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Contemporary Arts Practice

Shape your artistic future with the Master’s in Contemporary Arts Practice.

In this multidisciplinary Master’s programme, you will specialise in Fine Arts, Sound Arts, Performance Art, or Literary Writing / Translation. The focus is on a practice-based education and the development of your own projects. You can tailor your study profile to suit you individual interests.

Students report: Studying Contemporary Arts Practice in Bern.

Begin your studies in Autumn 2026.

Factsheet

  • Title/Degree Master of Arts
  • Specialisations Fine Arts, Sound Arts, Creative Writing / Translation, and Performance Art.
  • Mode of study full-time (4 semesters)
  • Start date 14 September 2026
  • Application deadline March 2027
  • ECTS credits 120 ECTS credits
  • Teaching language English / German / French
  • Location Bern
  • School Bern Academy of the Arts
  • Next info event 27 November 2025

Contact

Focus areas

This degree offers you a wide range of artistic insights across four specialisations: Fine Arts, Sound Arts, Creative Writing / Translation, and Performance Art.

How You Will Benefit From This Degree

In the Master’s programme, you will develop your artistic approach and position your practice within contemporary fields of art. You will independently lead projects, working within a chosen specialism or across disciplines. Throughout the programme, you will meet artists from a variety of fields and continuously reflect on your own practice.

During your studies, you will be supported by mentors. You will reflect on and deepen your work in exchange with other students. The unique combination of fine arts, sound arts, literary writing/translation and performance art is unparalleled in Switzerland. You will benefit greatly from the HKB’s strong national and international network.

Focus areas

The four specialisations Fine Arts, Sound Arts, Literary Writing/Translation and Performance Art offer you many opportunities to create your own personal study profile. You can choose which modules from these areas you would like to combine.

In the Fine Arts specialisation, you will work across a range of artistic media. You will engage in current debates in art and make use of HKB’s extensive workshops and facilities. Your studies will also involve collaboration with other specialisations within the Master of Contemporary Arts Practice and across the HKB.

In the Sound Arts specialisation, you will work in sound art, experimental and electronic music. You will develop your own compositions and installations and learn about contemporary artistic strategies. You will analyse historical and current works from the field of sound arts, attend practical courses in programming, audie technology and hardware hacking, and explore the interactions between different art forms.

In the Literary Writing/Translation specialisation, you will work on texts from all genres and explore the interdisciplinary fields between literature and other arts. You will benefit from personal mentoring exchanges with other students. In addition, literary translation will be considered and reflected upon as an art form.

In the Performance Art specialisation, you will explore the role of the body in space and time. You will develop your own forms of expression and skills and reflect on them in practical and theoretical terms. You will learn to understand performance as physical presence, action or concept in various artistic fields. You will benefit from an open approach that is closely linked to music, fine arts and literary writing.

Partners + Exchange

The HKB fosters a network of relationships with other universities, both in Switzerland and abroad. It collaborates with domestic and international partners on various projects. The HKB is also a member of several national and international organisations and networks.

HKB students have the opportunity to complete part of their studies or work experience abroad. In turn, interested persons from abroad can apply to study at HKB or spend part of their studies here.

Combining Theory and Practice in Research Projects

Teaching, practice and research are closely linked at our university. You will gain research experience while still studying. As a Master's student, you will work on current topics in the scope of 2 credits.

Informations on the Y-Institute

Career Prospects

With a Master of Arts in Contemporary Arts Practice, you will expand your theoretical and practical skills in the arts. You will be well prepared for careers in art production, including curating.

Acquired skills

  • You will be able to formulate an independent artistic position and present your artistic practice to professional and wider audiences.
  • You will be familiar with current debates in art and be able to contextualise them.
  • You will be able to think and work across the boundaries of different artistic fields and disciplines.
  • You will be able to work independently and take responsibility for projects.
  • You will have the ability to collaborate and reflect critically, including across disciplinary boundaries.
  • You will be aware of the social and political relevance of artistic practice.

With these skills, you will be able to work as a professional artist after graduation or pursue a career in art-related fields where collaboration and exchange are important.

Are You Ready for Challenging Roles?

After completing your studies, you will be ready to take on roles of responsibility in a variety of areas: you can work in galleries, museums, at art and cultural festivals, in art colleges or cultural associations, taking on both creative and organisational roles.

Our graduates work in various fields as:

  • Artists

  • Writers

  • Performers

  • Sound artists

  • Artistic directors

  • Editors

  • Event managers for cultural events

  • Curators

  • Consultants for art and culture

A Doctorate – Your Career in Teaching and Research

With a Master of Arts in Contemporary Arts Practice, you will be eligible to pursue a doctorate. Your professional and research experience and the corresponding methodological and didactic qualifications will also enable you to take up a teaching position at a university or similar institution.

