University of the Arts Helsinki Praxis Master's Thesis Guide: 30 ECTS Curatorial or Written Route

Quick answer: what is the current Praxis master’s thesis route?

The current Praxis - curating and writing in contemporary art, master at the University of the Arts Helsinki is an Academy of Fine Arts Master of Arts (Art and Design) programme. The awarded degree is 120 ECTS with a normative duration of 2 years. The current Study Guide programme object is 22156 / TAM_PX_2025, labelled Praxis Masters Programme, Master of Arts, 2025-.

The exact thesis course is K-MP25153 Master of Arts (Art and Design) thesis project, 30 ECTS. It sits inside the K-MP25150 38 ECTS thesis-project-and-supporting-studies block with a 5 ECTS Praxis thesis seminar, 3 ECTS Research competence and a separate 0 ECTS maturity essay. Current Praxis guidance gives exactly two thesis routes: A) one curatorial project plus a written component, or B) a written thesis. A hybrid of A and B is explicitly not permitted.

1. Use the current 2025- Praxis curriculum

Students beginning under the current curriculum should use TAM_PX_2025, not the old Praxis or Exhibition Studies thesis rules. Uniarts maintains an older Praxis guideline for students who began before 1 August 2025, but the current programme has a separate new thesis guideline for the 2025- curriculum.

This distinction matters because credits, structure and detailed completion rules changed. A useful guide must therefore identify the student’s curriculum before applying page lengths, thesis-plan procedures or assessment criteria.

2. The degree is 120 ECTS over two years

Uniarts degree information gives the Master of Arts (Art and Design) a scope of 120 ECTS and normative duration of 2 years. The public Praxis page also describes the programme as a two-year master’s programme.

The Study Guide programme tree displays a structural minimum and maximum because compulsory, elective and optional studies are modelled separately. That display should not be mistaken for a different awarded degree size.

3. English is the programme’s degree and instruction language

The public programme page gives the degree language as English. The Study Guide programme description likewise says the language of the degree and instruction is English, while some studies may be completed in Finnish or Swedish.

If a student wants to complete the thesis project in Finnish or Swedish, the current programme description says the student may apply to the dean for that right. Do not change thesis language informally at the end of the project.

4. K-MP25153 is the exact 30 ECTS thesis course

The current Study Guide identifies K-MP25153 Master of Arts (Art and Design) thesis project as 30 ECTS. Its learning outcomes require the student either to execute a project and examine it critically or to study a chosen topic from a theoretical perspective.

The course also requires the student to understand how the work is situated in contemporary art and what goals are being pursued through it. This makes contextualisation central in both thesis routes.

5. Do not call the thesis 38 ECTS

The curriculum contains K-MP25150 Master of Arts (Art and Design) thesis project and studies supporting the thesis project, 38 ECTS. That 38 ECTS figure is not the thesis course alone.

The 38 ECTS block contains the 30 ECTS thesis, 5 ECTS Praxis thesis seminar, 3 ECTS Research competence and 0 ECTS maturity. For a thesis guide, those elements should be separated clearly so students do not report the thesis itself as 38 ECTS.

6. Route A is a curatorial project plus written component

Current Praxis guidance defines Alternative A as one curatorial project, such as an exhibition or equivalent event, plus a written component containing relevant documentation. The practical component involves planning and implementing the curatorial project.

The written component must explain, contextualise and document the project. This route is therefore not simply an exhibition with a short afterthought; critical written reflection is part of the thesis project.

7. Route A written component is 15-25 pages without images

For Alternative A, the current guideline gives a written-component length of 15-25 pages without images, approximately 27,000-45,000 characters without spaces using the guideline’s approximate character model.

The document should include reflective analysis of the process and execution, evaluate how implementation relates to the original project plan, and contextualise the project in relation to contemporary art and curatorial practice.

8. Route A requires visual documentation

A curatorial thesis project must include visual documentation that accurately represents the exhibition or event. Documentation is evidence of the practical component and helps examiners assess the project as a whole.

Plan documentation before the event. Consider photography, captions, installation views, permissions, credits and file quality early rather than trying to reconstruct the project after dismantling.

9. Invite examiners to the practical thesis event

The current Praxis thesis guideline says students following Alternative A should invite the examiners to all exhibitions or events related to the thesis project. The invitation should make clear that the event concerns a thesis project.

If the practical component is presented in another way, the student must inform examiners about the method and location. Coordinate this with the supervising teacher well before the presentation.

