Program Overview

MFA Programme in Applied Arts and Design, Metal Art

The master's programme in Applied Arts and Design challenges how you perceive materials and space with two specializations: metal art and wood-oriented furniture design. You will develop critical perspectives in relation to society and current debates while pursuing your own projects. As a student specializing in metal art, you will engage in a hands-on, explorative approach through material and process, and are encouraged to reflect on your future role as an artist in the public, private, or gallery realm.

Programme Details

• Programme Code: K2TIK-MEGE
• Duration: 2 years
• Credits: 120 credits (ECTS)
• Offered by: HDK-Valand - Academy of Art and Design at The Artistic Faculty
• Study Pace: 100%
• Time: Day
• Location: Bengtsfors
• Study Form: Campus
• Language: English
• Duration: 31 Aug 2026 - 4 Jun 2028
• Application Period: 16 Oct 2025 - 15 Jan 2026
• Application Code: GU-50003

Tuition

• Full Education Cost: 638 000 SEK
• First Payment: 159 500 SEK
• No Fees are charged for EU and EEA citizens, Swedish residence permit holders, and exchange students.

Programme Structure and Content

The programme is project-based and requires a high degree of autonomy, independence, and self-motivation. Projects are formulated together with your professor and supported by individual tutoring, theory, and seminars.

First Year

• Familiarize yourself with the workshops and machinery
• Begin your studio project
• Gain a basic understanding of research and entrepreneurship
• Expand your subject knowledge
• Formulate an action plan for your future practice
• Build up your portfolio with projects

Second Year

• Relate contemporary issues to your own work
• Write a background text and reflect on the context and form of presentation of your degree project
• An external mentor will assist you during your degree project
• Examinations include external opponents
• The spring term ends with a degree exhibition

Who Should Apply?

• Are you interested in exploring the many possibilities and intellectual meaning of metal as an artistic material?
• Do you want to pursue experimental, material-based work and investigate contemporary art and craft though metal art and blacksmithing?
• Are you passionate about your work and want to be recognized in the professional field for pushing the craft forward?
• If you want to hone your craftsmanship and develop your role as an artist and practitioner, then apply for the master's programme in Applied Arts and Design specializing in metal art.

Prerequisites and Selection

Entry Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts or equivalent of at least 180 credits
• Approved work samples
• The work samples should demonstrate artistic and technical ability, both of which are necessary to fully benefit from the programme
• Applicants must prove their knowledge of English: English 6/English B from Swedish Upper Secondary School or the equivalent level of an internationally recognized test, for example TOEFL, IELTS

Portfolio

• Portfolio guidelines for the MFA Programme in Applied Arts and Design, Metal Art

Selection

• The selection is based on an assessment of submitted work samples and a personal interview

After Graduation

Graduates of the programme receive one of the following degrees, depending on the chosen specialization:

• Master of Fine Arts in Arts and Crafts with a specialization in metal art
• Master of Fine Arts in Design with specialization in wood-oriented furniture design

Our students have won prizes, exhibited in notable places, received large commissions, and are active in research.