View the doctoral programme ‘Studies in the Arts SINTA’

Duration + Content

The full-time programme lasts two years (4 semesters).

Full-time or part-time?

Full-time studies

The study course comprises 120 ECTS-Credits. You study full-time and complete your studies after 4 semesters with your Master’s thesis.

Programme Schedule

Your artistic practice lies at the centre of the programme. You choose modules that are tailored to your personal study profile. You determine this profile based on your bachelor’s degree, master’s project and interests. Individual instruction, technical and theoretical specialisations, and exchanges with experts support your artistic work.

Programme Modules

The programme offers core subjects and optional modules.

An overview of all study modules can be found in the module plan:

Module plan | MA Contemporary Arts Practice (PDF, 210 KB)

Artistic practice:

You will work regularly with mentors and have the opportunity to engage in discussions with lecturers from all areas of study.

Colloquiums:

In the colloquiums, you will present your work, collaborate with other students, and reflect on theories with other students. You will also reflect on theories and contexts for your Master’s thesis. The colloquiums include work presentations in the 1st semester, a collaboration week in the 2nd semester, a theory colloquium in the 3rd semester, and thesis preparation in the 4th semester.

Forums:

Forums promote discussions on collective topics. These include study trips in the first and 2nd semesters and ‘CAPster invite guests’ in the 2nd  semester, where you invite guests to discuss current artistic issues.

Contemporary Art Theories Talk:

You will participate in four sessions of the discussion series and examine current theories presented by guests.

Contemporary Art Theories / Reading and Discussion Seminars:

You will attend four of twelve seminars, including reading courses, the On Site BernForum (visits to art spaces) and the Satellite francophone (discussions in French on contemporary art theories).

Work-in-Progress Discussions: Fine Arts, Sound Arts, Performance Art and Literary Writing

These sessions take place regularly. The work of two to three students is critically examined and discussed with the group and mentors.

Optional modules allow you to tailor your studies to your needs and interests. You can put together your own individual combination of modules, choosing from the following:

All areas of art

  • Work-related projects

  • Methods of dramaturgy

  • Introduction tot he workshop

Fine Arts

  • Seminar on contemporary art

  • Expanded Writing

  • CH-Platform

Sound Arts

  • Experimental Sound Practices
  • Sonic Explorations
  • Listening Through Other Ears
  • Microphones and Loudspeakers as Musical Instruments / Gestures, Sensors and Sounds

Literary Writing and Translation

  • Literature workshops

  • Grazing Horse (publication projects)

Performance Arts

  • Performance Workshop Basics

  • Performance Workshop+ Perspectives on Performance Art

  • ACT Performance Festival

  • Performing Technologies

You complete your studies with a Master’s thesis. It consists of a practical, artistic piece of work and a written reflection.

Admission Requirements

The number of places is limited (numerus clausus). Suitability for the programme is determined by means of an examination. We require a high level of motivation, perseverance, resilience and independence, as well as a willingness to actively participate in university projects.

Academic Requirements

You can be admitted to the programme with a Bachelor’s degree (or an equivalent qualification) in:

  • Fine Arts

  • Sound Arts

  • Literary Writing/Translation

  • Performance Art

  • or a related field of study.

Supplementary Information on Admission

Find out which languages and prior knowledge are required before starting your studies, what the admission requirements are for international applicants, and how students are selected.

  • You can formulate a sophisticated artistic project that you want to realise as part of your Master’s degree. You see this project as part of your artistic development.

  • You are interested in artistic exploration in an interdisciplinary context.

  • You have the necessary theoretical and practical knowledge to actively participate in the Master’s programme.

  • You have experience in independently developing, networking and presenting your own artistic work.

  • You want to engage with the topics and methods of artistic research.

Lectures are held in English, German and French.
All courses in the field of literary writing/translation are bilingual (German/French). Individual mentoring is available in German, French and English.

International applicants will require authentic and valid identification recognized by Switzerland; a visa may often be required. Successful international applicants must apply for a residence permit, and submit proof of sufficient funds. Prior to starting their studies, they will be required to obtain health insurance cover. Applicants should make sure they are fully informed about and compliant with their specific entry requirements for Switzerland.

After reviewing the application documents, we invite selected candidates to an aptitude interview, which focuses primarily on your motivations and goals for the Master’s programme. The presentation of a selected work from your portfolio, literary texts, musical works, live performances, etc. may be part of this interview.

