University of the Arts Helsinki
Master of Arts in Directing
Helsinki, Finland
Master degree
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
21 Jan 2026*
EARLIEST START DATE
Aug 2026
TUITION FEES
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* Applications are open 7-21 January 2026
Key Summary
The two-year master’s programme in directing offers you a unique setting to develop your distinct characteristics and artistic practice as a director. The master’s studies are built around your individual research question. The studies both support and challenge you, as you develop your artistic thinking and skills. We offer you a learning environment that is both multidisciplinary and multi-faceted where peer learning plays a key role.
The student’s artistic work is a central part of directing studies, and the school’s professional production team and close relations with the professional field reinforce the student’s creative process. Students have the chance to collaborate with other degree programmes at the Uniarts Helsinki Theatre Academy, including programmes in design for the performing arts, lighting design, sound design and acting. The master-level courses combine theory and practice, giving rise to versatile and even surprising points of view that challenge and deepen the student’s artistic and critical thinking.
We offer students opportunities to build connections with other European students of directing.
Teachers
Our teachers are experienced experts in their field. In addition to the permanent teaching staff, the program welcomes top experts from both Finland and abroad as guests on a regular basis.
During your MA studies, you will seek out meaningful artistic premises for yourself, plan your artistic work, and set goals for it. You will evaluate your own theoretical thinking and artistic work in relation to the rest of the field, various theoretical philosophies, and the surrounding reality. You will develop your own approach to the production of art, strengthen your leadership skills in different contexts, and learn to work within various frameworks of artistic production.
Objectives
- Students deepen their knowledge and artistic skills in the art of theatre with their own interests as the starting point. They consciously and independently develop their own thinking and actions, sharing and reflecting on these with other students and teachers.
- Students develop their own artistic thinking and practice. They seek out meaningful artistic premises for themselves, plan their artistic work, and set goals for it.
- Through preparing performances and engaging in artistic research, students comprehend the nature and meanings of artistic knowledge. They form their own personal theory of art.
- Students evaluate their own theoretical thinking and artistic work in relation to the rest of the field, various theoretical models of thought, and the surrounding reality.
- Students develop their own approach to the production of art and their practical leadership skills in different contexts. They are able to function within various frameworks of artistic production.
Please visit the university website for more information.
Join our admissions chat on our Instagram @uniartshelsinki on 25 November, 5.30pm EET and find out more about applying to Uniarts Helsinki’s Theatre Academy.