Master of Fine Arts

The Master of Fine Arts at Massey University’s School of Fine Arts is the defining postgraduate degree opportunity for art-led research in New Zealand. The Master of Fine Arts (MFA) has traditionally been the definitive advanced studio-based degree in fine arts and continues to be the most popular choice for practitioners who wish to undertake advanced research in contemporary art.

The MFA is a two-year programme comprised - in the first year - of the Postgraduate Diploma in Fine Arts; and - in the second year - the Master of Fine Arts [thesis]. The Master of Fine Arts [thesis] is a one-year supervisor-led, advanced course of study that is structured around the development of a studio-based research thesis project. The MFA thesis project consists of a major creative work accompanied by a written extended essay (approx. 8000 words) that contextualises the studio-based work. MFA candidates work independently with assigned thesis supervisors toward the completion of their creative research thesis.

Graduating Masters students exhibit their final project work annually, on completion of their studies.