Admissions – master level study

1. Who can submit an application for a master´s program
2. When to submit applications for a master´s program
3. How to submit applications for a master´s program
4. Important dates of admissions process
5. Fee
6. Admissions date and interview
7. Admissions process
8. Admissions requirements of individual study programs

1. Who can submit an application for a master´s program

An applicant for a master´s program at AFAD can become a student of the chosen study program only by succeeding in the admissions process. If the applicant has completed a bachelor´s program i.e. first level study program, they can enrol in the admissions at AFAD following the required process.
Applicants for study programs ART CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION AND ARCHITECTURE must be the graduates of bachelor´s study programs specialized in restoration and architecture since they are study programs with regulated profession.

In case the admissions to AFAD are conducted prior to completing the bachelor´s program, the applicant is admitted conditionally for the master´s program. The final admission to study is conditioned by the successful completion of the first level study program. The applicant will submit a proof of completion of the first level study program within ten days after completing the first level study program yet no later than the deadline for enrolment for study i.e. in September 2023 they must prove that they have completed the first level of the study by submitting a verified copy of a bachelor´s degree and diploma supplement.

All foreign applicants (with the exception of the Czech ones) must have a command of the Slovak language at the B1 level before starting their studies.

Foreign applicants, who have studied abroad, are admitted, only if they provide a decision on the recognition of the diploma issued abroad no later than the deadline for the enrolment (September 2023).
If the university issues diplomas after the enrolment date (after September) we do not recommend students that they submit an application, instead we recommend submitting it in the next academic year.

For more information check the following links:

https://www.minedu.sk/23276-sk/akademicke-uznavanie-dokladov-o-vzdelani-a-stupna-vzdelania/

https://www.slovensko.sk/sk/vyhladavanie?mod=search&q=uznanie+dokladu+o+vzdelani

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2. When to submit applications for a master´s program

In the period from March 23, 2023 to May 23, 2023 an applicant for a master´s program at AFAD will fill out and sent an electronic application which must be confirmed in the system.

3. Important dates of admissions process

• Applications submission from March 23, 2023 to May 23, 2023 
• Fee payment deadline May 23, 2023
• Files must be insterted in the storage from June 1, 2023 starting at 6.00 a.m. to June 20, 2023 at 8.00 a. m. (morning).
• Admissions interview before the committee on June 26, 2023

4. How to submit applications for a master´s program

An applicant for a master´s program at AFAD is allowed to apply for a maximum of two of the following study programs (they also specify a studio they are applying for!)- the applicant will pay the fee twice- will be invited to two interviews. The applicant can also enrol in two studios within one study program – the applicant will pay the fee only once.

Study programs and studios with the estimated number of admitted applicants:

Study Field: Fine Art

Study Program Visual Arts – 61

• Specialization – painting – 10
  Studio 3EAM
  Studio MAL+BY
  Fourth Studio
• Specialization – printmaking - 12
  Studio of Illustration and Printmaking
  Studio of Free and Color Printmaking
  Studio of Free Printmaking
• Specialization – photography - 10
  Studio Photography, Reality, Construct
  Studio of Photography
  Studio Photorgaphy and critical practice
• Specialization – digital arts – 3
  Studio – Guide to the Galaxy
• Specialization – intermedia – 10
  Studio of Intermedia
  Studio of Spatial Communications +
  Studio vvv (visual, verbal, public)
• Specialization – sculpture - 6
  Sculpture in architecture and 3D Virtual Space
  Studio of free sculpture
• Specialization – glass- ceramics- jewel - 10
  Studio of Ceramics
  Studio of Glass
  Studio S+M+L+XL – metal and jewel

Study Program Design – 36

• Specialization – design - 14
  Studio of Experimental Design
  Studio of Industrial Design
  Studio of Interior design
  Studio of Transport Design
• Specialization - textiles 10
  Studio of Fashion Design
  Studio of Fiber Design
  Studio of Textile Design in Space
• Specialization – Visual Communication- 12
  Studio Identity
  Studio Multimedia
  Studio Typo
  Studio Space

Study Program Architecture – 12

Studio of Architecture II.
Studio of Architecture III.
Studio Architexture: Body and Space
Virtual Studio

Study Program Conservation and Restoration – 15

Studio of Wooden Sculpture Conservation and Restoration
Studio of Stone Sculptures and Stone Elements of Architecture Restoration
Studio of Textile Conservation and Restoration
Studio of Artwork on Paper and other media Restoration
Studio of Photography Restoration
Studio of Painting Conservation and Restoration

Study Field: History and Theory of Fine Arts and Architecture

Study Program History and Praxis of the Contemporary Art - 9

The given numbers of admitted applicants are not binding.

