Admissions

MA PROGRAMME ADMISSION INFORMATION

Applications for entry in the 2026/27 academic year will open on 1 February 2026.

Applications can be submitted on DreamApply or SAIS:

• international applicants with foreign education have to submit their application on DreamApply and pay the application fee;
• international applicants with a degree obtained in Estonia and a valid Estonian ID have to submit their application on SAIS and do not have to pay the application fee;
• Estonian nationals applying to international programmes have to follow the rules here and apply on SAIS.

The admission deadline for international programmes is 2 March 2026 at 3 pm (EET).

Admission interview will be held 16-27 March 2026. The exact interview time for each applicant will be announced to him/her via e-mail a few days ahead.

NB! This programme offers EKA alumni scholarships.

WHO CAN APPLY?

Application candidates for the MA in Graphic Design program are expected to be self-motivated, able to work independently, question and further develop their practice, and show concern for issues and ideas which engage social, cultural and political contexts. Those who have studied a discipline outside of graphic design are encouraged to apply, but are expected to have an aptitude for critical inquiry and the ability to engage with design ideas at a high level. Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

NB! All the required documents, including the English language proficiency certificate, have to be submitted with the application by 2 March 2026 at 3 pm (EET).

— Application (submitted via DreamApply or SAIS: 01.02—02.03.2026)

— Payment confirmation (applications will only be processed after 80 EUR application fee is received by the Estonian Academy of Arts)

— Copy of your bachelor’s degree certificate or equivalent, and its translation into Estonian or English (please check the requirements here)

— Copy of your transcript of records, and its translation into Estonian or English (please check the requirements here)

— English language proficiency certificate (please check the requirements here)

— Copy of the data page of your passport or ID-card

— CV (maximum 2 pages in length, submitted as a PDF document)

— Digital portfolio should meet the following requirements:

1. Digital PDF format, maximum 60 Mb;
2. Include 10–15 projects, with each project supported by a selection of 4–6 images and 50 word description;
3. This can include a mix of professional commissions, self-initiated work, BA projects, unrealized and in-progress work, teaching/organizing, or projects from within other fields (where relevant);
4. If including video work, use still-frames for the PDF, with an external link to the video;
5. The PDF should be well organized, designed, and easy to follow.

— Admissions Questions

Please answer each of the following questions (important: be precise and concise with your answers without going over the maximum character count), submitted as a formatted PDF:

1. Introduce yourself, your background, and level of experience with graphic design. (600 characters max)
2. Which practitioners, projects, exhibitions, artworks, films, or texts have had a particular impact on your thinking about graphic design, and why?  (800 characters max)
3. What is your reason to consider applying for this MA in particular? Are there any specific skills, methods or forms of knowledge you are looking for which have not been previously accessible to you, and how might this specific program be able to provide you with support? (1,000 characters max)
4. How do you understand the idea of an ‘expanded view of graphic design’ as it relates to your own set of interests? How do the tools and skills of graphic design contribute to the further development of those interests while studying in the program? (1,000 characters max)
5. Are there already research interests or specific projects you plan to pursue while here? Describe this work in greater detail, how time in the MA can support its development, and how this work contributes to the larger development you see for yourself as a graphic designer. (1,500 characters max)

NB! Translations are only requested if documents are not in English or Estonian. Both the copies of documents in their original language and translations have to be attested.

INTERVIEW

NB! All applicants will receive feedback via DreamApply, and all interviews with international applicants will be held via Zoom.

The applications will be reviewed by a jury and selected candidates for interviews will be announced a few days before the day of the interview. 

The interview with the jury will focus on the motivations for studying, expectations of the program, and discussions around previously made projects which are relevant to these topics.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

During the interview the jury will assess if the applicant:

— is self-motivated and can work independently;

— can articulate their intentions and defend their work;

— shows the capacity for continued growth and development of their practice;

— can have a positive impact on the program environment (i.e. working with classmates);

— is analytical and shows concern for ideas and issues outside graphic design.

The following aspects of the portfolio are assessed:

— Projects consider the relationship between form and content;

— Completed projects are produced with attention, care and quality;

— Shows a mix between professional commissions and self-initiated or personal projects;

— Clear presentation and articulation about the works.