Exchange courses in Visual Arts Bachelor
Autumn 2026
A programme of one semester for international exchange students who have obtained at least 120 ECTS in visual arts: graphic design, fine arts and object and jewellery on bachelor level.
Individual coaching in English.
Please note that being nominated by your home university unfortunately does not automatically lead to a guaranteed place at PXL-MAD. The approval of the application is based on:
- A motivation letter
- An extended electronic artistic and personal portfolio that shows your experience in the studio you have chosen. The portfolio should be presenting a minimum of 20 arts works.
*This course is obligatory for all students.
Language courses
For official course catalogue information check the course catalogue: Course Catalogue 2026-2027 (available from june 2026).
Group Exhibition Project 1
A joint Erasmus group exhibition at the end of the semester challenges the students to explore, in one or more individual projects and a group work, the opportunity of being an exchange student confronted with different cultural experiences. The challenges -and thus learning opportunities- are substantial, as they have to collaborate in a multicultural Erasmus students group in a completely new cultural environment without the support of their familiar relational network. Pieter Vermeulen functions as art director (curator), to whom the students have to sell their ideas for the exhibition to.
Drawing 1
Drawing technique gives immediate access to the world of imagination because in drawing the material world virtually disappears. In this course the student chooses between: - Model drawing or sketching, as a self-critical continuation of model drawing. - An experimental approach to drawing in which drawing as a hybrid(cross-disciplinary) visual language is investigated
The student is guided for a semester in the independent development in drawing and in the representation of his artistic actions (with regard to their personal research process). The first two lessons are orientative and consist of focused lectures and other presentations on autonomous and communal work processes in art. The student is expected to master a personal approach, with which he engages artistically in the class of his choice. It is further expected that the student gradually realizes their own research process with new images and that they can reflect on this. The final assessment is based on form and content and the concrete elaboration of the chosen process. Class is given by Ellen Vrijsen and Boaz Kaizman.
Image Analysis 1
Image Analysis: image thinking, interpretation of, and learning to analyze images is central. In this course the students work with -and think through- all media and therefore utilize different artistic languages: film, photography, theater, music, ... The relationship content/form is a constant interaction process. Image analysis starts with content parameters from semiotics, iconography, mental space, virtual axes,.. For this course a research attitude is essential. The course dives deep into the artist book, image and other langugaes. The learns to analyse the difference between an art book and an artist's book. The students are required to visit visual art exhibitions (a comprehensive and adapted overview is offered by the teacher). This can be the occasion to find one's own artistic point of view and from there the concept of the artist's book is established. The objective of the assignment is to be able to translate one's own artistic imagery and attitude into the specific rhythm of a book form. The teachers are Patrick Ceyssens, Lieven Segers and Hilde Stevens.
Contemporary Art & Theory 2
This course is a thematic introduction to contemporary arts using selected topics from the Whitechapel Documents of Contemporary Art (The MIT Press) publication series: documentary, the everyday, the market, dance, failure, beauty, the sublime,.... Within each conceptual framework, several examples will
be discussed and analyzed using visual material. The students are also expected to follow up on national and international current events in both liberal arts, jewellery design and graphic design: the culture of debate, studio practice, exhibition practice, critical context. Various art journals can be used to keep a finger on the pulse of current events (e.g., HART, Rekto:Verso, De Witte Raaf, Metropolis M). This class is given by curator Pieter Vermeulen.
Visual Grammar
In the autumn semester, you will lay a solid foundation in graphic and experience-oriented design. You will learn to think like a designer, experiment with tools and techniques, and develop a strong visual language. You will understand the essence of design: from lines, shapes, and colors to balance and composition. Develop a keen eye for typography and visual harmony.
This studio is supported by Visual Design & Story 1, Digitial Design and Concept & Stategy courses.
Visual Design & Story 1
In the autumn semester, you will lay a solid foundation in graphic and experience-oriented design. You will learn tothink like a designer, experiment with tools and techniques, and develop a strong visual language. You will explore the power of image, sound, and movement. Discover how to create compelling and impactful stories with cultural symbolism, storyboarding, and sequential design.
This studio is supported by Visual Design & Story 1, Digitial Design and Concept & Stategy courses.
Digital Design
In the autumn semester, you will lay a solid foundation in graphic and experience-oriented design. You will learn tothink like a designer, experiment with tools and techniques, and develop a strong visual language. You will Immerse yourself in the digital world: from UX/UI and motion design to sustainability in digital design. Prepare for the future of graphic communication This studio is supported by Visual Design & Story 1, Concept & Stategy and Visual Grammar courses.
Concept & Strategy
In the autumn semester, you will lay a solid foundation in graphic and experience-oriented design. You will learn tothink like a designer, experiment with tools and techniques, and develop a strong visual language. You will learn to generate strong ideas with design thinking and research. Use creative thinking and strategy to bring concepts to life and build brand stories.
This studio is supported by Visual Design & Story 1, Digitial Design and Visual Grammar courses.
Studio Ceramics 1
Ceramics has many forms of expression from pottery design to a free representation of figures and concepts. Ceramics are being included more and more in contemporary forms of design and in fine arts. In this course old and new techniques are used to rethink the position of ceramics within contemporary visual art. The combined approach -from matter, knowledge and tradition- is an enrichment of conceptual and spatial thinking. Also the exploration of different forms of expression in clay from sculptural ceramics,
ceramic design, installations, performances to total concepts is revieved in this course. The student can develop and set up his own research under supervision. By making choices in the concept and the material, the student learns to further develop his own visual language. The emphasis is on individual development. A very personal approach is expected, both in terms of content and on the visual level, whereby communication is important. The student participates in study trips, lectures and exhibition visits as part of the curriculum. Marieke Pauwels and Jeannine Vrins, are the teachers for this studio.
