Program Overview

MA Fine Art

The MA Fine Art provides a stimulating environment in which students will be guided to develop their creative aspirations, reach a critical maturity, and gain the self-confidence and skills that will enable them to work as successful artists.

Course Overview

The course is studio practice driven and relies on experimentation and critical reflection supported by individualised mentoring, lectures, seminars, and group critiques. It emphasises the articulation of ideas, development of working methods, and the realisation of independent work. Seminars are structured to investigate a broad range of themes relevant to the practicing artist and provide a rich diet of inspiration.

Course Information

The MA Fine Art is made up of four modules totalling 180 credits. The programme is practice-driven and focused on the development of the student's existing practice. It will enable students to identify and explore new concepts and approaches negotiated through an individual Working Synopsis.

• Students will also be encouraged and supported to extend their experience in the professional sphere either through a practical project, research context, exchange, work experience, or other negotiated professional set of interactions with an external partner, groups of students, or other art world partners.
• Towards the end of the programme, students will consolidate their research and practice into a fully realised body of work for exhibition or other form of public situation as appropriate.
• Students will also have developed a strategy for the continuation of their practice located and contextualised to the profession or discipline.

Features and Benefits

• The course is taught by practicing artists and maintains active links with an international network of art professionals and organisations.
• Full-time students will have their own spaces within communal studios, part-time students are expected to have their own studio provision, both modes of study will have access to the full range of the School’s workshops and other resources.
• Regular programme of artists talks and studio visits from professionals working in the field.
• The University library has outstanding Art and Design holdings, including a special collection of artist's books and ephemera.

Year 1

The MA Fine Art is made up of three core units plus one option unit totalling 180 credits.

Core Modules

• Practice 1, Art: Fine Art, Working Synopsis and Development: Practice-driven and focused on the analysis, reappraisal, and development of the student's existing practice. Identification and exploration of new concepts and approaches negotiated through an individual Working Synopsis.
• Practice 2, Art: Fine Art: Driven and focused on the development of the student's practice through the realisation of a comprehensive and coherent body of work, this module builds upon the previous Practice 1 module and provides an opportunity to sustain the development of practice over a concentrated period of time.
• Professional Practices: This module extends the student's understanding of the professional context of Contemporary Curating, contemporary Fine Art, and Painting practices. Through an examination of art world institutions and structures, students will be guided to consider a range of possible positions that the contemporary artist or curator can occupy in the professional domain.

Optional Module

• Art & Design: MA:X: This module offers a focused opportunity for students to extend and enhance their practice by including working in a wider design research community.

Study and Assessment

• Full-time: 35% lectures, seminars or similar; 0% placement; 65% independent study
• Part-time: 35% lectures, seminars or similar; 0% placement; 65% independent study
• Assessment: 100% coursework; 0% practical; 0% examination

Entry Requirements

• Students will normally have an undergraduate UK honours degree (or international equivalent) or a degree-equivalent postgraduate diploma or a professional qualification.
• Alternatively, students may be admitted if they can demonstrate appropriate knowledge and skills at honours degree standard.
• In addition, students may also need to submit a Digital Portfolio.
• Overseas applicants will require IELTS with an overall score of 6.5 with no less than 5.5 in any category, or an equivalent accepted English qualification.

Fees and Funding

• UK and Channel Island students:
  • Full-time fee: MA £12,000. MFA £20,000 (Year 1 £12,000, Year 2 £8,000).
  • Part-time fee: £2000 per 30 credits studied.
• EU and non-EU international students:
  • Full-time fee: MA £22,002. MFA £36,670 (Year 1 £22,002, Year 2 £14,668).
  • Part-time fee: £3667 per 30 credits studied.

Additional Costs

• Specialist costs: Optional estimate £1,000. Students follow an individualised programme of study in relation to their practice interests. Costs of materials will be dependent on the development of these personal practices and will vary dependent on materials necessary to realise ideas.
• Placement costs: Optional estimate £100. The professional platforms unit may require some travel/subsistence costs should the student choose to take a placement that requires travel.
• Professional costs: There are no additional professional membership fees required for full qualification.
• Other costs: Optional estimate £100. Some students may prefer to print and bind their written assessment material and would incur a cost of up to £100.

Careers Support and Prospects

• The programme cultivates highly motivated, independent, and creative thinkers who can transfer their skills into the creative marketplace, as entrepreneurial innovators, freelance practitioners, and innovative team players.
• Past graduates predominantly achieve graduate-level positions or practise as sole traders, design studio artists, exhibiting artists, museum curators, archivists, researchers, academics, community practitioners, specialist technicians, and filmmakers at national and international levels.