MFA/MA in Studio Art

Course details

The MFA provides an immersive education in the development of professional practice as an artist. As an MFA graduate you will produce a final exhibition, the quality of which will demonstrate that you have developed the knowledge and skills necessary to survive and thrive as a practicing artist. You will also demonstrate capabilities for critical enquiry through fine art, with the ability to evaluate your work through an informed grasp of the social, cultural and theoretical concerns shaping discourse on contemporary fine art research and practice.

The MA provides a masters-level education in art appropriate to a perse range of applications. As an MA graduate you will produce a final exhibition, the quality of which will demonstrate that you have acquired a masters-level in artistic practice. You will also demonstrate capabilities for critical enquiry through fine art, with the ability to evaluate your work through an informed grasp of the social, cultural and theoretical concerns shaping discourse on contemporary fine art research and practice.

Course Structure

Studio Research forms the core of the MFA and MA and is comprised of studio-based individual mentoring and rigorous group critiques. Studio Research modules provide for studio-based experimentation and innovation, leading to the production of a substantial body of work. Historical & Critical Studies modules engage you in intensive critical discourse on contemporary art. Professional Studies modules facilitate the development of the personal, conceptual, technical and organisational skills necessary for professional practice as an artist. They are delivered through seminars, symposia and educational visits to Dublin, London and Berlin.

Programme Description

Semester 1

• Studio Research 1 : Introduction to Art Research Methods, 20 ECTS
• Professional Studies 1 : Introduction to Professionalism, 5 ECTS
• Historical & Critical Studies 1 : Bridging Theory and Practice, 5 ECTS

Semester 2

• Studio Research 2 : Refinement and Coherence of Enquiry and Practice, 20 ECTS
• Professional Studies 2 : Student Selected Project, 5 ECTS
• Historical & Critical Studies 2 : Formalising Discourse, 5 ECTS

Semester 3, Summer Term, For MA in Studio Art only

• Studio Research Project : The MA Exhibition, 30 ECTS
• A studio-based, independent studies module for students seeking to graduate with the award of MA. Students develop a body of work for exhibition supported by a written Artist's Statement.

TOTAL FOR MA IN STUDIO ART : 90 ECTS

Semester 3

• Studio Research 3 : Working Towards an Exhibition, 20 ECTS
• Professional Studies 3 : Organising and Publicising an Exhibition, 5 ECTS
• Historical & Critical Studies 3 : The Dissertation, 5 ECTS

Semester 4

• Studio Research 4 : The MFA Exhibition, 20 ECTS
• Professional Studies 4 : Exhibition Installation, 5 ECTS
• Historical & Critical Studies 4 : The Artist's Statement, 5 ECTS

Admissions

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. The application deadline is 1st February annually, although late applications may be accepted if all places have not been filled. All eligible applicants are interviewed either in person or by phone.

Applicants should have a Bachelors Degree with first or upper second class honours in Fine Art; or a Bachelors Degree with a major in Fine Art with a GPA or 3.50 or above; or evidence of equivalent achievement. In the case of an outstanding portfolio, a Bachelors Degree with a lower second class/2.2 honours/GPA of 3.0 may be accepted.