Admissions

MA PROGRAMME ADMISSION INFORMATION

Applications for entry in the 2025/26 academic year will open on 1 February 2025.

Click here to begin the application process via DreamApply (for international students) or SAIS (for applicants who have obtained a previous degree in Estonia ).

The admission deadline for international applicants is 3 March 2025, midnight EET.

Admission interview will be held on 26-27 March 2025.

WHO CAN APPLY?

Application candidates for the MA in Graphic Design program are expected to be self-motivated, able to work independently, question and further develop their practice, and show concern for issues and ideas which engage social, cultural and political contexts. Those who have studied a discipline outside of graphic design are encouraged to apply, but are expected to have an aptitude for critical inquiry and the ability to engage with design ideas at a high level. Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

NB! All the required documents, including the English language proficiency certificate, have to be submitted with the application by 3 March 2025.

— Application (submitted via Dream Apply/SAIS between 01.02–03.03.2025)

— 80€ application fee (paid via bank transfer)

— Copy of your bachelor’s degree certificate or equivalent, and its translation into Estonian or English (both the copy and translation have to be attested)

— Copy of your transcript of records, and its translation into Estonian or English (both the copy and translation have to be attested)

— English language proficiency certificate, please check the requirements HERE

— Copy of the data page of your passport or ID-card

— CV (maximum 2 pages in length, submitted as a PDF document)

— Digital portfolio should meet the following requirements:

1. Digital PDF format, maximum 60 Mb;
2. Include 10–15 projects, with each project supported by a selection of 4–6 images and 50 word description;
3. This can include a mix of professional commissions, self-initiated work, BA projects, unrealized and in-progress work, teaching/organizing, or projects from within other fields (where relevant);
4. If including video work, use still-frames for the PDF, with an external link to the video;
5. The PDF should be well organized, designed, and easy to follow.

— Admissions Questions

Please answer each of the following questions (important: respect the maximum character length to ensure your application is given equal consideration), submitted as a PDF document:

1. Introduce yourself, your background, and level of experience with graphic design. (800 characters max)
2. Which practitioners, projects, exhibitions, artworks, films, or texts have had a particular impact on your thinking about graphic design, and why? (800 characters max)
3. What is your reason to consider applying for this MA in particular? Are there any specific skills, methods or forms of knowledge you are looking for which have not been previously accessible to you, and how might the program be able to provide you with support? (2,000 characters max)
4. What does publishing mean to you in the context of graphic design, and how do you see it as a valuable tool within the field? Could you share your own experiences with it? (800 characters max)
5. How do you understand the idea of an ‘expanded view of graphic design’ as it relates to your own set of interests? How do the tools and skills of graphic design contribute to the further development of those interests while studying in the program? (2,000 characters max)

INTERVIEW

The applications will be reviewed by a jury and selected candidates for interviews will be announced a few days before the day of the interview. All interviews will take place via ZOOM.

The interview with the jury will focus on the motivations for studying, expectations of the program, and discussions around previously made projects which are relevant to these topics.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

During the interview the jury will assess if the applicant:

— is self-motivated and can work independently;

— can articulate their intentions and defend their work;

— shows the capacity for continued growth and development of their practice;

— can have a positive impact on the program environment (i.e. working with classmates);

— is analytical and shows concern for ideas and issues outside graphic design.

The following aspects of the portfolio are assessed:

— Projects consider the relationship between form and content;

— Completed projects are produced with attention, care and quality;

— Shows a mix between professional commissions and self-initiated or personal projects;

— Clear presentation and articulation about the works.