Fine Art

Three years full-time, part-time study possible over five years

The student's ideas are nurtured and developed in an environment that provides specialist media support, close interaction with the course team, visiting artists and other students. They will graduate with a unique balance of critical, practical and creative skills and abilities. A significant feature of the course is the opportunity to move readily between media disciplines that fall under the broad headings of painting, photography, printmaking and sculpture, and which embrace installation, digital imaging, video and performance.

The course is delivered through studio practice, specialist media workshops, professional study components and a lively programme of lectures and seminars. The whole programme is designed to provide students with an informed and critical understanding of contemporary practices and debates. Above all, the course encourages the development of a creative and critical intelligence capable of integrating innovative thinking with practical ability. Students will benefit from spacious and well-equipped facilities and external activities including links to the Milton Keynes and Ikon Galleries. Teaching staff have research interests in the disciplines available on the course, and visiting speakers include the internationally known artists Richard Long, Ian Davenport, Mark Francis, Richard Deacon and Sonya Boyce.

Stage one

Introductions to painting, printmaking, photography and sculpture, alongside the development of personal creative practice in the studio are supported by theory lectures. Stage one is primarily about generating and exploring ideas through a range of media and processes.

Stage two

This stage provides a transitional phase towards full independent learning. Students identify relevant specialist areas through which to explore personal ideas, develop appropriate skills and produce a body of practical work for an end of year assessment. This aspect is complemented by theory lectures and a personally developed folder of information about career direction in the arts. Stage two encourages the development of a personal visual language and the acquisition of skills that support individual practice.

Stage three

Students consolidate their practical studies, creating a body of work which will go on to form the final degree exhibition. Theoretical studies culminate in either a 40 credit dissertation or a 20 credit dissertation with an accompanying 20 credit professional development portfolio.

• Excellent specialist facilities in painting, photography, printmaking and sculpture
• The ability to work readily between media disciplines
• Spacious studio areas with individual work spaces
• Visiting artists and talks from art professionals
• Research-active artist teaching staff

• Dissertation
• Exhibition
• Fine Art Practice
• Media Practice
• Professional Studies
• Studio Practice
• Themes and Issues in Contemporary Art
• Understanding the Visual

Theory is assessed through essays, assignments, a dissertation and presentations, while practical work is judged through studio presentations and exhibitions.

Postgraduate study, independent creative practice and art-related employment are available to graduates of Fine Art. Employment opportunities include arts organisation, gallery management, exhibition curating, photography, journalism, teaching, art therapy, theatre, film and television, or into less obviously related work where creative thinking is valued. MA in The Arts is offered as suitable progression routes within the School of The Arts.

Work placement opportunities are encouraged as part of the stage two Professional Studies module.