The masterprogramme focuses on an in-depth examination of the students’ artistic practice. By means of reflection they advance their practice and relate it to the current as well as historical art context.
Factsheet
- Degree
- Master of Arts FHNW in Fine Arts
- Study mode
- Full-time
- Learning mode
- Onsite
- ECTS credits
- 120
- Next start
- 14.9.2026
- Duration
- 4 Semester
- Teaching language
- English (B2 or equivalent)
- Place
- Campus HGK Basel
- Stay abroad
- Possible
- Application fee
- CHF 200.- (incl. aptitude assessment and enrolment)
- Semester fee
- CHF 750 (CH); CHF 1.000 (EU); CHF 1.250 (Not-EU/EFTA)
At a glance
- Students engage deeply with their individual artistic practice and expand upon it in a reflective manner.
- The programme navigates the tension between experimentation, research, theory and critical self-reflection.
- Students' own artistic practice is placed in relation to the current and historical art context.
Raffaela Boss, It is the tragedy of loving. You can not love anything more than something you miss?, 2024, performance, Opening You Can Break a Rock With an Egg, Graduation Exhibition Bachelor and Master Institute Art Gender Nature HGK Basel FHNW, Kunsthaus Baselland, 2024
Photo: Christoph Bühler
Performance by Charlotte Horn, 2024, opening You Can Break a Rock With an Egg, Graduation Exhibition Bachelor and Master Institute Art Gender Nature HGK Basel FHNW, Kunsthaus Baselland, 2024
Photo: Christoph Bühler
Why study this?
Goals and benefits
Career prospects
Jorge Morocho, Unicorn Frappuccino, 2024; Lena Laguna Diel, La huida hacia adelante (A flight forward), 2024, installation view You Can Break a Rock With an Egg, Graduation Exhibition Bachelor and Master Institute Art Gender Nature HGK Basel FHNW, Kunsthaus Baselland, 2024
Photo: Christian Knörr
Kelly Tissot, Hurdle and locket, 2020, installation view Life, Love, Justice, diploma exhibition Institute Art Gender Nature, Kunsthaus Baselland, 2020
Foto: Christian Knörr
Preparations for the diploma exhibition (Marc Jonas Eichenberger), 2020
Foto: Christian Knörr
Contribution by students of Summer School #2 Phenomenal Ocean at The Current II Convening #2, in collaboration with TBA21–Academy, Venice
Photo: Enrico Fiorese
Structure and programme contents
The study programme
Study structure
Target audience
Infrastructure
Blog
Manuel Queiró, Wall, Wall, Well, Well, 2020, exhibition view Life, Love, Justice, diploma exhibition Institute Art Gender Nature HGK FHNW, Kunsthaus Baselland, 2020
Photo: Christian Knörr
Sophie Yerly, The Last Picture 1950–2016 (2019), 2019, Manuel Guldimann, For The Hobby Heart, 2019. Exhibition view I-Hood, Kunsthaus Baselland, 2019
Photo: Christian Knörr
Michael Etzensperger, MIAMI, 2019, Spider, 2019, Installation view I-Hood, Kunsthaus Baselland, 2019
Photo: Christian Knörr
Svenja Schennach, Durch-triebe-n (both stumbling and transforming), 2019, performance at the opening, I-Hood, Kunsthaus Baselland, 2019
Photo: Christian Knörr
International
International Office
Exchange programmes offer students and staff the opportunity to network and develop both within Switzerland and internationally. The Basel Academy of Art and Design FHNW maintains partnerships and accredited agreements with universities and academies in Switzerland and abroad.
Programme Head & Lecturers
Contact
Quinn Latimer
Studiengangleiterin Master Fine Arts
- Phone
- +41 61 228 40 77 (Central office)
- quinn.latimer@fhnw.ch
Lysann König, Songs for Two Suns, 2019, performance at the Women on Earth Master Symposium, October 2019
Photo: Institute Art Gender Nature (IAGN)
Women on Earth, Master-Symposium, Chus Martínez, Rosella Biscotti, Sophie Jung, Quinn Latimer, Agnes Meyer-Brandis, October 2019
Photo: Christian Knörr
Summer School #2 Phenomenal Ocean, in collaboration with TBA21–Academy, Ocean Space, Venice
Photo: Enrico Fiorese
Requirements and admission
Admission requirements
Information of the aptitude assessment + dates + study regulations
FAQ online registration
Alessandro Schiattarella, Permeabile, 2020, Performance, Life, Love, Justice, Diploma Exhibition Institute Art Gender Nature, Kunsthaus Baselland, 2020
Photo: Christoph Bühler
Sonja Lippuner, Falter, wide awake, 2019. Exhibition view I-Hood, Kunsthaus Baselland, 2019
Photo: Christoph Bühler
Installation of the diploma exhibition, 2020
Photo: Christian Knörr
Womxn in Motion, Master Symposium, performance by Isabel Lewis, 2020
Photo: Jennifer Merlyn Scherler
Organisational matters
Additional study fees
Cooperations
Womxn in Motion, Master Symposium, Isabel Lewis, Sonia Fernández Pan, October 2020 
Womxn in Motion, Master Symposium, Sonia Fernández Pan, Lynne Kouassi, Isabel Lewis, Sadie Plant, Quinn Latimer, Chus Martínez, 2020
Photo: Jennifer Merlyn Scherler
Advising and information events
Contact
Quinn Latimer
Studiengangleiterin Master Fine Arts
- Phone
- +41 61 228 40 77 (Central office)
- quinn.latimer@fhnw.ch
Team Institute Art Gender Nature (IAGN)
- Phone
- +41 61 228 40 77 (Central office)
- info.iagn.hgk@fhnw.ch
Information events
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Registration
Thank you for your interest in studying at the Basel Academy of Art and Design. The application deadline for a Master's degree programme beginning in the fall semester 2026/27 has expired on March 15, 2026. The next application window for the fall semester 2027/28 opens on November 1, 2026.
Fine ArtsSeptember 2026
- Date
- 14.9.2026
- Duration
- 4 Semester
- Place
- Campus HGK Basel
- Application start
- 1.11.2025
- Final application date
- 15.3.2026
Fine ArtsSeptember 2027
- Date
- 20.9.2027
- Duration
- 4 Semester
- Place
- Campus HGK Basel
- Application start
- 1.11.2026
- Final application date
- 15.3.2027
Campus HGK Basel
FHNW University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland
Basel Academy of Art and Design
Freilager-Platz 1
4142 Münchenstein near Basel