Fine Art (with Foundation Year)

Explore drawing, painting, sculpture, installation, video and lens-based media and printmaking, and then take the opportunity to specialise, combine areas or to remain broad-based with this open, creative degree.

You will:

Be able to develop as a creative independent artist with opportunities to take on commissions, showcase your work in exhibitions and enter competitions.
Develop your own unique visual art practice and learn how to creatively use skills and choose materials to express your ideas
Enjoy professional studio space set within a traditional Art School environment, allowing you to test out ideas through making
Study in small groups allowing for individual support
Benefit from strong links with a range of galleries and other exhibition spaces in Wales and the rest of the UK
Have opportunities to study abroad or take part in projects with an international dimension
Be encouraged to exhibit your work
Gain knowledge from high profile visiting artists
*This subject area is rated joint 2nd in the UK for Satisfied with Teaching in the Fine Art subject area league table in the Guardian University Guide, 2025.

What you will study

YEAR 1 (FOUNDATION YEAR)
The foundation year will introduce you to the key elements of art and design, including design practice, applied and fine art. You will explore the creative thought process relating to various art and design disciplines, developing your ability to put ideas down on paper quickly. There will be a range of practice assignments that will increase your recognition of strong ideas and original concepts.

MODULES
Introduction to Art and Design
Introduction to Applied Art
Introduction to Fine Art
Creative Thinking
The Skills You Need
Contextual Studies

YEAR 2 (LEVEL 4)
Level 4 of the programme initially provides the opportunity to explore a variety of specialist activities offered within Fine Art as a broad-based introduction. You will examine how artists process ideas through a combination of making and critical evaluation while learning to relate your experiences to those of other artists.

MODULES
History and Context
Creative Futures 1
Visual Communication
Media and Techniques (Fine Art)
Ideas and Concepts
Language and Practice

YEAR 3 (LEVEL 5)
In this year, modules enable students to consolidate and extend their learning with more advanced techniques and processes that challenge them to experiment with a variety of media and methods of communication. You have the opportunity to explore the areas of Fine Art practice you are most interested in within workshops led by skilled practitioners working within the field. Having developed an awareness of what is possible, you may then choose to specialise in an established area of practice such as drawing, painting, video, digital media, sculpture or printmaking or to adopt an interdisciplinary approach.

MODULES
Critical Thinking
Creative Futures: Making a living
Material, Form and Content
Visual Art Practice (Fine Art)
Specialist Study (Fine Art)

YEAR 4 (LEVEL 6)
The final year modules require more critical, analytical and lengthier negotiated studies where students can determine their own career path and have the opportunity to negotiate a year plan which places them with more responsibility for which projects they undertake. This is closely monitored through regular critiques, seminars and tutorials.

MODULES
Dissertation
Creative Futures 3
Negotiated Practice (Fine Art)
Fine Art Degree Project

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the programme that will take the form of either core or option modules. Modules are designated as core or option in accordance with professional body requirements and internal academic framework review, so may be subject to change.

Teaching & Assessment
The majority of the work is studio/workshop based and practical in nature supported with lectures, talks by specialist guest speakers, demonstrations, tutorials, seminars and critiques. Assessment is continuous, and there are a series of set and chosen, (both individual and team), assignments in which students learn a range of skills and techniques and apply them creatively to solve art and design problems.

Assessment is designed to enable students to participate in the measurement of their own progress, with clear aims provided from the very beginning of each module, regular feedback and group interaction with critical analysis throughout the course, giving students the opportunities they need to succeed.

Wrexham University is committed to supporting our students to maximise their academic potential.

We offer workshops and support sessions in areas such as academic writing, effective note-making and preparing for assignments. Students can book appointments with academic skills tutors dedicated to helping deal with the practicalities of university work. Our student support section has more information on the help available.

In terms of particular needs, the University’s Inclusion Services can provide appropriate guidance and support should any students require reasonable adjustments to be made because of a recognised prevailing disability, medical condition, or specific learning difference.