Our international master’s programmes are open for application. The programmes are fee-free for EU nationals. HDK-Valand at the University of Gothenburg delivers education and research in Design, Film, Photography, Fine Art, Crafts and Literary Composition. We provide highly specialised degree programmes in an outward-facing, international environment with well-equipped workshops where our range of subjects also enables students to foster a broader artistic perspective.
For fall 2021 we offer the following MFA programmes:
Applied Arts and Design, specialisations in Metal Art, Textile-Body-Space or Wood Oriented Furniture Design
The programme examines questions that move between the local and the global, between art, craft and design. Applied Arts and Design has three departmental specialisations but works as one programme. Regardless of the specialisation, you will work independently and experimentally with materials, techniques, form, function and content.
Child Culture Design
Child Culture Design is a field that is growing in knowledge, need and demand internationally. By focusing on children’s play, children’s perspectives and their specific conditions, we have created a programme that has no equivalent in the world. Our aim is to combine the subject design and artistic practice, with child culture and in-depth knowledge of this specific user-group.
Craft, specialisations in Ceramic Art, Jewellery Art or Textile Art
The Craft programme invites students to explore the purpose of crafts in society today. Course work encourages the development of skill-based knowledge, fosters debate about the meaning of material inquiries and investigates the conceptual identity of the crafts. Regardless of the specialisation, you will work in an independent and experimental way with materials, techniques, form, content and function.
Design
The main focus of the programme is to further develop your creative and artistic skills by working with complex and challenging issues, in particular where social implications are important. Practical projects are at the core of your studies. The atmosphere of the programme is explorative and experimental. You will investigate new and challenging ideas of how designers can situate themselves and work for a sustainable society in the future.
Embedded Design
Companies and organisations in the private and public sectors are increasingly seeking competence and knowledge to meet to the challenges of globalisation, digitalisation and sustainability. The programme in Embedded Design addresses the field of design that is particularly situated in complex and systemised contexts and prepares you to be a friendly collaborator while simultaneously taking a critical stance in your role within an embedded design practice.
Film
This programme is focused on developing your research skills and creative tools for enquiry in and with moving images. The programme defines itself in relation to the world. We encourage you, as a student of the programme, to examine social, cultural, and political image-making, and we facilitate your enquiry and exploration of the medium of film—its ethics and aesthetics.
Fine Art
The Fine Art programme seeks applicants to question art’s relationships to the world we live in. Courses focus on diverse challenges in being public together; and how artists can inform debates on publicness. Students investigate publicness and the role of the artist whilst developing practice-oriented research skills to advance their critical approaches to art. The highly qualified teaching team has significant research expertise and international professional practices.
Photography: This programme offers you the opportunity to develop your already existing photographic practice, your visual literacy and your own creativity. In dialogue with teachers and fellow students, you will formulate your work in different contexts and have the possibility to present your work in public venues, school galleries, and printed matter.
Interested? Please join us for an online open house on November 26! You will have the opportunity to meet programme directors, students, technicians and get an idea of HDK-Valand’s great facilities. There will also be a physical open house on-site in Gothenburg, mainly in Swedish.