Application

So, you have decided to study at the Bern Academy of the Arts?
Then do not hesitate and apply right now!

Application Deadlines

Application deadline: 16 March 2026
Start of programme: 14 September 2026

Start your studies in Autumn 2026.

Application Type

You can only apply for your studies online.

Application Documents

Please submit the following documents in electronic format (passport photo: JPG, other documents: PDF).

  • ID or passport
  • Passport photo according to international passport requirements (JPG)
  • Bachelor’s degree certificate or equivalent qualification 
  • Transcript of Records (ToR)
  • Diplomas and university entrance certificates (e.g. vocational baccalaureate/specialised baccalaureate with grades, baccalaureate, Abitur or equivalent)
  • CV in tabular form
  • Copies of the required certificates and confirmations
  • Employer references (internship certificates)
  • Language certificates (if available)

For International Students, in Addition

  • Residence permit (if available)

If You Were Already Matriculated at Another University

  • Confirmation of termination of matriculation

  • Transcript of records of current and/or terminated studies

If you do not yet have one or more of the required documents, please state why in the Comments section.

Transgender identities

Would you prefer us to address you differently to the details recorded in your official documents?

Please register the first name you go by and your gender (if binary) at the application stage, to ensure that we address you correctly during the application process. The relevant form is available on the BFH website. Please upload the completed form together with your application.

Supplementary Application Documents

To complete your application, please submit a digital portfolio with a representative selection of your previous work. The contents should document your artistic, musical, performantive or literary work using specific examples.

Special provisions for Literary Writing/Translation: A portfolio is defined as a dossier containing one or more literary texts written by the applicant, totalling at least 20 pages and no more than 50 pages (2000 characters per page, including spaces). All genres are acceptable.

Please label the portfolio on the cover page with your surname, first name, admission procedure 20xx (academic year) and Master CAP degree programme.

The costs for the programme comprise application, tuition and examination fees plus the cost of course materials and excursions.

  per AS 2026/27

Application (per application) and aptitude assessment*

CHF 250

Matriculation**

CHF 100

Tuition fees (per semester)

CHF 850
 
Tuition fees for international students (per semester)
Reasons for residence other than study when starting studies BFH CHF 850
Transitional arrangements for students who started their studies at BFH before autumn 2026 (until change of degree programme) CHF 1,050
Stay for study purposes at the start of studies at BFH (payment in instalments available) CHF 2,550
 

Examination fee (per semester)

CHF 80

Fee for social, cultural and sport offerings (per semester)

CHF 24

Membership fee for the Bern University of Applied Sciences Student Association (VSBFH) (per semester)

CHF 15

Leave of absence fee (per semester)

CHF 100

* The application fee can be paid by credit card or by deposit slip / paper invoice (+ CHF 10 processing fee). There are no waivers or refunds for withdrawn or abandoned applications. The application is processed after payment has been received.
** If the application leads to matriculation, the matriculation fee is covered by the application fee.

There is also a fixed fee for materials whose amount depends on the degree programme as well as additional costs for teaching materials, specialist literature, supplies, etc.

Fees factsheet valid per AS 2026/27 (PDF, 110 KB)
General information about scholarships


If you have any questions regarding scholarships and loans please contact the Secretariat HKB Design and Fine Arts.

Advice + Information

At the Bern University of the Arts (HKB), you can expect an open-minded spirit and a friendly atmosphere. Come and visit us.

Advice

Choosing a degree programme is an important decision. We will be happy to arrange a face-to-face chat to answer your questions and advise you on the requirements for your chosen programme.

Andrea Gohl

  • Studiengangsleiterin MA CAP
  • +41 31 848 38 29

Lejla Bajrami

  • Senior-Assistentin
  • +41 31 848 68 16

Sandra Lemp

  • Sachbearbeiterin
  • +41 31 848 49 07

Daniela Wüthrich

  • Betriebsassistentin CAP
  • +41 31 848 39 48

Edona Idrizi

  • Sachbearbeiterin
  • +41 31 848 56 05

Andrea Gohl, Head of Degree Programme MA CAP, Lecturer
Andi Schoon, Head of Y Institute, Lecturer
Thomas Strässle, Head of Y Institute, Lecturer
Madeleine Amsler, Head of Fine Arts, Lecturer
Marianne Flotron, Head of Fine Arts, Lecturer
Teresa Carrasco, Head of Sound Arts, Lecturer
Stefan Humbel, Head of Creative Writing/Translation, Lecturer
Arno Renken, Head of Creative Writing/Translation, Lecturer
Steven Schoch, Head of Performance Art, Lecturer