Aplication Procedure

STEP 1:

Electronic application can be found:

• for AFAD students in AIS (in the left in the offer –Applicant´s Applications)
• for students from other schools on the AFAD web page:
• https://www.vsvu.sk/sk/prijimacie-pohovory/elektronicka-prihlaska/?v=LRJ8jJO2
• An applicant´s CV must be directly inserted in the electronic application

STEP 2:

Use this email address kozakova@vsvu.sk for sending the following attachments:

• A proof of payment of the fee for the admissions process (e.g. statement of payment from internet banking) – the fee must be paid no later than 23 May, 2023, when paying it is necessary to state a variable symbol, specific symbol and as a Message or Additional data – NAME and SURNAME of the applicant, otherwise the payment will not be matched.
• An electronic copy of the bachelor´s diploma, in case of a diploma issued abroad, it must be accompanied with an official Slovak translation (with the exception of Czech documents).
• An electronic copy of the diploma supplement or transcript of records with calculated weighted study average is required together with a transcript of records (applicants from other universities than AFAD request a transcript of records from the Study Office of their school) in case of a document issued abroad (with the exception of Czech universities) it must accompanied with an official Slovak translation or a diploma supplement translated into English.
• Foreign applicants, who have studied abroad, are admitted, if they provide a decision on the recognition of the diploma issued abroad no later than the deadline for the enrolment.

For more information check the following link:

https://www.minedu.sk/23276-sk/akademicke-uznavanie-dokladov-o-vzdelani-a-stupna-vzdelania/

https://www.slovensko.sk/sk/vyhladavanie?mod=search&q=uznanie+dokladu+o+vzdelani

STEP 3:

In the period between June 1, 2023  from 6 a. m. to June 20, 2023 to 8 a. m. an applicant shall insert files and other documents for an admissions process for a master´s program according to the requirements of individual study programs via web page:

• https://ulozisko.vsvu.sk/
• username, password and instructions will be sent to the applicant´s email address stated in the application on May 31, 2023.

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5. Fee

An applicant who submits 2 applications for different study programs will pay the fee twice - he will be interviewed twice. The applicant can also apply to two studios within one study program - the applicant pays the fee only once.

Applicants from Ukraine are exempted from paying admissions fees.

A fee of €25 must be paid via bank transfer using the following:

• IBAN: SK42 8180 0000 0070 0007 2516
• SWIFT: SPSRSKBAXXX
• Variable symbol: 648 003
• Specific symbol: six-digit number starting with 23 and followed by a four-digit number consisting of the application filing number, before which zeroes must be added. Example: application filing number is 345, so specific symbol will be 230345
• Additional information: applicant’s name and surname

In case of a foreign bank transfer it is required to state the following data:

• Account owner: Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Bratislava, Hviezdoslavo nám. 18, 81437 Bratislava, Slovak Republic
• Bank: ŠTÁTNA POKLADNICA (STATE TREASURY), Radlinského 32, 810 05 Bratislava, Slovakia
• SWIFT: SPSRSKBAXXX
• IBAN: SK42 8180 0000 0070 0007 2516
• Purpose of the payment: variable symbol 648 003
• Specific symbol: six-digit number starting with 23 and followed by a four-digit number consisting of application filing number, before which zeroes must be added. Example: application filing number is 345, so specific symbol will be 230345
• Additional information: applicant’s name and surname

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6. Admissions date and interview

The admissions interview will be conducted on June 26, 2023 between an applicant and admissions committee (either in person or online for foreign applicants requesting it). The admissions committee will evaluate not only the interview, but also an electronically sent portfolio with a motivation letter which will help them to verify the applicant´s individual skills and preconditions necessary for meeting independently and creatively requirements of the master´s programs at AFAD, their general knowledge of the field and level of thinking as well as their knowledge of art history and theory.

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7. Admissions process

In the period between June 1, 2023 from 6 a. m. to June 20, 2023 to 8 a. m. an applicant shall insert files and other documents for an admissions interview for a master´s program according to the requirements of individual study programs via web page:

• https://ulozisko.vsvu.sk/
• username, password and instructions will be sent to the applicant´s email address stated in the application on May 31, 2023.

Admissions process and admissions criteria for individual programs:

Visual Arts, Design, Architecture, Art Conservation and Restoration

The admissions process is to examine an applicant´s level of knowledge, talent, thinking, abilities and skills in terms of specific requirements resulting from the chosen master´s study program. The admissions process is evaluated by the admissions committee appointed individually by the Rector of AFAD for each study program.
The admissions committee will evaluate the applicant´s individual skills and preconditions necessary for meeting independently and creatively requirements of the master´s programs at AFAD, their general knowledge of the field and level of thinking as well as their knowledge of art history and theory.

Admissions process consists of:

• An applicant´s portfolio with annotations to works and individual projects (the portfolio must be submitted in the electronic form).
• A motivation letter specified according to study programs
• An interview with an applicant.

