Study paths 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

StudiesCredits
X-YO1A University of the Arts as a learning environment2 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 15 cr
X-YO3 Communication Skills1 cr
in total 30 cr

Spring semester

StudiesCredits
K-K24120 Artistic work seminar (teaching: K-KM24TTS)2 cr
K-K24131 Introduction to the history of art 25 cr
X-YO11 Finnish language 1 (CEFR A1.3)4 cr
X-YO4 Textual Skills 11 cr
Alternative and elective studies of the Bachelor of Fine Arts18 cr
in total 30 cr

2. year studies of Bachelor’s degree

Autumn semester

StudiesCredits
K-K24120 Artistic work seminar (teaching: K-KM24TTS)2 cr
K-K24133 Art and philosophy I2 cr
X-YO6 English for Arts Studies and Practice 1 (CEFR B2)2 cr
Alternative and elective studies of the Bachelor of Fine Arts24 cr
in total 30 cr

Spring semester

StudiesCredits
K-K24120 Artistic work seminar (teaching: K-KM24TTS)2 cr
K-K24132 History and theory of contemporary art I5 cr
X-YO7 English for Arts Studies and Practice 2 (CEFR B2)3 cr
Alternative and elective studies of the Bachelor of Fine Arts20 cr
in total 30 cr

3. year studies of Bachelor’s degree

Autumn semester

StudiesCredits
K-K24120 Artistic work seminar (teaching: K-KM24TTS)2 cr
K-K24134 Thematic theoretical studies (teaching: K-KM24TT) 5 cr5 cr
Alternative and elective studies of the Bachelor of Fine Arts23 cr
in total 30 cr

Spring semester

StudiesCredits
K-K24120 Artistic work seminar (teaching: K-KM24TTS)2 cr
K-K24135 Professional skills for visual artists I2 cr
Alternative and elective studies of the Bachelor of Fine Arts26 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

StudiesCredits
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 2A1 cr
X-YO2 Art, Work, and Sustainability2 cr
Alternative and elective studies of the Bachelor of Fine Arts6 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

StudiesCredits
K-M24110 Introduction to MFA studies2 cr
K-M24120 Artistic work seminar (teaching: K-KM24TTS)2 cr
K-M24142 Art and philosophy II3 cr
K-M24153 Examination events of thesis projects
– following the examination events of thesis projects
Independent artistic work and elective studies23 cr
in total 30 cr

Autumn semester

StudiesCredits
K-M24151 Master of Fine Arts thesis seminar3 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 II5 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 studies17 cr
in total 30 cr

2. year studies of Master’s degree

Spring semester

StudiesCredits
K-M24151 Master of Fine Arts thesis seminar3 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 II3 cr
K-M24153 Examination events of thesis projects
– following the examination events of thesis projects
Independent artistic work and elective studies3 cr
the study
workload
equals 30 cr

Autumn semester

StudiesStudies
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 studies5 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.

Curricula

The curricula outline the studies included in your degree and the required ECTS credits. You can find the curricula in the study guide.