Our Philosophy

Over the past century, and acceleratedly so during recent decades, visuality has become pervasive in all aspects of life due to the proliferation of media based communication devices which can be observed to have a strong basis in visuality. Thus the mission of the VACD program is to provide the student with an in-depth understanding of visuality and its applications to the domains of Visual Art and Visual Communication Design. However, our efforts go beyond a sole understanding / application of the visual fields themselves in that we also seek to bring about their integration with other creative output such as sound design, new media output and temporally based works implemented through the diversified building blocks of our curriculum.

Graduate

Obtaining the Master of Art degree of the VAVCD program at Sabancı University involves a rigorous study which combines studio work in art and design study related to these fields, and which form the two main tracks of the program.

MA VAVCD with a Thesis degree requirement is a fully articulated art or design project with a written theoretical dissertation that is expected to be presented to a jury at the end of the studies.

MA-VAVCD Non-Thesis degree requirement is a fully articulated art or design project that is expected to be presented to a jury at the end of the studies. In this case, a thesis submission is not expected.

Our faculty is comprised of a strongly committed group of individuals, whose output and recognition well extends into the international arena of art, design and theory; and a significant number of whom can profess to hybrid expertise and interest areas that lie at the convergence points of several related, but nonetheless distinct, fields. In the expandable/collapsible listings below you will find an overview of our individual areas of proficiency, our work media, and the creative/research topics as well as the theoretical areas which especially interest us or relate to us. Please navigate through them in order to find out more about us and the educational opportunities of our program. 

For further information about Visual Arts and Visual Communication Design Graduate Program, please contact Program Coordinator Assoc. Prof. Selçuk Artut (selcuk.artut@sabanciuniv.edu).

The deadline for graduate applications is May 30, 2025.

+ With Thesis Master's Program Degree Requirements

+ Non Thesis Master's Degree Requirements

+ Program Outcomes

+ Fees

+ Scholarships

+ Application Requirements

+ Apply Now

 

Undergraduate

In today’s world, where the problems are becoming increasingly more complex, nested in systems made of interdependent relationships requiring interdisciplinary expertise, the VAVCD program holds a central position among many disciplines. As VAVCD Program Members, we are continuously reconsidering our teaching methods and seeking more innovative and engaging ways of teaching how to think while at the same time addressing current concerns in art and design in a rapidly changing world. 
The program offers two main tracks, Visual Arts and Visual Communication Design. This structure allows students to pursue careers as artists, designers, or hybrids of the two.  Our unique curriculum encourages collaboration and exchange among these two disciplines.

For further information about Visual Arts and Visual Communication Design Undergraduate Program, please contact Program Coordinator Assoc. Prof. Selçuk Artut. (selcuk.artut@sabanciuniv.edu).

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the VAVCD program have a wide range of career opportunities. With the interdisciplinary education that they receive during the four years of study, our students are equipped with a great variety of skills and knowledge to work in different fields.

Our graduates have been employed as artists, designers, curators, art directors, film directors, communication advisors, fashion designers, journalists, brand managers, editors, social media experts, multimedia designers, technology consultants, academicians and more. They continue their careers at companies like Google, Fjord, Voden, TBWA, Alameti Farika etc.

 

Program Requirements

Program Requirements may vary according to the year of first enrollment. 

The following describes a recommendation to an eight-semester study plan and provides suggestions for different sets of tracks when possible.

+ Recommended Course Plan

 

Please be advised that when you are planning your course schedule, you have to satisfy the degree requirements of your diploma program. It is your responsibility to follow your progress in this regard. Please login to bannerweb.sabanciuniv.edu and check your status. Remember that the degree requirements for programs may differ depending on your first admission term. 

In addition to using the following suggested study plan, you are strongly advised to consult your advisor for all academic matters, including course selections. To find your personal academic advisor or Program Area Advisors, follow the link.

+Further details about program requirements

 

 

2025-prerequisities

please consult your supervisor for detailed instructions. 

Continuing students may track their program requirements on Student Resources web site based on the relevant level (undergraduate/graduate), year of first enrollment and program.

