Exchange with Konstfack University College of Arts, Crafts and Design
Stockholm, Sweden • Fall or Spring
Spring 2027 Application Cycle is Now Open
What is an ArtCenter Exchange Program?
Spend a term at one of ArtCenter’s partner institutions around the world. Earn up to 15 transfer credits. You will pay ArtCenter tuition for the term and maintain your financial aid package as eligible. Housing and other expenses are additional.
Application Deadlines
March 1 — Fall term abroad
September 1 — Spring term abroad
How To Apply
Step 1 — Apply through Global Programs — no fee to apply
Submit your application through the Global Programs Application Portal.
Step 2 — Department Nomination & Partner University Application
If nominated by your department, you will then submit a second application directly to Konstfack University.
Academics
Majors: Fine Art • Graphic Design • Illustration • Product Design • Spatial Experience Design
Credit
Transfer up to 15 credits to ArtCenter.
Schedule
Fall term: late August/early September to mid – January
Spring term: late January – early-June*
*The spring term overlaps with the ArtCenter summer term. Students are not allowed to depart early from the Konstfack exchange program and must take a leave of absence for the summer term.
Eligibility
• Have completed at least four undergraduate terms or two graduate terms prior to the term away
• Have at least one term remaining at ArtCenter after returning
• Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
• Not be on academic or disciplinary probation at the time of application
If you are not sure if you meet all the minimum eligibility requirements, you are still welcome to apply.
Cost
Administrative fee
After you are nominated by your department and accepted by the exchange university, you will pay a $250 fee to ArtCenter’s Global Program Office to confirm your participation.
ArtCenter Tuition
Tuition for this exchange program is the same as full-time ArtCenter tuition for the term, including financial aid as eligible.
Additional estimated expenses to consider
• Housing (varies by location)
• Round-trip international airfare: up to $1,500
• Passport: $135
• Visa (if required) and student residence permit (if required)
• Supplemental health insurance policy if required by the location
• School project supplies (as needed)
• Daily living expenses (meals, transportation, etc.): $500–$600 per month, varies by location and personal budget
Financial aid and scholarships are not available from the exchange institution.
Additional scholarships may be available from outside sources: artcenterstudyaway.com/pay-for-study-away
Housing
Konstfack offers housing in a dorm built exclusively for exchange students. The rooms are 20-22 square meters and are fully equipped with a kitchenette and a tiled bathroom. There are laundry facilities and storage rooms in the basement. However, space in this housing is limited, and students must be accepted to the program in order to apply for housing here. Check out other off-campus options through Konstfack’s website.
About the Program:
Konstfack University of Arts, Crafts and Design is the largest university for art, crafts, and design in Sweden. Located in Stockholm, the school offers an interdisciplinary and studio-based learning environment focused on experimentation, critical thinking, and contemporary creative practice.
Konstfack is housed in a former telephone factory redesigned into a modern academic space and is known for its extensive workshop and studio facilities, including:
Wood and metal shops
Screen and textile printing facilities
Ceramics and glass workshops
Sculpture and painting studios
Photography and TV studios
Weaving and color workshops
Computer labs
The university emphasizes hands-on learning, sustainability, and social responsibility, encouraging students to explore creative practice through both material experimentation and critical inquiry. Konstfack also has a strong international presence, with exchange partnerships across more than 60 universities and opportunities to collaborate with students from around the world.
Important Note
For most undergraduate departments, the primary language of instruction is Swedish. However, lecturers provide guidance and instruction in English to support exchange students in participating fully in courses.
Areas of Study
Fine Art
Graphic Design + Illustration
Industrial Design
Interior Architecture & Furniture Design
Textile Design
Ceramics + Glass
Learn More
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Stockholm is known for its waterfront landscapes, strong design culture, and high quality of life. Built across 14 islands connected by bridges and public transit, the city combines historic architecture with contemporary Scandinavian design and innovation.
Stockholm is internationally recognized for its influence in:
Design
Architecture
Technology
Sustainability
Fashion and Creative Industries
The city is home to major cultural institutions, galleries, museums, and design events, including Stockholm Design Week and the Stockholm Furniture Fair.
Students Enjoy
Walkable neighborhoods and waterfront views
Reliable public transportation
Strong Scandinavian design culture
Contemporary art, fashion, and creative industries
Safe and high-quality urban environment
Access to parks, nature, and the archipelago
Nearby Highlights
Gamla Stan (Old Town)
Vasa Museum
Moderna Museet
Stockholm Design Week
Stockholm Furniture Fair
Innovation & Technology
Stockholm is also recognized as one of Europe’s leading startup and technology hubs, home to companies such as:
Spotify
SoundCloud
King
Still have questions?
