Fine Art MA

Course content

What will you study on the MA Fine Art?

Taught by some of the UK's leading artists, curators and practitioners in fine art, this course is divided into five modules taken over forty-five weeks, (if studied full time), and divided into three semesters. Each module is designed to be flexible, allowing you to extend the boundaries of your current artistic practice through experimentation, research, and critical analysis.

You will study practical and theoretical approaches to fine art, completing your own creative projects based on your research.

What will you gain?

You will gain the ability to conceptualise, plan and create your own work in various mediums. The course will develop your contextual understanding of fine art, both historical and contemporary. You will gain in confidence and insight into your own and others' practice while extending your range of skills and ambitions. You will also gain the knowledge and networking experience to forge your own path into industry.

In this module you will explore a chosen area of fine art in a contemporary context while enhancing your practical and technical skills. You'll be able to employ a variety of reflective methods to develop your own creative research proposal with the advanced communication skills to present, discuss and evaluate your work effectively. Stimulating weekly talks on ideas and practices in contemporary debates are given by eminent members of staff and visiting practitioners. One-to-one tutorials are combined with seminars and critical discussions to encourage confidence in making and speaking about what you do.

In this module you'll explore the key concepts, ideas, issues and research methodologies relating to the practice and theory of fine art. With particular focus on the cultural and social contexts within your chosen discipline, you'll produce a portfolio of critical responses to contemporary debates in research and professional practice. These sessions are led by eminent thinkers, practitioners and published writers on the staff team.

In this module you'll explore different strategies for curating an exhibition, whether as part of a group showcase or at an individually chosen location, with a critical report on how the exhibition was executed and received. Crucially, the findings and learnings from this module will inform your final Major Project in Term 3.

In this module you will examine a diverse range of advanced approaches to fine art research using both historical and contemporary sources. You will explore the work of practitioners and scholars in your chosen area of fine art and the contemporary research problems they encounter.

Using research methodologies, concepts and processes previously explored in the course you will be guided in evaluating relationships between theory and practice. You will produce a portfolio or public exhibition of a substantial body of practice supported by critical and reflective written work that demonstrate your credentials as an artist.

You can find more information about this course in the programme specification. Optional modules are not offered on every course. If we have insufficient numbers of students interested in an optional module, or there are staffing changes which affect the teaching, it may not be offered. If an optional module will not run, we will advise you after the module selection period when numbers are confirmed, or at the earliest time that the programme team make the decision not to run the module, and help you choose an alternative module.