BA (Hons) Fine Art

Program Overview

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BA (Hons) Fine Art

Overview

Study the practice and theory of fine art in a dynamic, critical, and international context.

Why study BA Fine Art at Goldsmiths

• Goldsmiths' Department of Art has a longstanding, worldwide reputation for excellence
• You will have your own studio space from day one, with access to excellent technical facilities, across a broad range of media
• You will employ your analytical capabilities to develop your own studio practice, in combination with a course of critical studies lectures and seminars
• You will be taught by a team of artists, curators, and writers, who will help you develop ideas, focus your research, and respond to a range of influences
• You will meet visiting artists and guest speakers, who will provide additional perspectives drawn from a diverse and international context

UCAS code

W190

Length

3 years full-time

Fees

• Home - full-time: £9535
• International - full-time: £28900

Department

Art

What you'll study

Overview

The programme has two elements that inform each other:

• Studio practice (75% of the course)
• Critical studies (25% of the course)

Studio Practice

• Emphasis is on the development of your own interests and ideas through individual research and experimentation
• This is supported by regular discussions with personal tutors, other tutors from the programme, and visiting artists
• You will make work with access to your own studio 7 days a week
• Studios are organised to enable a mix of year groups and disciplines, so you will be studying alongside students from all years, working in a wide variety of media, including:
  • Drawing
  • Painting
  • Textiles
  • Printmaking
  • Sculpture
  • Ceramics
  • Photography
  • Moving Image
  • Sound
  • Installation
  • Writing
  • Performance

Critical Studies

• Engages and extends your critical skills, enabling you to discuss, analyse, and write about contemporary art
• We encourage individual research relevant to your studio practice
• The lecture and seminar series in Year 1 offer a space to explore and examine the historical and critical context in which art is made, seen, and understood
• You will choose two optional seminars in Year 2, which enable you to expand your critical knowledge of contemporary art, focusing on key debates and practices where written work can be explored and developed
• Tutorials will guide your essay writing in Years 1 and 2 and will support the completion of your dissertation in Year 3

Teaching style

• You will be given a dedicated studio space that will become the focal point of your activities
• You will be encouraged to work in any medium you choose
• You will be allocated a personal tutor each year and you will determine the nature of your practice through discussion with tutors
• Studio Practice is taught through individual and group tutorials, and group crits, where you will present your work, receive feedback from staff and students, and contribute to discussions about the work of other students
• Visiting artists complement the teaching throughout the year
• Critical studies is taught by specialist writers, historians, theorists, and researchers through lectures, group seminars, and individual tutorials

How you'll be assessed

• Studio practice coursework is continuously assessed through individual tutorials, group seminars, and crits
• This is complemented by studio presentations at Year 1, viva voce at Year 2, and a final exhibition at Year 3
• Critical Studies is assessed through essays (Years 1 and 2) and a dissertation (Year 3)

Facilities

• BA Fine Art studios are located in the purpose-built Ben Pimlott Building, Laurie Grove Baths, and St James Hatcham Building, with seminar rooms and spaces to test out temporary projects, performance, and installations, in all of them
• Some of your practical work will take place in specialist Art Practice Areas, staffed by highly skilled artist technicians to help you realise your ideas
• You also have access to Goldsmiths-wide facilities

Degree Shows

• You will work towards a final-year exhibition, which forms part of Goldsmiths' famous annual Degree Shows
• These events celebrate the best of students' creative work

Student work

• Below are some examples of final Degree Show work from third-year BA Fine Art students
• Tilly McLean (2024)
• Aiden McClymont (2024)
• CYAN (Yanyi Chen) (2024)
• Sharmain Gordon-Forde (2024)
• Nell Alcraft (2024)