Studio Painting 1
In the Painting department, in a climate of collegial dialogue with the students, they strive to accomplish as broad of a reflection on the visual arts as possible. It is essential to be familiar with ideas about painting in the current times, to be conscious of contemporary international trends in an art-historical perspective. Students are expected to develop a method of working and to focus their research on a subject or theme of their choice. Context, content and workingmethod are discussed on a weekly basis with the studio teachers. It is required to have a research attitude, to visit exhibitions in order to review the work against the background of contemporary painting and art practice. The internationally renowned artists Koen Van den Broek, Stef Driessen and Patrick Vanden Eynde guarantee a high standard of internationally recognized artistic quality.
Studio Printmaking 1
The program of the printmaking studio includes research, experimenting and dialogue. On this base it strives to combine the rich diversity of traditional forms of expression with the creativity and the inventiveness of contemporary art. The student’s individual concept is used as a starting point. Choice of materials and techniques will be related to the proposed project and content. Questioning and tentative conclusions will be discussed by the student and the docent in individual and group meetings. The student, assisted by the docent, is expected to develop a method that answers both practical and content issues. The student takes part in study tours, lectures and exposition visits, which are part of the curriculum. Feijen Mike, and Kato Six, well-known graphic artists, excel in this medium.
Studio Sculpture and Installation 1
In the sculpture atelier the students study contemporary sculpture and gain insight into its historical evolution. Through dialogue they also keep up with what is happening in the broad spectrum of contemporary art. The main focus is to explore and develop your own personal artistic project. A certain degree of independent working is expected. You'll get technical as well conceptual advice. Upon request, assignments can be formulated. Stijn Wybouw and Caroline Coolen are young and enthusiastic artists, who already have an impressive list of awards, each have their own view on contemporary sculpture.
Studio Object and Jewellery 1
The atelier for Jewellery Design and Object trains students to be broad-minded, innovative and individualistic designers of ornaments and objects. A researching attitude is cultivated. The atelier rests on three pillars: materials and technique, function and portability, and finally concept and context. The interaction between these components is not hierarchical: each of the three can serve as a starting point
to be linked to a design method. The design methods are spread across assignments and projects under the supervision of David Huycke, Pauwels Audi, Swillen Anneleen and Karen Wuytens.
Studio Open Lab 1
In Open Lab new artistic possibilities, without a specific focus on one medium or discipline are explored. Students can work around performances, videos, concept thinking and also create art with smell, taste, touch and sound. Open Lab offers the opportunity to develop oneself into a quirky, authentic and inquisitive artist. Respect for the specificity of the discipline is accompanied by theoretical deepening, attention to contemporary international tendencies, cross-disciplinary projects and individual interviews with both fellow students and teachers. This gives the opportunity to independently develop ones practice, determine ones own position and choose the right tools.
The main focus is to explore and develop your own personal artistic project. Independent working is encouraged, nevertheless technical as well conceptual and contextual advice is provided. The student takes part in study tours, lectures and exposition visits, which are part of the curriculum.
The professors Carina Gosselé who masters video, installations and performance art together with the internationally well renowned artist Peter De Cupere, tutor and specialist in creating works of art with the sense of smell. Liesbet Hermans is the third professor of the department focussing on performance.
Summer School English
An intensive English language course (held before the start of the other courses) for incoming and outgoing PXL students (+-35 hours divided over 6 weekdays from 9/9 to 16/9).
In order to determine your level you'll have to complete a written intake and an oral intake interview before the start of the Summer School on 8/9 on campus in Hasselt.
Using authentic material, this course gives you the best possible chance of making the most of your educational opportunities and it provides help in developing essential skills for your career.
With the focus on general English you will be given the opportunity to practice on:
- Writing reports, essays …
- Giving presentations, seminar discussions …
- Taking notes on the main points of a lectures …
- Understanding main ideas in paragraphs and longer texts …
- Brief recapitulation of the main grammar items…
Survival Dutch
You will learn the basics of the Dutch language so you will be able to take the bus/train, find your way in Hasselt or order a pint in a pub.There is a strong focus on communication, listening to conversations by native speakers and understanding the (basic) contents.
Subjects:
- Meeting and greeting, on the road
- In town: shopping - eating – drinking – washing clothes
- The alphabet, pronunciation
- Numbers, time, dates
- Going out, making an appointment
- Health, going to the doctor and pharmacy.
The lectures will take place during 9 weeks (sept-dec), this with a frequency of 3 hours (evening) a week.
English for eXchange
In this course, students learn how to communicate in an international (professional) context. Students work on their general language skills as well as improve their language competences so that they can function in an international working environment.
This course is designed to practice the four communicative skills: reading, writing, listening and speaking by e.g.:
- reading newspaper articles and short stories and understanding the (basic) contents;
- deriving the meaning of selected vocabulary items from a text;
- writing formal/neutral (professional) and informal emails or letters;
- listening to conversations by native speakers and understanding the (basic) contents;
- watching short movie fragments and understanding the (basic) contents;
- expressing one's opinion about topics of general or professional interest;
- having everyday (professional) conversations/performing role plays.
The exact contents of the course is subject to change and is open to suggestions by students. Students extend their vocabulary by reading real life texts, listening to conversations by native speakers and by having conversations and playing role plays.
They study grammar items by doing exercises and will have to put these grammatical items into practice in conversations and in writing.
The lectures will take place during 9 weeks (sept-dec), this with a frequency of 3 hours (evening) a week.