Fine Art BA(Hons)

Why choose this course?

This course offers a study of performance, film, video, computer-aided imagery, advanced printmaking and photography, as well as the more traditional media of painting and sculpture.

You can also choose to study Art History alongside BA(Hons) Fine Art.

What will you study?

We operate a system of individual learning agreements where you identify and plan an individual programme of work in agreement with your tutor. Your progress will be supported by regular tutorials, together with workshops in media such as computing, printmaking and photography. A lively series of lectures, seminars and study visits will give a contextual background to your work.

Please note that this is an indicative list of modules and is not intended as a definitive list. Those listed here may also be a mixture of core and optional modules.

Year 1

• Introduction to Fine Art Practice

• Introduction to Fine Art Practice

  This module promotes effective use of the studio to develop your art practice. It is designed to raise your awareness of the need to manage your own learning while developing your creativity within the studio environment.

  You will learn to identify their existing skills, plus acquire and develop those skills you will use in the future through a series of introductions and workshops, including optional subject-specific workshops. A team project and group exhibition enables you to consider forms of group and collaborative practices and approaches to learning and exhibiting in a fine art and art school context.

  We will offer optional subject-specific workshops to promote media and thematic development in art practice. Introductions to the workshops are carried out to establish safe practice and competency.

  
   
• Studio Practice

• Studio Practice

  This module develops your studio working methodologies and practices.

  You will be supported by a number of workshops, seminars, tutorials and projects based on key areas of practice, such as sculpture, film and video, painting and performance. You will begin to establish yourself and your work within a studio environment.

  
   
• Exhibition/Portfolio

• Exhibition/Portfolio

  This module develops:

  • reflective thinking about the practical work made within the studio; and
  • strategic skills for showing, recording, communicating and displaying work in both portfolio and exhibition formats.

  You will acquire an understanding of editing, displaying and disseminating practical work to your peers, teaching staff and external audiences.

  
   
• Introduction to Current Issues in Art Practice, Theory and Display 1

• Introduction to Current Issues in Art Practice, Theory and Display 1

  This module introduces the various ways of interpreting, analysing and presenting specific trends in the visual and live arts.

  Through a series of lectures and case studies, you will examine the historical, theoretical and critical debates central to current issues in art theory and practice, including live arts, text-based art and electronic arts.

  Designed to help you to develop a critical approach towards the main art institutions, study visits to important exhibitions in leading London galleries will support your lectures. This will lead to an understanding of the relationships between art, space, place and audience, and will provide the foundation for self-directed research on a theme related to module content.

  
   
• Language option
• Art and design history option

Year 2

• Studio Practice

• Studio Practice

  In this module you:

  • build on previous achievements;
  • generate and explore imagery through experimentation; and
  • develop and extend formal language through a process of continuous research.

  Teaching is delivered by core tutorials with a personal tutor and four scheduled seminars at which the work of students is discussed by two staff and the tutee group. Further elective tutorials are offered by all Fine Art staff.

  We also offer subject options in fine art media to promote media and thematic development in art practice. The module promotes the effective use of the studio to develop your art practice.

  
   
• Studio Practice/Peer Project

• Studio Practice/Peer Project

  In this module you build on your previous achievements and continue to develop the ability to pursue a comprehensive and independent studio practice.

  The peer project will enable you to work with others and contribute to discussions. Individual research will be supported by tutorials, seminars lectures and school options.

  
   
• Exhibition/Portfolio

• Exhibition/Portfolio

  This module enables you to continue to develop effective skills to strategise for presentation and documentation of your work and the articulation of your ideas.

  
   
• Introduction to Professional Development

• Introduction to Professional Development

  This module is an introduction to professional development. It is designed to help you start the process of thinking outside the structure of the BA course itself and towards developing the skills that will equip you for professional life.

  The module takes the character of a broad survey of the issues and opportunities, with visiting speakers and ex-student speakers picked for their relevance across a range of creative possibilities. You will prepare to make decisions as to what level of the art-world is best suited to your individual skills, understanding the possibilities for success in both continuing as an artist and moving in to other related areas.

  
   
• Contemporary Issues in Research

• Contemporary Issues in Research

  This module provides a broad introduction and preparation for the dissertation project. It considers:

  • the role of research within art and design practice;
  • the relationship between primary and secondary material;
  • ways of developing and originating research; and
  • ways of realising the research in a formal written manner.

  The module provides a broad overview of some of the different critical and methodological approaches to researching in art and design culture.

  
   
• Language option

Year 3

• Studio Practice 1

• Studio Practice 1

  This module builds on your achievements and further develops independent thought and working practice. This feeds into and supports the exhibition module.

  You will develop a working practice that demonstrates an authoritative understanding of contemporary fine art practice through independent studio practice, core seminars and tutorials.

  Core seminars, tutorials and research logs facilitate articulation and critical evaluation skills and foster an authoritative enquiry into independent professional practice. Elective tutorials, a series of artist talks and subject workshops support and supplement core teaching.

  
   
• Studio Practice 2

• Studio Practice 2

  This module encourages you to build on your progress by:

  • extending the limits of your current imagery and formal language; and
  • introducing you to more comprehensive histories and theories.
  
   
• Portfolio Exhibition Review
• Dissertation

• Dissertation

  Your dissertation allows you to study a topic of interest within your field of study in greater depth. This will involve scientific detachment, problem-solving and rigorous analysis. It will also help you develop independent learning skills.

  
   
• Professional Development