MFA/MA in Studio Art

The MFA (2 years, 4 semesters) provides an immersive education in the development of professional practice as an artist. As an MFA graduate you will produce a final exhibition, the quality of which will show that you have gained the knowledge and skills necessary to survive and thrive as a practicing artist. You will also develop your capabilities for critical enquiry in the field of fine art through a written dissertation, demonstrating your ability to evaluate your work through an informed grasp of the social, cultural and theoretical concerns shaping discourse on contemporary fine art research and practice.

The MA (1 year, 3 semesters) provides a masters-level education in art appropriate to a diverse range of applications. As an MA graduate you will produce a final exhibition, the quality of which will demonstrate that you have acquired a masters-level in artistic practice. Whereas the MFA requires the completion of a written thesis, in the MA you will also complete modules in critical enquiry, in order to develop your ability to evaluate your work through an informed grasp of the social, cultural and theoretical concerns, and will be required to create an Artist Statement in conjunction with your final exhibition.

The PG Dip (1 year, 2 semesters) aims to provide students with a postgraduate education in the subject with credit that recognizes their level of attainment through study.

Studio Research forms the core of the MFA and MA and is comprised of studio-based individual mentoring and rigorous group critiques. Studio Research modules provide for studio-based experimentation and innovation, leading to the production of a substantial body of work. Historical & Critical Studies modules engage you in intensive critical discourse on contemporary art. Professional Studies modules facilitate the development of the personal, conceptual, technical and organisational skills necessary for professional practice as an artist. They are delivered through seminars, symposia and educational visits to Dublin, London and Berlin.

Course Structure

Year 1, Semester 1
Studio Research 1 : Introduction to Art Research Methods, 20 ECTS
Professional Studies 1 : Introduction to Professionalism, 5 ECTS
Historical & Critical Studies 1 : Bridging Theory and Practice, 5 ECTS

Year 1, Semester 2
Studio Research 2 : Refinement and Coherence of Enquiry and Practice, 20 ECTS
Professional Studies 2 : Student Selected Project, 5 ECTS
Historical & Critical Studies 2 : Formalising Research, 5 ECTS

TOTAL FOR PGDip IN STUDIO ART 60 ECTS

Year 1, Semester 3, Summer Term, For MA in Studio Art only
Studio Research Project : The MA Exhibition, 30 ECTS
A studio-based, independent studies module for students seeking to graduate with the award of MA.  Students develop a body of work for exhibition supported by a written Artist’s Statement.

TOTAL FOR MA IN STUDIO ART : 90 ECTS

Year 2, Semester 3
Studio Research 3 : Working Towards an Exhibition, 20 ECTS
Professional Studies 3 : Organising and Publicising an Exhibition, 5 ECTS
Historical & Critical Studies 3 : The Dissertation, 5 ECTS

Year 2, Semester 4
Studio Research 4 : The MFA Exhibition, 20 ECTS
Professional Studies 4 : Exhibition Installation, 5 ECTS
Historical & Critical Studies 4 : The Position Statement, 5 ECTS
TOTAL FOR MFA IN STUDIO ART : 120

Through our relationship with University of Galway, our postgraduate students will register both with the University and at Burren College of Art.  Final transcripts and the certificate of completion (diploma) will be issued by University of Galway.  

These courses meet international standards with regard to coursework requirements, content hours, and faculty standards necessary to achieve the MFA/MA in Studio Art. The MFA/MA/PGDip is accredited by University of Galway and is recognized as a Level 9 Master degree, Level 7 Major, by the Irish Register of Qualifications (QQI) HERE, HERE and HERE

On completion of the MFA or MA, students are eligible to apply to progress on to the PhD in Studio Art with supervisor/faculty approval. Completion of the PGDip may allow students to progress on to complete the MFA or MA.

Career Paths:

• College-level teaching positions
• Curatorial or administrative roles in galleries or museums
• Career as a professional artist
• Progression to practice-based MPhil or PhD

While the emphasis in our teaching methods is not industry-focused, students are given the skills to prepare their portfolios and profiles to exhibit as professional artists.

Our Professional Practices modules also prepare students for curating and installing exhibitions, either collaboratively or as solo artists.  Students also learn promotional and marketing tools, as well as how to create a budget for exhibiting their work.

Graduates have gone on to further research at PhD level and have acquired positions as lecturers and researchers in third level institutions. Graduates have also founded their own arts organizations and DIY gallery exhibitions.  Many are working as professional artists who regularly exhibit their work internationally.