Application period: January 8–22, 2020
The University of the Arts Helsinki’s Academy of Fine Arts is accepting new students to the 5.5-year studies leading to Bachelor and Master of Fine Arts degrees. Studies begin in fall 2020.
Our degree programme will encourage you to find your own strengths and methods of expression within the field of fine arts. You will acquire skills and knowledge that will enable you to work independently as a visual artist and understand your own work in the context of contemporary art and society where artists may adopt multi-faceted roles and profiles.
As a student at Uniarts Helsinki’s Academy of Fine Arts, you have the flexibility to pursue your own personal aspirations when selecting courses and planning your curriculum. Individual guidance and independent artistic work are integral to the studies. You are encouraged to choose courses from subject areas other than your own and to engage in versatile artistic work using different media. We also encourage cross-disciplinary studies at the other academies of Uniarts Helsinki: the Sibelius Academy and the Theatre Academy.
At the Academy of Fine Arts, you can study the subject areas of sculpture, painting, printmaking and time and space arts. Time and space arts allows you to specialise in moving image, photography, or site and situation specific art. Students choose their subject area after being admitted to the university during their first of year studies.
As well as first-class facilities and support, every student is provided with a workspace of their own. Students also have excellent opportunities to exhibit their art in public, thanks to the Academy’s own galleries, frequent public art projects and active cooperation with the local and international art scene. In 2021, the academy will move to a new building designed for studying art, situated in the vibrant, up-and-coming Sörnäinen district in Helsinki.
Our faculty is composed of distinguished artists and experts from various fields of art. Students have the opportunity to work closely with our acclaimed teachers across subject areas: Professors Fergus Feehily, Ulrika Ferm, Villu Jaanisoo, Hanna Johansson, Tarja Pitkänen-Walter, Anna-Kaisa Rastenberger, Anita Seppä, Salla Tykkä and Annu Vertanen to name a few.
Our impressive list of visiting artists and lecturers from the past few years includes Rachael Allen, Nisrine Boukhari, Monster Chetwynd, Elmgreen & Dragset, Okwui Enwesor, IC-98 Tellervo Kalleinen & Oliver Kochta-Kalleinen, Nomaduma Rosa Masilela, James Nisbet, Ruth Pelzer-Montada, Mira Schor, Martha Rosler, Ho Rui An, Amalia Ulman, Emily Wardill, Adam Szymczyk, and Ahmet Ögüt.
The primary languages of instruction at the Academy are Finnish and English, and both languages are used flexibly on the courses. All mandatory studies are offered in both Finnish and English, and it is also possible to complete credits in Swedish.
We welcome applications between January 8–22, 2020 (ending at 3pm local Finnish time on the last day). We have a three-phase applications process: electronic application, motivation letter and portfolio, and finally a week-long admission course.
Learn more about the Fine Arts degree programme (Bachelor and Master)
Admissions guide for the Fine Arts degree programme (Bachelor and Master)
University of the Arts Helsinki
The University of the Arts Helsinki, located in Finland’s capital Helsinki, provides the highest level of education in music, fine arts, theatre and dance in Finland. Uniarts Helsinki’s wide selection of programmes in the field of arts and a productive dialogue between teaching and research make the university unique on an international scale. Established in 2013, Uniarts Helsinki consists of the Academy of Fine Arts, Sibelius Academy and Theatre Academy.
In January, Uniarts Helsinki welcomes applications to many other degree programmes starting in fall 2020. These include Studies in Directing (master’s studies), Theatre Pedagogy and Dance Pedagogy (master’s programmes) as well as Music degrees in Jazz, Global Music and Conducting to name but a few.
Learn more about the study options at Uniarts Helsinki.
