3: THE ASSESSMENT
After the interview, the EMCL Admission Committee will carefully review your application and reach a conclusion.
Step 1: the application
Your application starts by filling out our online application form and uploading a bundle of required documents. Based on your input, the EMCL Admission Office creates a personal application dossier that allows the EMCL Admission Committee to perform a detailed assessment on your eligibility for the programme.
Below you find more information on each of the documents required to complete your application.
Application form
Applying for the Executive Master in Cultural Leadership starts by filling out the official online application form. This form will ask you to provide general information about you as a potential student of our programme. The application form will establish the foundation of your admission profile. If you would like to see an overview of the questions included in the form before starting your application, click here.
Click here to start your application process.
Motivation letter
The motivation letter provides you with the opportunity to present unique information about yourself to the EMCL Admission Committee. The letter should answer the following questions:
- What do you consider the added value of the Executive Master in Cultural Leadership for you?
- What are your ultimate career goals and how can this programme contribute to reaching those goals?
- What value will you as a participant add to the programme and its other students?
Curriculum vitae
The curriculum vitae contains a description of your current job and your past work experience. It should include the dates of employment and company name, job title and responsibilities, management experience, budget responsibility and achievements.
References
We request that you provide us with two references from persons who are a professional or personal contact who can vouch for your interest in the arts and commitment to the programme. For now, it is sufficient to supply us with the contact details of you referees through the referee form. When you are offered a place on our programme, we will contact your referees for a reference letter which answers the following questions:
- For how long and in what capacity do you know the candidate?
- What is your personal/professional experience with the candidate?
- Why do you think the candidate is suitable and would benefit from the programme?
Passport & passport-size picture
Please include a digital copy of your passport or identity card and a digital passport-size picture of yourself. These documents are solely required to complete the formal registration process at Maastricht University. Following on the submission of these documents, you will receive a student ID card at the start of the EMCL programme, which proves you are an officially registered student at our university.
Application fee
The fee for applying to the Executive Master of Cultural Leadership programme amounts to € 200 and covers the handling costs of your application dossier. The fee will be invoiced to the stated invoice address and is unrelated to the final decision by the EMCL Admission Committee.
Step 2: the interview
Once we have received your complete application, you are invited to an intake interview with one of our academic directors. This can take place in London, Maastricht or over the phone. To prepare well for the intake interview, go through your application documents and make sure you can touch upon elements that might have remained unclear. Also take a look at the contents of your motivational letter and see if it adds value to elaborate a bit more on your motivations and arguments for joining the Executive Master in Cultural Leadership.
Step 3: the assessment
After your application documents have been submitted and the intake interview has taken place, the EMCL Admission Committee will carefully review your application and reach a conclusion. The Committee is an independent panel of experienced academics and practitioners who will provide a binding advice to the EMCL Admission Office. The board will meet after the Early Admission deadline and after the General Admission deadline. The Office will contact you as soon as the advice has been provided, usually within around 2-3 weeks from the committee meeting.
The following outcomes are possible based on the advice of the EMCL Admission Committee:
UNCONDITIONAL ADMISSION
Congratulations! You are now a student of EMCL, allowed to start at the next intake moment!
CONDITIONAL ADMISSION
You are being granted admission, assuming you are going to meet additional criteria before you start.
REJECTION
Should your application not be successful for Early Decision Admission, it may be deferred to the General Admission pool for consideration. If your application is rejected, you will no longer be considered for the year’s intake.
Admission requirements
To be eligible for admission, you need to adhere to the following minimum requirements:
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
Bachelor’s degree from a recognised research university or university of applied sciences
WORK EXPERIENCE
Five years of relevant work experience obtained after your bachelor’s degree
LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY
Proficiency in English, including reading, writing and speaking. This will be assessed during the interview stage.
Application deadlines
The Executive Master in Cultural Leadership provides one intake per year. To start in January, application files should be submitted as soon as possible. The General Admission deadline is 15 December. Places are limited, and once filled, no further applications will be taken for that year. Please apply early to avoid disappointment.
START IN MARCH 2024
Contact us anytime
All the way from your initial orientation to the ultimate decision to apply for the Executive Master in Cultural Leadership, our Admission Office is available to personally guide you through the process.
Feel free to get in touch anytime!
Upload your documents here!
Feel free to get in touch anytime!
T: +31 6 51 80 50 05
E: emcl-sbe@maastrichtuniversity.nl
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