One of the very few self-directed and interdisciplinary fine art courses in the UK, our BA (Hons) Fine Art encourages you to develop a personal and independent art practice. The course fuses:
- imagination
- innovation
- critique
- research
- contemporary and traditional approaches
- an appreciation of historical and theoretical context.
A flexible structure means you can focus on one or two media best suited to your ideas.
Student work gallery
Have a look at some of the work created on this course in our Fine Art student work gallery.
Art and Design Degree Shows 2012
Our final-year Art and Design Degree Shows will be taking place in May and June at the University. 20 courses will be showcasing inspirational work across the campus and the shows are open to the public.
Find out about our Degree Shows on the School of Art & Design website.
Any questions?
Email us
Telephone: +44 (0)115 9418 418
Visit the School of Art & Design website.
Please note the following information for applicants
You will work alongside other students specialising in different media within the same studio environment. We believe this creates independence, as well as developing connectivity between different art forms. This reflects the way you're likely to work as a practicing artist after your graduation.
This course is outward looking and continually responsive to new developments within the discipline of fine art and its surrounding culture. We prepare you for professional life in a broad range of cultural and creative industries. You'll experience presentations from international artists, creative practitioners and theorists who will give you a taste of the possibilities open to you.
We believe fine art thrives on initiative, cooperation and dialogue. Our teaching methods are diverse, incorporating:
- studio-based tutorials
- critical seminars
- skills workshops
- projects
- lectures
- field trips
- national and international exhibition visits.
Our academic staff are established practitioners actively involved in research, bringing up-to-date ideas and an external outlook to the course. Our strong links with festivals, agencies and artists' groups nationally and internationally also bring fresh perspectives to your studies.
Year One
During the first eight weeks of Year One, a series of workshops introduces you to the main areas of art media, from the traditional to the groundbreaking. These include:
- painting
- sculpture
- drawing
- casting
- model-making
- installation
- curating
- performance
- photography
- film
- video
- sound
- web design
- animation
- print.
You'll then focus on one or two of these, developing your own specific focus depending on your individual interests.
Year Two
Students' further development is given additional focus by the opportunity to study abroad through the ERASMUS/SOCRATES exchange programme, and with the introduction of a Professional Skills course to enhance students' future career awareness.
Year Three
Students will prepare for a final-year exhibition and research portfolio.
Assessment
You will be assessed at key points throughout the course, however your final degree mark will be a reflection of your final year exhibition and research portfolio.
Specialist equipment and facilities
Our studios and workshops are a custom built environment with different media practices embedded within the spaces - reflecting the broad nature of the course and the way that different practices exist side by side.
Fine Art students have access to the following facilities and equipment:
- woodwork and metalwork studios
- ceramics workshop
- kiln room
- clay workshop with potter's wheels
- resin room with the facility for moulding and casting
- sound studios with recording equipment
- digital video editing suite
- photographic darkrooms
- print room.
In addition there are a series of bookable spaces for temporary projects and multimedia installations.
Take a look at our art and design facilities through 360 degree panoramas and images.
Course visits and trips
Recent opportunities have included exhibition and cultural visits to Berlin, Rome and New York. There are also a number of exciting European exchanges available through the Socrates Erasmus programme.
We also offer annual scholarships to the Musashino Art School in Japan, with language classes available to boost your confidence before you go.
Closer to home, Nottingham has a vibrant, continually developing arts scene:
Your future career
Thanks to the diverse, self-directed nature of this course, our students develop into independent self starters and go on to a wide range of careers such as:
- artists
- illustrators
- curators
- teachers
- gallerists
- animators
- film-makers
- musicians
- community artists.
Others work in fields such as broadcasting, club culture, heritage, tourism, technological industries, publishing and journalism. Former students manage several major national arts organisations.
Work placements
Although this course does not offer a formal placement year, students are encouraged to undertake informal work placements, and enter live industry competitions. All our courses are vocationally focused and benefit from strong links to industry.
Giving you competitive advantage
In today's competitive job market graduates often find that a degree is no longer enough to attract employers. A work placement is a valuable addition to your education. You'll gain real-life work experience that will make you stand out from the crowd and enhance your employability in your chosen field of work.
What are the benefits of a work placement?
Practical work experience has many benefits for you. It can help in your day-to-day studies and is often paid. It can enhance your commercial awareness and your ability to link theory and practice which will be an invaluable skill in your future career. Although a work placement is highly recommended, obtaining one is based on an individual's effort and is not guaranteed.
How to apply
Application for this course is through UCAS application form. For more general information on the UCAS application process please visit the UCAS website.
If you are an International (non-EU) applicant you will still need to apply to us through UCAS, but can find information and guidance about the application process on our Applying and Fees for International (non-EU) students web page.
Application deadline
- 2012 entry: 15 January 2012
- 2013 entry: 15 January 2013
Applications received after this date will be marked as 'late' and only considered if places are still available after all on time applications have been assessed.
We have a number of open days that take place throughout the year. If you'd like to visit us click on the 'Book an Open Day' button at the top right of this page.
Interviews, online work submissions and portfolios
Selection for this course takes place through UCAS application form and, where invited, online work submission, interview and portfolio.
UK applicants
The table below shows you how we asses different types of applicants, once we've received their UCAS application.
| Type of applicant | Online Work Submission | Interview |
|---|
| A-Level / BTEC National Diploma / Other | Yes | Yes |
| Art and Design Foundation Diploma | No | Yes |
| Mature | No | Yes |
A-Level / BTEC National Diploma / Other applicants
If you meet the minimum entry requirements but have not completed an art and design foundation course, we will ask you to make an online work submission of:
- 12 examples of your practical work
- a short written summary.
If we need you to submit work, we'll contact you when we receive your UCAS application. Your online work submission will be used to decided whether to invite you to attend an interview at the University.
Art and Design Foundation Diploma / Mature applicants
If you meet the minimum entry requirements and are completing an art and design foundation diploma, or are a mature applicant, we'll invite you to attend an interview at the University without requesting an online work submission first.
Interview and portfolio information
If you are invited to attend an interview, you'll bring your portfolio with you. For more information about what we look for during an interview, and some useful tips for your portfolio, download our BA (Hons) Fine Art interview and portfolio information. 
Overseas applicants
If you meet the minimum entry requirements we will ask you to send us:
- 12 examples of your practical work
- a piece of written work (approximately 500 words) from your current or previous course.
When we receive your UCAS application we'll contact you to tell you how to submit your work online. Overseas applicants are not expected to attend an interview at the University.
English language requirements
English language entry requirements for courses in the School of Art & Design, and a full list of all English language qualifications accepted by the University are available on our website.
UCAS points
The 240 UCAS tariff points needed for entry to this course should be taken from a minimum of two A-levels or equivalent qualification (such as a BTEC National Diploma or art and design foundation course). Additional tariff points obtained from AS-levels, where the subject was not continued to A-level, will also be accepted towards the 240 UCAS points required.
If you are unsure whether the qualifications you have, or are currently studying for, meet the minimum entry requirements for this course please contact us before submitting an application through UCAS.
Mature applicants
We welcome applications from mature applicants (over the age of 21) for this course, and will assess candidates of this nature on an individual basis. If you're a mature you'll still need to apply by UCAS form but you don't necessarily need to meet our minimum entry requirements - you must, however, have portfolio work to present at interview.
Any questions?
If you have any questions please don't hesitate to get in touch with us.
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