10. Route B is a 40-60 page written thesis

Alternative B is a written thesis of 40-60 pages without images, approximately 72,000-108,000 characters without spaces under the current guideline.

The written thesis must demonstrate profound knowledge of a Praxis-related topic and of contemporary art. It should show familiarity with the topic, competent use of chosen research methods and academic writing skills.

11. Route B needs a clear contemporary-art context

The current guidance expects the written thesis to connect its topic with relevant fields such as curatorial practice and theory, exhibition histories, art history and theory, philosophy or history where appropriate.

The thesis must also discuss how the work is contextualised within contemporary art. A strong paper therefore does more than describe a subject; it positions the research question within an intellectual and professional field.

12. Do not create a hybrid A/B thesis

The current Praxis guideline explicitly states that the thesis consists of either Alternative A or Alternative B and that a hybrid combination is not permitted.

If the project includes practical curatorial work but the student intends Route B, or if the written component begins to resemble a full independent written thesis under Route A, discuss the classification with the supervising teacher before finalising the thesis plan.

13. K-MP25151 provides 5 ECTS of thesis seminar support

The current curriculum packages K-MP25151 Praxis thesis seminar as 5 ECTS: Seminar I K-MP25151A, 2 ECTS; Seminar II K-MP25151B, 2 ECTS; and Seminar III K-MP25151C, 1 ECTS. The retrieved seminar cards are Pass-Fail.

These seminars support planning and writing rather than increasing the thesis course above 30 ECTS.

14. Thesis seminars train research design

The seminar learning outcomes include situating one’s practice within contemporary art and research, outlining a research design, defining a research question, choosing related research and analysis methods, and proportioning research material appropriately.

They also develop information retrieval, presentation and discussion skills. Use seminar feedback to test whether your question, material and method actually fit together.

15. K-MP25152 Research competence is 3 ECTS

K-MP25152 Research competence is a separate 3 ECTS Pass-Fail course. It introduces research questions and methods relevant to contemporary art, curating and art writing.

The course particularly highlights artistic, curatorial and practice-based research, while also addressing scientific research and the assumptions about knowledge embedded in different methods.

16. Method choice should follow the thesis question

There is no current rule requiring every Praxis student to conduct interviews, surveys, quantitative analysis or any single named method. The curriculum instead expects students to understand and justify methods suitable for their research question and project.

Route A may use curatorial or practice-based inquiry alongside contextual research. Route B may use methods drawn from art history, exhibition studies, theory, philosophy, archival research, discourse analysis or other appropriate traditions. The exact method must fit the question and material.

17. Curating I supports practical curatorial competence

K-MP25133 Curating I, 5 ECTS develops exhibition-making as a critical and creative medium, group concept planning, collaboration with artists, division of responsibility, spatial planning, installation, communication and technology skills.

The course understands an exhibition broadly as different forms of public presentation of art. Those skills can become relevant to Route A, but the thesis itself still follows its separate approved plan and assessment rules.

18. Critical Writing I supports the writing environment

K-MP25134 Critical Writing I, 5 ECTS develops writer identity, critical thinking, reading, peer feedback, editing across text types and understanding of art publishing.

This course is useful preparation for either Route A’s critical written component or Route B’s longer written thesis, but it is not a substitute for the thesis seminars or the thesis course.

19. The thesis project plan comes before the final project

The current guideline requires a thesis project plan using an electronic form. The plan is written in the same language as the written component and provides the overall execution plan.

For the current published cycle, the detailed guideline contains a plan deadline, but dates change. Always check the current Students’ Uniarts page rather than relying on a date copied from an older guide.

20. Alternative A practical work requires plan approval

The current guideline says the student may not present the practical component unless it has been approved as part of the project plan. This protects the student from producing a major public project that later falls outside the accepted thesis structure.

Discuss significant changes with the supervising teacher and notify the relevant university services when the approved plan changes materially.

21. Supervision has defined roles

Praxis distinguishes the supervising teacher from the separate thesis project supervisor. The supervising teacher supports the overall thesis process and acts as preliminary examiner of the written component. The separate supervisor focuses especially on the content-related development of the thesis.

This division means feedback can come from more than one role. Clarify who approves process decisions, who gives content supervision and who handles submission questions.

22. Current guidance provides up to ten supervision hours

The detailed current Praxis guideline states that the student is entitled to a maximum of ten hours of thesis-project supervision. The Academy compensates the approved supervisor within that framework.

