© Lisa Reiter

Office Ukraine is continuing a series of experience reports from students on enrolment in Austrian art universities. Many Ukrainians who visit our office are interested in how they can continue their education in Austria and what benefits this will bring. Art universities differ from other educational institutions in that they do not offer a classical liberal arts education, but provide an opportunity to develop creative skills and become part of the art world. However, getting in requires a lot of effort, as competition for places is quite high. We decided to ask Ukrainians who are already studying in Austria how they managed to do it and what advice they can give to those who are just thinking about applying.

Yevheniia Pavlova shared with us her story. 

— I study at the Site Specific Art department at the University of Applied Arts. There are about thirty students in the department, who share a workshop, kitchen, lecture rooms, meeting rooms, seminar rooms, exhibition space, and workshops for working with metal, wood, and casting moulds. The department has its own separate premises away from the three main university buildings. 

Once a week, there is a ZKF meeting (Zentrale künstlerische Fächer/The central artistic course): we have lunch together, briefly discuss organisational issues, and then several students present their projects. During the presentation, there is a discussion — everyone is free to express their opinions, impressions, criticism, and comments on the project. Sometimes on this day there are artist talks by invited artists, or we go to exhibitions together. Once a year there is a trip lasting several days, either in Austria or abroad. There is a significant difference from the Ukrainian education system, as I experienced it at the Academy of Arts in Kyiv.

In our department, the emphasis is more on teamwork, community, cohesion, communication, mutual support, and sharing, whether it be food, knowledge, ideas, or opportunities. 

In addition to ZKF, each student is free to choose other courses, seminars, and internships in accordance with the curriculum. The choice is huge, with about 1,000 different options. 

Entrance exams are held in two stages. 

First, you need to send your portfolio, CV, and diploma of previous education. Once your portfolio has passed the first selection, you will be invited to a personal interview. 

Beforehand, everyone taking the exam is given a sheet with about twenty questions of various kinds. 

You choose a few and prepare your answers, which can be a creative mini-project in any media. You are given 1-3 days to do this, after which there is a personal interview where you talk to the teaching staff and several students who are required to be present at the exam. The atmosphere during the interview is very friendly, everyone is usually attentive and sensitive to the applicants’ nerves. The teachers themselves are a little nervous, but they can joke and laugh to lighten the mood.

I started preparing my portfolio three months before the application deadline. The deadline is usually at the end of January, but you need to check the exact dates each year on the website. On the website, you also will find a form that you need to fill out, attach your CV, portfolio and previous diplomas, if any (preferably translated and apostilled), and send it before the deadline. Then wait for the result. If the result is positive, start preparing for the second round. It usually takes place at the end of February. But each department has its own schedule, so it is worth checking the website carefully. 

I can’t say it was easy — I spent a lot of time working on my portfolio, thinking through the logistics of travelling from Kyiv to Vienna, working at the same time, but it wasn’t super difficult either. 

In my opinion, the main criteria are openness, humanity, communication skills, a sincere desire and ability to express oneself through artistic practice, a love of art as a means of contributing to society, a willingness to share one’s research with others, to seek, to ask questions, not to be afraid to experiment… 

It is better to have at least a minimal understanding of the main trends in theory (decolonisation, queer, human/non-human bodies, anthropocene, petroculture, etc.) that contemporary art works with. It is even better to have a narrower or broader interest in a specific area of research through artistic practice and to be able to articulate what your interest is. If it is an intuitive approach and understanding of interest in the creative process, then say so, do not be shy about talking about yourself. It is also worth thinking before the exam about what you would like to say most importantly in order to fit it into 15 minutes. 

© Anastasia Verzun

After successfully passing the first round, in preparation for the second round, you can come up with a couple of projects, i.e. project ideas that the applicant will be able to implement in material during the exam days. 

Age is not important. It is important to have an interest and intention to really learn and complete the programme, and not only to take, but also to share your energy. 

Tip: usually, each department offers free consultations and portfolio reviews. Detailed information can be found on each department’s website. I highly recommend contacting them — it’s always a plus if the teachers know you a little before you start the admission process. They can also give you valuable tips on your portfolio.