BFA Programme in Metal Art

The aim of the programme is to provide a foundational academic education within Craft with specialisation in Metal Art.

The program is designed for those who want to strengthen their artistic identity using metal as their primary material. The student develops a broad knowledge of metal and various techniques such as blacksmithing, fabrication, and casting. The meanings and possibilities of the local context in terms of craft practices, use of resources and sustainability are highlighted and problematised. The courses are directed towards diverse contexts with an exploratory, creative, and reflective approach. The students work in gallery, private and public spaces, showcasing their work and building their careers. The student learns to promote their artistic identity through digital media such as social media, video, and photo. 

The program prepares the student for professional work in the artistic field of metal and equips them to meet contemporary and future challenges.

The program prepares for further studies at the second cycle.

Degree of Bachelor of Fine Arts in Craft with Specialisation in Metal Art.

(Konstnärlig kandidatexamen i konsthantverk med inriktning Metallgestaltning)

The programme is divided into courses that are specific to Metal Art, courses that are common to all BFA programmes at Campus Steneby, and programme courses that are elective within the department.

• Programme-specific courses totaling 97,5 credits, including a Bachelor's degree project of 30 credits.
• Common courses totaling 67,5 credits
• Elective programme courses totaling 15 credits.

The curriculum is designed based on knowledge, skills and competence objectives, emphasising the student's development of an exploratory approach, self-directed learning, and self-assessment.

Presentation, documentation, and self-evaluation are considered important parts of the learning process. The responsibility of students for their own learning, and the search and evaluation of knowledge is emphasised. The progress of studies is monitored through semester reports, semester presentations, and individual development discussions.

During the first two years, studies are largely project-based, where technical, material, and functional requirements are related to design problems, various contexts, and sustainability. As students acquire new knowledge, skills, and approaches, progressively higher requirements are placed on analysis and depth, as well as planning and executing projects within given time frames.

The third year allows for internships, collaborative projects, and the completion of self-formulated exploratory projects.

During the first semester the studies are largely focused on training in technique and methodology, with an emphasis on artistic expression and an exploratory approach. Students are introduced to how historical perspectives can shape their own choices and how local resources can influence their design work.

During the second semester students develop their individual expression in relation to the craft context. Based on self-formulated questions, students conduct an exploratory project.

A common course on artistic processes and methods further develops skills in investigating, producing, and documenting artistic ideas. Historical and contemporary perspectives are further investigated, enabling students to work with future scenarios related to artistic craft practices.

During the third semester students take a common course on exhibition methodology, which includes both physical and digital presentation formats, as well as the development of an artistic portfolio.

Students will take an elective course that is offered by the department and which complements their programme specific learning.

In the programme-specific course, the design of space and place is explored concerning interaction, function, and the tradition of metal art.

During the fourth semester, students take a second elective course offered by the department.

In the programme-specfic courses students explore a context that offers ritual and the opportunity to remember. Students contribute objects that support the needs of the context. The ability to formulate their artistic questions and place them in a context with the help of references is practiced and deepened. By participating in an elective course, students broaden their competence.

During the fifth semester, students apply their skills in societal and professional contexts with a strong focus on work experience and collaboration. Students choose whether to undertake an internship or take the course Design and Craft in a Sociocultural Environment. Students who choose the internship course, are offered support in establishing contacts with suitable practices and organisations through an existing collaboration with Mötesplats Steneby, as well as through contacts made during study visits in previous semesters. Both options aim to further contribute to the knowledge needed in the development of practical and theoretical skills required for the thesis work undertaken during the sixth semester. At the end of semester five, students will have developed a project description for a Bachelor's thesis project.

During the sixth semester, students complete an in-depth artistic degree project within Metal Art. Students will also present their degree project in a public context. Upon completion of the course, students are expected to hold the skills required for continued independent work within their professional artistic field.

About exchange studies

During semesters 3 and 4, the programme welcomes incoming exchange students, subject to availability.

In semester 4, students in the programme have the opportunity to participate in exchange studies after applying to one of the department's partner universities.

