Education Research Current About VU Amsterdam NL
Bachelor's programmes Master's programmes VU for Professionals
Exchange programme VU Amsterdam Summer School Honours Programme Dutch language courses (NT2) Semester in Amsterdam
PhD at VU Amsterdam Featured research Prizes and distinctions
Interdisciplinary research institutes Scientists of VU Amsterdam Research Impact Support Portal Create impact with your research
News Events calendar Moving towards a healthier future
VU UPDATE: Situation in Israel and the Palestinian regions Culture at VU Amsterdam
Practical matters Mission, core values and vision Entrepreneurship on VU Campus
Governance of VU Amsterdam Valorisation and impact Partnering with VU Amsterdam VU Alumni Community Take a look at our vacancies!
Sorry! De informatie die je zoekt, is enkel beschikbaar in het Engels.
This programme is saved in My Study Choice.
Something went wrong with processing the request.
Something went wrong with processing the request.
Discover the story behind the story

Literature and Society

How does literature influence our culture and our daily lives? How do different expressions of text and image complement each other? How do our stories make us who we are? And what makes a story worth reading?
This bachelor's programme fits you if you are interested in literature and visual stories in relation to major social issues.

Studying Literature and Society, you'll develop a critical, sharp view on literature and its relevance to social and cultural developments. Literature is a broad concept and varies from the first written texts to the last spoken word performance. As a student you are not just reading: of course, you love literature, but your interests are broad. You’re interested in culture and social issues and also enjoy writing yourself. 

Within the bachelor's programme in Literature and Society, you choose one of our 2 tracks, which, in addition to the language of instruction, also differ a bit in focus: 

  • Literature and Society: English (in English)
    The world is changing and the study of literature is changing with it. In this international programme you will analyze literature in relation to major social changes, various media, alongside linguistics, and with an eye on the broader literary field. Along the way, you'll develop your academic and creative writing skills.
  • Creatief Schrijven Nederlands (in Dutch)
    A study in literature and creative writing: the first Dutch bachelor's degree in creative writing, which gives you a scientific basis plus practical writing skills: creative writing.
Applying Bachelors Programme
VU Bachelor's Day 6 & 7 November 2026

Discover more then 50 programmes and find the one for you!

International Bachelor’s webinar

Create a My Study Choice account or log in to watch the recording

In the bachelor's track Literature and Society: English, you’ll explore how stories shape—and are shaped by—the world we live in.
Do you love Dutch literature and have you always wanted to learn to write yourself? This bachelor's is for you! Please note: the curriculum is Dutch only.

Discover your Literature and Society study programme

While literature often reflects major social movements, like the rise of feminism, it also has the power to effect social change. Consider the abolition of slavery in the US and the impact of novels like Uncle Tom's Cabin.

What's more, society's reading of literature in the present can change people's behaviour in the future - take the climate crisis, for instance. Text and change are intertwined.

Explore the programme content

Studying at VU Amsterdam

Quick links

Homepage VU Amsterdam Culture at VU Amsterdam University Library Dashboard

Study

Academic calendar Study Guide Timetable Canvas

Featured

Donate to the VU Fund VU Magazine Ad Valvas Digital accessibility

About VU Amsterdam

Contact with VU Amsterdam Take a look at our vacancies! Faculties VU Amsterdam Divisions VU Amsterdam
Privacy Disclaimer Safety Web Colophon Cookie settings Web Archive

Copyright © VU