Craig Staff
Professor in Fine Art
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Fine Art Painting and Drawing (Top-Up) BA (Hons)
Key Facts
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UCAS Code
W122
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Duration
Full Time: 1 year
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Full Time: £9,535
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Full Time: £17,000
Updated 30/10/2025
Updated 30/10/2025
Overview
Our Fine Art Painting and Drawing (Top-Up) BA (Hons) course offers you the chance to study and explore contemporary approaches to painting and drawing in a lively and intellectually challenging atmosphere providing a breadth and depth of experience which is not possible on a multi-disciplinary fine art course. This specialist Painting and Drawing degree offers the chance for students to focus on painting and drawing in equal measure or as single disciplines. You will also be introduced to printmaking which can be used both in combination with painting and drawing or as a single discipline. The structure of this Painting & Drawing course is designed to introduce students to a wide variety of new ideas, techniques and processes and to offer them a wide-ranging expansion of the possibilities of both painting and drawing.
Highlights
- The practice-based studio art module, which is core of the years’ experience, culminates with a large public exhibition.
- Access high-quality workshops, including our amazing print workshop and our specialist canvas priming and stretcher making facility
Photos shows picture of an electrical storm with flashes of lightning across dark clouds - Samantha Ellis, Fine Art Painting and Drawing, John Moores Painting Prize 2020 longlisted
Photo shows a picture of a girl in a large hat holding a piglet while frowning at the viewer - Gina Hammersley, Fine Art Painting and Drawing 2020
Photo shows a drawing of two children in the overgrown yard of a brick building - Alex Mawby, Fine Art Painting and Drawing 2020
Picture of a large crumpled cellophane bag, which has an extinguished match at the bottom-right - Laura Clarke, Fine Art Painting and Drawing, Trinity Beuy Wharf Drawing Prize 2019 finalist
Entry Requirements
Standard entry requirements apply. Applicants are expected to have studied a Fine Art/Fine Art Painting and Drawing or related Art and Design subject at Foundation Degree/HND or equivalent.
We welcome international applications and applications from students with a range of non-traditional educational or professional qualifications.
Applicants are requested to send a digital portfolio of their own work in Art and Design and attend a 30-minute online interview with a member of the team.
Receiving an offer may also be subject to qualifications and standard entry requirements.
For more information on how to make an application, please visit our How to Apply page.
If you are an International student and would like information on making an application, please see our How to Apply page.
All International and EU students applying for a course with us must meet the following minimum English language requirements:
- IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with a minimum of 5.5 in all bands for study at undergraduate level.
For information regarding English language requirements at the University, please see our IELTS page.
What You'll Learn
The Fine Art Painting and Drawing (Top-Up) BA (Hons) year comprises three modules: the theory module, a career-development module, and the practice based studio art module which is core of the years’ experience. This module culminates with a large public exhibition.
Students continue to consolidate, deepen and refine their own personal visual and theoretical position, culminating in a high-quality public exhibition at the end of the year. This is supported by regular individual tutorials and group class. Alongside practical work students undertake a critical study, which includes a dissertation option along with a number of other approaches.
The Critical Study module has the flexibility for our students to target the specific area of interest to them, either academically or in terms of employability.
The Professional Practice and Employability offers various choices so students can select an option which is of greatest interest and use to them individually (either academically or in terms of employability).
Compulsory Modules
The purpose of this module is to enable students to develop a sustained, independent investigation and analysis of a specific topic within the field of Fine ArtIt will require the demonstration of advanced personal and independent scholarship skills on a topic selected and approved through consultation with staffTo this end, the module will provide the opportunity for students to negotiate the form the outcome will take.
The aim of this module is to provide students with a range of skills and strategies to prepare both their artwork and themselves for the external worldThis will include developing the ability to professionally present artwork and manage the many other facets of exhibiting and making both artworks and ideas visible and available to a wider audienceThey should build their working knowledge of the creative and cultural industries established at level 5 in Professional Studies.
This module consolidates creative and theoretical interests through a body of work and exhibition informed by contemporary painting and drawing practiceIt makes complex demands on the student in the production and dissemination/exhibition of artefacts intended for intellectual and aesthetic consideration.
Please note the modules shown here relate to the academic year 25/26. The modules relating to the academic year 26/27 will be available from June 2026.
Are there any study trips on this Fine Art Painting and Drawing top up course?
Each year we programme study visits to a wide range of locations. Recent visits have included London galleries, Venice Biennale, New York and Berlin.
Will I get to take part in a Degree Show?
Your year will conclude with the public exhibition of your artwork – the Degree Show – our showcase of your work for visiting curators, gallerists and the public.
To see our students’ work, please visit our Instagram page: paintingdrawing.uon
Fees and Funding
2025/26 Tuition Fees
- UK – Full Time: £9,535
- International – Full Time: £17,000
Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 2025/26 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years. UON will adjust UK fees annually in line with Government Policy.
For information on the scholarships available to you, please see our scholarships page.
For more information about possible funding options, please visit our Fees and Funding pages.
Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 24/25 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.
- UK – Full Time: £9,250
- International – Full Time: £16,500
Staff
Stefan Gant
Senior Lecturer in Drawing and Digital Practice
Michelle Keegan
Senior Lecturer in Printmaking
Daniel Hays
Associate Lecturer (Fine Art)
Louise Clarke
Associate Lecturer (Fine Art)
Michael Evans
Senior Lecturer - Painting
Careers and Employability
Our recent graduates have progressed into a range of careers in the arts sector, for example:
- Professional artist
- Art Therapist
- Set Designer
- Arts Management
- Art Teacher
- Arts Technician
Master’s Opportunities
Our Fine Art master’s courses are a great way to enhance the skills you have already learnt. Benefit from our 20% alumni discount on master’s fees to give yourself a CV that will catch the eye of employers.
Facilities
Specialist Facilities include:
- Painting studios with permanent individual spaces
- Printmaking workshop
- Specialist canvas stretching and preparation room/facilities
- Mac Suite
Onsite printmaking workshop
Our onsite printmaking workshop can enhance the creative practices of students on a variety of courses
View Facility
