Fine Art (Taught)

Develop your passions and reach your potential in a small, welcoming environment within a community of like-minded people.

Why choose West Dean?

An international reputation for excellence in conservation and arts education.
94% of students studying at the College* felt the programme had enhanced their skills and abilities (*2019 student survey)
A rich arts environment and a focus on craft skills with vocational application.
Be inspired by the unique historic character and beautiful South Downs setting.
Located close to Chichester and the South Coast, with easy access to London.

The Course

The Master of Fine Art programme at West Dean provide a stimulating and supportive environment for you to develop your capacities in practical, theoretical and professional domains, with an emphasis on specialist studio practice. Students are provided with generous studio space, weekly tutorial support, access to a broad range of visiting artists and lecturers, and year-round access to exhibition spaces. The two-year structure provides students with sustained periods of studio-based activity, with dissertation requirements coming early in the second year of study. Programmes are delivered through a combination of seminars, lectures, workshops, individual and group tutorials, critical sessions and self-directed research.

Students can choose to specialise in one of three main disciplines of Painting and Drawing, Sculpture, Tapestry and Textile Art, or to explore interdisciplinary practice. With access to excellent workshop facilities and unique opportunities to engage with other college departments, you will develop your practical, theoretical and professional skills in relation to a variety of different materials, methods and ideas.

Students have the opportunity to engage with West Dean House, Collection, Archive and Estate, are given support from highly skilled technical staff and a range of specialist facilities, plus assistance for visiting exhibitions, events and developing professional opportunities.

MFA students can expect

Support in consolidating studio practice to a level appropriate for accomplished practitioners
Access to facilities, workshops and expertise for the fabrication of artworks
Opportunities to employ innovative approaches to studio practice through which conceptual ideas are tested and informed by use of selected media
To develop originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in the Visual Arts
To consolidate a systematic understanding and critical awareness of current debates in contemporary art practice
To further develop aptitude for professional practice, independent research or employment, including opportunities for public exhibition
To possess independence, self-reliance, as well as promotional enterprise skills, motivated toward professional practice or employment

Teaching

You are taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, practical workshops, individual and group tutorials, critique sessions, oral and written presentations, and external visits. You will typically have around 11-12 contact hours per week.

Independent learning

When not attending lectures, seminars, workshops or other timetabled sessions you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-directed study. Typically, this will involve:

working in the studio
developing supporting material and research portfolios
researching in the library
reading journal articles and books
working on assignments
preparing presentations and self-assessments.

Overall workload

33% of your time is spent in scheduled teaching and learning activity
Scheduled teaching and learning: 785 hours
Independent learning: 1615 hours

Year 1 / Semester 1 (18 weeks)
Unit VA MFA 1A

Creative Research Strategies

15 credits

Unit VA MFA 1B

Application of Philosophical Aesthetics

15 credits

Unit VA MFA 1C

Studio work

30 credits

STAGE ASSESSMENT

Year 1 / Semester 2 (18 weeks)
Unit VA MFA 3A

Art Research and Criticality

20 credits

Unit VA MFA 3C

Studio work 2 (interim exhibition)

40 credits

EXHIBITION/SUMMER ASSESSMENT

Year 2 / Semester 1 (18 weeks)
Unit VA MFA 5A

Dissertation

20 credits

Unit VA MFA 5C

Studio work 3

40 credits

STAGE ASSESSMENT

Year 2 / Semester 2 (18 weeks)
Unit VA MFA 7A

Professional Practice

15 credits

Unit VA MFA 7C

Studio work 4 (summer show)

45 credits

EXHIBITION/FINAL ASSESSMENT

The MFA (Master of Fine Art) at West Dean is a two-year full-time programme of study designed to further advance students' capacities in practical, theoretical and professional domains, with an emphasis on specialist studio practice. The two-year structure provides students with sustained periods of studio-based activity, with dissertation requirements coming early in the second year of study. The emphasis on practice is nonetheless informed and supported by theoretical and professional Study Units throughout the academic year. Whether specialising in a single discipline or working across media, MFA students will have time to develop and expand their studio work to the highest standards, bringing in relevant historical, theoretical and professional perspectives.