Careers

• The interdisciplinary nature of the programme will enable you to work in a variety of fields, for example in the contemporary art world, media, academia, museums and galleries, curating, arts production and technical support, arts administration, and education
• Many students also choose to continue their studies to Masters level and beyond
• You can read more about potential career paths after graduation on our art careers page
• Many graduates have gone on to be successful practising artists or arts professionals after finishing their studies with us, winning major prizes and exhibiting around the world
• The Turner Prize shortlist has consistently included graduates and staff from the Department of Art

Skills

• The degree will give you the skills to develop independent thought and confidence in your practice
• These skills are highly transferable and can be used in a number of career paths
• You will hone skills such as:
  • The ability to develop your artwork from concept to realisation
  • The ability to articulate ideas and present them with confidence
  • Creative and technical skills in a range of media
  • Writing in a variety of formats, including essay writing
  • Critical and analytical research skills
  • Independent learning
  • Imaginative risk-taking
  • Resourcefulness

Entry requirements

• Our entry requirements for this programme are usually:
  • Successful completion of three A-levels, International Baccalaureate, or an equivalent qualification
  • PLUS successful completion of an Art and Design Foundation diploma
  • Portfolio of work
• OR
  • Successful completion of a BTEC Extended Diploma in Art and Design (completed by the end of the academic year preceding entry)
  • Portfolio of work
• Please note, students applying directly from A-Levels who have not completed an Art and Design Foundation or BTEC Extended Diploma in Art and Design will not be eligible for this programme
• Mature students without formal qualifications who have relevant experience are also welcomed

Selection process

• After submitting your application you'll be asked to upload a portfolio online
• If selected for interview, you'll be asked to bring along a portfolio of recent work and an essay

Alternative qualifications

• See our full list of undergraduate entry qualifications
• We also accept a wide range of international qualifications
• Find out more about the qualifications we accept from around the world

English language requirements

• If English isn’t your first language, you will need an IELTS score (or equivalent English language qualification) of 6.5 with a 6.5 in writing and no element lower than 6.0 to study this programme
• If you need assistance with your English language, we offer a range of courses that can help prepare you for degree-level study

Transfers and deferrals

• It is not possible to transfer onto year two of this degree from another Higher Education provider
• This programme also does not accept applications for deferred entry

Fees and funding

Annual tuition fees

• These are the UG fees for students starting their programme in the 2025/2026 academic year
• Home - full-time: £9535
• International - full-time: £28900

Funding opportunities

• We offer a wide range of scholarships and bursaries
• Our Careers Service can also offer advice on finding work during your studies
• Find out more about funding your studies with us

Additional costs

• In addition to your tuition fees, you'll be responsible for any additional costs associated with your course, such as buying stationery and paying for photocopying
• You can find out more about what you need to budget for on our study costs page
• There may also be specific additional costs associated with your programme
• Please check the programme specification for more information

Staff

Dr Claire Makhlouf Carter

Programme Leader BA Fine Art

• Carter has performed in a range of sites from art openings, cross-channel ferries, seminars, conferences, and a welding tent in a chili festival

Dr Nuria Querol

Director of Critical Studies

• Writer and occasional curator, researching global collaborations and contemporary art in Asia

Artists teaching studio practice

• Louise Ashcroft
• Becky Beasley
• Simon Bedwell
• Bonnie Camplin
• Ali Craighead
• Dr Nina Danino
• Paul Davis
• Ali Eisa
• Adham Faramawy
• Adam Gallagher
• Dr Laura Grace Ford
• Paul Jones
• Phillip Lai
• Bod Mellor
• Rachel Reupke
• Grace Schwindt
• Deniz Ünal
• Bernard Walsh
• Dr Frank Wasser
• Annie Whiles
• Laura White

Researchers teaching critical studies

• Dr Barby Asante
• Dr Vikki Chalkin
• Professor Stephen Johnstone
• Dr Susan Kelly
• Dr Nuria Querol
• Dr Sophie Sleigh-Johnson
• Dr Becca Voelcker
• Dr Lenka Vrablikova
• Dr Beny Wagner
• Dr Frank Wasser