Use supervision strategically. Send focused material before meetings, keep a decision log, and reserve time for difficult questions about structure, method, practical implementation and finalisation.

23. Writing support can add up to five hours

If needed, the guideline says the student can receive a maximum of five hours of support for the written component from a writing teacher.

This support is particularly useful for argument structure, academic voice, paragraph logic, source integration and clarity. It does not transfer authorship responsibility away from the student.

24. Two examiners are assigned

Current Praxis guidance states that two examiners are assigned to each thesis project. The supervising teacher selects competent examiners, with conflict rules if the supervising teacher is also the supervisor or an examiner.

For Route A, examiners assess the practical and written components as one whole. For Route B, they assess the written thesis as the whole thesis project.

25. Pre-examination is mandatory before final submission

The written component is sent to the supervising teacher for preliminary examination before final submission. The current guideline says a minimum of three weeks should be reserved.

The student may still make corrections after preliminary examination and before final submission. Build this period into the schedule instead of treating pre-examination as a same-week formality.

26. The maturity abstract is reviewed during pre-examination

The supervising teacher also reviews the summary that serves as the maturity test during preliminary examination. This means the abstract should already be complete enough to represent the final thesis accurately.

Do not leave the maturity abstract until after the thesis has been sent for examination.

27. K-MP25154 maturity is 0 ECTS and Pass-Fail

The exact current course K-MP25154 Maturity essay of the Master of Arts (Art and Design) degree is 0 ECTS and Pass-Fail.

Its purpose is to demonstrate knowledge of the thesis-project subject and the ability to express that knowledge in writing. Language requirements depend on the student’s earlier education and previous demonstration of Finnish or Swedish proficiency.

28. The master’s maturity essay is the abstract

For the Academy of Fine Arts master’s degree, the current guideline says the maturity essay is an approximately one-page, about 1,800-character abstract of the thesis project.

For Route A it must briefly describe both the practical and written components. It should be titled Abstract, placed near the beginning of the written component and submitted for preliminary examination with it.

29. AI is not permitted in the maturity test

Uniarts ethical guidance states that AI applications are not permitted in the maturity test. Because the Praxis master’s maturity test is the thesis abstract, complete that assessed maturity text independently in accordance with the current rules.

For other thesis work, follow the programme’s current AI rules and remain responsible for authorship, accuracy, source use, privacy and copyright.

30. Turnitin originality checking is part of final submission

Current Praxis guidance says originality is checked in connection with final submission. The student receives access to the relevant Moodle area, and the supervising teacher reviews and interprets the Turnitin result.

The university’s general ethical guideline likewise requires written theses to be checked for originality before approval.

31. The final version must remain identical across submission systems

After pre-examination and approval for examination, the current Praxis guideline says the written component is submitted electronically to multiple required locations. The version sent to examiners, the version saved to Taju, and the final version submitted to Turnitin must be the same.

Do not continue editing one copy after uploading another. Freeze one final PDF/A version and use it consistently.

32. Submit the written component as PDF/A

The Academy of Fine Arts submission guidance requires a single PDF/A file containing the complete written component: title page, abstract, text, images, references and works cited. The current Academy submission page also states a 10 MB email limit for the file sent to Academic Affairs.

If the thesis uses a verbally recorded presentation rather than only written text under an approved special arrangement, agree the format with Study Services.

33. Taju is required even without Open Access permission

The current Praxis guideline requires the written component to be saved in the Taju publication repository when it is submitted for examination. The library says this is required even if the student does not grant permission for Open Access publication.

The Taju file must be the same version sent to examiners.

34. Restricted Taju access does not make the thesis secret

Taju allows either Open Access or a restricted collection readable on library computers. Metadata such as author, title and abstract remains available online.

The thesis is still a public document. Confidential or classified information should not be inserted into the public thesis and then treated as protected merely because restricted Taju access was chosen.

35. Copyright must be solved before submission

The Praxis guideline requires detailed information about images and sources and reminds students to comply with copyright law. This applies even when the student created the depicted artwork or took the photograph, because accurate documentation still matters.

For third-party art, installation photographs, screenshots, archival images, publications or digital material, make sure the intended thesis publication is legally permitted before finalising the PDF.

36. Personal data can arise in curatorial work

Praxis guidance specifically notes that fine-arts thesis projects may refer to private conversations or ideas created together with another person. If personal data is used, the student should have an appropriate basis and, where required, consent.

