Studio Art University of Galway

Overview

The Studio Art programme at University of Galway  provides an immersive education in the development of professional practice as an artist. As an MFA graduate you will produce a final exhibition, the quality of which will show that you have gained the knowledge and skills necessary to survive and thrive as a practicing artist. You will also develop your capabilities for critical enquiry in the field of fine art through a written dissertation, demonstrating your ability to evaluate your work through an informed grasp of the social, cultural and theoretical concerns shaping discourse on contemporary fine art research and practice. 

The MA (1 year, 3 semesters) provides a masters-level education in art appropriate to a diverse range of applications. As an MA graduate you will produce a final exhibition, the quality of which will demonstrate that you have acquired a masters-level in artistic practice. Whereas the MFA requires the completion of a written thesis, in the MA you will also complete modules in critical enquiry, in order to develop your ability to evaluate your work through an informed grasp of the social, cultural and theoretical concerns, and will be required to create an Artist Statement in conjunction with your final exhibition. 

The PG Dip (1 year, 2 semesters) aims to provide students with a postgraduate education in the subject with credit that recognizes their level of attainment through study.  

Careers

While the emphasis in our teaching methods is not industry-focused, students are given the skills to prepare their portfolios and profiles to exhibit as professional artists. 

Our Professional Practices modules also prepare students for curating and installing exhibitions, either collaboratively or as solo artists.  Students also learn promotional and marketing tools, as well as how to create a budget for exhibiting their work. 

Graduates have gone on to further research at PhD level and have acquired positions as lecturers and researchers in third level institutions. Graduates have also founded their own arts organizations and DIY gallery exhibitions.  Many are working as professional artists who regularly exhibit their work internationally.