+ BA Program Outcomes

 

Exchange Programs

In an environment full of the opportunities presented by the influence of the European Union, our students are enjoying the possibility of attending exchange programs abroad. To enable our students which such opportunities, contracts have been signed between our university and various universities in Europe. To date, many of our students have participated in these programs, including different disciplines, different contents and duration. Consequently, foreign students are also welcome to study at Sabancı University and such programs are indeed in the progress of being further developed.

We have international exchange agreements in many parts of the world. The list of educational institutions we have agreements with is as follows.

Finland: Aalto University, France: Ecole Superieure d'Art de Lorraine, Ecole Nationale Superieure d'Arte et Design de Nancy, Germany: Technische Universität Dortmund, Universität Bremen, College of Fine Arts, Saarbrücken, The University of Applied Sciences Mainz, Hong Kong: The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Baptist University, Italy: Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti Milano, Accademia di Belle Arti di Roma, Malaysia: Taylor's University, Poland: Academy of Fine Arts in Gdansk, Academy of Fine Arts in Kraców, Portugal: Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Universidade do Porto, Singapore: National University of Singapore, Netherlands: Universiteit Leiden, ArtEZ University of the Arts, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: Birmingham City University, Belgium: Ecole supérieure des Arts de la Ville de LIEGE, Denmark: DMJX

* the list is subject to change,please consult with the international relations office for the updated info

For more information:

http://fass.sabanciuniv.edu/international/erasmus-exchange

Facilities

Our program provides students with extensive use of spaces and technologies compliant with the updated approaches in art and design making.
 

sabanci university vavcd video production studios

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Frequently Asked Questions

Undergraduate Program 

Question: Do you apply talent exam for the admissions?

VAVCD: No, We do not apply any talent exams

Question: What is the difference between Visual Arts and Visual Communication Design Programme?

VAVCD: Visual Arts focuses extensively on the study of arts, whereas Visual Communication Design focuses on design issues mainly structured on computer-aided design systems.

Question: Am I allowed to take VA401 and VA402 in the same semester?

VAVCD: Students are allowed to enroll VA401 and VA402 courses together given that they have the opportunity to fulfill their graduation requirements in the same semester. For registration, they can apply to the Dean of FASS with a petition with the approval of the faculty member they will be working with before the course registration.

Question: May I learn about the Fees and Admission Procedures?

VAVCD: Please follow this link https://www.sabanciuniv.edu/en/prospective-students

Question: Do the new prerequisite changes apply to all VAVCD Students?

VAVCD: Yes, but the degree requirements specified in your entry for your graduation still continue to apply. For example, if you are not enrolled in 2019, you cannot graduate without taking the VA302 Project Studio course.

Graduate Program

Question: Do you apply talent exam for the admissions?

VAVCD: No, We do not apply any talent exam.

Question: What is the difference between Visual Arts and Visual Communication Design Programme?

VAVCD: Visual Arts focuses extensively on the study of arts, whereas Visual Communication Design focuses on design issues mainly structured on computer-aided design systems.

Question: Is there a standard form of how should the portfolio be presented?

VAVCD: The portfolio needs to contain shortlisted work samples that reflect the applicant's talent in the field.

Question: Are we expected to have a degree in Visual Arts or Visual Communication Design to apply for the program?

VAVCD: You are not required to have a degree in Visual Arts or Visual Communication Design, however, it is preferred that you have a degree from a related field. 

Question: May I learn about the Fees and Admission Procedures?

Answer: Please follow this link https://www.sabanciuniv.edu/en/prospective-students

Question: What is the language of teaching?

VAVCD: English

 

Visual Arts & Visual Communication Design MA Program Alumni (Selected List)

Zeren Sevim Sipahioğlu Arkın - 2023 Masters - Sabancı University, Ph.D. in Gender Studies 

Ceyda Pektaş - 2021 Masters - Freelance Visual Designer (Glassdoor etc.)

İlke Alkan - 2019 Masters - Curatorial Assistant Kibele Art Gallery

Münire Burçak Gezeroğlu Christensen - 2018 Masters - Pennsylvania State University, Ph.D. in Art Education

Eser Epözdemir - 2018 Masters - Arts&Culture Consultant, Erişilebilir Her Şey