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Nordic Master in Visual Studies and Art Education
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Curriculum 2026–2028
About the programme
Code: ARTS214
Scope: 120 ECTS
Programme director: professor Juuso Tervo
Nordic Master in Visual Studies and Art Education (NM NoVA) is a double degree programme between Aalto University (Finland) and Aalborg University (Denmark) in which students achieve a comprehensive understanding of Nordic p,ractices and traditions in art education, visual culture, and cultural work. Through NM NoVA education, you will acquire relevant practical and theoretical competencies in art, education, and culture for working in cross-cultural and international environments. NM NoVA graduates will be able to respond to the demands of the changing world, where cultural, artistic, and pedagogical practices and professions are finding new ways and methods for meaning-making, interaction and creative solutions.
All courses are organized and co-taught between Aalto University and Aalborg University.
- Apply and assess theories and practices of contemporary art education, communication studies, visual design, and digital visual culture when working with different audiences and stakeholders.
- Initiate, plan, carry out, and critically evaluate artistic, educational, and entrepreneurial projects in cross-cultural, international, and transdisciplinary environments.
- Lead and support cultural, artistic, and educational development work with different institutions, stakeholders, and partners.
- Identify, analyse, and suggest solutions for complex issues through practices of creative problem-solving, critical thinking, and arts-based methods.
- Reflect and reevaluate past and present practices in Nordic ecosystems of art, education, and visual culture.
- Recognize and cultivate socially, culturally, and environmentally responsible practices in art, education, entrepreneurship, and digital culture.
- Partake in developing, evaluating, and expanding the professional domains of art, education, and visual culture in contemporary societies.
Degree structure
Advanced studies
120*
ECTS
- Including Master's Thesis (30 ECTS)
Programme studies
| Code | Course name | ECTS | Teaching |
|---|---|---|---|
| AXM-E9002 | Art and Problem-Based Research Methodology | 10 | I English / 1. year |
| AXM-E9003 | Art Pedagogical Practices and Theories | 10 | I-II English / 1. year |
| AXM-E9004 | Aesthetics, Visual Culture and Visual Communication | 10 | I-II English / 1. year |
| AXM-E9005 | Critical Issues in Art, Education, and Visual Culture | 5 | III English / 1. year |
| AXM-E9006 | Project Management, Administration an Entrepreneurship | 5 | III English / 1. year |
| AXM-E9007 | Interventions for Change in Communication and Art Pedagogical Practices | 20 | IV-V English / 1. year |
Optional studiesThe student chooses one of the three tracks (each track 30 ECTS). |
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| Track I: Internship consists of 5 credits of research methodology seminar and 25 credits of research work done in a partnering company/institution/ stakeholder | |||
| AXM-E9008 | NoVA Research Seminar | 5 | I-III English / 2. year |
| AXM-E9009 | NoVA Field Work | 25 | I-II English / 2. year |
| Track II: Visual Project consists of 5 credits of research methodology seminar, 15 credits of independent project done with a partnering company/ institution/stakeholder, and 10 credits of elective courses | |||
| AXM-E9008 | NoVA Research Seminar | 5 | I-III English / 2. year |
| AXM-E9010 | NoVA Project Work | 15 | I-II English / 2. year |
| Elective courses | 10 | I-II English / 2. year | |
| Track III: Theoretical Project consists of 5 credits of research methodology seminar and 25 credits of working in an academic research environment. | |||
| AXM-E9008 | NoVA Research Seminar | 5 | I-III English / 2. year |
| AXM-E9011 | NoVA Theoretical Work | 25 | I-II English / 2. year |
Master's thesis |
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| AXM.thes | Master's Thesis | 30 | 2. year |
| ARTSa.matr | Maturity Test | 0 | 2. year |
Students educated in Finnish or Swedish
For students educated in Finnish or Swedish language studies are designed to be completed as part of the Bachelor of Arts (Art and Design) or another Bachelor’s degree. Students who have not completed the required language studies before starting to pursue the master’s degrees specified above must complete them either as elective studies or in addition to the studies required for the degree. In such cases, the language requirements are as follows:
Master of Arts (Art and Design):
-
9 credits: 3 cr in written and oral communication, 3 cr in the second national language of Finland, and 3 cr in one foreign language.
Students whose language of primary and secondary education is other than Finnish or Swedish
Students who have received their primary and secondary education abroad or whose language of primary and secondary education is other than Finnish or Swedish must demonstrate their foreign language proficiency either by completing three (3) credits of language and communication studies corresponding to the degree requirements in one foreign language, or by completing three (3) credits of language and communication studies in Finnish or Swedish.
Note: The language studies accepted for the degree vary based on the year the studies have started. See below the detailed language study requirements for your own degree.
Students who have a language of primary and secondary education other than Finnish or Swedish and who have begun their master’s degree studies before 1 August 2022 may complete the required 3-credit language studies in accordance with the previous degree regulations of the School of Arts, Design and Architecture until 31 July 2026.
- students pursuing a Master of Arts (Art and Design) and educated in a language other than Finnish or Swedish or educated abroad shall earn 3 credits in one language;
- students pursuing a Master of Science (Architecture)/(Landscape Architecture) and educated in a language other than Finnish or Swedish or educated abroad shall earn 3 credits in one language.
The language studies can be completed in any language of the student's choice and there is no CEFR level requirement for course completion (elementary courses and basic courses are also accepted).
After the transitional period (31 July 2026), the language studies earned for the degree must comply with the requirements set for those who have started their studies on or after 1 August 2022.
Students with a language of primary and secondary education other than Finnish or Swedish who started their studies on or after 1 August 2022 shall complete their required language studies in compliance with the provisions of the Aalto University Degree Regulations for Bachelor’s and Master's Degrees.
The 3-credit foreign language requirement of the degree may be fulfilled by taking a course in one of the following languages: English (CEFR B2-CEFR C1), Spanish, Chinese, French, German and Russian (CEFR B1). From the course offerings of Aalto University's Language Center, you can recognize the courses accepted for the degree by (w, o), (w) or (o).
The study attainment may consist of oral or written communication studies or both. In addition, the foreign language requirement may be fulfilled by earning 3 credits in Finnish or Swedish at the proficiency level appropriate for the student’s skills.
In the case of language studies completed between 1 August 2022 and 31 July 2024, the proficiency level requirement may, however, be disregarded in the case of students who completed a language course at a CEFR level lower than the required level due to insufficient communication about the changed degree requirements.
The language studies for master’s degrees completed on or after 1 August 2026 must comply with the Aalto University Degree Regulations for Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees (CEFR-level) and the specifications set forth in this decision.