Visual Arts, Master of Fine Arts

Who is the Master’s in Fine Arts suitable for? Target group and requirements at a glance

The Master’s programme in Fine Arts at Alanus University is aimed at trained artists who wish to deepen and professionalise their artistic practice in a targeted manner. The course is particularly suitable for graduates of artistic university studies (for example Bachelor of Fine Arts, Diplom Kunst, Akademiebrief) who pursue an independent artistic path and want to prepare for professional self-employment in the field of fine arts. Applicants with a degree in related artistically oriented courses of study such as design, art therapy or art education, who have a solid artistic practice, also belong to the target group. The programme specifically addresses those who want to develop an individual artistic project, engage with contemporary discourses of art, and expand their skills in art mediation as well as art and cultural management.

Admission requirements in detail

Precise criteria apply for admission to the Master’s programme in Fine Arts:

• Completed artistic university studies lasting at least three years, for example with the degree Bachelor of Fine Arts, Diplom Kunst or Akademiebrief.
• Graduates in artistically applied subject areas (e.g. design, art therapy, art education) may also be admitted, provided the studies lasted at least three years and include at least 110 Credit Points (CP) in the area of artistic practice. If these are missing, further qualification is possible.
• Proof of artistic aptitude through a portfolio of own works and a meaningful project outline (max. 5 pages) presenting the planned master’s project and the artistic question.
• Participation in an admission interview and presentation of the submitted work samples and outline.
• Foreign applicants require German language skills of at least level B2 (GER). At enrolment, level B1 may be sufficient if proof of B2 is provided within one year (corresponding supplementary agreement required).

Applications are accepted throughout the year; studies usually commence in the autumn semester.

Personal requirements and recommended competencies

In addition to the formal requirements, applicants should bring the following personal and professional characteristics:

• Pronounced artistic independence and motivation to pursue an individual project.
• Ability to reflect on one’s own artistic work and interest in critical exchange with other artists.
• Willingness to organise and present one’s own work independently, also in the context of exhibitions, projects and art mediation.
• Openness to interdisciplinary exchange, e.g. through elective courses in other departments (such as business administration, architecture, art history, educational sciences).
• Good communication and teamwork skills, as regular colloquia, project discussions and group work are part of everyday study life.
• Basic interest in the professional conditions of the art world as well as in aspects of art and cultural management.

The programme is ideal for persons with a clear artistic focus who want to immerse themselves intensively in a personal project while systematically preparing for professional freelance work.

What content does the Master of Fine Arts programme cover?

The Master’s programme Fine Arts (Master of Fine Arts) at Alanus University of Arts and Social Sciences focuses on deepening and individualising your artistic practice. The aim is to prepare you for professional self-employment as a freelance artist. At the centre of your studies is an individually chosen artistic project, which you develop and realise over the duration of the programme.

• Artistic practice: You will receive orientation during a four-week introductory phase. Afterwards, you work continuously and independently on your master project.
• Accompanying seminars and colloquia: Weekly colloquia with professors take place to present your own work and reflect on it together. In addition, individual consultations are possible.
• Professionalisation modules: Content such as art and cultural management, functioning of the art market, self-marketing, legal and financial frameworks, exhibition curation and presentation techniques prepare you specifically for freelance work.
• Art in social context: Implementation of independent art projects with societal relevance and deepening of individual artistic competences.
• Interdisciplinary elective modules: You can attend additional courses offered by the university, such as business administration, architecture, educational sciences or the Studium Generale, to broaden your own horizons.
• Final thesis: At the end, the conception, realisation and presentation of an independent, comprehensive artistic project based on your project outline.

How is the programme structured?

The Master of Fine Arts is organised as a consecutive on-site programme and is modularly structured. Each module is completed with its own ongoing examination.

• Duration (full-time): 4 semesters (2 years), starting in the autumn semester, exceptionally also possible in the spring.
• Duration (part-time): 8 semesters (4 years), with presence usually scheduled over two days per week.
• You begin with a 4-week orientation phase to sharpen your artistic focus and clarify organisational basics.
• You participate weekly in colloquia and work independently and in parallel on your master project.
• During the course, you take elective subjects according to your interests and can benefit from interdisciplinary teaching offers at the university.
• Ongoing projects, exhibitions and presentations are integral parts of the programme.
• The programme can also be taken part-time or shortened with credit for prior achievements after individual consultation.

What career prospects does the programme offer?

The programme primarily qualifies you for self-employment in the field of fine art. The content provided also prepares you for other activities in the art and cultural sector.

• Freelance artist with your own studio and exhibition projects
• Curating exhibitions at home and abroad
• Art mediation and project-based mediation activities, for example in museums, galleries and institutions
• Art and cultural management: development, organisation and implementation of art projects
• Participation in international art projects and scholarship programmes
• The individual orientation of your study project and attendance of interdisciplinary modules enable further specialisations, for example in cultural education or public projects.

Where does the programme take place?

The programme is conducted in Alfter near Bonn. Alanus University of Arts and Social Sciences offers an inspiring campus atmosphere in a rural environment and has modern studios, workshops and exhibition spaces.

• On-site study at the campus in Alfter (Campus I - Johannishof)
• Regular events, colloquia and consultation appointments on site
• Participation in interdisciplinary offers of the entire university, for example through the Studium Generale
• International exchange opportunities through study trips and artistic-scientific projects

What costs and financing options should you expect?

The following monthly tuition fees apply for the programme:

• Full-time study: 416 euros per month
• Part-time study: 310 euros per month

The tuition fees are billed per semester. BAföG funding is possible. For particularly qualified students in the Master of Fine Arts, there is the Braunschweig Private Bank Scholarship. This scholarship amounts to 10,000 euros and is used directly to cover the tuition fees. Participants also benefit from a final solo exhibition with catalogue documentation.

• Scholarships, for example the Braunschweig Private Bank Scholarship for outstanding applicants
• Other options for study financing, such as support programmes and funding
• Additional financial support may be possible with an interdisciplinary orientation or employment in the cultural sector

A change between part-time and full-time study is possible. The exact amount of the fees and individual financing options can be clarified in a personal consultation.