MA Craft Studies

The MACraft Studies programme is a full-time postgraduate Master of Arts (MA) programme offered by the Estonian Academy of Arts (EKA) in Tallinn, Estonia. The programme has a nominal duration of 2 years (120 ECTS) and is taught entirely in English.

The Craft Studies MA programme was developed in response to the need for new making practices and approaches to material engagement that address contemporary challenges and future worlds. It takes a broader approach to craft and moves beyond conventional understandings of design, applied arts, handwork, and DIY.

Programme Approach

The programme focuses on developing new ways of understanding and working with materials. It promotes an attitude of care and nurture towards the environment and the process of shaping materials.

Studies are highly individualised, allowing students to develop their work according to their own interests, approaches, and pace. Students receive guidance from studio advisors connected to the academy’s established craft departments, including:

• Ceramics
• Glass
• Jewellery and Blacksmithing
• Textile
• Accessories and Bookbinding
• Fashion

Individual and Collective Study

An important part of the Craft Studies pedagogy is collective nomadic fieldwork. The programme encourages students to develop creative practices in which practical fieldwork and hands-on making are closely connected.

The programme brings together different craft disciplines within a broader material-oriented philosophy. Students are equipped with tools and approaches for thinking and writing about the material world and their own professional practice.

Contemporary Craft and Material Practice

Craft Studies aims to reconsider the role of the hand and making by combining traditional and contemporary approaches. Students are encouraged to explore new possibilities for craft and develop practices that respond to contemporary issues.

The programme also seeks to imagine future forms of craft practice by creating and publishing new narratives through:

• Public presentations
• Exhibitions
• Written work

Admission Requirements

Applicants must have an undergraduate diploma or higher. Applicants graduating in summer 2026 who cannot submit their final diploma and transcript before the deadline must submit their latest transcript showing current grades together with written confirmation from their educational institution that the final documents will be issued no later than 30 June.

Educational documents are accepted in English or Estonian. If documents are in another language, translations into English or Estonian are required, and both the original-language copies and translations must be attested.

English Language Requirements

Applicants must provide proof of English proficiency unless they qualify for one of the stated exemption conditions.

EKA accepts several international English-language qualifications, including:

• TOEFL ITP: minimum 543
• TOEFL iBT: minimum 72
• IELTS Academic or Indicator: minimum 5.5, with at least 5.5 in each component
• FCE (Cambridge English: First): minimum B2 result of 160
• CAE (Cambridge English: Advanced): C1 level
• CPE (Cambridge English: Proficiency): C2 level
• PTE Academic: minimum 59
• International Baccalaureate: final English grade of at least 5 under the specified programmes
• European Baccalaureate: positive final English examination result under the specified conditions

Specified English state examinations from Estonia, Finland, and Latvia are also accepted under the stated minimum requirements.

Language certificates are accepted for up to two years after their issue date.

English Requirement Waiver

The English proficiency test may be waived when the applicant meets the specified conditions. These include having completed secondary education, a bachelor’s or master’s degree fully in English in an eligible EU/EEA country or in the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, or the United Kingdom, while residing in that country during the studies.

A waiver may also apply to applicants who completed at least one academic year as a full-time student, obtaining a minimum of 45 ECTS with positive results, in English at a higher education institution in one of the specified countries.

Portfolio Requirement

A relevant digital portfolio is required for admission.

The portfolio must:

• Be submitted in PDF format
• Be no larger than 40 MB
• Contain no more than 10 projects
• Include short descriptions of the projects
• Present video works through working web links if the portfolio contains video material

The portfolio assessment considers the clarity of presentation, quality and characteristics of previous work, positioning of creative work within the field, and the applicant’s ability to analyse and conduct independent work processes.

Portfolios are evaluated by the admissions committee, and passing the portfolio round is required before proceeding to the interview round.

Required Application Documents

Applicants are required to submit:

• Bachelor’s degree certificate or equivalent
• Transcript of records
• English language proficiency certificate
• Passport or ID-card data-page copy
• CV
• Digital portfolio
• Completed questionnaire

The questionnaire asks applicants to discuss their creative practice, analyse topics that interest them, explain their understanding and experience of craft, describe potential thesis research themes, identify inspirations, explain their expectations of the MA programme, describe what they could contribute to the programme, identify a potential first-semester studio advisor, explain why they chose the Estonian Academy of Arts, and state how many MA programmes they are applying to.

Assessment and Interview

Applicants are assessed through their questionnaire, digital portfolio, and interview.

The questionnaire assessment focuses on:

• Written self-expression
• Analytical skills
• Clarity of argumentation
• Presentation of ideas
• Ability to initiate critical and engaging discussion
• Awareness of relevant ideas and topics within the field
• Understanding of cross-disciplinary relationships

The interview considers the submitted application materials and determines the final examination result. Interview assessment includes the applicant’s ability to present and formulate ideas, argue effectively, position their knowledge and skills, demonstrate interest in topics beyond their speciality, and show suitability for the planned studies, study environment, and methodologies of EKA.

The interviews were scheduled for 16–17 March, with individual interview times communicated to candidates through DreamApply.

Tuition and Application Fee

The tuition fee for MACraft Studies is €3,000 per year.

An €80 one-time application fee is also required. The application fee is non-refundable.

Study Location and Start Date

The programme is offered at the Estonian Academy of Arts in Tallinn, Estonia. Studies commence on 31 August.

The source states that the application period has ended.