Fine Art, BA (Hons), with industry placement

This course offers studio communities and facilities for painting, sculpture, and performance/digital practices, guided by experienced artists. Students explore and define their specialisms through tutorials, seminars, workshops, and critiques, while engaging with broader social, political, cultural, environmental, economic, and technological contexts. In purpose-built studios, participants develop a strong artistic identity, incorporating interdisciplinary approaches, and access resources like workshops, specialist staff, and collaborations to push practice boundaries. Emphasis is placed on technical skills and critical thinking, fostering creative strategies for sustainable careers. Opportunities include exhibition projects, network expansion, and visits to institutions such as Leeds Art Gallery and the Venice Biennale.The program spans three years. Year one focuses on community building, experimentation, and critical thinking via introductory workshops. Year two advances specialized practice through tutorials and exhibition strategies. Year three consolidates positioned work, extending networks and preparing proposals for global projects, culminating in a public exhibition. A four-year option includes a placement year for enhanced employability.

Year one – Your first year focuses on community building, making, and experimentation. Through a range of introductory workshops, seminars, and critiques you will explore materials and processes alongside developing your critical thinking. Year two – In your second year you will develop your work within your specialist studio community, with specialist teaching, tutorials, and critiques to extend your practice. You will enhance your professionalism by implementing artists’ strategies and exhibition practice. Year three* – In your third year you will consolidate your informed and positioned practice and begin to work beyond your studio community. As a confident and emerging professional artist, you will extend your networks and learn how to develop proposals and applications for local, national, and international projects and exhibitions. Supported through critiques and tutorials, your final body of work is curated to form a public facing exhibition. *If you choose to study this course over four years, this will include a placement year (also known as a sandwich year, work placement, industrial placement, or year in industry), which provides a fantastic opportunity to enhance your employability and gain practical experience in your field of study. The placement year typically occurs after year two and before year three.