Fine Art, BA (Hons), with industry placement

Falmouth's esteemed Fine Art degree fosters critical exploration of historical and contemporary art practices, cultural contexts, and debates. Students cultivate their artistic vision through access to dedicated studio spaces and facilities, including 3D, printmaking, and time-based media workshops. By collaborating with partners like Newlyn Art Gallery and Tate St Ives, participants develop professional skills, build an industry-ready portfolio, and prepare for sustainable careers in the arts.The program spans four years, beginning with foundational workshops and progressing to advanced research and public exhibitions. Modules cover practice in context, art discourses, and entrepreneurial skills, with assessments including practical presentations, written assignments, and a final-year dissertation and exhibition to ensure comprehensive creative and professional growth.

On this studio-based Fine Art degree you'll delve into culture and theory, evolve your practice and gain vital professional skills. Learning from experienced practitioners, you'll investigate contemporary and historical art practices, theories and debates. You'll also develop the skills to effectively present your work to the world. Throughout the course, you'll collaborate with staff and peers to plan and deliver public exhibitions. Year One In your first year, you'll join technical workshops and inductions to kick-start approaches to artistic practice. With a focus on co-creation, you'll collaborate with your peers to develop a range of ways to think about, self-initiate, and develop your practice. You'll also investigate contemporary and historical art contexts, developments and debates. At the end of the year, you'll go on to develop and deliver a group exhibition. Modules Press Play Practice in Context 1 Initiating Practice Practice in Context 2 Year Two In your second year, you’ll expand your horizons of what art practice is and can be, and how this translates to professional contexts. You’ll further your understanding of research by exploring the relationships between sources, methodologies, themes, and ideas in support of your evolving practice. You’ll also continue to develop the academic and cognitive skills required to develop thoughtful and critical practice, in both visual and written forms. At the end of the year, you’ll work in teams to produce a public-facing arts event. To do this, you’ll utilise vital professional practice skills including collaboration, team working, negotiation, persuasion, liaison and project management. Modules Situating Practice: Studio Situating Practice: Art Discourses Testing Ground: Art Encounters Testing Ground: Collaboration Testing Ground: Studio Year Three: You’ll be responsible for finding your own placement, with support from the employability team. Choosing this option will enhance your industry experience and skills while studying. How you’ll study during your professional placement You’ll spend time working in a professional context, as part of a business or organisation. This can be in one role, or up to three, and must be for a minimum of 24 weeks. You’ll develop in-demand workplace skills, deepen your insight into industry and grow your network of contacts, all of which could help you get ahead in your career after graduation. Throughout this year, you’ll develop a portfolio of work that includes critical self-reflection on what has been learned from the experience. You’ll be required to evidence your experiences, the skills you’ve learned and your professional growth. Year Four: In the final year, you’ll work to establish a professional level of agency over your own creative practice. You'll complete an extensive research project that addresses the question of ‘research as practice’; providing an opportunity to scope the embedded methodologies and theoretical frameworks of your practice. You’ll then mobilise this research to produce a professional, public-facing final exhibition. Throughout the year, you’ll be supported to develop your professional practice skills, expand your industry and research networks, and find opportunities to test your practice in the real world. Modules Practice as Research Entrepreneurial Practices: Agencies & Audiences Realisation Sustaining Practice As part of our process of continuous improvement, we routinely review course content to ensure that all our students benefit from a high-quality and rewarding academic experience. As such, there may be some changes made to your course which are not immediately reflected in the content displayed on our website. Any students affected will be informed of any changes made directly.