Study options

Nordic Master in Visual Studies and Art Education (NoVA), Master of Arts (Art and Design)

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 practices and traditions in art education, visual culture, and cultural work.
NoVA study options

Degree:

Master of Arts (Art and Design)

Application period:

30 Nov 2023 – 2 Jan 2024

Language of instruction:

English

Duration:

2 years, full-time

Eligibility:

Relevant Bachelor's degree

Field of study:

Art and Design

Credits:

120 ECTS

Organising school:

School of Arts, Design and Architecture

Description

Graduates of the Nordic Master in Visual Studies and Art Education will be able to:

1. Apply and assess theories and practices of contemporary art education, digital communication studies, visual design, and visual culture when working with different audiences and stakeholders.

2. Initiate, plan, carry out, and critically evaluate artistic, educational, and entrepreneurial projects in cross-cultural, international, and transdisciplinary environments.

3. Lead and support cultural, artistic, and educational development work with different institutions, stakeholders, and partners.

4. Identify, analyse, and suggest solutions for complex issues through practices of creative problem-solving, critical thinking, and arts-based methods.

5. Reflect and re-evaluate past and present practices in Nordic ecosystems of art, education, and visual culture.

6. Recognize and cultivate socially, culturally, and environmentally responsible practices in art, education, entrepreneurship, and digital culture.

7. Partake in developing, evaluating, and expanding the professional domains of art, education, and visual culture in contemporary societies.

Language of instruction

The language of instruction is English.

Tuition fees and scholarships

The programme follows each university's own tuition fee policies. As a general rule, students who are not citizens of EU or EEA member countries are tuition fee liable, but can also apply for scholarships offered by universities. Read more about tuition fees:

The programme follows each university's own scholarship policies. As a general rule, students who are not citizens of EU or EEA member countries are tuition fee liable, but can also apply for scholarships offered by universities. Detailed information about the scholarship for the second year will be confirmed when the student is accepted into the program. Read more about scholarships:

Structure of studies

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 practices and traditions in art education, visual culture, and cultural work. Through NM NoVA education, students 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, artists and pedagogical practices and professions are finding new ways and methods for meaning-making, interaction and creative solutions.

As a double degree programme, students spend one year in each degree awarding university. This means that students beginning their studies at Aalto University will spend the second year of their studies at Aalborg University and vice versa. All graduating students receive two degrees: one from Aalto and one from Aalborg. All students admitted to NM NoVA must commit themselves to this one-year mandatory mobility.

NM NoVA offers a mix of problem-based and student-centred, hands-on experience with theoretical and practical studies in art, education, digital communication, and entrepreneurship. The key content areas of NM NoVA studies are:

· Visual and Digital Culture and Communication Developed in the Nordic region
Students explore creative and critical approaches to design and art making, coupled with a deep responsibility for openness, caring, and equality. Students learn about social and cultural competences in ICT & online communication and engage in developing creative approaches to online education.

· Contemporary Approaches to Nordic Art Education and Learning
Students learn about Nordic approaches to art and education, specifically emphasizing democracy, egalitarianism, socially just pedagogical skills and practices, human rights, and social and cultural sustainability.

· Project management, Administration, and Entrepreneurship
Students acquire skills in project management, administration, finance, and entrepreneurship in cultural and educational contexts. Students engage with project-driven and problem-oriented teaching as well as collaborative and participatory learning.

These areas of study are integrated in joint courses (both online and in person) between Aalto University and Aalborg University and in project modules where students work with external stakeholders and partners.

The program is open for international students.

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

Nordic Master Programme in Visual Studies and Art Education

Specialisations

The first year of studies is relatively similar for all NM NoVA students. When beginning their second year of studies in the partner university, students may choose from the following three study tracks:

· Internship: In this study track, students spend most of the second fall semester in an internship and use the internship as the basis for their thesis work. This track suits students who are interested in developing context-specific expertise in art, education, digital communication, and/or entrepreneurship.

· Visual Project: In this study track, students use the second fall semester to combine short internship with elective courses. This might mean, for example, organizing workshops or social media practices to test out their educational, artistic, communicational, or entrepreneurial ideas that the student examines further in their thesis. This track suits students who are interested in emerging theories and practices in art, education, information studies, and entrepreneurship.

· Theoretical Project: In this study track, students utilize the second fall semester to further develop the theoretical framework of their thesis by working with relevant faculty projects. This study track suits for students interested in continuing their studies in doctoral education.

Internationalisation

As a double degree Nordic Master, international collaboration and cooperation is a significant part of NM NoVA education. NM NoVA’s student body consists of students from Aalto University and Aalborg University and most of the major specific studies are co-taught between these two universities, both online and in person. In addition, NM NoVA includes a compulsory mobility during the second year of the studies, during which students at Aalto study at Aalborg either by doing an internship, a visual project, or a theoretical project in Denmark and vice versa. Students admitted to NM NoVA must be able to conduct this compulsory mobility.