Interviews, observation, video, images, names, voices or contextual details can all make people identifiable. Plan the purpose, controller, legal basis, privacy information, secure storage and deletion before collecting unnecessary personal data.

37. Pseudonymisation is not the same as anonymity

Uniarts data-protection guidance says pseudonymised information remains personal data when re-identification is possible. This is important in small art communities where an exhibition, organisation, role or quotation may identify a person without naming them.

Only call material anonymous when people can no longer reasonably be identified from the data and additional information.

38. Ethical review is design-specific, not automatic

Uniarts research-integrity guidance says certain human-participant research designs require ethical review, but it also asks supervisors of bachelor’s and master’s projects to design frameworks so formal review is not required where possible.

A curatorial project does not automatically require ethical review. If the thesis adds sensitive interviews, special-category personal data, vulnerable participants or another higher-risk design, discuss the issue before data collection.

39. Ethical review is not a research permit

Uniarts explicitly states that an ethical-review statement does not count as a research permit. A museum, archive, partner organisation or other institution may still have its own permission process.

Handle ethics review, institutional permission, copyright and participant consent as separate questions rather than treating one approval as universal permission.

40. Current grading evidence contains an official-source mismatch

Students should know about a genuine current source conflict. The exact K-MP25153 Study Guide course card displays 0-5. The detailed Praxis thesis guideline updated in 2026 also says examiners give an overall numerical 0-5 grade and publishes criteria for grades 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 and 0/fail.

However, the current programme-description API separately says possible master’s thesis grades are Fail, Pass, Pass with Distinction. These official sources are not fully aligned.

41. Use 0-5 for operational planning, but recheck at examination time

For practical preparation, this guide gives priority to the exact thesis course and the dedicated current thesis guideline because both specifically govern K-MP25153 assessment and provide numerical criteria. It does not hide the contradictory programme-description field.

Before examination, confirm the grading scale with the supervising teacher or Study Services. If Uniarts updates either source, use the current confirmed rule.

42. Option A is assessed as a whole

For a curatorial-project thesis, the detailed guideline says the thesis is evaluated as a whole. Curatorial merit matters, and examiners also consider clarity of expression, research question, perspective, methods and the balance between the practical and written components.

A strong exhibition cannot fully compensate for an incoherent written component, and polished writing cannot replace a weakly conceived or executed curatorial project.

43. Option B is assessed for research merit

For the written-thesis route, assessment focuses on research merits: clarity, topic and research-question definition, perspective, methods, familiarity with relevant literature, analytical and critical source use, method application and clear conclusions.

Use the published criteria while drafting rather than reading them only after submission.

44. The vice dean gives the final approval and grade

After the examination event and examiner statements, the supervising teacher supports or does not support approval. The thesis is then submitted to the vice dean responsible for teaching for the final approval and grade decision under the current detailed process.

If an examiner proposes fail, the guideline contains a separate process that gives the student notice and procedural options. Do not treat an examiner’s preliminary proposal as the final university decision.

45. Current submission dates are cycle-specific

The Academy of Fine Arts submission page currently publishes a Praxis written-component deadline of 1 April 2027 and an approval date of 21 May 2027, with at least three weeks reserved for preliminary examination.

These are current cycle dates, not permanent rules. Recheck the Students’ Uniarts submission page when scheduling your own thesis because dates can change between academic years.

46. Graduation comes after thesis, maturity and all required studies

Academy of Fine Arts graduation guidance says students can apply for a degree certificate after the thesis has been approved, the maturity test has been completed and all required studies are complete.

Check the personal study plan and Peppi records before the degree-certificate deadline. The official degree certificate is electronic.

47. Final Praxis checklist

Confirm that your curriculum is still 22156 / TAM_PX_2025 and that the thesis course is K-MP25153, 30 ECTS. Choose either A curatorial project + 15-25-page written component or B 40-60-page written thesis; do not build an unapproved hybrid. Use the 5 ECTS seminar sequence and 3 ECTS Research competence to align question, method and material. Approve the thesis plan before major practical execution. Use supervision deliberately, reserve at least three weeks for preliminary examination, write the one-page maturity abstract independently without AI, complete Turnitin, freeze the final PDF/A, submit the same version to required recipients and Taju, and resolve image rights, personal data and permissions before publication.

Finally, recheck the grading scale and annual submission date immediately before examination. The exact thesis course and detailed guideline currently use 0-5, while the programme-description source still contains a conflicting Fail-Pass-Pass with Distinction statement. A careful student should know that discrepancy rather than discovering it after submission.