History and Theory of Fine Art and Architecture

Conditions of admission

An applicant for a doctoral program at AFAD can become a student of the chosen study program only by succeeding in the admissions process. If the applicant has completed a master´s program i.e. second level study program, they can enrol in the admissions at AFAD following the required process and apply for one of the proposed dissertation topics.

An applicant for a topic in the study program of History and Theory of Fine Arts and Architecture may enrol immediately after completing their master´s program.

In case the admissions to AFAD are conducted prior to completing the master´s program, the applicant is admitted conditionally for the doctoral program. The final admission to study is conditioned by the successful completion of the second level study program. The applicant will submit a proof of completion of the second level study program within ten days after completing the second level study program yet no later than the date of enrolment for study i.e. in September 2024 they must prove that they have completed the first level of the study by submitting a verified copy of a master´s degree and diploma supplement.

An applicant for a doctoral program at AFAD is allowed to submit an application for a maximum of two study programs applying for one of the proposed dissertation topics (choosing either full-time or external form of study if offered) in the chosen study program. During the admissions process the applicant can apply for dissertation topics which will be posted by the AFAD Rector no later than two months prior to the date for the submission of applications for a doctoral program.

Additional information

Dissertation topic 1: Historicism as the only real method of design and architecture?

prof. PhDr. Zdenko Kolesár, PhD.

PhDr. Jan Michl

Design history is important for designers because design is by its nature a redesign. This would mean that every designer and architect is, strictly speaking, a historicist. What are the arguments for and against it?

Dissertation topic 2: Feminist Interpretations in Contemporary Fiber and Textile Art

prof. Ing. arch. Monika Mitášová, PhD.

This dissertation will explore contemporary feminist interpretations of textile and fiber art. The question is how feminist and gendered thought and practice interpret the processes and outcomes of making, exhibiting, and theoretical reflection on textile and fiber arts. Thus, the research will address both the interpretation of contemporary textile art in comparison to other art media and the diverse interpretive practices and strategies of emancipatory feminist, gender and queer approaches to textile and fiber arts.

Dissertation topic 3: Thinking and Writing about Design in Slovakia in the 20th and 21st Centuries

prof. Ing. arch. Monika Mitášová, PhD.

Mgr. Zuzana Panák Husárová, PhD.

The research will be devoted to searching, collecting, comparing and interpreting textual and visual sources (magazines, book series, audiovisual sources, publicly accessible databases) that document the development of design in Slovakia. Archival research and searches will allow reconstructing how individual authors have thought and written about design, its own development and its broader context in Slovakia in professional publications and magazines, as well as in the daily press. Equally important will be work with private, personal archives, both textual and pictorial. The framework will be the international context of design research and its intersection with the domestic situation.

Dissertation topic 4: Architectural and sculptural work of Dušan Kuzma

prof. PhDr. Marián Zervan, PhD.

The theme focuses on the work of an important Slovak architect, professor at the Academy of Fine Arts, which has been studied only in a fragmentary way so far. It requires the study of architectural press of the relevant period, archival materials, correspondence and architectural documentation in cooperation with the pupils of Dušan Kuzma and the Department of Architectural Design at AFAD.

 

Conditions for international students

All foreign applicants (with the exception of the Czech ones) must have a command of the Slovak language at the B1 level before starting their studies.

Foreign applicants, who have studied abroad, are admitted, only if they provide a decision on the recognition of the diploma issued abroad no later than the deadline for the enrolment (September 2024).

If the university issues diplomas after the enrolment date (after September) we do not recommend students that they submit an application, instead we recommend submitting it in the next academic year.

Check the following links for more information:

https://www.minedu.sk/23276-sk/akademicke-uznavanie-dokladov-o-vzdelani-a-stupna-vzdelania/

https://www.slovensko.sk/sk/vyhladavanie?mod=search&q=uznanie+dokladu+o+vzdelani

General information on the admission exam

The admissions process is to test an applicant´s individual skills and preconditions necessary for meeting independently and creatively requirements of the doctoral programs at AFAD. The admissions interview for a doctoral program is carried out before the admissions committee which is appointed by the AFAD Rector for each study program individually. The committee´s decision is influenced by the applicant´s range and quality of their artistic activity, publication activity as well as other activities related to the field of study (e.g. results in the artistic, scientific and scholar competitions)

The applicant may submit an application for both of following study programs:

• Fine Arts specialization: Fine Arts, Design, Architecture and Art Conservation and Restoration)
• History and Theory of Fine Arts and Architecture

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Step 1: In the period from April 3, 2024 to June 3, 2024 an applicant for a doctoral program at AFAD will fill out and sent an electronic application which will be posted on the AFAD web page