Lukas Bärfuss, Lecturer, Y Institute / MA CAP, Literature
Lilian Beidler, Lecturer in Sound Arts
Ntando Cele, Associate lecturer Performance Art
Raphaël Cuomo, Lecturer in Fine Arts
Cathy van Eck, Lecturer in Sound Arts
Maria Iorio, Lecturer in Fine Arts​​​​​​​
Basim Magdy, Associate lecturer Fine Arts​​​​​​​
Robin Meier, Lecturer in Sound Arts
Tine Melzer, Lecturer in Fine Arts​​​​​​​
Markus Müller, Lecturer in Fine Arts​​​​​​​
Benoît Piccand, Lecturer in Sound Arts​​​​​​​
Annaïk Lou Pitteloud, Lecturer in Fine Arts​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Sadie Plant, Lecturer in Theory / Fine Arts​​​​​​​
Lara Stanic, Associate lecturer in Performance Art​​​​​​​

Auswahl von Mentor*innen + Gästen der Literatur

Hartmut Abendschein, Nurith Aviv, Jean-Christophe Bailly, Vincent Barras, Alain Berset, Stephane Blok, Camille Bloomfield, Ulrich Blumenbach, Sam Bourcier, Kate Briggs, Vincent Broqua, Barbara Cassin, Eric Chauvier, Mona Chollet, Cléa Chopard, Claro, Odile Cornuz, Yla von Dach, Jacques Demierre, Patrick Deville, Franz Dodel, Martin Doll, Regina Dürig, Urs Engeler, Pierre Fankhauser, Heike Fiedler, Roland Fischer, Eleonore Frey, Zsuzsanna Gahse, Baptiste Gaillard, Nathalie Garbely, Ariane von Graffenried, Claudia Hamm, Célia Houdart, Annette Hug, Rohit Jain, Kim de l'Horizon, Birgit Kempker, Friederike Kretzen, Jean-René Lassalle, Michel Layaz, Lou Lepori, Camille Luscher, Marielle Macé, Serge Margel, André Markowicz, Jean-Michel Maulpoix, Beat Mazenauer, Jérôme Meizoz, Francesco Micieli, Claude Mouchard, Magali Nachtergael, Balts Nill, Wilfried N'Sondé, Marianne Oertel, Pamela Ohene-Nyako, André Ourednik, Daniele Pantano, Annette Pehnt, Emmanuelle Pireyre, Nathalie Quintane, Roland Reichen, Noëlle Revaz, Claire de Ribaupierre, Lily Robert-Foley, Stéphanie Rosianu, Thomas Sandoz, Isabelle Sbrissa, Tobias Scheffel, Thomas Schestag, Ruth Schweikert, Monique Schwitter, Ryōko Sekiguchi, Fritz Senn, Michael Stauffer, Tabea Steiner, Ulf Stolterfoht, Anne-Sophie Subilia, Myriam Suchet, Peter Szendy, José-Flore Tappy, Camille de Toledo, Marie-Jeanne Urech, Peter Utz, Benoît Virot, Mathilde Vischer, Martin Zingg, Patricia Zurcher 

The Bern University of Applied Sciences offers students a wide range of opportunities at its locations in Bern, Biel, Burgdorf and Basel to make life attractive and enjoyable during their studies.

Take a look at ‘Studies + Life’

Article in the HKB newspaper

Information Event

At our information events, you can find out everything you need to know about the degree programme, admission requirements and your career prospects. Our students talk about their experiences on the programme and give you a personal insight into their everyday life at the Academy of the Arts HKB.

  • Information Event

Master Contemporary Arts Practice

Our Master in Contemporary Arts Practice (Master CAP) is an interdisciplinary programme covering the areas of Fine Arts, Sound Arts, Literary Writing and Literary Translation and Performance Art.

25.11.2026 – HKB, Schwabstrasse 10, 3018 Bern and online

Location + Facilities

Location

Bern Schwabstrasse 10

Facilities

At the HKB, you have the opportunity to study in an inspiring environment. Our studios, workshops, and laboratories provide plenty of space. Come and explore our facilities:

Main Campus - Schwabstrasse 10

  • Studio and seminar rooms

  • Exhibition spaces

  • Photo lab

Fellerstrasse 11

  • Print studio

  • MediaLab

  • Media Library

  • Workshop

Papiermühlestrasse 13

  • Sound studio

  • Music library

Swiss Literary Institute in Biel

– Library for Creative Writing / Translation