Two Programs
The Royal Institute of Art offers two programs: the five-year program in Fine Arts (300 credits) and the Master’s program in Fine Arts (120 credits). The Master’s program follows the model of the 4th and 5th years of the five-year program.
The Fine Arts programs at the Royal Institute of Art differ from many other types of studies. A large part of the time consists of long courses in individual artistic work. Students can work in the studio, in one of the school’s many workshops (where teaching staff are on site for guidance), or apply for elective course components. The student determines the program’s content together with their tutor. The fact that the student creates their own way through the program means more freedom, but also more responsibility.
Individual Artistic Work
For five-year Fine Arts students, it is compulsory to hold at least two studio talks and participate in at least four group sessions per semester. These activities are led by the tutor, who also examines the course “Individual Artistic Work”. Students who have the same tutor are part of a mixed-level tutorial group. Together with the group, the tutor plans tutorials that may include field trips, group critiques, or guest lectures. Within the Fine Arts programs, each semester offers a number of elective course components that our program students can apply for based on their own needs and interests. Together with each own’s work in the studio and workshops these activities form the student’s “Individual Artistic Work”.
Other Courses in the Program
The Program in Fine Arts includes other courses that sometimes run in parallel during the semester. The five-year program includes a number of courses in Art Theory and History of Art. Year 1 and 2 contain an introductory and a continuation course in History and Theory of Art, which continues with a Master Seminar in Art Theory in year 4. The Degree Project in year 3 involves working towards a group exhibition, which also provides the basis for examination at the Bachelor’s degree level. The Degree Project in year 5 consists of a Master Essay (10 credits) and the participation in a solo exhibition (20 credits) at the Royal Institute of Art’s student gallery, Galleri Mejan. Year 5 is then concluded with another group exhibition, the Master’s degree show.
In addition to “Individual Artistic Work”, the five-year program includes other courses that sometimes run in parallel during the semester. This is what the layout looks like:
| Study | Autumn Term | Spring Term |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Year (Undergraduate level) | Individual Artistic Work 25.5 hp (credits) Introductory Course in History and Theory of Art 4.5 hp | Individual Artistic Work 30 hp |
| 2nd Year (Undergraduate level) | Individual Artistic Work 30 hp | Individual Artistic Work 25.5 hp Continuation Course in History and Theory of Art, 4.5 hp |
| 3rd Year (Undergraduate level) | Individual Artistic Work 30 hp | Individual Artistic Work 15 hp Degree Project 15 hp |
| 4th Year (Advanced level) | Master Seminar in Art Theory 4.5 hp Individual Artistic Work 25.5 hp | Individual Artistic Work 30 hp |
| 5th Year (Advanced level) | Individual Artistic Work 30 hp | Degree Project 30 hp (Solo Exhibition 20 hp, Master Essay 10 hp) |
Teaching language
The programmes in fine art can be read in both English and Swedish. Some teaching at bachelor level is in Swedish, but international students receive individual guidance in English. Kungl. Konsthögskolan has both students and staff who do not speak Swedish, therefore English may be used in all parts of the programme.