Fine Art

Our Fine Art degree is a course that emphasises how making is informed by theory to enable you to view, critique, and challenge the way we experience the world and culture. This is a practical subject supported by ideas and research. At the heart of the programme is creative play and creative thinking. You will have the opportunity to explore a range of art practice and learn how to question, explore, and define your identity as an artist.

We will prepare you for your future career in the creative industries. Greater Manchester has the fastest growing creative sector outside of London, and culture is the beating heart and soul of a city brimming with amazing museums, galleries, project spaces, and studios.

Studying within our fantastic studios and workshops at the New Adelphi campus, you can be creative, learn new skills, and develop your talent to transform your potential in art. You will have access to print, textiles, photography, wood, and metal workshops, as well as the latest cutting-edge industry technology in our digital labs. We also have state-of-the-art sound recording studios and film studios at our MediaCity campus.

You are taught by a staff team of practising artists, each with national and international reputations within the art world. We have partnerships with Tate Liverpool, Royal College of Art, Castlefield Art Gallery, HOME, The Howarth Charitable Trust and Hot Bed Press. The programme is also supported by a wide range of regional curators, artists, and arts professionals.

We start by introducing you to the studio culture that you will develop over your second and third years, progressing towards your final degree show. In our theory modules, you will be introduced to the history of art as it has developed across all cultures. We will also highlight the significance of contemporary social movements and how these link to our past, present, and future. We are a university that embraces inclusivity and diversity.

Professional practice is a key aspect of the course you will learn how to promote and share your practice through collaboration, exhibiting, industry connections, teaching, marketing, web design, and social media. You will also develop essential entrepreneurial skills and advice on setting up your own business to enable you to successfully navigate the art world and creative industries on graduation.

You will:

• Have the opportunity to specialise or move between any media of your choice with the teaching and guidance of experienced artists

• Develop your professional skills and practice in our state-of-the-art facility

• Explore and immerse yourself in the social, cultural and philosophical debates that underpin creativity and contemporary Fine Art practice.

Course Modules

Year one

• Introduction to Studio Culture 1

• Introduction to Art and Ideas 1

• Models of Scholarship

• Introduction to Studio Culture 2

• Introduction to Art and Ideas 2

• Models of Practice

Year two

• Studio Practice 1: Artist and Audience

• Studio Practice 2: Development

• Visual Analysis

• Art in Context

Year three

• Dissertation

• Professional Studio Practice

• Professional Futures

You’ll be assessed in a variety of ways. For example, studio-based project modules can include the assessment of visual, verbal and written, whereas theoretical modules involve a written submission, such as an essay.