Visual Studies and Art Education Aalborg University

Overview

About the programme 

Why choose Visual Studies and Art Education? 

You should choose Visual Studies and Art Education if you are passionate about creative, problem-solving project work that transcends subjects, genres and borders. The programme is for you if you want to immerse yourself in Nordic visual and digital communication and culture and adopt a modern approach to Nordic art education and learning. The Master’s offers you knowledge at the highest international level about Nordic approaches to contemporary art and art education with a special emphasis on democracy, egalitarianism and social justice, as well as creative and critical approaches to the design of visual and digital communication and image production, coupled with a responsibility for openness, care and equality. 

Educational content

The Visual Studies and Art Education programme blends practical experience with theoretical studies in art, education, digital communication and project management. The Master’s is a double degree programme between Aalto University in Finland and Aalborg University , where the joint NM NoVA community forms an important part of the programme. As such, you will receive a Master's from both Aalborg University and Aalto University, as you will complete the first year of your Master's in Aalborg and the second year at Aalto. Conversely, students admitted to Aalto University begin their studies at Aalto and complete them in Aalborg. All modules are co-taught between Aalto University and Aalborg University and include in-person classes on campus, hybrid lectures and online activities. The first year of the programme builds a common academic curriculum on top of your Bachelor's degree, while the second academic year lets you specialise through the mandatory switch to the partner university and the project-oriented course that prepares you for your thesis. 

Your skills as a graduate  

With a Master’s in Visual Studies and Art Education, you will be an expert in creative problem solving with an art education foundation. You will be able to analyse and create change, development and learning, whether the goal is improving a communicative practice, changing a teaching practice or developing a product or organisational practice. You will be able to study and analyse visual communication and create visual digital communication based on relevant theories, methods, tools and technologies. The international focus of the programme gives you the social and cultural skills needed to participate in and organise online communication, dissemination and learning across borders. You will also be able to develop creative problem-solving based on art education theory and methodology and with respect for human rights and social and cultural sustainability. You will have project management competences as well as the ability to organise learning and communication programmes based on art education principles, including skills in selecting, developing and motivating pedagogical-didactic principles and learning models. 

Job opportunities 

With a Master’s in Visual Studies and Art Education, you can take on many different positions in a range of contexts, depending on your educational foundation. You can work as a designer of innovative digital visual communication, organiser of aesthetic learning processes, product developer and project manager in creative companies and organisations, or as an organisational developer in public and private companies. Other job titles may include cultural consultant, educator or curator.