Fine Art (Master's)

The two-year master’s programme in fine art prepares you to work as an independent and critical artist in different parts of the field of contemporary art. The programme will provide you with the artistic, methodological and theoretical qualifications you need to work professionally in a complex and contemporary field of art. You will receive training in creative thinking, artistic development work, project management and technical knowledge about your own artistic practice.

Independent artistic practice is central throughout the programme and work on your master’s project is the main component of the programme. Your master’s project is an individual, artistic project that you will develop through individual exploration, experimentation, criticism and discussion with your main supervisor, other academic staff, guest lecturers and fellow students. 

The Art Academy – Department of Contemporary Art offers a simulating and challenging learning environment for motivated students. Our goal is to promote professional discourse and critical reflection among the students.

Here, you will find that the staff are always close by. You will be one of a small number of students and the students have a good team spirit. You will have fellow students from many countries.

Art and design programmes are based in a new building in Møllendal in Bergen. As a master’s student you will have your own studio here. On this programme, you will have access to workshops and equipment that few institutions of fine art can offer, meaning you will have the very best conditions for developing as an artist.

With a master’s degree in fine art, you can be a professional artist, curator, critic, producer, technician, teacher and much more.

As an employee with this qualification, you will be able to:

• Work highly independently
• Identify your own learning needs and steer your own learning
• Work independently towards a goal, alone or together with others
• Negotiate and collaborate effectively to initiate an artistic project
• Establish, maintain, manage and present a professional practice

Students with citizenship from countries outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland must pay tuition fees. Some applicants may be exempted from this rule.

The entrance exam consists of two rounds:

Round 1:
Application and portfolio assessment - a jury will assess all applications meeting the minimum requirements.

Round 2:
Interview - all applicants meeting the minimum requirements will be invited to an interview as part of the application process.
Applicants residing inside Europe are encouraged to meet in person for the interview.
Applicants residing outside Europe can ask to have the interview online.

Teaching language: Norwegian and English

The master’s programme in fine art is a two-year full-time programme that starts in August. The programme is divided into four single-semester courses, each worth 30 credits.

The master’s programme is based on the students taking the initiative and participating, with work in groups and common academic activities.

The programme is composed of:

- Artistic practice/self-study

- Lectures and seminars

- Study trips

- Courses

- Presentations

- Exhibitions

The lectures and seminars will shed light on relevant questions within art and cultural theory. You will meet both staff from the Department of Fine Art and guest lecturers. The seminars provide space for immersion and discussions.

In the second year of the programme, the master’s students are responsible for planning the annual student led guest lecturer programme. 

Practice in context:

During the second semester you will present a selected work in light of your own practice to academic staff and your fellow students.

During the third semester you will give a presentation of relevance for your master’s project as a whole. In the presentation you must problematise and contextualise your work.

Writing courses: you will take several short courses and receive individual guidance on text production and different textual practices. You will receive guidance on both professional and creative writing.

Professional preparatory courses: throughout the programme we offer courses in which different practices and artistic roles are viewed in perspective and discussed by artists and actors from the field of contemporary art. The content can vary from year to year in order to accommodate relevant professional interests and needs.

See full list of courses

You can participate in an exchange programme in the second semester of your master’s programme. We have agreements with several universities around the world.

See list of recommended exchange agreements

See recommended exchange agreements

With a master’s degree, you can apply for further education:

One-year practical-pedagogic education (PPE) programme to become a teacher
PhD programme in artistic development work to teach and do research at a university level.

Study plan for Master's Programme in Fine Art