MA in Photography

MA in Photography

Last modified: 13. March 2025

The aim of the master's course is to train photographers who, with their up-to-date visual, photo theory, cultural history and media knowledge, are able to build a long-term independent career as an artist, creator and researcher, for continuous creative renewal, while maintaining a critical approach in the field of media application. They are able to develop, plan and conduct photographic projects independently or in cooperation with representatives of other arts, they are prepared to transfer their professional knowledge and to represent and apply it in an international context. They are prepared to continue their studies in doctoral training.


Qualification of the degree:

  • level of degree: Master of Science (MSc);
  • qualification: Photographer.

Length of program: 4 semesters
Work schedule: full-time (HU, EN)
Financial options: state scholarship or self-funded
Program Leader: Gergely Szatmári DLA
Training location: Kaposvár (Kaposvár Campus)
Language of conduction: Hungarian or English

Skills and professional competences acquired on completion of the program

The photographer designer is an artist, who

  • recognizes complex photographic problems, develops his own design and creative program, and carries out independent creative professional work based on this.
  • applies his previously acquired and systematized knowledge and experience in a strategic manner in changing, new types of complex situations.
  • independently investigates complex photography-related problems, conducts complex art and design research, critically treats data and sources, systematically interprets broader contextual relationships and processes.
  • relying on a high level of critical thinking, is capable of creative and designer reflection, as well as developing an independent, solid professional position.
  • mobilize their creativity in changing, new types of complex situations and develops innovative solutions that leave the traditional framework.
  • independently and routinely, consistently carries out the photographic art design and creative process, makes high-level and complex design and creative decisions, and creates a complex original work.
  • routinely and innovatively applies the appropriate photographic art tool, method, process and production technology to realize individual concepts and independent designs.
  • in an interdisciplinary creative environment, represent their own field competently and to a high standard, working in a team as an equal, creatively cooperating with representatives of other professions and different artistic fields
  • manage photographic art projects, processes and resources, working in a group he plays the leading role and directs creative, planning and implementing activities.
  • present their photography activities, ideas, and results to the public with great confidence and competence, and conducts a high-level dialogue with their professional community, representatives of related professions, experts, clients, and lay audiences on complex topics related to their field of expertise, in his native language and in a foreign language.
  • represent their professional position and professional interests with arguments in a dispute situation, and is capable of conflict management during cooperation.
  • apply the ethical and copyright standards of their field, and in accordance with professional expectations, apply their knowledge within different institutional frameworks.
  • able to evaluate their own photographic activity, professional strengths and weaknesses, and constantly keeps up-to-date, renews and develops their knowledge, competences and creative design practice.

Conditions of obtaining pre-degree certificate (absolutorium)

  • completion of: all the compulsory subjects of the program, the required number of optional credits according to the curriculum and the number of credits for the preparation of the thesis, for a total of 120 credits.

Final exam

As part of the master's program, the student takes a final exam to prove his preparation at the end of his studies. In the final exam, the student demonstrates his high-level practical and theoretical professional knowledge of photography and his ability to put his design-theoretical knowledge to the service of practice, he is able to comment on all of this in a specialized study prepared with scientific requirements, and he is prepared in the fields of expertise that form the core material of the master's degree.


Condition to attend final exam:

  • obtained pre-degree certificate (absolutorium);
  • submission of thesis and its acceptance by reviewers;
  • the student shall not be in debt to the University.
  • obtaining the credits required for the Photography master's program (120 credits);
  • submission of the masterpiece by the deadline;

Parts of final exam:
Final exam has 3 parts:

  • masterpiece;
  • thesis;
  • defense.

Evaluation of final exam and qualification of degree from 2020/21 academic year

Accordingly, to chapter 4.3.16 Final exam and chapter 4.3.17. Degree certificate.

Model curriculum of the program