Use our online calendar to schedule an appointment!
Previous Course Offerings
The following courses are examples of previous exchange offerings and may vary by term. Students should refer to the exchange university website for the most current course information and availability.
Fall Term Courses Options
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Fine Art Fall Modules (30ECTS/15 Credits)
When you are admitted to Konstfack´s exchange program to the undergraduate/bachelor program at Fine Art you will be placed in the 2nd year of the program and follow their curriculum.As an exchange student, you can also choose from a number of elective courses. The breakdown of courses (or modules) is as follows:
Modules in the course:
Individual Artistic Work 2 Autumn (15 ECTS credits)
Theory C (3 ECTS credits)
Elective Modules (1-12 ECTS credits)
Individual Artistic Project (1-12 ECTS credits)
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Graphic Design + Illustration (30ECTS/15 Credits)
When you are admitted to Konstfack’s GFI exchange program in autumn you will be placed in the 3rd year of the bachelor program. Some courses in the 1st and/or 2nd year may also be offered. In this course catalogue you can see the course ranges for the current upcoming autumn and spring semester.GIK313 Graphic Design and Illustration 5: Visual Complexity
Module 1: My room: The archive 3, (3 ECTS credits)
The student applies their knowledge in working critically and reflectively with references, sources of inspiration as well as historiography and theory of visual communication through their own artistic creative work.Module 2: Professional Life 2, (7,5 ECTS credits)
The student practices their ability to, together with other students, independently organize and implement a project in visual communication on behalf of an external party.Module 3: Code!, (4,5 ECTS credits)
The module introduces the student to contemporary digital ways of working through software, and to tools for working iteratively and process-based with programming to make their own art and design.Module 4: Text–Image–Typography: Narrative Processes, (9 ECTS credits)
In-depth studies of sequential storytelling, where the student independently formulates and creates both content and dramaturgical concepts, to identify, formulate and solve storytelling technical problems.Module 5: Physidigital Life, (6 ECTS credits)
The student examines the conditions for visual communication as a field of work in an increasingly digital world, through their own creative work.
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Industrial Design (ID) (30 ECTS/15 Credits)
When you are admitted to Konstfack´s exchange program at ID for the fall term you will be placed in the 3rd year of the Undergraduate/Bachelor program and follow their curriculum.Module 1: Internship, (6 ECTS credits)
The module aims to offer the student knowledge about what it is like to work as an employed designer. The student will undertake an internship in collaboration with professional designers and will work in a professional context, and also learn about methods used by professional designers. The module ends with the student conducting a visual and verbal presentation of the placement.Module 2: Collaboration between different actors, (9 ECTS credits)
The module aims to provide exercises in collaboration with different actors. This means identifying relevant collaborations and stakeholders for designers, as well as collaborating with other competences and making assessments as to which other parties, entities, knowledge and experiences that may be valuable to include in different types of processes. The student will reflect on their own contribution to the collaboration based on design as their own field of knowledge.Module 3: Independent Design Project (12 ECTS credits)
The student will develop a design-driven project and will use several design methods, such as prototype development, sustainable material exploration, aspects of circular design, user studies and experiences in relevant contexts to learn about desirable opportunities. The student will create a well-articulated design proposal and critically reflect on this based on its possible impact on people, organisations, the environment and the economy.Module 4: In-depth study of a chosen design subject, (3 ECTS credits)
Here the student will conduct an in-depth study of their chosen subject area, driven by sustainability, social or subject matter interests. The student will practice searching, filtering and analysing inspiration and information and refer to different kinds of sources. The student will presents their in- depth knowledge in a clear and creative way both verbally and in writing.