Webinar | Nordic Master in Visual Studies and Art Education

Our programme representatives from Aalto and Aalborg introduce the programme and answer participants' questions regarding studies, career opportunities and more. Watch the webinar to get answers to some of your questions!

Watch the recording
Students sitting around a table an taking part in a workshop

Further study opportunities

Nordic Master in Visual Studies and Art Education double degree gives students an eligibility for doctoral studies.

Career opportunities

NM NoVA graduates will have strong intercultural understanding, experiences, and knowledge of educational, digital communication, and cultural practices and theories in Nordic countries. This cross-cultural study offers work opportunities both nationally and internationally in different art, educational, and visual communicational areas, institutions, organisations, communities, art and culture projects, and companies. Students may direct themselves toward teaching, producing, designing, guidance and consultant tasks on different levels of schooling, or in the fields of art and visual and media culture, social sectors and corporate life. Please note that the degree alone does not qualify as teacher competency as it is not a teacher training program.

Research focus

Visual and Digital Communication and Culture Developed in the Nordic region; Contemporary Approaches to Nordic Art Education and Learning; Project management, Administration, and Entrepreneurship.

Co-operation with other parties

In NM NoVA, students are gradually involved in projects with external stakeholders and partners in order to practice their educational and research skills in real-life situations. These collaborations take place both in Finland and Denmark, and involve cultural institutions, organisations, NGOs, and companies.

Admission

The admission for the Nordic Master in Visual Studies and Art Education programme at Aalto University is organised once a year.

The application period for studies beginning in the autumn of 2024 runs from 30 November 2023 to 2 January 2024 (at 15.00, GMT +2).

Admission timeline 

30 November 2023 at 9.00
(9 am, GMT +2)
Application period starts and online application form in Studyinfo opens
2 January 2024 at 15.00
(3 pm, GMT +2)
Application period ends and online application form in Studyinfo closes
9 January 2024 at 15.00 
(3 pm, GMT +2)
Deadline for application documents to be uploaded to application form
January – March 2024 Eligible applications undergo academic evaluation
5 April 2024 Admissions results are published
25 April 2024 at 15.00 (3 pm, GMT +3) Deadline for accepting the offer of admission (study place)
16 May 2024 at 15.00 (3 pm, GMT +3) Deadline for officially certified study certificates, for applicants admitted 5 April
31 July 2024     Deadline to graduate for applicants who applied with an incomplete degree
15 August 2024 at 15.00
(3 pm, GMT +3)
For applicants accepted off the reserve list: Deadline for submitting certified copy of degree certificate. For applicants who applied with an incomplete degree: Deadline for submitting certified copy of degree certificate
End of August 2024 Studies begin with orientation week at first-year university

Who can apply?

Applications must fulfil general eligibility criteria before they are evaluated in the study options.

The general eligibility criteria are fulfilled if the application includes
- a degree granting eligibility to apply;
- an accepted proof of language proficiency and
- all the required application documents by the deadline.

The study options will evaluate complete applications that fulfil the general eligibility criteria according to their study-option-specific admissions criteria.

How to apply?

The application period for studies beginning in the autumn of 2024 runs from 30 November 2023 to 2 January 2024 (at 15.00, GMT +2).


The application consists of an electronic application form and a set of required application documents. Read the instructions for required application documents carefully.


Fill in the online application form in the Studyinfo.fi system during the application period. You can edit your application form within the application period. Application period ends 2 January 2024 at 15.00 (GMT +2). Late applications are not considered.


All application documents must be uploaded to your application form before 9 January 2024 at 15.00 (GMT +2). The deadline cannot be extended.

Documents submitted after the deadline will not be considered in any circumstances; the final deadline is the same for all applicants.


Admission Services reviews your application and the required documents for the general eligibility requirements. Only eligible applications proceed for the academic evaluation. Incomplete applications will be rejected.

English Language Requirements

To be eligible to apply to the programme, applicants must demonstrate their proficiency in English with an accepted proof of language proficiency or by meeting the language test exemption criteria.


Here are presented the acceptable English language tests and their minimum scores:

Study-option-specific Admission Procedure and Evaluation Criteria 2024

Applicants meeting Aalto’s general eligibility criteria for master's studies will be evaluated and ranked according to the evaluation criteria that has been decided in advance for each study option. The applications to Nordic Master in Visual Studies and Art Education will be evaluated based on the following criteria.

Follow us!

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.

[email protected]

Admissions Services

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

[email protected]

  • Published:
  • Updated: