Application deadline approaching: International Master of Fine Art

Deadline March 2^nd 2026

In Iceland, a vibrant international art scene thrives, where the country's small size offers unique access to institutions and artists. The English-taught Master Programme in Fine Art at the Iceland University of the Arts, is an international research-based programme, open to all mediums, methods, and subjects. We believe in art’s transformative potential to activate social and environmental change and place an emphasis on artistic risk-taking and encourage and support students in challenging their artistic concepts and limits.   

Societal and environmental concerns are considered and informed by the contexts of theory and practice. High emphasis is placed on the interweaving of theory, writing and practice to inform each students work. Individuality and flexibility in students´ choice of materials and methods is in focus and academic and technical support is provided by engaged and active practitioners on all levels. Students have access to experts in workshops such as: fab lab, video, metal, wood, clay and textiles. The student group is small but invariably international and from diverse cultural backgrounds. The programme seeks, inquisitive and daring applicants, interested in an environmentally aware practice, unafraid to critique and challenge societal norms and complex situations, and willing to exercise the potential role of art in world-making and shaping. 

The Iceland University of the Arts (IUA) teaches in most artistic disciplines: Architecture, Design, Filmmaking, Pedagogy, Performing Arts and Music at an MA level, supporting and encouraging exchange and collaboration across all its faculties by offering elective courses and workshop use for all disciplines. The IUA is the only Art University in Iceland and has access to a rich community of artists/part time teachers, both international and local as well as a strong academic faculty.

The full-time study programme spans four semesters over a two-year period and is taught through workshops, individual tutorials, group crits, seminars and lectures. As part of the programme, there are opportunities for group and solo exhibitions both within the premises of the University and as part of the dynamic Icelandic art scene within Reykjavík and around Iceland.  

Course highlights. 

Semester one: Introduction to artistic research and methods, a week-long group residency (including an exhibition in a renowned art space in the North of Iceland (verksmidjanhjalteyri.com) gallery visits and seminar sessions, one-to-one tutorials and group crits, an intermediate group exhibition at IUA, optional courses and lectures. 

Semester two: Individually supported studio practice, tutorials and group crits with teachers and visiting artists, site-specific project in a public place, collaboration with curatorial students at the Iceland University, introduction to thesis writing, final group exhibition at IUA, optional courses and lectures. 

Semester three: Combining theory and practice through individually supported thesis writing and studio practice, allocation of a specific MA thesis- and MA project-instructors, optional courses and lectures. 

Semester four: One-to-one tutorials with MA project instructor, group crits and tutorials with staff and visiting artists, solo exhibition in one of IUA galleries, tutorials with MA thesis instructor, completion of MA thesis, MA degree group exhibition in an established art venue in Reykjavík, Graduation.
 

Information on registration & tuition fees HERE. 

All further information can be found HERE.

*Photo credit: Auður Aðalsteinsdóttir, MA Fine Art graduation work, spring 2021.