Visual Art Studies (Major)

The B.A. in Visual Art Studies (major) is delivered by a diverse faculty of artists, academics and art professionals. Students can expect to gain a solid background in art history and theory, with a range of studio-art classes to develop skills in any area of the visual arts, from introductory to advanced level of skills. The program also has a unique emphasis on art management and curatorial studies. The program combines historical foundations across the centuries with an emphasis on the international modern and contemporary art scene.

AAU’s Visual Art Studies program naturally has a focus on Central European developments, as Prague has been a Central European arts and cultural center for many centuries, and even in the harsher periods of Nazi occupation and Communism, the region has never diminished in terms of individual artists, art movements and overall artistic achievements. The wide range of art studio classes are all taught by active and well-established artists; arts management classes are taught by experienced curators and art managers fully engaged in the contemporary art world, and since Prague is so close to Berlin, Vienna, and Dresden, it is at the heart of the International art scene.

Practically all of the courses in the study program go beyond the classroom experience, as Prague is a unique living embodiment of art and architectural history in Europe. AAU is nearby several national museum and gallery buildings, some within walking distance or within a very short time by public transportation. The contemporary art scene in Prague is also multinational, while AAU’s study body adds a deeper multicultural flair to the city.  Students can join an array of clubs, but especially for the art-focused ones, there is Figment, which plans to organize workshops, guest talks, exhibitions and other related activities. Internship opportunities are also well developed due to the many galleries and art-related Czech or international institutions that are based in Prague. 

AAU has small art-studio facilities on campus and we are striving to provide external studios in cooperation with local art organizations, which have appropriate facilities. 

Students in the final year can receive a Visual Art Studies Scholarship for final projects.

Visual Art Studies is a 3-year study program. To graduate, students must accumulate 90 US credits (180 ECTS credits) by completing 30 courses. This program does not include a specific concentration, instead, students are required to take more major courses which allow for more choice of electives. 

Below, you can find the study plan for the Visual Art Studies program as well as a list of courses available to choose from. 

For the Visual Art Studies program, the following minors are available:

Having passed all the required and elective courses, students complete their studies by taking graduation examination: state exam covering the major module, state exam covering the concentration module, thesis defense.

For more information on the modular structure and the study program, please contact our admissions team at admissions@aauni.edu.

In partnership with .ART Domains, AAU provides all Visual Art Studies and Journalism students with standard domains and website builders to prepare them for their journey as professional artists. As a part of the curriculum, students choose their own domain names, create online portfolios and track their progress throughout their three-year program.

Or view other student projects here:

Graduates of the B.A. in Visual Art Studies can expect to:

AAU graduates thrive in multinational environments and are able to communicate professionally in English to international audiences. This program is also an ideal primer for the pursuit of an MFA. As a graduate of this degree program, you will be well-equipped to continue your studies or pursue a global career in areas such as: 

Interesting internship opportunities for VAS:  Kunsthalle Praha, Latin Art Gallery, Jindrich Chalupecky  Society, Centre of Contemporary Arts Gallery, Meetfactory.

The Bachelor’s degree awarded is concurrently recognized as a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in the United States, per AAU’s accreditation by the WASC Senior College and University Commission, and as a Bakalář (Bc.) in the Czech Republic, per AAU’s accreditation by the National Accreditation Bureau for Higher Education (NABHE). Graduates may select whether to use the U.S. post-nominal or the Czech pre-nominal title.

We provide a wide range of scholarships, tuition discounts, and financial aid options to help make quality education more accessible. To learn please visit our dedicated Financial Aid and Scholarships page.