Fine Art, BA (Hons)

The BA Fine Art programme at Goldsmiths offers a dynamic, critical, and interdisciplinary environment for creating and studying contemporary art. This degree develops creative, interpretive, critical, and analytical skills, preparing students to contribute to the field. From the outset, students receive their own studio space and access to excellent facilities, including various media like painting, sculpture, video, and performance. All staff are practising artists, curators, and writers who provide guidance and foster independent thought, alongside transferable skills for creative industries careers. Notably, Goldsmiths alumni have been nominated for the Turner Prize over 30 times since 1990, winning eight awards. The programme only accepts first-year applications.The course comprises Studio Practice (75%), involving individual and group tutorials, presentations, and work in diverse media, and Critical Studies (25%), which includes lectures, seminars, essays, and a final-year dissertation. Assessment occurs through continuous tutorials, group discussions, viva voce in year two, a year-three exhibition for studio work, and written assignments for critical studies. Staff support independent learning, emphasising commitment and constructive critique.

The programme has two elements: Studio Practice (75% of the course) You’ll have your own studio space from day one, and will have access to excellent facilities and technical advice. Studios are not divided by year or discipline, so you will be studying alongside students from all stages of the programme working in a wide variety of media, including: Drawing Painting Constructed textiles Printmaking Sculpture Stitch Fabric Photography Printed textiles Video Installation Performance. Studio teaching is supported and complemented by workshop areas, which will introduce you to the techniques and skills relevant to the practical development of your work. You’ll have regular individual and group tutorials with your own tutor, with other tutors, and with visiting artists. You will also present your work for discussion with a larger group of students each term. Critical Studies (25% of the course) The lecture and seminar series in Year 1 offers a space for exploring and examining the historical and critical context in which art is made, seen and understood. The seminar options from which you can choose in Year 2 engage and extend your critical skills, enabling you to develop your ability to analyse, judge and write about contemporary art. Tutorials will guide your essay writing in Years 1 and 2, and will support the completion of your dissertation in Year 3. All staff on the programme will support your development and creativity and help you acquire independent learning skills. This approach requires you to be committed, to thrive on constructive criticism exchanged between staff and students, and to participate in discussing your own work and that of others. Please note that due to staff research commitments not all of these modules may be available every year.