Study paths and curricula for the Academy of Fine Arts
Plan your studies according to the study path. This ensures that you can complete all courses within the target time of the degree.
Bachelor of Fine Arts: Study path
The degree of Bachelor of Fine Arts consists of 210 study credits and the duration of studies is 3,5 years. This is the study path for international students who have completed their formal education in language other than Finnish/Swedish, including Swedish students.
1. year studies of Bachelor’s degree
Autumn semester
| Studies | Credits |
|---|---|
| X-YO1A University of the Arts as a learning environment | 2 cr |
| K-K24110 Introduction to artistic work K-K24111 Introduction to subject areas (14 cr) K-K24112 Introduction to independent artistic activities (4 cr) K-K24113 Introduction to documentation of artistic work (4 cr) | 22 cr |
| K-K24131 Introduction to the history of art 1 | 5 cr |
| X-YO3 Communication Skills | 1 cr |
| in total 30 cr |
Spring semester
| Studies | Credits |
|---|---|
| K-K24120 Artistic work seminar (teaching: K-KM24TTS) | 2 cr |
| K-K24131 Introduction to the history of art 2 | 5 cr |
| X-YO11 Finnish language 1 (CEFR A1.3) | 4 cr |
| X-YO4 Textual Skills 1 | 1 cr |
| Alternative and elective studies of the Bachelor of Fine Arts | 18 cr |
| in total 30 cr |
2. year studies of Bachelor’s degree
Autumn semester
| Studies | Credits |
|---|---|
| K-K24120 Artistic work seminar (teaching: K-KM24TTS) | 2 cr |
| K-K24133 Art and philosophy I | 2 cr |
| X-YO6 English for Arts Studies and Practice 1 (CEFR B2) | 2 cr |
| Alternative and elective studies of the Bachelor of Fine Arts | 24 cr |
| in total 30 cr |
Spring semester
| Studies | Credits |
|---|---|
| K-K24120 Artistic work seminar (teaching: K-KM24TTS) | 2 cr |
| K-K24132 History and theory of contemporary art I | 5 cr |
| X-YO7 English for Arts Studies and Practice 2 (CEFR B2) | 3 cr |
| Alternative and elective studies of the Bachelor of Fine Arts | 20 cr |
| in total 30 cr |
3. year studies of Bachelor’s degree
Autumn semester
| Studies | Credits |
|---|---|
| K-K24120 Artistic work seminar (teaching: K-KM24TTS) | 2 cr |
| K-K24134 Thematic theoretical studies (teaching: K-KM24TT) 5 cr | 5 cr |
| Alternative and elective studies of the Bachelor of Fine Arts | 23 cr |
| in total 30 cr |
Spring semester
| Studies | Credits |
|---|---|
| K-K24120 Artistic work seminar (teaching: K-KM24TTS) | 2 cr |
| K-K24135 Professional skills for visual artists I | 2 cr |
| Alternative and elective studies of the Bachelor of Fine Arts | 26 cr |
| K-K24141 Bachelor of Fine Arts thesis seminar – seminar meetings start | |
| in total 30 cr |
4. year studies of Bachelor’s degree
Autum semester
| Studies | Credits |
|---|---|
| K-K24120 Artistic work seminar (teaching: K-KM24TTS) | 2 cr |
| K-K24140 Bachelor of Fine Arts artistic work and a written thesis K-K24141 Bachelor of Fine Arts thesis seminar (2 cr) K-K24142 Exhibition practices (2 cr) K-K24143 Bachelor of Fine Arts artistic work and its public presentation (9 cr) K-K24144 Bachelor of Fine Arts written thesis (6 cr) K-K24145 Bachelor of Fine Arts maturity essay | 19 cr |
| X-YO5A Textual Skills 2A | 1 cr |
| X-YO2 Art, Work, and Sustainability | 2 cr |
| Alternative and elective studies of the Bachelor of Fine Arts | 6 cr |
| in total 30 cr |
To note about the study path of Bachelor of Fine Arts
Alternative studies
As alternative studies students must complete at least 20 cr of studies offered by the subject areas. They can be completed either in one or several subject areas (sculpture, painting, printmaking, time and space arts, joint studies). Students must complete at least half of their elective studies at the Academy of Fine Arts or at an exchange institution abroad, as approved by the Academy of Fine Arts.
Thesis seminar
Teaching is in connection with the K-K24141 Bachelor of Fine Arts thesis seminar.
Master of Fine Arts: Study path
The degree of Master of Fine Arts consists of 120 study credits and the duration of studies is 2 years.
1. year studies of Master’s degree
Spring semester
| Studies | Credits |
|---|---|
| K-M24110 Introduction to MFA studies | 2 cr |
| K-M24120 Artistic work seminar (teaching: K-KM24TTS) | 2 cr |
| K-M24142 Art and philosophy II | 3 cr |
| K-M24153 Examination events of thesis projects – following the examination events of thesis projects | |
| Independent artistic work and elective studies | 23 cr |
| in total 30 cr |
Autumn semester
| Studies | Credits |
|---|---|
| K-M24151 Master of Fine Arts thesis seminar | 3 cr |
| K-M24154 Master of Fine Arts thesis project The project starts: – drawing up a thesis project plan – choosing supervisors for the thesis project | |
| K-M24141 History and theory of contemporary art II | 5 cr |
| K-M24144 Thematic theoretical studies (teaching: K-KM24TT) | 5 cr |
| K-M24153 Examination events of thesis projects – following the examination events of thesis projects | |
| Independent artistic work and elective studies | 17 cr |
| in total 30 cr |
2. year studies of Master’s degree
Spring semester
| Studies | Credits |
|---|---|
| K-M24151 Master of Fine Arts thesis seminar | 3 cr |
| K-M24152 Introduction to writing a Master of Fine Arts thesis | 1 cr |
| K-M24154 Master of Fine Arts thesis project The project continues: – choosing examiners for the thesis project – public presentation of the artistic component of the thesis project – seminar connected to Kuvan Kevät exhibition | |
| K-M24145 Professional skills for visual artists II | 3 cr |
| K-M24153 Examination events of thesis projects – following the examination events of thesis projects | |
| Independent artistic work and elective studies | 3 cr |
| the study workload equals 30 cr |
Autumn semester
| Studies | Studies |
|---|---|
| K-M24154 Master of Fine Arts thesis project – finishing the written component, preliminary examination, and submittal for final examination – public examination event | 40 cr |
| K-M24143 History and theory of exhibition practices | 3 cr |
| K-M24153 Examination events of thesis projects – following the examination events of thesis projects | 2 cr |
| Independent artistic work and elective studies | 5 cr |
| the study workload equals 30 cr |
To note about the study path of Master of Fine Arts
Elective studies
Students must complete at least half of their elective studies at the Academy of Fine Arts or at an exchange institution abroad, as approved by the Academy of Fine Arts.
Examination events of thesis projects
During study unit K-M24153 Examination events of thesis project the students attends 16 Master´s of Fine Arts examination events over several semesters. Students can also compensate the examination events by participating in the Kuvan Kevät seminar (whole seminar attendance equals 8 events / 1 cr) and by following doctoral thesis examinations events.
The workload for the Master of Fine Arts thesis project is divided into 3 semesters. The credits for the Master of Fine Arts thesis project (40 cr) are registered after the thesis has been accepted. The thesis is accepted by the vice dean after the public examination event.