Apply to MFA Programme in Photography

Portfolio instructions for the autumn semester 2025
 

• If you present projects or works in your portfolio that were created in collaboration with someone else, we ask that you briefly describe the collaboration and your own contribution.
• If you have used generative AI to create or process images, sound, or text in your artistic works or submitted work samples, we ask that you describe your use and your creative process.

Your application must be anonymous. Do not include your name or contact details anywhere in this material. Your application must be written in English. 

1. CURRICULUM VITAE (CV) – maximum 2 pages, pdf format. The 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 lite 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 please limit the duration of eventual videos to 15 minutes. Don't forget to indicate title, medium, dimensions, year of production and other relevant information for each uploaded work.

Portfolio assessment

• Technical skills and artistic ability
• Knowledge of the subject Photography and its contexts
• Ability to orally present, reflect and argue around their own choices (in the portfolio)
• Expected ability to utilize/learn from/make use of the programme 

Your work samples must meet the assessment criteria to be approved.

Submit your portfolio  

Submit your portfolio through our portfolio tool SlideRoom . 

SlideRoom closes at midnight (CET) on the day of deadline. When you have submitted your portfolio in time, you will receive a confirmation e-mail från SlideRoom. 

 
We recommend that you upload your material 24 hours before the deadline. Please note that it is not possible to submit your portfolio after the application deadline. 

Application, selection & admission  

Documentation of Bachelor's degree in photography, or other relevant field within art and design, of at least 180 credits or equivalent and English 6. 

Submit all documentation on universityadmissions.se that shows you fulfill the entry requirement. It is important that you submit complete documentation and follow the country specific guidelines carefully. More information: Provide application documents . 

If you submit incomplete documentation you will be considered unqualified. 

Selection and admission

All complete applications are assessed by a jury consisting of the Programme Director and representatives from the department.  

The work samples are evaluated as either approved or not approved. If your work samples are not approved, you will be considered unqualified for the programme. A selected number of applicants will move forward to a personal interview. You will be notified via the email address registered on universityadmissions.se if you are invited for an interview.

If you do not have a Bachelor's degree in Photography you may be eligible for an exemption. To qualify for an exemption, you must demonstrate your ability to benefit from the program through one or more of the following alternatives:

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

Please note that exemption is not granted for English 6.