Course - Advanced Artistic Work 4 - Master Thesis - BK3400
Advanced Artistic Work 4 - Master Thesis
Assessments and mandatory activities may be changed until September 20th.
About
About the course
Course content
The course supports the final development and realisation of the MFA thesis project. Students consolidate and apply the artistic, theoretical, and methodological perspectives developed throughout the programme, working with a high level of independence and professional responsibility. The course guides students through completing a coherent artistic project, preparing the written critical reflection, and planning the public presentation.
Contextualisation at this stage involves synthesising artistic, theoretical, and methodological positions into a coherent research stance. Students articulate how their practice produces knowledge, engages with contemporary debates, and contributes to artistic and societal discourse.
Exhibition practice is approached as a site of research and authorship. Students develop intentional presentation strategies—spatial, conceptual, and curatorial—that embody the conceptual, material, and methodological claims of their thesis. Expanded exhibition practices, such as hybrid installations, site-responsive formats, relational or process-based approaches, and research-as-display, are used as deliberate tools for public articulation.
The thesis is presented as part of the semi-public MFA exhibitions. In preparation, the course supports the development of skills in public presentation, event organisation, and the strategic and relational dimensions of display. Students also complete a written critical reflection analysing their processes, methods, artistic decisions, and contextual positioning.
Learning outcome
The objective of the course is to independently realise, present, and defend the MFA thesis project at a professional level. Students synthesise artistic, theoretical, and methodological perspectives into a coherent body of work.
Artistic research, authorship & thesis realisation
•Demonstrate advanced artistic knowledge, skills, and competence appropriate for contemporary art practice at an international level.
• Synthesise artistic, theoretical, and methodological perspectives into a coherent research position supporting the thesis.• Independently realise an artistic project (or contribute substantially to a collective one) and present it in a pre-professional context.• Demonstrate advanced competence in artistic research and apply this throughout the thesis realisation.
Critical articulation & contextual positioning
•Position their work critically within contemporary and historical artistic contexts and broader social, ethical, political, and environmental debates.• Identify and evaluate artistic, ethical, and theoretical challenges relevant to the thesis.
• Produce a critical written reflection articulating the intentions, processes, research frameworks, and conceptual foundations of their work.
• Communicate the values, meanings, and research insights of their project to audiences with and without specialist knowledge.
Exhibition, dissemination & public communication
•Design and implement exhibition and dissemination strategies that embody the conceptual, material, and methodological claims of the thesis.
• Employ expanded exhibition formats—such as site-responsive installations, hybrid or collaborative presentations, relational systems, durational or process-based approaches, or research-as-display—to communicate artistic thinking.
• Present their thesis publicly in a rigorous, coherent, and professionally executed manner, demonstrating spatial, visual, and discursive competence.
Professional practice, collaboration & development
• Establish and present an artistic practice in a professional and responsible manner.• Collaborate and negotiate effectively with peers, supervisors, and external partners to realise artistic projects.• Critically assess their own artistic work and take responsibility for ongoing academic, artistic, and professional development.
Successful completion of the MFA requires the public presentation of the final artistic / thesis project, a written critical reflection and the passing of an oral examination.
Learning methods and activities
Learning combines independent artistic work with collective processes. Students consolidate methods and research from earlier semesters and apply them to the realisation of the thesis, supported by supervision, collective critique, and shared planning of public presentations. The Creative Process Journal (CPJ) is used to document artistic processes and support the critical reflection. Engagement with external contexts may include exhibitions, publications, labs, residencies, or community partnerships. Preparation for the MFA degree show takes place through a Collective Public Expanded Format, where students collaboratively plan how their work and processes are made public.
Active participation in all supervision, critiques, seminars, workshops, and MFA programme activities is mandatory.
Specific conditions
Approved compulsory assignments are valid in the current semester.
This course is offered to international master’s students. Language of instruction is English.
Compulsory assignments
- Participation in course activities
- Hand-in: Technical Rider for MFA exhibition
- Hand-in: riskassessment for master exhibition
- Hand-in: written critical reflection for catalogue
- Hand-in: MFA project documentation portfolio
Further on evaluation
Students are assessed on their ability to produce an advanced, coherent, and independent artistic project; articulate its research context; and demonstrate professional competence in exhibition, documentation, and critical reflection. The final assessment consists of three parts:
- the public presentation of the final artistic project,
- the written critical reflection, and
- the oral examination.
Final Artistic Project and Public Presentation
During Semester 4, each MFA candidate completes an independent (or substantively collaborative) artistic project that forms the MFA thesis project. Students must present this project in a professional public format, as part of the annual international MFA presentation. The presentation may take place within the school, in external venues, or in site-responsive settings.
The project should demonstrate:
- a clearly articulated artistic research position
- conceptual and methodological coherence
- a professional level of technical and material realisation
- intentional spatial, curatorial, and communicative decisions
- awareness of the specific site, format, or temporal conditions of the work
Expanded exhibition practices—such as hybrid installations, time-based formats, relational systems, research-as-display, or site-specific work—are supported as long as they follow a professional and contextually considered approach.
Written Critical Reflection
Students must submit a critical reflection of approximately 20,000 words (including spaces).The critical reflection must:
- analyse the development of the artistic project
- articulate intentions, methods, and artistic decisions
- situate the work within contemporary art and relevant discourse
- reference artists, practitioners, theories, or contextual frameworks that inform the work
- reflect on the outcome and contribution of the project as artistic research
Students must also submit a professional portfolio, including:
- a project description
- an artist statement
- documentation (images, links, video if relevant)
- additional materials that support understanding of the artistic project
The Creative Process Journal (CPJ) may support the development of the critical reflection but is not submitted as part of the final assessment unless requested.
All texts and documentation must be delivered as compatible digital formats or as a personal page in the Research Catalogue. Final thesis submission must be uploaded in Inspera by the announced April deadline.
Oral Examination
The oral examination takes place after the public presentation and is conducted by a Thesis Review Committee consisting of the course teacher and at least one external examiner.
The oral assessment evaluates the student’s ability to:
- articulate the conceptual, artistic, and research framework of the thesis
- discuss the development of the project and clarify artistic choices
- relate the project to contemporary artistic and theoretical contexts
- respond to questions about the written reflection, documentation, and public presentation
Passing the public presentation and the oral examination is required to earn the MFA degree.
Additional Requirements
- Active participation in supervision, group discussions, and collective planning for the MFA degree show (e.g., through a Collective Public Expanded Format) is mandatory.
- Students must ensure that all required materials—portfolio, documentation, written reflection—are submitted in Research Catalogue and Inspera in approved formats.
Postponed or re-examination will take place in the next exam period. In the case of a retake, the entire course must be repeated.
Specific conditions
Admission to a programme of study is required:
Fine Art (MFA)
Recommended previous knowledge
Enrollment in the MFA program is required to undertake the thesis. Students enrolled in other degree programs or participating as exchange students are not eligible to complete the thesis.
Required previous knowledge
Students must have completed 90 study credits and the progress review must be successfully passed in BK3306 Advanced Artistic Work 3, to be considered eligible to enter the final semester and submit an MFA thesis.
Subject areas
- Fine Art