Fine Art MA

About the course

This course is now closed for 2013 entry.

This course provides a stimulating environment for the professional and personal development of highly - motivated, committed and talented graduates from a range of fine art disciplines.

It provides an educational experience that builds on the notion of individualised practice in fine art, extending it to promote a vigorous critical and contextual understanding of your practice as a whole. The course offers practice led study at post-graduate level in painting, sculpture, printmaking, video, drawing, photography and combinations in a multidisciplinary format.

Staff are practising artists, and individual members of the Fine Art team have exhibited internationally and at large regional centres.

• Develop a professional body of work and expertise in contemporary practice
• Receive specialist teaching in painting, drawing, sculpture, printmaking, video and photography or multidisciplinary routes
• Work in individual studio space with a lively and stimulating environment where MA and PhD students work alongside each other

Close all sections| Open all sections|

Key facts

UKPASS code: W10071

Duration: One year full-time, two years part-time

Location: Fletcher Building

Start date: September 2013

Entry and admission criteria

• You should have the equivalent of a 2:2 or above UK Bachelor’s Honours degree in Fine Art or a related subject
• If you have other professional qualifications and industry experience we will consider your application on an individual basis.
• Evidence of recent work in a digital/portfolio format, plus a statement about past and proposed work is also required

Portfolio

UK applicants with relevant qualifications should submit a portfolio of work (please see ourFine Art portfolio advice| for full details).

Overseas applicants will be invited to send samples of their work. For further details check our School of Arts portfolio advice for international students|.

International students

If English is not your first language an IELTS score of 6.0 or equivalent when you start the course is essential. English Language tuition, delivered by our British Council-accredited Centre for English Language Learning, is available both before and throughout the course if you need it

Teaching and assessment

The course consists of taught modules and continuously assessed studio work. In the final term (full-time) or second year (part-time), you complete a major piece of writing in parallel to your final exhibition that is open to the public.

Course modules

The course is structured around a timetable of studio tutorials, formal group critiques, seminars, presentations and visiting artists’ talks. You are challenged on presentation, installation, and curatorial and representational issues. You will work in specific MA studio spaces alongside research students and are supported by workshops and facilities for all disciplines, including lens-based and electronic media. Research modules in which you are taught key skills in identifying and applying research skills support your studio practice. Students develop significant professional practice skills throughout the course. The MA culminates in a final graduating show in September.

Academic expertise

The staff team all have a high level of expertise in specialist disciplines with the ‘core’ team contributing to the key teaching events and rigorous assessment processes.

Industry links and professional accreditation

“I continued to the MA from BA Fine Art, so I could develop my skills further as a professional artist. During the course, I’ve had the opportunity to participate in three major exhibitions, which gave me the chance to network in the arts world.”

Antonia Hadjicosta has exhibited at the Lloyd Gill Gallery, the Atkinson Gallery, and has taken part in the Synapse Festival in Nottingham and Derby.

Graduate careers

Some graduates practice professionally as artists, others undertake research or teach. Some apply their skills and learning within a wider context, for example art therapy, curation, arts administration, media and public relations, publishing and arts-related residencies.

The MA is also suitable as a foundation course for a PhD research application. The content of the course hones your skills in self - criticism, management, organisation, communication and analysis, invaluable in a range of fine art professions.

Fees and funding

Fees and funding options for 2013/14 entry are still under review and are subject to change.

Full-time UK/EU Postgraduate courses fees £4,200 Students Equivalent or Lower Qualification Status* £5,000 International
Postgraduate courses fees £11,700 Part-time Part-time fees are charged on a credit basis, you will need to complete 180 credits over the course of an MA/MSc programme. 15 credits £350 Students Equivalent or Lower Qualification Status* 15 credits
£420 Continuation UK/EU Fee** £150 Continuation International Fee** £5000

For more information please take a look at our Funding|| section.

* ELQ Student definition - If you are a Home or EU status student and you already have a qualification at or above the level of the programme you wish to study from any country you will be considered as an Equivalent or Lower Qualification (ELQ) student. In 2008 the UK Government decided to stop funding universities for student in this situation and therefore the following fees will apply £5,000. Students from outside the EU are not affected by the policy.

** A fee that is charged on a periodic basis where Postgraduate or Research students need to extend their registration to complete the course.

Scholarships

Learn more about postgraduate funding and finance|

Facilities

The course is based in excellent and well-equipped accommodation. Group work and tutorials take place within a dedicated centre, enabling you to benefit from strong group cohesiveness and a vibrant multi-disciplinary graduate community. IT facilities include Mac, PC, CAD, graphics and multimedia labs, with software for drawing, multimedia, painting/DTP, 3D modelling, animation and video.

Students are given an individual studio space in a lively and stimulating environment where MA and PhD students work alongside each other.