The aim of the degree is to provide students with:

1. good theoretical and general knowledge of as well as artistic and practical expertise in their field of study as well as a general knowledge of the field of arts;
2. knowledge and skills needed for independent and demanding artistic work and for multidisciplinary collaboration as well as knowledge and skills needed to apply scientific knowledge and scientific methods;
3. knowledge and skills to perform, both independently and collaboratively, demanding expert, development and management duties of the field, and to cooperate internationally;
4. knowledge and skills needed for education leading to a Doctor of Arts (Art and Design) degree and for lifelong learning;
5. good language and communication skills for work in the field of arts and for international operations and cooperation.

The education shall be based on scientific research and artistic activity and professional practices in the field.

Nordic Master in Visual Studies and Art Education (NM NoVA) is a double degree program between Aalto University (Finland) and Aalborg University (Denmark) in which students achieve a comprehensive understanding of Nordic practices and traditions in art education, visual culture, and cultural work. Through NM NoVA education, you will acquire relevant practical and theoretical competencies in art, education, and culture for working in cross-cultural and international environments. NM NoVA graduates will be able to respond to the demands of the changing world, where cultural, artists and pedagogical practices and professions are finding new ways and methods for meaning-making, interaction and creative solutions.

All courses are organized and co-taught between Aalto University and Aalborg University.

Intended learning outcomes of the Nordic Master in Visual Studies and Art Education

• Apply and assess theories and practices of contemporary art education, communication studies, visual design, and digital visual culture when working with different audiences and stakeholders.
• Initiate, plan, carry out, and critically evaluate artistic, educational, and entrepreneurial projects in cross-cultural, international, and transdisciplinary environments.
• Lead and support cultural, artistic, and educational development work with different institutions, stakeholders, and partners.
• Identify, analyse, and suggest solutions for complex issues through practices of creative problem-solving, critical thinking, and arts-based methods.
• Reflect and reevaluate past and present practices in Nordic ecosystems of art, education, and visual culture.
• Recognize and cultivate socially, culturally, and environmentally responsible practices in art, education, entrepreneurship, and digital culture.
• Partake in developing, evaluating, and expanding the professional domains of art, education, and visual culture in contemporary societies.

Courses

Major Studies 90 ECTS

Master’s thesis in Nordic Master in Visual Studies and Art Education programme (NoVA)

General information about the master's thesis

The master’s thesis is a 30-credit entity that also includes the maturity essay and presentation of the thesis before its submission. The Master’s thesis is completed under joint supervision of both Universities you have studied in the NoVA programme. The main supervision of your thesis is in the University where you are physically present on your second year of studies. However, you need to follow the instructions of both Universities and fulfill both Universities’ thesis requirements. You also need to have a thesis supervisor from both Universities.

The instructions on this webpage will guide you how to complete your thesis successfully at Aalto University. Make sure that you also follow Aalborg University’s regulation when submitting your thesis to Aalborg. Please note that you need to submit your thesis for both Universities to be able to graduate.

You need to follow these instructions if you have:

• studied your first year at Aalto and you are now studying your second year in Aalborg University

OR

• studied your first year at Aalborg University and you are now studying your second year at Aalto

Aims of the master's thesis at Aalto University

To graduate, students must meet the aims set for the thesis. The aim of the master's thesis is that:

- Students demonstrate command of the field of the master's programme and ability to apply the knowledge and skills acquired in the programme independently;

- Students demonstrate ability for research-oriented work on an artistic, theoretical or applied research topic and demonstrate ability to use data and source material for research purposes;

- Students demonstrate good communication skills for work in the field of study.

The thesis may be a piece of theoretical, artistic or applied research, a work of art or a combination of these; it may also include a production component. The production component may be, depending on the field, for instance, a design, a work of art, an exhibition, or project. Theses always include a written component. If the thesis consists of a design or other production component and a written component, the student must specify the emphasis to be given to the different components in the evaluation. However, the thesis is always evalu-ated as a whole, with all the components of the thesis included in the evaluation.

The recommended extent of the written component of the thesis is 25–70 pages (approx. 50 000–140 000 characters) depending on the extent of the possible production component.