BA Fine Art Course Structure
Stage 1
In the first year studio based modules you will be introduced to a range of methods and working strategies and encouraged to initiate and develop ideas by speculating, researching and experimenting with a variety of approaches to making work, identifying those most appropriate to the articulation of your ideas and interests.
You will receive academic guidance through regularly scheduled, individual and group tutorials, workshops, seminars and studio ‘crits’. You will also make visits to galleries, studios and art centres in the region through the LifeWorkArt component of the course in Semester 1and can participate in exhibitions and national and international study visits. A weekly programme of research lectures and seminars from some of the most interesting and original artists, critics, curators, historians and art professionals working today helps students begin to contextualise their studio practice. In addition there are basic introductions to health and safety and practical and technical skills within metalwork, woodwork, printmaking, photography and IT facilities.
Semester 1 has three directed projects in Painting, Print making and Sculpture, with additional week-long workshops in variety of technical and conceptual approaches to making work such as digital media, time based, installation, drawing, performance etc. for you to choose from.
Semester 2 has two projects – Contemporary Practice: Drawing and Time Narratives, and an eight week 'Personal Project' which students initiate themselves and develops in negotiation with staff. This gives you a good grounding for the largely self-directed programme of study throughout the following three years.
The Art History programme, 'Preliminary Studies in Art History', is designed to introduce students to a variety of perspectives on key areas within the history of art. It encourages students to develop conceptual tools and analytical skills in relation to the appreciation and understanding of art. The programme is taught through a series of weekly lectures and seminars
The balance between practical Studio Work and Art History is set at 80:40 credits.
Stage 2
In Stage 2 you take a studio based Practice Module of 40 credits in each semester. The modules are designed to continue to develop your skills and ideas within a framework that provides a choice of combining specialist studio based practice, complementary practice strands (i.e. video, web-based art, collaborative practice) and art history modules.
The studio programme at Stage 2 is designed to continue to develop your ability to work independently; to direct and resource your practice, building your confidence and the ability to make informed decisions about appropriate working methods, materials and technical skills. Aspects of critical thinking will be introduced and you will be asked to contextualise your practice in relation to the contemporary art world. You may wish to specialise in a particular studio discipline at this point, continue to explore possibilities or combine several ways of working. Appropriate tutorial support will be assigned to you in relation to your working methods and there is also the opportunity to discuss your work with other departmental staff through the open ‘surgery’ system and with postgraduates and visitors.
You will also be able to select one "complementary practice strand” in each semester. These strands equip you with an additional technical, conceptual and theoretical understanding of different aspects of contemporary art practice including professional practice and exhibition. The strands are taught across the studio disciplines, thus providing you with the opportunity to extend the range of technical skills and media related issues beyond your chosen discipline.
In Art History you choose one 20 credit module per semester from the three/four on offer. These provide the opportunity to study specialist subjects, for example Art in the Public Context, Art and Revolution or Exhibiting Art. Teaching is by lectures and seminars with presentation of seminar papers and discussion being an important part of each module.
Stage 3
Stage 3 is designed to facilitate sustained, intensive studio practice with an emphasis on individual research and inquiry. Both in the studios and in the work you undertake in Art History you have the opportunity to initiate and develop programmes of study focused on your particular interests and concerns. You investigate these in some depth producing work that will form a bridge to study in Stage 4.
It is always possible to work across studio disciplines although it is expected that your choice of discipline/s will be made through your increased ability, developed in year 2, to define appropriate working methods in relation to your ideas. You will be assigned a studio tutor and you can also access teaching from any member of staff through the surgery system and from visiting lecturers in relation to the development of your work and the demands it creates. You receive a varied programme of individual and group tutorials and a series of seminars which encourage you to consider various aspects of the context in which you are working. In cross-year and cross-discipline crits you will be encouraged to discuss your aims and intentions and to develop the ability to subject your own practice to rigorous criticism.
Third Year students can determine the balance between Studio Work and Art History and may begin to increase the amount of Art History credits taken if they wish. Third Year is the stage of the programme when you develop your Art History dissertation. The dissertation subject is identified in consultation with Art History staff and you proceed to develop a piece of sustained writing borne out of inquiry and research. Wherever possible, you are assigned a member of staff whose expertise is appropriate to the particular dissertation topic. A number of tutorial discussions are provided throughout the planning and writing of the dissertation. These help you to organise and structure your study.
Through the LifeWorkArt Programme students develop an understanding of project management through organising group projects outside the university.
Stage 4
Students may concentrate solely on studio work, or select studio work combined with a choice from Art History, LifeWorkArt or Intensive Career Development Modules.
The principal aim of Final Year is to build upon the intensive, sustained and self-directed studio inquiry of Stage 3 to enable you to conclude your studies successfully and be prepared for further intellectual and creative and professional development. Whichever modules you select, you will undertake a self-initiated programme of studio work which will lead towards the production of a sustained body of work for presentation in the Degree Show exhibition open to the public in the Hatton Gallery and the Fine Art building.
During the final year you attend the visitor programme lectures weekly, and should access at least one tutorial with a visitor. You will have several timetabled tutorials with your final year supervisor over the year, and tutorials with other members of fine art staff on a ‘surgery’ basis. Studio work is supported by a programme of studio-specific and cross-studio tutorial teaching including a weekly ‘Fourth Year Forum’ where students’ present work and ideas for discussion with the rest of their year group and tutors.
The LifeWorkArt module will build on the learning that students have developed through the LifeWorkArt programme and previous group projects during the first three years of their degree. An annual LifeWorkArt Conference is organised by students in collaboration with the three other fine art departments in the region.
The Career Development module offers students the opportunity to undertake work-related learning in a variety of different contexts, both on and off the University campus.
For how to apply, entry requirements and procedures, and detailed course content such as modules, teaching and assessment, careers and finance information, please see our degree description.