Apply to MFA Programme in Photography

Portfolio instructions 

• Your application must be written in English.  
• Your application must be anonymous. Do not include your name or contact details in your portfolio or texts.
• If you include projects or work in your portfolio created in collaboration with others, briefly describe the nature of the collaboration and your individual contribution.
• If you have used generative AI to create or process images, sound, or text we ask that you describe how you used it.

Your portfolio should include:  

1. CURRICULUM VITAE (CV) – 1 PDF, maximum 2 pages. 
   Your CV should include information on your previous education, exhibitions, projects, publications, grants and other experience you have acquired within the field of photography, visual arts and/or other relevant fields.
    
2. DESCRIPTION OF YOUR PRACTICE – maximum 4000 characters including spaces. 
   - State what subjects, themes or area of photography you are interested in. 
   - Describe your artistic process and / or method. 
   - Reflect on how your practice has developed over the last three years. 
   - Place your practice in relation to other artists / photographers / subjects in the field of visual art.  
    
3. LETTER OF INTENT – maximum 3000 characters including spaces.
   - Motivate your application to the MFA in Photography at HDK-Valand in relation to the profile of the programme. 
   -  What are your expectations on the programme, and are there any particular areas within your practice (practical and/or theoretical) you would like to develop? 
    
4. WORK SAMPLES – limited to 3–7 projects. Each project can consist of one or more images. You are free to upload any desired combination of video, sound, stills and text, but limit the duration of eventual videos to 15 minutes. Any videos beyond this limit will not be considered, as the jury will only review the first 15 minutes.
   
   Don't forget to indicate title, medium, dimensions, year of production and other relevant information for each uploaded work.

Submit your portfolio

• Submit your portfolio through SlideRoom. SlideRoom closes at midnight (CET) on the day of the deadline. You will receive a confirmation email from SlideRoom when you have submitted your portfolio.  
• You can start your application in SlideRoom at any time during the application period. You can save your progress, log out, and return later to finish.  
• We recommend uploading your materials at least 24 hours before the deadline. Please note that portfolios cannot be submitted after the application deadline. 

Assessment

Assessment criterias

• Technical skills and artistic ability
• Knowledge of the subject photography and its contexts
• Ability to in text present, reflect and argue around their own choice
• Expected ability to benefit from the programme.  

Your work samples must meet the assessment criteria to be approved. If your work samples are not approved, you will be considered unqualified for the programme. 

Interviews
The highest-ranked applicants will be invited to a digital personal interview. Invitations will be sent to the email address registered with universityadmissions.se/antagning.se. 

The final assessment is based on the application and the interview.

Documentation of Bachelor’s degree in Photography or other relevant field within art and design and English 6. 

Submit all required documents on universityadmissions.se / antagning.se showing that you meet the entry requirements.   

Note: If you have studied in Sweden you normally do not have to upload any documents. Make sure your merits are registered on “my pages”.  

• Ensure documents are complete and follow the country-specific guidelines.
• More information: Provide application documents  
• If you submit incomplete documentation, you will be considered unqualified.  
• If you do not have a BA degree in Photography or equivalent, you may apply for the assessment of prior learning (reell kompetens).  

Apply with prior learning (reell kompetens)

If you don't meet the formal entry requirements you may be considered eligible through the following:

• other relevant educational qualifications  
• relevant work experience or other practical experience
• relevant artistic skills and abilities

Submit official, certified documentation of your qualifications or experience on universityadmissions.se/antagning.se by the application deadline: 15 January.

Exemptions are not granted for the English language requirement (English 6).