As a student you will gain a good insight and understanding of the role of art in today's society and how it has evolved over time. Furthermore, you will practise your ability to analyze, debate and write about art from a critical point of view. The focus is on your own individual artistic expression. In this Master's programme you will deepen these skills and devote even more time to your own artistic work.
While studying
Begin by applying at the national admissions website - universityadmissions.se. After that you send in your portfolio/work samples. On the school's web site you may also find more information about the application process and what happens after you have applied.
Many of the school's guest teachers and professors are internationally active artists which, apart from the teaching being held in English, brings international influences to the school. Each class has it's own tutor who follows their students during the year. Because a large part of the education consists of your own artistic work, a great responsibility lies on you as a student to, in consultation with your tutor, plan your studies. Additionally, all teachers at the school are available and offer studio talks and individual tutorials.
Each student has their own studio space and access to the school's well-equipped workshops in wood, metal, plaster, bronze, graphic, photo, video and computer-based work etc. There are also a few project spaces available. Besides your own artistic work, the studies consist of courses and workshops, seminars, lectures and field studies. Apart from certain mandatory courses the schedule is set based on the education board meetings held each semester together with student representatives, professors, study director and coordinator.
Examination in your final study year comes in the form of a group exhibition and an essay.
Umeå Academy of Fine Arts is beautifully located on the banks of the Umeå River, a stone's throw from the centre of the town. Umeå is, with its 121,000 inhabitants, the largest town in northern Sweden. It is a university town with a vibrant cultural scene, elected European Capital of Culture in the year 2014.
The school was founded in 1987 and has approximately 70 students on basic and advanced level. It is now part of the newly built Umeå Arts Campus together with Umeå School of Architecture, Umeå Institute of Design, Bildmuseet - a contemporary art museum, Curiosum and a University library with literature within the fields of art, design and architecture.
Programme overview
The education focuses on the student's individual needs and reflects the creative diversity of the contemporary arts practice and the critical discourse surrounding it. During studies at Umeå Academy of Fine Arts, students acquire practical, technical and theoretical competence. They are encouraged to debate and to write about visual art and other subjects of interest. Together with the school's international team of teachers, the students investigate the role of art practice in our society and they train their abilities to critically analyse thoughts and ideas in the field of visual art.
The Master's programme in Fine Arts deepens your artistic knowledge and improves your chances to work as a professional artist in Sweden or abroad and/or in areas where artistic skills and research are essential.
As an artist, you work primarily with your own artistic practice in art galleries and museums. As an independent artist you can also work within the community, state, county or municipality and work as a consultant or artistic director in different contexts.
Degree
Master of Fine Arts
Application and eligibility
Master's Programme in Fine Arts, 120 credits
Autumn Term 2025
Programme starts
Autumn Term 2025
Type of studies
100%, Daytime
Study location
Umeå
Language
English
Eligibility
Bachelor´s degree in Fine Arts or equivalent, approved work samples as well as approved project description and interview. Proficiency in English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English B/6.
Entry requirements
Selection
Selection among qualified applicants is based on submitted work samples/portfolio and interview. Application is made in two steps. Step 1: Apply via universityadmissions.se. Step 2: Upload your work samples via the link which will be available on the school's website, art.umu.se when the application opens.
Application code
UMU-K8020
Application
The online application opens 20 January 2025 at 13:00 CET.
Application deadline is
3 March 2025. How to apply
Application and tuition fees
As a citizen of a country outside the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you are required to pay application and tuition fees for studies at Umeå University.
Application round opens 20 January 2025 at 13:00 CET. Application deadline is 3 March 2025 CET.
Step 2: Send in your work samples and a project description. Upload your work samples digitally via link. The link will be available on the Academy’s webpage when the application is open. Please note that you do not upload your work samples on universityadmissions.se
The application must consist of 5-10 work samples. You can illustrate each work sample with max 5 images, videos or audio files. You have the possibility of writing a short text about the work sample (300 characters) in connection to the work sample. Accepted file formats are · Film: MOV, MP4 (MPEG4), AVI, max 45 MB/min, at most 2 GB/film · Images: JPG · Sound: MP3 A link to a website is not accepted as a work sample.
The work samples constitute the specific qualification and are intended to enable us to assess your artistic experience.
In addition to your work samples, a project description in English is required. With this you describe your plans for the first study year at the Master’s programme. The description must be typed directly on the application website, max one A4 page.
Also note that your application is not complete without work samples and a project description and will not be taken in consideration.
