Aalto University

Nordic Master in Visual Studies and Art Education (NoVA), Master of Arts (Art and Design)

Structure of studies

Nordic Master in Visual Studies and Art Education (NM NoVA) is a double degree programme 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, students 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.

As a double degree programme, students spend one year in each degree awarding university. This means that students beginning their studies at Aalto University will spend the second year of their studies at Aalborg University and vice versa. All graduating students receive two degrees: one from Aalto and one from Aalborg. All students admitted to NM NoVA must commit themselves to this one-year mandatory mobility.

NM NoVA offers a mix of problem-based and student-centred, hands-on experience with theoretical and practical studies in art, education, digital communication, and entrepreneurship. The key content areas of NM NoVA studies are:

• Visual and Digital Culture and Communication Developed in the Nordic region
  Students explore creative and critical approaches to design and art making, coupled with a deep responsibility for openness, caring, and equality. Students learn about social and cultural competences in ICT & online communication and engage in developing creative approaches to online education.
• Contemporary Approaches to Nordic Art Education and Learning
  Students learn about Nordic approaches to art and education, specifically emphasizing democracy, egalitarianism, socially just pedagogical skills and practices, human rights, and social and cultural sustainability
• Project management, Administration, and Entrepreneurship
  Students acquire skills in project management, administration, finance, and entrepreneurship in cultural and educational contexts. Students engage with project-driven and problem-oriented teaching as well as collaborative and participatory learning.

These areas of study are integrated in joint courses (both online and in person) between Aalto University and Aalborg University and in project modules where students work with external stakeholders and partners.

The program is open for international students.

Specialisations

The first year of studies is relatively similar for all NM NoVA students. When beginning their second year of studies in the partner university, students may choose from the following three study tracks:

Internship: In this study track, students spend most of the second fall semester in an internship and use the internship as the basis for their thesis work. This track suits students who are interested in developing context-specific expertise in art, education, digital communication, and/or entrepreneurship.

Visual Project: In this study track, students use the second fall semester to combine short internship with elective courses. This might mean, for example, organizing workshops or social media practices to test out their educational, artistic, communicational, or entrepreneurial ideas that the student examines further in their thesis. This track suits students who are interested in emerging theories and practices in art, education, information studies, and entrepreneurship.

Theoretical Project: In this study track, students utilize the second fall semester to further develop the theoretical framework of their thesis by working with relevant faculty projects. This study track suits for students interested in continuing their studies in doctoral education.

Internationalisation

As a double degree Nordic Master, international collaboration and cooperation is a significant part of NM NoVA education. NM NoVA’s student body consists of students from Aalto University and Aalborg University and most of the major specific studies are co-taught between these two universities, both online and in person. In addition, NM NoVA includes a compulsory mobility during the second year of the studies, during which students at Aalto study at Aalborg either by doing an internship, a visual project, or a theoretical project in Denmark and vice versa. Students admitted to NM NoVA must be able to conduct this compulsory mobility.

NM NoVA graduates will have strong intercultural understanding, experiences, and knowledge of educational, digital communication, and cultural practices and theories in Nordic countries. This cross-cultural study offers work opportunities both nationally and internationally in different art, educational, and visual communicational areas, institutions, organisations, communities, art and culture projects, and companies. Students may direct themselves toward teaching, producing, designing, guidance and consultant tasks on different levels of schooling, or in the fields of art and visual and media culture, social sectors and corporate life. Please note that the degree alone does not qualify as teacher competency as it is not a teacher training program.