Fine Art

A rigorous and questioning fine art degree that supports ambitious, interdisciplinary contemporary practice. Develop your individual studio practice through diverse workshops, collaborative working and professional partnerships with galleries, museums and creative organisations.

Our BA (Hons) Fine Art course is rigorous and questioning, encouraging an ambitious diversity of approaches in thinking and making. We promote an interdisciplinary exploration of contemporary art, where you will gain skills to critically question and actively create.

The course provides opportunities for working collaboratively, deepening cultural understanding and exploring new processes in workshops, within a learning environment that provides a meaningful link between your studio practice and contemporary art theory.

At a glance

• Degree: BA (Hons) Fine Art

• UCAS codes: 3-year degree W101 / 4-year extended degree W103

• Typical UCAS points: 104–120

Course overview

This is a dynamic course that supports ambitious, interdisciplinary contemporary art practice, encouraging you to critically question and actively create.

You’ll be supported to develop your individual practice-based study through exposure to a wide variety of material methods and modes of art practice.

What you’ll learn and how you’ll study

You’ll participate in workshops that allow you to explore new processes while connecting studio practice with contemporary art theory.

Workshops include opportunities across drawing, sound, glass, installation, video, clay, performance, painting, scale and sculpture, projection mapping, wood, printmaking and critical writing.

You can also explore 3D casting in plaster, alginate and rubber, alongside traditional sculptural practices.

Your studio practice and creative community

The course is led and supported by a stimulating community of creative practitioners. The core academic team are experienced artists who are active makers, writers and researchers in contemporary fine art practice.

We encourage diversity in thinking and making through material exploration, collaborative working, cross-fertilisation of ideas, and the exploration of new concepts and materials.

Partnerships, exhibitions and the professional art world

As a student you will develop an unrivalled understanding of the professional art world through ongoing partnerships with emerging and established galleries, museums, creative organisations and practising artists.

You will gain a deep understanding of the professional landscape through these partnerships, preparing you effectively for a career in the creative sector upon graduation.

Why choose this course?

• Our course prioritises contemporary art practice and critical enquiry. As a studio-centred, interdisciplinary programme, it allows you the freedom to work in any medium at any stage, offering the flexibility to shape your own professional journey.

• Partnerships with ambitious and contemporary art spaces, such as our on-site gallery, MIRROR, and our neighbours, The Box. We think beyond our walls and you will get to test, experiment and exhibit work in real-life professional art settings.

• Access to industry connections including: KARST, The Box, Sprite Arts Collective, Plymouth Culture, RAAM, Heart for Art, Stoke Village Hub, MIRROR gallery, WonderZoo, Yourway Project and Make Tank.

Careers and future opportunities

Career opportunities include: Professional Artists, Curators, Producers, Arts Facilitators, Exhibition Organisers, Digital Content Creators, Art Therapists, Researchers, Photographers, Lecturers and Teachers, Art Conservators and Framers, Art Handlers, Gallery Owners or Curators, Studio Assistants, Technicians, Directors, Printmakers, Writers and Directors of Artist-run Spaces.

Course Modules

Arts University Plymouth offers a year long sandwich year option. Framed within the institution’s innovative Common Unit Framework, the sandwich year experience is offered as a unit that contributes to your BA (Hons) Degree.
The sandwich year can take the form of an internship or work placement, and can take place in the UK or abroad. It is intended to give you the possibility of gaining experience in art and design practice in a ‘real life’ industry setting, before you return to complete the final year of your degree. You will be able to build your CV and, if you choose to take on your sandwich year outside of the UK, enhance your experience of international creative practice.
Sandwich year placements will be selected by each student who wishes to take one, assisted by Course staff within AUP. Opportunities may also come through corporate approaches to AUP or through links built by your course tutors. Each placement opportunity will be reviewed by the University before being approved to ensure its suitability to be part of your course. During the Sandwich Year you remain enrolled at AUP with access to IT and your email accounts, online library and learning support.
Once approved, the sandwich year will count towards your overall degree and completion of it will be acknowledged on your degree certificate.