Applications open for MFA study and graduate scholarships 2018–19

The Ruskin MFA is an intensive, interdisciplinary program in contemporary art, based at an intimate art school within one of the world’s leading research universities.

At the heart of the Ruskin MFA is our belief in dynamic, small-group learning led by internationally respected artists and writers. We keep our cohorts small—about 15 MFA students join us each year from all over the world—so that your education can be tailored to your key concerns and development. Oxford’s renowned tutorial system offers one-to-one dialogue with tutors, while studio seminars, group crits, workshops, and artist talks stimulate a collective dynamic through generous and robust discussion. Among our core community of Ruskin tutors are Oreet Ashery, John Cussans, Samson Kambalu, Ian Kiaer, Ghislaine Leung, Daria Martin, Corin Sworn, and Lynette Yiadom-Boakye. Recent visiting tutors have included Tania Bruguera, Maria Fusco, William Kentridge, Renzo Martens, Hito Steyerl, and Marina Vishmidt.

Throughout its intensive, three-term program, the Ruskin MFA brings together studio-based learning and rich theoretical debate to help you develop an engaged practice in contemporary art making and theory. The course is inherently interdisciplinary, encouraging you to enhance your understanding of materials, media, processes and technical skills, and to reflect critically on your practice and its context within the broader fields of contemporary art, science and culture.

Studios and workshops are housed in new, award-winning facilities in East Oxford. Among our cutting-edge resources are new multimedia studios, fab lab, editing suites, print and casting rooms, and metal and wood workshops, as well as a multi-functional project space that serves as a gallery for exhibitions, film screenings and performances. You can also benefit from the extraordinary resources of Oxford University—including the famous Bodleian Library, the Ashmolean, Pitt Rivers, and Natural History Museums—and Modern Art Oxford.

We are delighted to offer a number of scholarships for the 2018–19 MFA, from University-wide initiatives such as AHRC and Clarendon funding, to NEON Grants for Greek nationals and Ruskin-specific scholarships including the Levett, Peel and Plachte Awards. All applicants will automatically be considered for MFA scholarships. Find out more about MFA fees and funding at www.rsa.ox.ac.uk.

More About the Ruskin
The Ruskin School of Art is an esteemed art school at the heart of the University of Oxford devoted to innovative artistic production and rigorous thought. Founded in 1871 by artist and critic John Ruskin (1819–1900), it currently offers BFA, MFA, and DPhil degree courses and boasts a rich learning history, counting many award winners among its past and present students and faculty. The Ruskin is characterized by its focus on the intertwining of practice and theory and emphasizes experimental histories of art and their potential to transform knowledge, forms, and situations.

Alumni of Ruskin’s graduate programs go on to work as practising artists, teachers, and art writers, or as curators in public and private galleries and for international arts organisations.

For more information about the Ruskin MFA, please see our website. Further details about the application process can be found at www.rsa.ox.ac.uk.