Spring Term Courses Options
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Fine Art Spring Modules (30ECTS/15 Credits)
When you are admitted to Konstfack´s exchange program to the undergraduate/bachelor program at Fine Art you will be placed in the 2nd year of the program and follow their curriculum.As an exchange student, you can also choose from a number of elective courses. The breakdown of courses (or modules) is as follows:
Modules in the course:
Individual Artistic Work 2 Spring (15 ECTS credits)
Theory D (3,0 ECTS credits)
Elective Modules (1-12 ECTS credits)
Individual Artistic Project (1-12 ECTS credits)
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Graphic Design + Illustration (30ECTS/15 Credits)
When you are admitted to Konstfack’s GFI exchange program in spring you will be placed in the 2nd year of the bachelor program. Some courses in the 1st and/or 2nd year may also be offered. In this course catalogue you can see the course ranges for the current upcoming autumn and spring semester.GIK212 Graphic Design and Illustration: Visual Worlds
Module 1: My Room: The Archive 2, (2,5 ECTS credits)
The student deepens their knowledge in working with and critically relating to reference material, and is introduced to methods for working artistically with archives.Module 2: Drawing 2: Drawing in the Archive, (1,5 ECTS credits)
The student is introduced to drawing as a recording, observing and interpreting tool in a certain context.Module 3: Elective Modules, (4,5 ECTS) credits Individual work in a certain area.
Module 4: Publication and Publishing 3: Spatially, (5 ECTS credits)
The student is introduced to visual communication in spatial environments, for example in exhibitions, scenography, architecture, sign systems, supergraphics.Module 5: Play!, (4,5 ECTS credits)
The student is introduced to design and illustration in digital games, and the narrative conditions and limitations that are specific to digital games.Module 6: Professional Life 1, (7,5 ECTS credits)
The student collaborates with professional designers/illustrators or other relevant professional groups and gains insight into professional working methods and contexts through an internship period outside school.Module 7: My Room: Reflection and Presentation 2, (1,5 ECTS credits)
The student participates in graduation presentations on the bachelor's program Graphic Design and Illustration and the master's program Visual Communication.Module 8: My Room: The Studio 2, (3 ECTS credits)
The student deepens their practical knowledge in running professional activities in illustration and graphic design, and is introduced to economic, social and ecological sustainability.
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Industrial Design (ID) (30 ECTS/15 Credits)
When you are admitted to Konstfack´s exchange program at ID for spring you will be placed in the 2nd year of the program and follow their curriculum and courses.Module 1: Design for sustainable development - focus on biomimicry and design from nature, (9 ECTS credits) In this module, the student is introduced to the complexity of nature-inspired design methods and the reasons why they are critical for achieving ecological design solutions. The student develops and learns basic frameworks for nature-inspired sustainable design in relation to design ecology, a product’s life cycle, and biomimicry. Based on nature’s strategies, the student engages in exercises to develop design proposals inspired by nature by applying methods on three levels: form, process, and system. In addition, the student will develop the ability to engage in critical reflection and thinking, along with awareness about sustainable design. By means of iterative prototype development, the student generates ideas inspired by nature for the purpose of developing ecological design proposals.
Module 2: Design with an artistic focus, (9 ECTS credits) Practical and theoretical knowledge and skills are woven together here in the design process, with both aesthetic and semiotic concepts in focus. The module includes an exercise in distinguishing and applying concepts and an artistic, product-designed process. The student will engage in exercises to learn how to work in a collective process during the active formation of physical models, and also in an evaluation of the design process in relation to the results.
Exercises are engaged in here to develop the student’s capability to discuss how intentions drive an exploration of form, space and materials. The student will also engage in exercises to systematically map out product areas and developing scenarios along with 2-D and3-D sketching/model building. The student is encouraged to develop a high degree of independence and collaborative skills.
Module 3: The designer’s professional contexts, (6 ECTS credits) A project is implemented with an organization, a company, or within a specific field of work for the purpose of offering the student insights into various different types of work that a designer performs, as well as forms of collaborations and stakeholders that a designer will encounter. This module introduces key concepts, methods, and techniques used in marketing, and the student develops both a design proposal and a marketing plan. The module also includes a basic orientation in various needs and possibilities for design in a global marketplace. In addition the student is introduced to various perspectives on the market, sustainability and community-at-large to gain an increased understanding of the role of design in society.
Module 4: Design in collaboration with students from another program at Konstfack, (3 ECTS credits) Students from Industrial Design, design proposals together with students from other programmes at Konstfack based on a theme designed to provide students from different programmes the opportunity to approach the task based on their respective knowledge, background and skills. The student offered training in the ability to interact and collaborate with other disciplines. They will also describe, analyse and interpret form, as well as critically reflect on their own and others’ artistic approach.
Module 5: Specialization within visualization and communication, (3 ECTS credits) The student chooses a specialization ti immerse themselves in from one of the primary areas of visualization and communication: 2D, 3D, photographs or video. By means of the chosen specialization, the student will explore ways to visually communicate a selected project with relevance to the subject area.