Fine Art MA

You will study modules such as:

This stage is an opportunity to reflect on your creative practice, investigate and evaluate strategic approaches, and produce a body of practical work that demonstrates your research. You are encouraged to develop your ability to contextualise and critique your work and the work of others. You are supported in this by studying contemporary debates and theories that will help to underpin your practice.

This double module focuses on reflection and re-evaluation, research and experimentation using a wide variety of learning methods. It is an opportunity to consider the implications of your ideas in both the context of contemporary debate and practice and, more broadly, the ever-changing social, technical and economic context that working artists face. This module provides you with a foundation of creative and critical knowledge on which to build your Masters project.

This single module will extend your knowledge and understanding of international contemporary art practice. Through identifying and examining your aims and methods for producing and disseminating art, you will develop the theoretical knowledge needed for independent research. You will be guided in research methodology and study skills, gaining an understanding of scholarly conventions and ethical issues. Assessment is by oral presentation and response to questions (40%) and a revised written and illustrated version of your presentation of approximately 1,500 words (60%).

The benefit of this stage is that it will support you in a process of defining and refining your personal creative project, along with the ongoing development of your subject knowledge and critical development. This is an opportunity to consider how the meaning of your work is manipulated by such elements as display, location, audience and medium, whilst evaluating and rehearsing a range of presentation skills appropriate to the professional standards of postgraduate study. To complement your creative practice you are asked to identify and study the work of other artists who share similar concerns as your self. This stage has its own distinct identity but may also be seen as a preparation for a major practical project in stage three.

This double module provides the chance to identify and focus on a research question, producing some creative practical responses through a body of creative work. The emphasis of the module is on personal evaluation and developing your individual voice as an artist.

This module will help you to acquire the language and skills needed to locate and explain your practice in the professional art world. By undertaking a critical study of your practice in relation to the international context of contemporary art, you will be empowered by an advanced level of knowledge and understanding of art and art theory. As a result going on to articulate what is original and distinct about your own practice. You have the opportunity, through scholarly research and an extended essay, to demonstrate that you can explain, justify, and critique the aims and methods of your practice with the academic rigor and authority appropriate to Masters level study.

At this stage you will be expected to demonstrate your capacity for independent scholarship. Whilst continuing to benefit from the support of the school’s research community you will also have the challenge and stimulus of critical questions from fellow students and staff. You will be expected to take a high degree of ownership of your learning and full responsibility for the critical judgments you take of your own creative practice. The focus of this stage is on the realisation of a practical body of mature work and your understanding of its place and significance within the context of contemporary practice; your locus standi.

You will choose modules such as:

This triple module is an opportunity for you to demonstrate your deep engagement with the subject, your intellectual and critical awareness and apply your own creativity and imagination to your project. You will be expected to produce a significant and mature body of practical creative work that demonstrates the realisation of your individual practice and its location within the award you have chosen.