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. Fee

5. Admissions date

6. Admissions process 

7. Admissions requirements of individual study programs

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Who can submit an application for a master´s program

An applicant for 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. 

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 date of enrolment for study i.e. in September 2021 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 2021).

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 link:

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

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

When to submit applications for a master´s program

In the period from March 24, 2021 to May 24, 2021 an applicant for a master´s program at AFAD will fill out and sent an electronic application.

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!) listed together with the estimated number of admitted applicants:

Study Field: Fine Art

Study Programs:

• Painting 8
• Printmaking and Other Media 12
• Photography and New Media 10
• Intermedia 10
• Sculpture, Object, Installation 8
• Applied Arts 8
• Design 14
• Textiles 10
• Visual Communication 12
• Architecture 12
• Restoration 10
• Study Field: Arts and Culture Studies
• History and Praxis of Contemporary Art 9

The given number of admitted applicants is not binding.

Procedure:

1. Step:

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 "On-line application"
• An applicant´s CV must be directly inserted in the electronic application

2. Step:

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 24 May, 2021, 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 translation into Slovak (with the exception of Czech documents).
• An electronic copy of the diploma supplement or transcript of records with calculated weighted study average (applicants from other universities (not from AFAD) is required together with transcript of records from the Study Department at their school), regarding the document issued abroad (with the exception of Czech universities) it must accompanied with an official translation into Slovak or diploma supplement in 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:

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

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

3. Step: 

In the period between June 6, 2021 from 6 am to June 20, 2021to 8 am an applicant shall insert files and other documents for an admissions process for 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, 2021.

Fee

A fee of €25 is to 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 21 and followed by a four-digit number consisting of the application filing number, before which zeroes are to be added.
• Example: application filing number is 345, so specific symbol will be 210345
• 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 21 and followed by a four-digit number consisting of application filing number, before which zeroes are to be added.
• Example: application filing number is 345, so specific symbol will be 210345
• Additional information: applicant’s name and surname

Admissions date

The admissions interview will be conducted from June 24 – June 25, 2021 between an applicant and admissions committee (either in person or online depending on the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic situation). The admissions committee evaluates not only the interview, but also an electronically sent portfolio with a motivation letter which help 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.

Admissions process

In the period between June 6, 2021 from 6 am to June 20, 2021 to 8 am an applicant shall insert files and other documents for an admissions interview for 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, 2021.

Admissions process and admissions criteria:

Painting, Printmaking and Other Media, Photography and New Media, Intermedia, Sculpture, Object, Installation, Applied Arts, Design, Textiles, Visual Communication, Architecture, Restoration

The admissions process is to test 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 not only the interview, but also an electronically sent portfolio with a motivation letter which help 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. The committee will also consider achievements from the bachelor´s program (weighed study average in this field).

Admissions process consists of:

• An applicant´s portfolio with annotations to works and individual projects (the portfolio is to be in the electronic form).
• A motivation letter/an applicant´s written essay required by certain study programs together with posted questions for the applicant.
• An interview with an applicant – the interview will be conducted face-to-face or online depending on the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic situation. The applicant will be informed in time via email, on the email address stated in the application.

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 Contemporary Art

An applicant for 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 tests 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 given points and simultaneously study results during the undergraduate studies are considered.

Admissions requirements of individual study programs

An applicant shall insert 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 (painting, printmaking, photography, intermedia, sculpture, app_art, textiles, vis_communication, architecture, restoration, history_praxis), portfolio with a motivation letter according to the requirements of individual study programs.

Painting

• An applicant´s portfolio
• An applicant´s motivation letter
• CV

Print Making and Other Media

• An applicant´s portfolio with annotations to works and individual projects
• A motivation letter and an applicant´s vision about the content of the master´s program
• CV

Photography and New Media

• An applicant´s portfolio with annotations to works and written introduction of the most representative projects
• An applicant´s motivation letter should include answers to the following questions:
  – explain why you have decided to study photography at master´s level of study and what photography means to you.
  – write what you expect from a master´s program at the Department of Photography and New Media of AFAD, and what themes you would like to deal with during your studies.
  – describe your vision, what you would like to achieve after completing your master´s program at the Department of Photography and New Media of AFAD.

Intermedia 

• An applicant´s portfolio with annotations to works and individual projects
• An applicant´s motivation letter
• CV

Sculpture, Object, Installation

• An applicant´s portfolio 
• An applicant´s motivation letter
• CV

Applied Arts

• An applicant´s portfolio with annotations to works and individual projects
• An applicant´s motivation letter which should contain a brief summary of themes they would like to address during their studies
• CV

Design 

• An applicant´s portfolio 
• An applicant´s motivation letter
• CV

Textiles

• An applicant´s portfolio with short annotations to works and individual projects
• An applicant´s motivation letter
• CV

Visual Communication

• An applicant´s portfolio:  your selection (between 15-20 works), should include only those works which are related to your previous study and work in graphic design and visual communication and your works related to the theme and scope of interest you want to deal with in the master´s level of study. 
• An applicant´s motivation letter should clarify the reason of their motivation for the study in a particular studio (Studio Type, Studio Identity, Studio Space, Studio of Multimedia-MediaLab) and the description of a key theme or scope of interest which they would like to deal with during their studies.
• CV 

Architecture

• An applicant´s portfolio with short annotations (maximum of five sentences to describe a work)
• An applicant´s motivation letter
• CV

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 preparation process 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 characteristics of restoration realization. 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. 
• CV

History and Praxis of Contemporary Art

• A written essay on 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 memorable in an artistic or curatorial way. 
  d) which fine artists, art periods or movements they would like to study 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.