Fine Art

We are amongst the few creative institutions that have taken the brave step to remove barriers between specialist areas. We have brought together a range of art practices including; painting, sculpture, film and video, photography, digital media, sound, print, performance, and drawing. You are free to explore any of these areas throughout your time on the course and work within an open framework that will challenge and open up many possibilities.

You will be taught through a programme of tutorials, seminars and lectures which allow you to gain an awareness of the dialogue particular to the area you may be exploring. Highly student-centred, the course provides a forum for exchanging diverse ideas and opinions; peer group learning being central to this experience.

Throughout the course, practice and theory are integrated so that you gain an informed and objective awareness of the external contexts and conditions which shape or frame contemporary art practice. You will become aware of the condition and practice of the contemporary fine art practitioner in the wider context of historical, critical, social and cultural definitions. The integration of theory and practice allows you to reflect upon the context of your studio practice through a critical engagement with the issues and concerns, which motivate and inform it.

A core-teaching objective is to enable you to become 'self-managed' from early on in the programme. While there is a curriculum framework common to all students, the nature of your studies are individual, determined by on-going negotiation with your tutors and peers, reflecting your developing creative interests and learning needs.

Course Highlights

A high value is placed on independent research and self-motivated study. It is important that you come fully prepared to participate in the learning process.

The course has a high proportion of visiting teachers who are internationally active as professional practitioners in art and design.

We are amongst the few creative institutions that have taken the brave step to remove barriers between specialist areas.

Course Structure

In each year you will be allocated a Tutor Group with whom you will meet on a regular basis to discuss your work as well as that of other members of the group. You will receive regular one-to-one tutorials and take part in exhibitions both in the College exhibition spaces and off-site.

Year One
You will receive an induction to learning at undergraduate level and the aims and structure of the course. Group or introductory reviews of your work will help you to locate your ideas and interests within the course and you will learn about research and study skills and how to become an independent learner able to critically reflect upon your own practice. Workshop, library and technical inductions will help you to understand the resources that are available to you and how to use and operate them effectively. In addition, you will also be introduced to University and College resources such as IT, Academic Support and Student Services.

Year Two
Your second year will see you continuing the development of your practice and the theory needed in order to put it into context. The theory part of the year will see you deliver two essays as well as a dissertation proposal as you gear up for the third and final year. The second year also offers you the choice of Elective study in terms one and two. Electives allow you to broaden your study and learn from other practices. You will receive a full list of Electives available to you upon enrolment. There is also an optional three-month study period abroad.

Year Three
This final year is greatly important as it is the period of critical decision making for the production of your Final Degree Show. It allows you the time and support to work on a final body of work and is the culmination of the time you have spent on the BA (Hons) Fine Art course. You will present a proposal for the show, identify the requirements for its realisation and select, curate and present your artworks to a professional standard.