Each member of the admissions committee evaluates the portfolio, motivation letter and the interview by giving points between 0 – 5, the order of applicants is created on the basis of the sum of points from individual members of the committee. The results of the evaluation and the order of the applicants are submitted by the admissions committee to the Rector of AFAD who decides on the admission for the study program at AFAD. The applicant will receive the admissions decision in accordance with the law and AFAD regulations.

History and Praxis of the Contemporary Art

An applicant for the master´s program in History and Praxis of Contemporary Art can become a student of the chosen study program only by succeeding in the admissions process. If an applicant has completed a bachelor´s program i.e. first level study program in the field of Arts and Culture Studies as well as Fine Art, they can enrol in the admissions at AFAD following the required process. The admissions process includes an oral and written part of the exam which examines the interest of the applicant´s for the study program and field of study, it also tests their cultural overview as well as general knowledge of the theory and praxis in contemporary art, addressing topical themes in art and culture in the range of undergraduate studies.
The admissions committee is appointed by the Rector of AFAD. The committee takes into consideration an interview, written essay and its individual parts which will be assessed and graded by points as well as study results during the undergraduate studies.

Admissions process consists of:

• A written essay in the range of minimum 3 and maximum 5 standard pages with posted questions for the applicant (the essay is written in the electronic form)
• An interview with an applicant will be conducted either in person or online for foreign applicants requesting it. All the information will be sent to the applicant´s email address stated in their application in due time.

Each member of the admissions committee evaluates the written essay, and the interview by giving points between 0 – 5, the order of applicants is created on the basis of the sum of points from individual members of the committee. The results of the evaluation and the order of the applicants are submitted by the admissions committee to the Rector of AFAD who decides on the admission for the study program at AFAD. The applicant will receive the admissions decision in accordance with the law and AFAD regulations.

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8. Requirements of individual study programs

An applicant inserts a portfolio and other documents necessary for admissions process for a master´s program in one joint PDF format max. up to 10 MB marked as name_surname_study program (visual arts, design, architecture, art_conservation_and_restoration, history_praxis), portfolio with a motivation letter according to the requirements of individual study programs:

Visual Arts

specialization: digital arts, photography, printmaking, intermedia, painting, sculpture, glass, ceramics, jewel

• An applicant´s portfolio with short annotations to individual projects
• An applicant´s motivation letter which should include arguments supporting their reason to study in the particular studio and a brief summary of themes they would like to deal with during their master´s studies.
• CV

Design

specialization: Design, Textile Design, Visiual Communication

• An applicant´s portfolio with short annotations to individual works and their works related to the theme and topics you would like to address during their master´s studies.
• An applicant´s motivation letter which should include arguments expressing their reason to study in the particular studio and a brief summary of themes they would like to deal with during their master´s studies.
• CV

Architecture

• An applicant´s portfolio with short annotations (maximum of five sentences describing their submitted work)
• An applicant´s motivation letter which should include a brief summary of themes they would like to address during their master´s studies.
• CV

Art Conservation and Restoration

• An applicant´s portfolio:
  a) with photographic records of individual works it is required to state: title, medium, year of origin, size, name of the school or name of the teacher under whose guidance the work was realized (if it is a copy or the work was created during the preparatory course etc.) or it is a free artistic creation.
  b) with photographic records of restoration realizations it is required to list:1. label information which will include: title, location, material, technique, dating, artist, measurements, and name of the guarantor/restorer in charge;
  2. a short annotation covering: restoration purpose, brief summary of research results and a brief characteristic of the realized restoration. In case of a collective work, the exact scope of the applicant´s work should be stated.
• An applicant´s motivation letter which should include a brief summary of themes they would like to address during their master´s studies.
• CV

History and Praxis of Contemporary Art

• A written essay in the range of 3 to maximum 5 standard pages, in which they should express their opinion on the following areas:
  a) which art works they can relate to
  b) which books, including art-history or films about artists they have read or seen
  c) which exhibitions they have visited or they have remembered, what has made them interesting in an artistic or curatorial way.
  d) which fine artists, art periods or movements they would like to study about and why,
  e) how they view the purpose of the activity of an historian, theoretician or curator of the contemporary art in today´s world.
• CV

Recomended literature for admissions

• CHATELET, Albert. Ed. Svetové dejiny umenia – maliarstvo, sochárstvo, architektúra, úžitkové umenie. Praha, Ottovo nakladatelství 2004
• FOSTER, Hal – KRAUS, Rosalind – BOIS, Yves-Alain – BUCHLOH, Benjamin: Umění po 1900. Modernizmus, antimodernizmus, postmodernizmus. Praha: Slovart, 2007.
• NELSON, Robert, SHIFF, Richard (eds.): Kritické pojmy dejín umenia. Bratislava : N-CSU – Slovart, 2004.