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)

Bachelor's degree in related area
CGPA of at least 2.75 / 4.00; or
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
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)

A minimum score of 46 for TOEFL (Internet-based); or
A minimum of Band 8 for TOEFL Essentials (Online); or
A minimum of Band 5.5 for IELTS; or
A minimum score of 51 for PTE; or
A minimum score of 160 for Cambridge English (CAE/CPE); or
A minimum score of 160 for Linguaskill Online; or
A minimum score of 108 for CIEP Level (ELS); or
A minimum of Band 4 for MUET

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

PhD (Fine Art)

(Applicable for International Applicants Only)

A minimum score of 46 for TOEFL (Internet-based); or
A minimum of Band 8 for TOEFL Essentials (Online); or
A minimum of Band 5.5 for IELTS; or
A minimum score of 51 for PTE; or
A minimum score of 160 for Cambridge English (CAE/CPE); or
A minimum score of 160 for Linguaskill Online; or
A minimum score of 108 for CIEP Level (ELS); or
A minimum of Band 4 for MUET

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 Graduation 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 Graduation 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 Graduation Fee : 50.00 Research Methodology : 80.00 Malay Language (LKM111) : Free for first timer 80.00 (repeat)

PhD (Fine Art)

Malaysian (MYR)
Full Time	Part Time
Registration Fee : 310.00 Tuition Fee (Semester) : 3,050.00 Thesis Evaluation Fee : 1,000.00 Graduation Fee : 200.00 Research Methodology : 320.00	Registration Fee : 310.00 Tuition Fee (Semester) : 2,515.00 Thesis Evaluation Fee: 1,000.00 Graduation 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: 375.00 Graduation Fee : 50.00 Malay Language (LKM111) : Free for first timer 80.00 (repeat)	Registration Fee : 222.50 Personal Bond : 1000.00 Tuition Fee (Semester) : 1,025.00 Thesis Evaluation Fee : 375.00 Graduation Fee : 50.00 Malay Language (LKM111) : Free for first timer 80.00 (repeat)

** 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)