Fine Art

Program Overview

---

BA (Hons) Fine Art

Why study this course with LJMU?

• Take a virtual tour of this year's Fine Art degree show
• Join a studio-based learning community in which you are supported to develop the skills and knowledge to become a fully fledged artist and arts professional in the future
• Opportunities to explore, test and deploy a wide range of materials and practices including: drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, photography, film, performance, installation, digital arts production and art writing
• A platform to engage in the arts ecology of the city of Liverpool and gain 'real world ' experience and knowledge pertinent to careers in the arts
• Develop the skills to engage with a range of potential audiences and present your practice professionally in exhibitions and events

About your course

The BA (Hons) Fine Art at Liverpool John Moores University is unique in its focus on making artwork and presenting artwork.

Boasting more museums and galleries than any other city in the UK outside London, Liverpool is a rich cultural field and home to institutions like Tate Liverpool, Liverpool Biennial, FACT, Bluecoat and Walker Art Gallery.

In your day-to-day studio practice you have the freedom to work in any media you choose, refining your skills and working on realising your individual vision, with help from your tutors who are always on hand to offer advice. You will be offered advice on exhibiting your work with in-depth insight into the field of curating. The programme will allow you to gain confidence and to work at professional standards of practice.

Course modules

What you will study on this degree

• Year 1
  • Introductions: Working the Art School (40 credits)
  • Making and Practice (40 credits)
  • Contexts: Art and the City (40 credits)
• Year 2
  • Expanding Practice (40 credits)
  • Developing Criticality (20 credits)
  • Studio Practice and Professional Experience (40 credits)
  • Critical Thinking and Applications (20 credits)
• Year 3
  • Professional Practice (60 credits)

Your Learning Experience

• Teaching Support Assessment
• Excellent facilities and learning resources
• Teaching is Fine Art is centered around studio-based practise with regular lectures, seminars and tutorials.
• Regular tutorials, group reviews of your work and visits to local exhibitions and events will really help you to develop as an artist and place your work in a professional context.

Career paths

This programme opens lots of opportunities to develop your professional practice.

• There are many opportunities for contemporary artists who are building their own professional practice.
• You may be able to apply for grants, and supplement your income by running workshops for galleries and museums, taking up residencies, working collaboratively with other artists and artists groups, managing projects within the cultural sector and curating exhibitions and shows.

Tuition fees and funding

• Home
  • Full-time per year: £9,250
• International
  • Full-time per year: £18,250

Entry requirements

• GCSEs and equivalents
  • Prior to starting the programme applicants must have obtained Grade C or Grade 4 or above in English Language and Mathematics GCSE or an approved alternative qualification.
• A levels
  • Minimum number of A Levels required: 2
  • Is general studies acceptable? Yes
  • Average A Level offer: BBC
• BTECs
  • National Certificate (RQF): Acceptable only when combined with other qualifications
  • National Extended Certificate: Acceptable only when combined with other qualifications
  • National Diploma (RQF): Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
• Access awards
  • Access to Higher Education Diploma acceptability: Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
• International Baccalaureate
  • International Baccalaureate: Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
• Irish awards
  • Irish Leaving Certificate: Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
• Welsh awards
  • Welsh Baccalaureate: Acceptable only when combined with other qualifications
• T levels
  • T Level requirements: 112 UCAS Tariff points in a relevant subject
• NVQ
  • Are Level 3 NVQs acceptable? Acceptable when combined with other qualifications
• Alternative qualifications considered
  • UCAS Tariff points accepted from the Diploma in Foundation Studies (Art & Design, and Art, Design and Media).
• Interview required
  • Interview and portfolio required

Additional requirements

• DBS, Occupational Health requirements
  • Is a DBS check required? No
• Reduced offer scheme
  • As part of LJMU’s commitment to widening access we offer eligible students entry to their chosen course at a reduced threshold between 8 and 16 UCAS points.

Program Outline

---

Degree Overview:

The BA (Hons) Fine Art at Liverpool John Moores University is a studio-based program focused on both creating and presenting artwork. It aims to equip students with the skills and knowledge to become fully-fledged artists and arts professionals. The program leverages the rich cultural landscape of Liverpool, home to numerous museums and galleries, including Tate Liverpool, Liverpool Biennial, FACT, Bluecoat, and Walker Art Gallery. Students gain "real-world" experience and knowledge relevant to careers in the arts through engagement with the city's arts ecology. The program also focuses on developing skills for engaging with diverse audiences and presenting work professionally in exhibitions and events.

