ASSESSMENTS AND EXAM IN KHIB’S MASTER’S PROGRAMME IN FINE ART
1. Introduction to the assessment criteria
In art and design education, neither learning or assessment is of the formula. Academic results are complex achievements assessed as a
whole, based on professional judgement and qualitative criteria.
KHiB uses eight criteria as a common frame of reference for the assessment of students' work at semester assessments and exams:
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Research
Analysis
Subject knowledge
Experimentation
Realisation
Communication and presentation
Personal and professional development
Collaboration and independent professional work
Assessment situations are important arenas for learning. The criteria are established to help the students understand what is expected of
them, what are the strengths of their work and what aspects should be further developed. More details about the criteria and how they are
used at MA level are in the latter part of this document.
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2. Semester assessments
The formal semester assessment consists of a conversation which concludes with the student being given structured feedback on his/her own
work and progress. The grades pass and fail are used in connection with semester assessments. Passing the semester assessment is a
precondition for further studies in the master’s programme and is worth 30 credits.
Learning Outcomes
Semester 1
On completion of the first semester,
students are expected to be able to
 cooperate with others on
analysing and discussing,
critically and effectively, visual
(and/or other) information and
ideas in a group presentation
 master and combine methods
for exploring and developing
their own artistic project
Assessment Criteria
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Research
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Analysis
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Communication and
presentation
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Collaboration and independent
professional work
Basis for the Assessment
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Presentation at introductory
workshop
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Semester report;
summary of the first project
period and a proposal for a
project that will be developed
further
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oral report (at the assessment
conversation); reflection on
own learning and work effort
 apply relevant approaches and
methods in their own artistic
research
 communicate and document
artistic activity at a high
academic level, orally and in
writing.
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Learning Outcomes
Semester 2
On completion of the second
semester, students are expected to be
able to
Assessment Criteria
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Research
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Analysis
 plan, carry out and present a
self-initiated artistic research
project
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Subject knowledge
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Experimentation
 plan and carry out a group
exhibition in collaboration with
others
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Communication and
presentation
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Collaboration and independent
professional work
 critically assess their own and
others’ artistic production.
Basis for the Assessment
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Project presentation at the
MA first year seminar
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Project exhibited at the
MA first year exhibition
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Semester report;
documentation and summary
of the second project period,
critical reflection on own work
during their first year of study
and a detailed proposal for a
concluding master’s project

oral report (at the assessment
conversation); reflection on
own learning and work effort
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Learning Outcomes
Semester 3
On completion of the third semester,
students are expected to be able to
 show initiative and take
personal responsibility for
working independently,
making decisions and
efficiently managing their own
time
 assess and present their own
practice in relation to a wider
context of contemporary
and/or historical art practices
 explore and analyse an artistic
topic and present the result,
orally and in writing.
Assessment Criteria

Research

Analysis

Subject knowledge

Experimentation

Communication and
presentation

Personal and professional
development

Collaboration and
independent professional
work
Basis for the Assessment

Participation in the planning and
realisation of the guest lecture
programme

Text on chosen topic;
relevant to the master’s project,
written for the MA second year
seminar

oral report (at the assessment
conversation); reflection on own
learning and work effort
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3. Exam
At the exam, the student’s work will be assessed on the basis of the learning outcomes defined for the master’s programme. The exam consists
of a conversation that includes a presentation and a critical assessment of the master’s project and exam text. The grades pass and fail are
used in connection with the exam. The exam assessment is carried out by a commission comprising two external examiners and the student’s
main tutor.
Learning Outcomes
On completion of the Master’s Degree in Fine Art,
students are expected to be able to:
 demonstrate the artistic knowledge, skills and
competence required for contemporary art
practice at an international level
 develop and carry out a large independent art
project and exhibit it in a professional context
 identify and evaluate artistic and ethical
challenges, as well as relevant theoretical
issues
 analyse and communicate the intentions, values
and meaning underlying their artistic work to an
audience with and without artistic competence
 demonstrate knowledge and independent skills
in their artistic research work and use them
effectively
Assessment Criteria
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Research
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Analysis
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Basis for the Assessment
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Participation in the planning,
production and design of the
master’s exhibition
Subject knowledge
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Exam text
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Experimentation
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Artistic exam project
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Realisation
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Communication and
presentation
Oral report on the
development and realisation
of the MA project
(at the exam presentation)
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Personal and professional
development

Collaboration and
independent professional
work
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 establish, maintain, administer and present an
artistic practice in a professional manner
 assess their own artistic work and take
responsibility for their own academic and
professional development
 negotiate and collaborate efficiently with others
in order to initiate artistic projects.
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4. The assessment criteria at MA level
Pass
Fail
1. Research
Project development and
methodology
Defines and explores the topic
and/or problem. Explores sources,
uses relevant methods and justifies
the choice of methods.
Unclear delimitation of the topic
and/or problem. Insufficient
explanation of the choice and use
of sources and methods.
2. Analysis
Use and interpretation of source
material
Presents independent judgements
based on exploring and interpreting
relevant sources. Critical reflection
on complex issues.
Presents few judgements of
his/her own. Insufficient reflection
on complex issues.
3. Subject knowledge
Makes systematic use of subject
Understanding and application of knowledge in his/her own work.
subject knowledge and underlying
principles
4. Experimentation
Testing of ideas and materials in
the realisation of concepts
Makes fragmentary use of subject
knowledge, demonstrates a poor
understanding of the development
of the subject.
Presents different and innovative
Places insufficient emphasis on
solutions. Makes independent
testing.
judgements and choices in complex
situations.
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5. Realisation
Skills that enable the realisation
of ideas in a relevant medium or
material
Makes active use of relevant skills
in the development of concepts and
the communication of ideas.
Tackles and solves problems.
Makes insufficient use of relevant
skills in the development of
concepts and the communication
of ideas.
6. Communication and presentation
Structure, skills in relevant forms
of presentation, awareness of
approaches and of the needs of
diverse audiences
Can use relevant presentation forms
to explain and summarise own work
to specialist and non-specialist
audiences.
Can to a limited extent explain and
summarise own work using
relevant presentation forms.
Limited ability to structure
contents for different purposes
and target groups.
7. Personal and professional
development
Self-directed learning through
reflection, planning, subject
engagement and commitment
Takes independent responsibility
for the continuous development of
own knowledge and skills.
Takes insufficient responsibility for
planning and directing own
learning. Limited reflection on own
strengths and weaknesses.
8. Collaboration and independent
professional work
Ability to work in a professional
context, alone or together with
others
Self-direction in own work and
independent problem solving. Can
plan and carry out projects at a
professional level. Works efficiently
in different groups.
Very limited ability to plan and
carry out work alone. Shows a lack
of understanding of professional
life. Takes limited responsibility in
collaborative work.
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