Program Overview

Overview of the Fine Art BA(Hons) Program

The Fine Art BA(Hons) program at the University of Huddersfield is designed to help students develop into independent, creative practitioners with the ability to create exciting artworks through explorations and experimentations in both ideas and materials. This course aims to provide a broad introduction to concepts, contexts, techniques, and technologies in fine art, encouraging students to draw upon existing knowledge to establish the frameworks within which to operate as creative practitioners.

Program Structure

• The program is offered on a full-time basis, with an optional placement year.
• The duration of the program is 3 years full-time or 4 years including a placement year.
• The start date for the program is 22 September 2025.

Entry Requirements

• To find out if you are eligible to start this course in September 2025, please see the Clearing pages or call the Clearing Helpline.
• If you are interested in studying this course in September 2026, please view the course information for that year.

Course Detail

Year 1

• Core modules include:
  • Studio Practice 1: This module concentrates on promoting an in-depth and disciplined approach to the breadth of contemporary practices in fine art. It focuses on exploration and experiment, in both ideas and materials, as a broad introduction to approaches to practice.
  • Studio Practice 2: Building on the experience during the first term, this module continues to promote research and experiment in the production of practical work.
  • Introduction to Critical Languages: This module introduces vital debates on the production and reception of contemporary visual culture, applying learning to the subject specialism.

Year 2

• Core modules include:
  • Studio Practice 3: This module focuses on identifying a potential direction within a range of practices, based on the experience and knowledge gained during the first year.
  • Studio Practice 4: This module extends the level of independence developed in Studio Practice 3, requiring students to develop greater self-reliance and self-critical ability.
  • Expanded Critical Languages: This module continues the exploration of thinking about and through visual culture, supporting the development of contextual knowledge and understanding.

Year 3 - Optional Placement Year

• The placement year is an opportunity for students to gain hands-on experience and build on the skills developed in the first two years of study.
• Students spend up to 48 weeks (minimum 36 weeks) in a graduate-level role, sharpening professional skills, exploring career options, and boosting future job prospects.

Final Year

• Core modules include:
  • Research and Development for Fine Art and Illustration: This module establishes and informs the major project, identifying themes, subjects, or issues relevant to the student's practice.
  • Final Major Project - Fine Art and/or Illustration: Students build upon and test research developed in the previous module, channeling creative and intellectual skills to create innovative, original, or highly professional propositions.
  • Applied Critical Languages: This module focuses on contextual and professional issues appropriate to the individual practice and subject specialism, developing a public-facing profile based on the audience and professional requirements for the chosen area of creative practice.

Teaching and Assessment

• The program is taught through a combination of group tutorials, workshops, live projects, lectures, contact with visiting artists, optional UK-based study trips, seminars, and individual tutorials.
• Assessment includes verbal and illustrative presentations of practical and developmental work, written work for contextual analysis and assignments, plus self-assessment and evaluation.

Placements

• The course offers an optional one-year work placement after the second year, in the UK or abroad, providing valuable hands-on experience and insight into the chosen career.
• Previous placement opportunities have included companies such as House of Illustration, Venture Arts, Mini Me Card Company, and Plum Pudding Publishing.

Fees and Finance

• The maximum fees for UK-based students on undergraduate courses in 2025/26 will be £9,535 per year for full-time students.
• Additional costs include materials, with basic materials provided for students, but specialist materials to be provided by the student at an estimated cost of £60 (Year 1), £100 (Year 2), and £200 (Year 3).

Career Support

• The University provides professional help, support, and guidance, including industry-supported workshops, careers fairs, and one-to-one guidance sessions.
• Graduates have gone on to work in various roles, including as artists, curators, or in community arts, media, or design, with some winning awards and prizes such as the Northern Graduates Prize and New Sensations.