In 2016, Karlstad University was given the right to issue a Degree of Bachelor of Fine Arts at Ingesund School of Music. The experiences gained from that application process were then utilised in a new application for a Degree of Master of Fine Arts, which was submitted to the Swedish Higher Education Authority, UKÄ. The application has now been approved and Ingesund School of Music can issue a master’s degree. The master’s programme is estimated to start in the autumn of 2023.
Three cohorts of students has graduated from the bachelor’s programme in music, focused on western art music. Highly qualified teachers, courses that provide both broad and in-depth knowledge in music and a high student completion rate have resulted in a successful and well-functioning degree programme. The programme is aimed at student students seeking a solid foundation to be able to work as a professional musician in various artistic contexts, after graduation. Students also gain the qualifications to continue their artistic studies at master’s level. Some students have already started their music careers, and several have gone on to master’s studies abroad. Now, students can continue their studies at Ingesund School of Music.
“We are overjoyed over the Swedish Higher Education Authority’s decision,” says Carina Hauge-Rouass, senior advisor and former head of department at Ingesund School of Music. “The application was a team effort, where many teachers and students contributed greatly. We have the prerequisites needed to provide a master’s programme in music, so we look forward to start the new programme.”
“We have been anticipating this decision and we are ready to start the programme in the autumn of 2023,” says Göran Lindskog, head of department at Ingesund School of Music. “It’s challenging, but we will do everything in our power to reach this goal.”
“Ingesund has fought for this for a long time, and us students have also participated in the efforts,” says Martin Karlsson, chairperson of SMISK, a subsection of Karlstad Student Union. “It’s great that it can finally start! Ingesund School of Music is growing and offers both teacher education and several programmes in music, which is a positive development.”
