BA (Hons) Fine Art

COURSE OVERVIEW

Programme Specifications UCAS CODE W101 UCAS TARIFF 96 - 112 UCAS Calculator BA (Hons) 3 YEARS

In a dynamic environment of dedicated studios and industry-standard workshops, you’ll gain the technical expertise, creative confidence, and critical understanding needed to shape your unique artistic voice. Whether focusing on a single discipline like Painting or pushing boundaries with multi-disciplinary approaches, you’ll have the freedom to experiment and evolve. From exploring diverse concepts in your first year to curating exhibitions in your second, and refining your visual language in your final year, every step is designed to nurture your ambitions. Our professional studies content connects you to the thriving North East art scene and equips you with the skills for a successful career in the arts—whether as an exhibiting artist, educator, or through postgraduate study. This creative-industry-focused programme typically provides 16 hours of contact time per week across the academic year. Students can typically expect to receive 10 hours of taught sessions and 6 hours of supervised open studio time, supported by specialist technicians, and have open access to studios and workshops (subject to School opening times and availability). In the final year, students typically engage in a higher proportion of supervised, independent study, reflecting the increased focus on self‑directed practice and specialist project work at this level. In addition, students are expected to undertake independent study appropriate to a full-time undergraduate degree programme.

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Students will be offered a technical training that will allow you to become an arts and media specialist. Challenging and extending the traditions of such disciplines as fine art painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, video and sculpture. The wide range of superbly equipped workshops available to you will also facilitate the kind of experimental combining of materials and processes needed to explore and create hybrid art forms. You will be encouraged to explore art history and the context of your practice, in order to establish a strong personal visual language.

In year one, you will be introduced to a range of fine art concepts, processes and subject matters. In year two, you will make an informed decision about the subject matter, media or combinations of media that you wish to explore in your personal practice and have the opportunity to exhibit your work. In your final year, you will be supported in developing and refining your craft in order to realise your creative aspirations as an independent practitioner.

Year One - Fine Art Foundation and Orientation
In your first year (Level 4), you will be introduced to the core skills, and techniques that form the foundation of fine art practice. You’ll explore a variety of mediums and approaches to help you understand the wide possibilities within the discipline. This year focuses on developing your creative conceptual understanding of the technical training that will allow you to become an arts and media specialist.

• 2D Practices including Painting, Drawing and Printmaking
• 3D Practices including Assemblage, Casting, Installation and Site Specific Art
• Digital Practices including Photography, Scanning, Editing and Video Production
• The content, form and context of your work in relation to the work of other Fine Art practitioners through debate and analysis
• Narrative
• Creative Thinking

Year Two - Development and Exploration
Your second year (Level 5) builds on this foundation, allowing you to develop more focused advanced practice. You will begin to define your personal direction through your body of work and subject matter, in which you will explore opportunity to exhibit your work, while building a professional portfolio that reflects your developing specialism.
• Your individual personal practice
• Confidence in directing your own work and understanding its context
• Your Professional practice through live assignments, work experience and collaboration

Year Three - Consolidation and Expertise
In your final year (Level 6), you will consolidate your skills, experience and creative identity as a fine artist. Working on a self-initiated body of work, you will refine your practice and explore your future professional direction. This year provides the opportunity to realise your creative aspirations and independent practitioner and prepare for a successful transition into professional practice or further study.

• A honed exhibition of personal practice
• Work for competitions and commissions
• Dissertation which will enrich and inform your practice
• A plan for life beyond your degree

Year Four (Optional)
Optional Master of Arts. Develop your creativity even further with a postgraduate study year - https://northernart.ac.uk/masters-degrees/