MASTER OF FINE ARTS, 120 cr, 2 years
The Master of Fine Arts is a graduate university degree.
The goal of the Master's degree in Fine Arts is to give students the capacity to work independently and analytically as artists in society and the world. Masters of Fine Arts have a thoroughgoing understanding of artistic media, their history and contemporary impact. They are able to set goals and targets for themselves, and they have the ability to work as experts and innovators in the fine arts. They also have the capacity to undertake further studies in the arts, as well as good communication and language skills.
Artistic studies 50-60 cr
Theoretical studies 30 cr
Master's thesis 40 cr
DEGREE PROGRAMMES
1) degree programme in painting
2) degree programme in sculpture
3) degree programme in printmaking
4) degree programme in time and space arts
Master of fine Arts degree
The extent of the Master's degree following the completion of a Bachelor's or corresponding degree is 120 credit points, with a duration of 2 years. The new degree regulation that entered into force on 1 August 2005 applies to those students who begin their studies in autumn 2005 and those who make the transition to the new system.
For the degree requirements for the new system, see
PROSPECTUS 2005-2007.
For the degree requirements in the old system, see
PROSPECTUS 2004-2005.
ADVANCED STUDIES
Advanced studies comprise a minimum 50 credits of artistic studies, a minimum 20 credits of advanced theoretical studies, and the 40 credit thesis.
Artistic studies, 50-60 cr
Required studies include departmental seminars organised by the MFA tutors (4 cr). The rest can consist of courses and workshops as well as independent studio work. If departmental courses required for the MFA have not been completed for the BFA, they must be completed at this stage.
Theoretical studies, 20-30 cr
The extent of theoretical studies for the Master's degree is 20-30 cr. They include the required MFA seminars (6-10 cr). They also include the courses, History and Theory of Contemporary Art II (5 cr) and Introduction to Continental Aesthetics and Art Philosophy (2 cr). Theoretical studies also include suitable theoretical courses from the curriculum of the Department of General Studies. Theoretical studies can be completed by taking book exams or writing essays. Studies within the flexible study right system (JOO) can also be included in theoretical studies.
The inclusion of advanced writing courses in theoretical studies or studio work credit requirements can be discussed with the professor of the Department of General Studies.
Maturity test
The maturity test is an essay written under supervision. Its purpose is to demonstrate the student's knowledge of his/her field of study. The topic of the essay is chosen by the head of the student's subject department, who will also review the content of the essay. The head of department may also appoint another person to do this. No exemption is granted from the content review of the MFA maturity test.
Students who have already taken the maturity test for the BFA are not required to take the test for a second time with respect to the language review. If the student's language skills were not reviewed at the BFA stage, this assessment is carried out for the MFA maturity test. The linguistic assessment is carried out by the Research Institute for the Languages of Finland.
Master of Fine Arts thesis (40 cr)
The scope of the Master's thesis is 40 credit points (20 old units). The thesis may consist of:
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two public exhibitions, or
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one public exhibition and a more extensive written part.
Public exhibition means an exhibition or performance that is open to the general public.
The text of the written part must be 25-50 pages in length (2,000 characters/page). The written part must demonstrate thorough understanding of visual arts in written form. It may also consist of separate texts preceded by an introduction of about 10 pages that shows the connection between the pieces and discusses the problematics and themes raised by them. The required numbers of pages above are recommendations.
The completion of the different parts of the thesis must be timed so as to enable the student to complete their MFA studies within the two year period reserved for them.
Language studies (8 cr)
If the student has not completed the language requirement (8 cr.) already at the BFA stage, the required language courses must be completed over and above the 40 credit requirement for the MFA.
MFA tutoring
Each department have their own tutor for MFA students. The tutors are responsible for organising the department seminars for MFA students. They also provide guidance and counselling in study matters. The tutors are listed in the COURSE CATALOGUE.
Students can also use the services of a personal supervisor for their Master's thesis for a maximum of 8 hours of paid tutoring. The supervisor's personal data are supplied in the thesis plan. For more details, see Chapter I, under Graduation.