This course is a fusion of imagination, innovation, critique and research. It has both contemporary and traditional approaches and historical and theoretical context. This inspiring course gives you the freedom to really grow as an artist.
UCAS code
W100 BA/FA
Entry requirements
Mature applicants will be considered on an individual basis.
Course length
Three years full-time
Study location
City site
Fees and funding
For more information, please see our applying and fees section.
Start date
October
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:
A flexible structure means you can focus on one or two media best suited to your ideas.
Student work galleryHave a look at some of the work created on this course in our Fine Art student work gallery.
Art and Design Degree Shows 2012Our 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 usTelephone: +44 (0)115 9418 418Visit the School of Art & Design website.
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:
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 OneDuring 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:
You'll then focus on one or two of these, developing your own specific focus depending on your individual interests.
Year TwoStudents' 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 ThreeStudents will prepare for a final-year exhibition and research portfolio.
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.
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:
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.
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:
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:
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.
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.
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.
Selection for this course takes place through UCAS application form and, where invited, online work submission, interview and portfolio.
The table below shows you how we asses different types of applicants, once we've received their UCAS application.
A-Level / BTEC National Diploma / Other applicantsIf 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:
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 applicantsIf 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 informationIf 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 applicantsIf you meet the minimum entry requirements we will ask you to send us:
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 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.
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.
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.
If you have any questions please don't hesitate to get in touch with us.Email us
