BFA Programme in Metal Art
Summary
Explore metal as an artistic material and develop your craftsmanship and artistic voice in one of the world’s most inspiring environments for metal art. Train in forging, fabrication, welding, sheet metal forming, and casting in the world’s largest academic metal workshop at Campus Steneby in Dals Långed, Sweden. Exchange opportunities, internships, and electives allow you to tailor your studies to your artistic interests. No tuition fees are charged for EU/EEA citizens, Swedish residence permit holders, and exchange students.
About
Each year, we accept only six to eight students, creating a close and supportive learning environment with many opportunities for one-on-one tutoring. You’ll share workshop space with master’s students, fostering collaboration and peer learning. Through hands-on projects, you’ll explore materials and techniques while developing your own artistic expression in metal. The programme builds on your existing skills and interests and provides a foundation for further study, apprenticeships, or progression to our master’s programme in Metal Art.
A collaborative learning process within society
Working with public art means engaging directly with people and places. In one project, students collaborated with a local cemetery to redefine the idea of a memorial and explore new forms of remembrance. Other projects take place in town squares, public gardens, and parks – giving you the opportunity to present your work in real public contexts.
Hands-on exploratory learning and artistic expression
Our 1,200-square-metre metal workshop – the largest academic facility of its kind in the world – offers exceptional conditions for experimental and large-scale work. Here, you can explore metal art in both practical and conceptual ways: from public art projects with specific parameters to self-initiated sculptural work for exhibitions and galleries. The setting in Dals Långed, 170 kilometres north of Gothenburg, provides a unique combination of focus, community, and creative freedom.
Well-rounded coursework
You will study visual interpretation, communication, theory, and history together with students from other Applied Arts and Design programmes, gaining new perspectives and inspiration. Through lectures, visiting instructors, workshops, and field trips, you’ll connect practice to theory and broaden your artistic outlook.You will also have opportunities for national and international exchanges, competitions, and exhibitions – forming valuable networks for your future career. Our exchange partners include Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Hereford College of the Arts, and the Estonian Academy of Arts in Tallinn.
Discover the creative world of Metal Art Sweden — a platform showcasing student projects, exhibitions and research from HDK-Valand at Campus Steneby: metalartsweden.com
Get to know teachers and other staff at the Design and Crafts Steneby Unit.
Programme structure and content
During the first year, you focus on advancing your knowledge in machine and craft techniques, materials, and artistic expression. You’ll learn about the properties of metals, including less common materials such as stainless steel, copper, and aluminium, while developing your artistic voice and exploring how your ideas interact with social contexts.
The second year emphasises the relationship between the artist and the world around them. You’ll strengthen your artistic voice through discussions in the fields of art, craft, and design, and have the opportunity to participate in an exchange programme, choose elective courses, and gain greater freedom in project work.
In your third year, you’ll undertake an elective course focusing on public and social engagement or complete an individual internship. You’ll have the opportunity to present your results in public spaces, and project seminars will support you in preparing your final work. The spring term concludes with a 10-week thesis project and a graduation exhibition.
Who should apply?
Do you have an artistic background and want to deepen your practical skills in metal art?
Are you an experienced maker who wants to connect craft with artistic expression and theory?
Do you dream of showcasing your work in public and collaborating with other artists?
If you want to develop both your craftsmanship and your artistic voice – and begin your journey toward becoming a master artist – then apply for the bachelor’s programme in Metal Art.
Prerequisites and selection
Entry requirements
General entry requirements + approved work sample. Exceptions may be made for Swedish when the language of instruction is English.
Portfolio
Portfolio guidelines for the BFA programme in Metal Art.
Selection
The selection is based on an assessment of submitted work samples and a personal interview.
After graduation
Graduates receive a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Metal Art.
The programme provides a strong foundation for further study, apprenticeships, or progression to our master’s programme, where students develop a master piece that reflects their artistic identity. Both programmes encourage travel and exchange to gain new perspectives and inspiration from other artists and materials.
Facilities
Campus Steneby is a creative cultural and educational environment in Dals Långed, 170 kilometers north of Gothenburg.
In the workshop of 1200 square meters there are machines and equipment to enable you to work with different metals in larger formats. A selection of our machinery is forging hammers, drill press, vertical and horizontal band saws, lathes, mill, hydraulic shears, press brakes, plate roller, shrink/stretch, plasma cutters, English wheel, variety of welding methods, belt sanders etc.
Campus Steneby has it's own art gallery and library.
More information about facilities
Exchange opportunities
During the second year, you have the opportunity to do an exchange with another school through our international network.
