The MA Fine Art range of courses utilises the international profile of the staff research team and creates the possibilities for effecting dynamic shifts in cultural production. The employment opportunities today are greatly increased for Postgraduate students suitably experienced as artist/arts professionals working in the expanded field of art practice, which is reflected in the content of this course. The MA courses offer access to specialist teaching, workshop facilities and good technical support with supportive and accessible learning resources at the library and on the computer network to develop professional, creative and contextual skills. A range of full time and associate lecturers, all of whom are practising and exhibiting artists teach Fine Art at the University. A team of qualified technical staff and visiting artists also support the course.

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

Normally a recognised British honours degree to a good standard, or its equivalent.

The course is designed for graduates in fine art, artists, arts practitioners or other potential applicants from art and design who consider they have established an area of relevant research.

 In addition, potential students could Include community-based professionals, activists and engaged with location and built or rural environment These applicants will have to demonstrate the potential to develop their ideas within a creative, critical and theoretical framework related to debates in contemporary art.

Course Content

MA in Fine Art offers Two Awards in Full-Time or Part-Time mode with an annual intake starting in September: MA Fine Art Studio Practice runs in parallel with MA Site and Archive Intervention.

The MA Fine Art has a modular structure providing students with the opportunity to research, plan, develop and realise an independent Post Graduate Programme at first Post Graduate Certificate, Diploma and then at Master’s Level. The MA Modules in Fine Art encourage student interaction, sharing experience and participation and critical debate (Research Methods, Professional Practice, Degree Project & Contextual Report) and 2 Specialist Introductory and Project Development Modules.

Students have also the additional opportunity to participate in the innovative MA Fine Art Network by undertaking a module delivered by the Tate Gallery in Liverpool exploring Curating in Contemporary Art.

The Post Graduate Programme gives students the opportunities to realise an ambitious 'Fine Art Project' to define and sustain a high level of professional practice supported by a 'Contextual Report', which undertake an analytical, critical and creative approach to theoretical formats. It also explores strategies for research publications to create potential employment opportunities, dissemination of practice and publicity networks.

Course at a Glance

Full-time 1 year or Part-time 2 years

Research Methods in Fine Art (C)
Initiating a Studio Project/Developing Strategies for interventions (C)
Professional Practice (O)
Project Development (C)
Tate Gallery Module (O)
MA Fine Art Degree Project (C)
MA Contextual Report (C)

(C) = Core (O) = Optional

The table applies to full-time study over 3 Semesters. If studying part-time you can take up to 4 modules per year over 2 years.

Year 1

Links with Professional Bodies:

Refer to Professional Practice Module

Assessment:

Satisfactory demonstration / completion of entire module learning outcomes/ assessment. ‘MA Fine Art Project’ &‘Contextual Report’ graded as a %. Students present the Fine Art Project in the public domain with a Contextual Report.

Learning Environment:

Teaching and Learning involves a combination of lectures, seminars, screenings, presentations, group and individual tutorials, with case studies including artists’ initiatives, placements [if appropriate] to develop an integrated and experimental view of theory and practice. All students are allocated an individual
supervisor. Students also undertake a Professional Practice Programme delivered by Research Staff, Visiting Artists, Lecturers, Curators, Funding Agencies and representatives from Public Arts, Administrators and Regional Arts Associations when available. Attendance for part-time students will be on average one day a week and it may occasionally be necessary to attend on 2 days depending on the semester. Individual tutorials with supervisors are by prior arrangement.

Careers:

Careers as Practising artist achieving both a professional level of awareness and high standard of visual work, in addition Fine Art can also encompass a broader range of possibilities, as artists and designers, work in the creative industries and the public realm and in education.

Fees and Finance

The standard fee for this course will be: £6,000 per year

For further information including the availability of bursaries/scholarships or student financial support please view our Fees and Finance pages.