Study options

Photography - Art and Media, Master of Arts (Art and Design)

A photograph has an all-piercing force in society and culture, impacting individuals, communities and nations alike. In our image-saturated world, the significance of a powerful photograph hasn’t been lost. If anything, artists and photographers with something to say are needed now, more than ever before. As a student at Aalto University, you will be part of an ambitious and professional international community and a learning environment, enabling you to develop your artistic practice and enhance your conceptual and critical thinking.
Lada Suomenrinne: Iđitguovssu, 2021 (yksityiskohta teoksesta)
Lada Suomenrinne: Iđitguovssu, 2021 (detail of an art work)

Degree:

Master of Arts (Art and Design)

Application period:

28 Nov 2024 – 27 Dec 2024

Language of instruction:

Finnish
English
Swedish

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

Tuition fees:

For non-EU/EEA citizens, €20000/y (Master’s studies) Read more

Applying to master’s programmes

Description

A photograph has an all-piercing force in society and culture, impacting individuals, communities and nations alike. In our image-saturated world, the significance of a powerful photograph hasn’t been lost. If anything, artists and photographers with something to say are needed now, more than ever before. As a student at Aalto University, you will be part of an ambitious and professional international community and a learning environment, enabling you to develop your artistic practice and enhance your conceptual and critical thinking.

The Photography major offers diverse and inspiring studies in the varied fields of contemporary photography and artistic research. The studies place emphasis on photography as an independent and multidisciplinary tool and seek to develop students' artistic and research-orientated thinking.

Graduates of the Photography major will be able to:

  1. Work on the highest level of national and international contemporary photography and art, utilizing techniques, tools and materials, working methods and theoretical concepts that support their artistic practice
  2. apply various kinds of presentation and installation practices of photography in connection to national and international publishing processes, platforms and audiences
  3. practice their critical understanding of the diverse functions and specific characteristics of the photographic medium
  4. position and contextualize their own work and practice and operate equally, sustainably and insightfully in their professional fields of contemporary photography, visual arts, media and culture and as active citizens in the society
  5. critically assess and use various kinds of source material and apply research-related reading and writing methods to their own qualitative and artistic research
  6. build on their field-specific theoretical backgrounds, contribute to photography-related academic discussions and pursue doctoral studies
  7. acknowledge the integrity of art and value it as a foundational element of cultures and communities)

Language of instruction

The teaching in the Photography major is conducted in Finnish and English. Students may write their master’s thesis in Finnish, Swedish or 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.

Master's Programme in Art and Media

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 majority of our 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 unions 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.

Study-option-specific Admission Procedure and Evaluation Criteria in 2025 Master's Admissions

Applicants meeting Aalto’s general eligibility criteria for master's studies are evaluated and ranked according to the evaluation criteria decided in advance for each study option. The applications to Master’s Programme in Art and Media - Photography major are evaluated based on the following criteria:

Applying to master’s programmes

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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]

Admission Services

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

[email protected]

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