Program Overview

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Overview

The Contemporary Fine Art MA is part of the School of Art and Humanities MA Art & Design Suite, an innovative approach to postgraduate taught education that brings together disciplines from across art and design to produce a collaborative programme of courses that foreground the shared practices, processes and values of art and design in the 21st century.

Contemporary Fine Art opens up a transformative space. It creates a dialogue and it disrupts. New ideas are expressed and artists develop a critical language from which they communicate and mediate on processes and global contexts.

Key Information

Entry requirements

• An Honours degree (2:2 or above) in a relevant subject or an equivalent professional qualification.
• Alternative qualifications and/or significant experience may be accepted, subject to approval.
• International students with qualifications in 'creative' or 'practice' subjects should submit a digital portfolio (pdf) of work with their application.
• All suitably qualified applicants are normally invited in for an informal chat with a portfolio or considered for admittance under alternative arrangements.

If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 6.0 overall with no element lower than 5.5, or equivalent.

Start dates

• 22 September 2025
• 12 January 2026

Duration

1 year full-time

Course Detail

Modules

• Research Methods and Project Proposal
• Creative Innovation and Entrepreneurship
• Creative Studio
• Professional Platforms Art and Communication
• Contemporary Fine Art Major Project

Research Methods and Project Proposal

On this module you will be encouraged to explore how different research methods underpin all kinds of creative practices. The module introduces you to current research themes in art and design. In the past we have explored topics such as: developing concepts through thinking and making, using archives in creative practice, working with objects of material culture, analysing digital transformations, practising psychogeography in the urban environment, tackling the anthropocene and environmental issues of the twenty-first century.

Creative Innovation and Entrepreneurship

This module aims to introduce you to key features of innovation and entrepreneurship within the context of the cultural and creative industries. Depending on your future aspirations we will help you to build your knowledge and understanding of different approaches to creative innovation (social, ethical and sustainable aspects), provide guidance on business start-ups, and assist you in your professional skills development (commercial awareness, self-management, problem-solving, team working, communication strategies), including searching for marketing, promotion, consultancy and funding opportunities specific to your subject.

Creative Studio

This module enables you to explore a range of advanced creative concepts and practices across Art and Design working alongside other students in a mixed-discipline cohort encompassing Art and Communication, 3D Design and Fashion and Textiles.

Professional Platforms Art and Communication

Working alongside other students within Art and Communication, this practice-based studio module advances the professional orientation of your creative practice. Specialising in your chosen area of practice, you will be supported to produce a body of practical work supported by specialist and inter-disciplinary workshops that will explore the hybrid and expanded nature of your discipline that arises out of contemporary culture.

Contemporary Fine Art Major Project

Working with a robust proposal you will rigorously test materials, techniques, approaches, and technologies of pre and post production to realise a unique creative practice. The work you make will demonstrate a focused interrogation of contemporary practice informed by technological, social, cultural, ecological, theoretical and professional contexts.

What can I research?

Research plays an important role in informing all our teaching and learning activities. Through research our staff remain up-to-date with the latest developments in their field, which means you have the opportunity to benefit and develop knowledge and skills that are current and highly relevant.

Facilities

The University of Huddersfield offers a range of facilities to support your studies, including specialist workshop facilities and digital making processes.

Fees and Finance

Tuition Fees - full-time

In 2025/26 the full-time tuition fee for UK postgraduate students on this course will be £8,900 (Band 2).

Materials

You will need to cover the cost of manufacturing and printing your work during the course. You will need to consider how you document and back up your work. You will also need to supply your own materials for drawing, painting, sculpture and installation which may include specialist materials and/or specialist tools. The approximate cost of these items in recent years has been approximately £500.

Career Support

We know you’re coming to university to study on your chosen subject, meet new people and broaden your horizons. However, we also help you to focus on life after you have graduated to ensure that your hard work pays off and you achieve your ambition.

Further Study

Following successful completion of your Master’s course, there are opportunities to progress onto research study such as your PhD.

Research Excellence

Our researchers carry out work that makes a real difference to people's lives. We are in the top 50 UK universities for Research Power, with three quarters of all our research being world leading and internationally excellent.

Student Support

At the University of Huddersfield, you'll find support networks and services to help you get ahead in your studies and social life. Whether you study at undergraduate or postgraduate level, you'll soon discover that you're never far away from our dedicated staff and resources to help you to navigate through your personal student journey.

Important information

When you enrol as a student of the University, your study and time with us will be governed by our terms and conditions, Handbook of Regulations and associated policies. It is important that you familiarise yourself with these as you will be asked to agree to them when you join us as a student. You will find a guide to the key terms here, along with the Student Protection Plan.