Electronic application can be found:

• for AFAD students in AIS (in the left in the offer –Applicant´s Applications)
• for students from other schools on the AFAD web page https://www.vsvu.sk/sk/prijimacie-pohovory/elektronicka-prihlaska/?v=LRJ8jJO2
• An applicant´s CV must be directly inserted in the electronic application

Step 2: Use the following email address kozakova@vsvu.sk for sending the following attachments:

• A proof of payment of the fee for the admissions process (e.g. statement of payment from internet banking) - the fee must be paid by June 3, 2024, when paying it is necessary to state a variable symbol, specific symbol and as a Message or Additional data – NAME and SURNAME of the applicant, otherwise the payment will not be matched.

Step 3:

n the period between June 11, 2024 from 12:00 am. – June 14, 2024 to 12:00 am an applicant shall insert a portfolio (applicants for Fine Arts programs) and further documents for an admissions process for a doctoral program via web page: https://ulozisko.vsvu.sk/ in the PDF format max. up to 100 MB:

• a CV and detailed account of artistic or publication activity and activities of artistic creation related to study programs.
• a brief proposal of the dissertation project, which has to be in accordance with the topic that the applicant has applied for.
• certificates of completed language exams (in case there are any)
• a copy of the second level study diploma. In case of an international diploma, the official translation into Slovak is required (with the exception of Czech schools)
• a copy of diploma supplement, or a transcript of records with calculated weighted study average which will be confirmed prior to the enrolment deadline by the Study Office of a particular university (applicants from other universities -not from AFAD) in case of a document issued abroad it must be accompanied with an official translation into Slovak no later than the enrolment date.
• foreign applicants, and applicants who studied abroad, will, in case of being admitted to AFAD, submit an official decision on the recognition of/diplomas/certificates issued internationally no later than the enrolment date

For more information check the following link:
Viac informácií: https://www.minedu.sk/23276-sk/akademicke-uznavanie-dokladov-o-vzdelani-a-stupna-vzdelania/

Information on doctoral programs is provided by the AFAD Study Department: 

Anna Valentínyová

Doctoral level study, Supplementary pedagogical study

02 5942 8512

doktor@vsvu.sk

Form of entrance exam

The admissions process of doctoral studies at AFAD includes an admissions interview, on the basis, of which the applicant´s individual skills and preconditions to meet requirements of doctoral studies at AFAD are examined.

Admissions interview consists of the following parts:

• a presentation of the artistic portfolio (relevant only for Fine Arts study programs, Fine Art, Design, Restoration, Architecture, Art Conservation and Restoration), or presentation of the publication portfolio (relevant for the study program History and Theory of Fine Arts and Architecture)
• a presentation of the project and dissertation topic
• a discussion with an applicant

Each member of the admissions committee evaluates the portfolio and artistic activities related to the study programs, project on the dissertation topic, discussion with an applicant based on the sum of points from individual members of the committee. The results of the evaluation and the order of the applicants are submitted by the admissions committee to the Rector of AFAD who decides on the admission for the study program at AFAD. The applicant will receive the admissions decision in accordance with the law and AFAD regulations.

The admissions condition and the course of the admissions procedure for doctoral studies are regulated in detail by the Internal Regulations on the Admissions Process at AFAD.

• Apply the application for study

  03.04.2024 - 03.06.2024

• Performance of the entrance exam

  25.06.2024 - 26.06.2024

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Anticipated number of applicants to be accepted
2


Additions

• CV (electronic form)
• (electronic form)
• (paper form, electronic form)
• (paper form, electronic form)
• (paper form, electronic form)
• (electronic form)
• (electronic form)

Annual tuition fees
Standard length of study: cost free
Study longer than the standard length of study program, parallel studies: 1000 €


The fee for admission procedure
application form: 40 €
E-application form: 40 €

Billing information

A 40 euro fee is to be paid via bank transfer:

• Account number - IBAN: SK42 8180 0000 0070 0007 2516
• SWIFT: SPSRSKBAXXX
• Variable symbol: 648 003
• Constant symbol: 0308
• Specific symbol: six-digit number starting with 24 and followed by a four-digit number consisting of the application filing number, before which zeroes must be added. Example: application filing number is 345, so specific symbol will be 240345
• Account owner: Vysoká škola výtvarných umení, Hviezdoslavovo nám. 18, 814 37 Bratislava, Slovenská republika
• Bank: ŠTÁTNA POKLADNICA Radlinského 32, 810 05 Bratislava, Slovakia

Always up-to-date news about university Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Bratislava on your email.
We will send you all the information about important events and deadlines.

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