About elective programme courses within the department
Educational programmes offered at the department include compulsory elective programme courses. These courses aim to offer complementary education in artistic practices in addition to the programmes' subject specialisations. The range of elective courses provides opportunities for the student to broaden their knowledge and develop their skills and abilities. Within the elective courses, students meet across department subjects. Students apply for the elective courses based on an annual course offering.

The studies are divided into the following courses:

Year 1

Semester 1

Metal Art 1, 15 credits

Core Skills 1: Explorative Sketching and Documentation,7.5 credits

Crafts and Design: Histories and Futures 1, 7.5 credits

Semester 2

Metal Art 2, 15 credits

Core Skills 2: Artistic Processes and Methods, 7.5 credits

Crafts and Design: Histories and Futures 2, 7.5 credits

Year 2

Semester 3

Metal Art 3, 15 credits

Core Skills 3: Meeting Publics, 7.5 credits

Elective Course (department level course offering), 7.5 credits

Semester 4

Metal Art 4, 22.5 credits

Elective Course (department level course offering), 7.5 credits

Year 3

Semester 5

Internship Course (elective at the programme level), 15 credits

Design and Craft in a Sociocultural Environment (elective at the programme level), 15 credits

Exploratory Preparation for Bachelor's Degree Project in Craft or Design, 15 credits

Semester 6

Bachelor’s Degree Project in Craft with Specialisation in Metal Art, 30 credits

General outcomes for Degree of Bachelor in Fine Arts

According to Higher Education Ordinance (see SFS 1993:100, System of Qualifications, Annex 2):

For a Degree of Bachelor in Fine Arts the student shall

Knowledge and understanding

• demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the principal field (main field of study), including knowledge of the practical and theoretical foundation of the field, knowledge and experience of methods and processes in the field as well as specialised study within the field.

Competence and skills

• demonstrate the ability to describe, analyse and interpret design, techniques and content as well as to reflect critically on their artistic approach and that of others in the main field of study

• demonstrate the ability in the main field of study to create, realise and express their own ideas, identify, formulate and solve artistic and creative problems autonomously and to undertake artistic tasks within predetermined time frames

• demonstrate the ability to present and discuss their works and artistic issues in speech, writing or in other ways and in dialogue with different audiences, and

• demonstrate the competence and knowledge required to work autonomously in a professional capacity.

Judgement and approach

• demonstrate the ability to make assessments in the main field of study informed by relevant artistic, social and ethical issues

• demonstrate insight into the role of art in society, and

• demonstrate the ability to identify the need for further knowledge and ongoing learning.

Local Objectives

For a Degree of Bachelor in Fine Arts in Craft with Specialisation in Metal Art the student shall in addition be able to:

• make assessments within the field of Craft with regard to sustainability issues
• identify opportunities for a craft practice connected to a local context.

This programme syllabus (GU 2024/2008) applies to students admitted to the programme from the Autumn semester 2025.

Students who have begun the programme before the Autumn semester 2025 and have unfinished courses according to the older version of the programme syllabus have the right to complete these through additional examinations, at most two years after the courses have been changed or discontinued.

Students who thereafter still have unfinished older courses may complete the programme according to the current programme syllabus and course structure. An individual study plan for the remaining parts of the programme may be required.

Language of instruction is English.

Materials and certain workshop costs are covered by the student.

The workshops provide basic techniques for a variety of materials. Beyond this, students may need to supply materials, tools, and equipment on their own.

Software and digital services that are not provided by the university are at the student's expense.

Additional costs for travel, study visits, and shipping may apply.

The study programme will be followed up and evaluated in accordance with the applicable Policy for the Quality assurance and Quality Development of Education at the University of Gothenburg.

A student who follows the programme at the regular pace is guaranteed admission to the courses within the programme. Guaranteed admission at University of Gothenburg consists of two kinds, it can be general or limited.

The programme applies a limited guaranteed admission to the elective programme courses, which means that it is not possible to guarantee admission according to the student’s ranking order of selected elective courses. However, the student is always guaranteed admission to one of the elective courses given at the department the current semester.