Fine Arts

Fine Arts Postgraduate

The academic field is centred on research in fine art and visual culture in general and studio practice. The former allows researchers to explore and challenge the established aesthetics as well as formal and conceptual principles in fine art, art theory, art history and visual culture. This includes research on visual arts, manuscripts, tangible and intangible material culture, visual communication (photography), photo-media, fibre art, textile materials and applied arts and crafts. While studio practice is designed to engage visual artists in independent research that constitutes an original contribution to the understanding of contemporary visual arts in the form of speculative inquiry. This would indulge the artist in a critical and intellectual academic discourse on the proposed research topic. Central to the program is a balance between studio practice and the conceptual and theoretical concerns that underpin artistic research. Candidates will undertake a major project that culminates in an exhibition to present their work for assessment, together with a thesis that includes visual documentation and research of the studied topic. They may work with installation, sculpture, photo-media, drawing, printmaking and other object-based artistic practice, where the utilization of natural resources and recycled material are encouraged.

Areas of Specialization

Admission Requirements

MA (Fine Arts)

Applicants should possess the following:

A. Bachelor's degree in related area

1. CGPA of at least 2.75 / 4.00; or

2. CGPA between 2.50 - 2.74 with the following additional conditions: or

a) Research experience for at least one year; or
b) Work experience in related field for at least one year; or
c) At least one (1) academic publication in the relevant field; or
d) Grade B for major / elective courses; or
e) Grade B+ for final year project

3. CGPA between 2.00 - 2.49 (Bachelor's Degree with Honours) with the following additional conditions: or

a) Research experience for at least five (5) years; or
b) Work experience in related field for at least five (5) years; AND
c) At least one (1) academic publication in the relevant field; or
d) Grade B for major / elective courses; or
e) Grade B+ for final year project

PhD (Fine Art)

Applicants should possess one of the following:

A Master's degree in research mode; or
A Master’s degree in related area with CGPA 3.00/4; or
A Master’s degree in related area with CGPA 2.50-2.99/4 with additional requirements; or
Bachelor’s degree in related area with minimum CGPA 3.67/4 (fast-track to PhD)

Language Requirements

MA (Fine Arts)

(Applicable for International Applicants Only)

The minimum score for each programme can be vary from the below list, candidates are required to check for each programme requirements.

A minimum score of 40 for TOEFL (Internet-based); or
A minimum of Band 7.5 for TOEFL Essentials (Online); or
A minimum of Band 5 for IELTS; or
A minimum score of 47 for PTE; or
A minimum score of 154 for Cambridge English (CAE/CPE); or
A minimum score of 154 for Linguaskill Online; or
A minimum of Band 3.5 for MUET

Exemption is given to candidate if:

English is the candidate’s mother tongue or National Language; or
Candidate graduated from an Institution of Higher Learning in which the medium of instruction at Bachelor and/or Master degree level is English (statement of proof required)

PhD (Fine Art)

(Applicable for International Applicants Only)

A minimum score of 35 in Internet-based TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language); or
A minimum of Band 5 in IELTS (International English Language Testing System); or
A minimum score of 154 in Cambridge English Advance (CAE); or
A minimum score of 154 in Cambridge Proficiency Advance (CPE); or
A minimum score of 36 in Pearson Test of English (PTE); or
A minimum of Band 2 in MUET (Malaysian University English Test)

Exemption can be given if:

English is the candidate's mother tongue or National Language; or
The candidate graduated from an Institution of Higher Learning in which the medium of instruction is English

Duration

MA (Fine Arts)

Full-time: Min 2 semesters / Max 6 semesters
Part-time: Min 4 semesters / Max 12 semesters

PhD (Fine Art)

Full-time: Min 4 semesters / Max 10 semesters
Part-time: Min 6 semesters / Max 15 semesters

Fees

MA (Fine Arts)

Malaysian (MYR)
Full Time	Part Time
Registration Fee : 310.00 Tuition Fee (Semester) : 3,050.00 Thesis Evaluation Fee : 750.00 Convocation Fee : 200.00 Research Methodology : 320.00	Registration Fee : 310.00 Tuition Fee (Semester) : 2,515.00 Thesis Evaluation Fee: 750.00 Convocation Fee : 200.00 Research Methodology : 320.00

International (USD)
Full Time	Part Time
Registration Fee : 222.50 Personal Bond : 1000.00 Tuition Fee (Semester) : 1,150.00 Thesis Evaluation Fee: 250.00 Convocation Fee : 50.00 Research Methodology : 80.00	Registration Fee : 222.50 Personal Bond : 1000.00 Tuition Fee (Semester) : 1,025.00 Thesis Evaluation Fee : 250.00 Convocation Fee : 50.00 Research Methodology : 80.00

PhD (Fine Art)

Malaysian (MYR)
Full Time	Part Time
Registration Fee : 340.00 Tuition Fee (Semester) : 3,050.00 Thesis Evaluation Fee : 1,000.00 Convocation Fee : 200.00	Registration Fee : 340.00 Tuition Fee (Semester) : 2,515.00 Thesis Evaluation Fee: 1,000.00 Convocation Fee : 200.00

International (USD)
Full Time	Part Time
Registration Fee : 227.50 Personal Bond : 1000.00 Tuition Fee (Semester) : 1,150.00 Thesis Evaluation Fee: 375.00 Convocation Fee : 50.00	Registration Fee : 227.50 Personal Bond : 1000.00 Tuition Fee (Semester) : 1,025.00 Thesis Evaluation Fee : 375.00 Convocation Fee : 50.00

** Fees are subject to change

School of The Arts
Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Penang Malaysia
t: 604 – 653 3888 ext: 3621 / 3415 | f: 604 – 657 6296
e: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (Dean)
e: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Noor Rismafarra Binti Haris (Assistant Registrar)