Photography, Master of Arts (Art and Design)

Description

Photography at Aalto is understood as a practice in motion, a doing: something that touches the world, moves through sites and situations, and participates in broader systems of meaning. We ask what happens when a photograph is considered a thing that travels through time and space, one that drifts and transforms in ways its maker never intended. In an era where the status of the image has never been more contested, this question matters. We take seriously the material and social consequences of photography, and the full range of contexts in which images are made, circulated, and displayed. As a student here, you will work within a rigorous international community to develop your practice and deepen your conceptual and critical thinking, with the space and support to pursue it seriously.

The Photography major places emphasis on practice as a mode of inquiry, developing students' capacity to think critically and work independently within contemporary photography and artistic research. Studies move across studio practice, seminars, field work, and independent research, engaging photography through making, writing, and critical exchange.

Please see the intended learning outcomes of the study option at the Programme page.

Language of instruction

In the Master’s Programme in Art and Media Photography major, the language of instruction is English.

Tuition fees and scholarships

The tuition fee for this programme is 20 000 euros per academic year. Citizens of European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland do not pay tuition fees. Citizens of other countries must pay tuition fees.

Aalto University offers a small number of scholarships in the form of tuition fee waivers to fee-paying students. Scholarships can be awarded to the highest-achieving applicants based on the programme's evaluation criteria. Applicants are ranked according to the criteria outlined on the programme's webpage.

More information on tuition fees and scholarships at Aalto University is available at the Scholarships and Tuition Fees webpage.

Structure of studies

Overall, the Master’s Programme in Art and Media – Photography comprises a total of 120 ECTS. The two-year studies include professional, artistic and research-based courses and are composed of workshops, lectures, seminars, independent projects and their personal supervision. As a student, you may also supplement your major studies with courses offered by other majors and programmes or with social science, humanities or technical studies at other universities.

In the Photography major, we will support your personal development and provide a practice-led, theoretical foundation for understanding contemporary photographic phenomena. Our broad range of courses and workshops include, but are not limited to: photography as sustainable practice, documentary and contemporary art, “expanded” photography, studio practice, experimental printing, moving image, photobook design, and new (and traditional) technologies.

More information on the programme content and curriculum can be found in the Student guide.

Specialisations

Within the Photography major, you can focus in, e.g., documentary photography, contemporary art, and/or academic and artistic research.

Internationalisation

Our Master’s students and faculty come from different parts of the world and the intermediate and advanced studies are taught in English. Participating in an international student exchange during the studies is also supported and recommended. During the studies, it is possible to apply for international residency programmes and workshops, and present one’s portfolio to professionals within the field.

Students’ works gain visibility in, e.g. exhibitions and photography publications in Finland and abroad. The students also have the opportunity to explore current international research at the biennial Helsinki Photomedia conference.

Apart from the studies, student life among Photography students is very welcoming and active. New students can join Aalto University’s student associations that provide different activities, events and other opportunities to balance studies with free-time fun.

Further study opportunities

Completion of the MA degree makes a graduate eligible to apply for doctoral studies, for example in the School of Art, Design and Architecture at Aalto University.

Career opportunities

The goal of the Photography major is to help our students to discover their own strengths and to create opportunities for success in a continuously changing and developing field. Our major offers excellent opportunities for working in the fields of photography and related fields in contemporary art. A number of our alumni are internationally recognized within the photography and contemporary art scene. A Master of Arts degree allows the graduates to apply for further studies leading to a Doctor of Arts degree.

Master’s degree studies provide you with the skills and education needed in a diverse range of positions. Graduates of the major often combine different tasks in their practices. Examples of possible paths include:

• Photographer
• Visual artist
• Photojournalist
• Photo editor
• Photography instructor
• Publisher
• Curator
• Researcher

Research focus

Photography research reflects the many roles that photography plays in contemporary culture, including the ubiquity of photographic practices and technologies. The research areas include:

• the theoretical and empirical study of photographs and photography as research objects;
• study of the uses and applications of photography in various social, cultural and educational contexts and media environments;
• the use of photography as an artistic research practice.

Co-operation with other parties

Students can supplement their studies with, for example, courses from other Aalto schools, programmes, and majors, or courses in social sciences, humanities, or arts offered by other universities.

The studies include collaboration with organisations, institutions, and enterprises in the fields of photography and contemporary art.

Contact information

Learning services of the School of Arts, Design and Architecture

For enquiries regarding programme-specific application documents or studies in the programme, please contact Aalto ARTS Learning Services.

arts-admissions@aalto.fi

Admission Services

For enquiries regarding the application process, obligatory application documents or English language proficiency, please contact Admission Services.

admissions@aalto.fi