---

Outline:

The BA (Hons) Fine Art is a three-year full-time program delivered at the Mount Pleasant campus. The program is structured across three levels:

---

Level 4:

• Core Modules:
• Building a Vocabulary (40 credits):
Introduces the role of collaborative and individual practice within the culture of Fine Art. Students explore various approaches to develop and produce contemporary Fine Art practices.
• Form and Purpose (40 credits): Introduces self-directed contemporary art practice and familiarizes students with broader contemporary Fine Art issues.
It focuses on studio practice towards the production and distribution of contemporary Fine Art practice.
• Introducing Criticality 1 (20 credits): Encourages critical reflection on students' engagement with Fine Art practices, relating to their own studio practice through blogging and essay writing.
• Introducing Criticality 2 (20 credits): Further develops critical reflection on students' engagement with Fine Art practices, relating to their own studio practice through blogging, essay writing, and self-reflection skills.

---

Level 5:

• Core Modules:
• Practice and Experimentation (40 credits):
Enhances students' ability to develop their unique practice within the wider context of the Visual Arts. It focuses on developing practical and critical skills through experimentation and analysis of successes and failures.
• Practice and Production (40 credits): Examines the appropriateness, mode, and situation of media used in Contemporary Fine Art Practice.
Students consider the role of audiences and peers in the production and distribution of contemporary art practice. It also includes a tutor-led project introducing students to professional practices and research activities.
• Criticality 1 (20 credits): Advances students' critical understanding of Contemporary Fine Art practice, methodologies, and contexts, relating this learning to their own emerging studio practice through writing a statement and an essay.
• Criticality 2 (20 credits): Encourages critical and professional reflection on engagement with art, both historically and contemporaneously, using theoretical approaches to explore issues of representation in visual culture.
Students relate this to their own studio practice through essay and report writing.
• Optional Modules:
• Study Semester Abroad - Fine Art (60 credits):
Provides students with a semester of study at an approved overseas partner institution, replacing one semester of their LJMU program at Level 5.

---

Level 6:

• Core Modules:
• Advanced Practice: Portfolio (40 credits):
Equips students with an awareness of postgraduate courses, career focus, and professional practice through developing a personal development portfolio. The portfolio includes professional documentation of selected artworks, an artist statement, and a CV.
• Advanced Fine Art Practice: Exhibition (60 credits): Develops practical, intellectual, and interpersonal skills necessary for careers as professional artists and in high-skilled employment.
Students produce and distribute contemporary Fine Art practice in a public setting at a professional level.
• Critical Research and Publication (20 credits): Helps students develop the ability to plan and propose an independent research project in the context of their artistic practice.
Students plan, implement, and complete a sustained period of research, consulting academic and professional publications, artworks, exhibitions, archives, performances, workshops, broadcasts, etc., as appropriate to the project and in agreement with a supervising tutor.

---

Assessment:

Assessment methods vary depending on the modules chosen but typically include a combination of exams and coursework. Primary methods include:

• Presentation of work to fellow students and staff: This allows for peer review and feedback from instructors.
• Submission/installation of a portfolio of practical projects: Students present a collection of their work, demonstrating their skills and development.
• Supporting research and development work: Students provide written documentation and analysis of their creative process.
• Written essays, reviews, proposals, reports: These demonstrate critical thinking and analytical skills.
• Personal development planning folder: Students document their progress and goals.
• CV and/or blog: Students showcase their professional experience and artistic journey.

---

Teaching:

The program utilizes an active blended learning approach, combining face-to-face and online learning. This allows for a diverse learning experience and ensures easy access to support from personal tutors. Teaching methods include:

• Regular tutorials: Individualized guidance and feedback from instructors.
• Group reviews of work: Peer feedback and constructive criticism.
• Visits to local exhibitions and events: Exposure to professional art practices and contemporary art trends.
• Lectures, seminars, workshops, and critiques: In-depth exploration of theoretical concepts and practical skills.
• Training and workshops in digital audio and video production, sculpture and 3D construction, digital studio photography and film, printmaking, 3D printing, textile work, and painting: Development of technical skills and expertise.

---

Careers:

The BA (Hons) Fine Art program opens doors to a variety of career paths for contemporary artists. Graduates may pursue opportunities such as:

• Running workshops for galleries and museums: Sharing knowledge and skills with others.
• Taking up residencies: Immersive experiences in creative environments.
• Working collaboratively with other artists and artists groups: Developing artistic projects and networks.
• Managing projects within the cultural sector: Contributing to the arts community.
• Curating exhibitions and shows: Presenting and interpreting art for audiences.

---

Other:

• Facilities: The program is housed in the John Lennon Art and Design Building, a state-of-the-art facility with dedicated workspaces and equipment for various disciplines.

---

Tuition Fees

Home full-time per year: £9,250 International full-time per year: £18,250 All figures are subject to yearly increases. Tuition fees are subject to parliamentary approval.