Fine Art

You will explore, navigate, and define your own specialism within fine art and refine your critical understanding of the role of art in society.

Shaped by personal interests, historical, contemporary, social, political, cultural, environmental and technological contexts, you will situate and position your work.

You will work within purpose-built studio communities with access to facilities for painting, printmaking, sculpture, and performance and digital practices. There is an emphasis on materials and critical thought that synthesises thinking and making. Encouraged and led by an experienced team of educators and practising artists, you will pursue your individual interests through studio teaching, tutorials, seminars, workshops, and group critiques.

You will acquire a range of creative and technical strategies to support the development and long-term sustainability of your practice. There are opportunities to collaborate and experiment with approaches, methods and materials to challenge the boundaries of your practice. Through exhibition proposals and projects, you will develop the essential skills and experience you need as a practicing artist, expand your networks, and make lifelong contacts.

We have several cultural institutions on our doorstep and make regular visits to galleries and exhibitions such as Leeds Art Gallery, the Henry Moore Institute, Yorkshire Sculpture Park, and The Hepworth. National and international trips have included the Venice Biennale.

What You'll Study

Year one – Your first year focuses on community building, materials, making, and experimentation. Through a range of introductory workshops, seminars, and critiques you will explore materials and processes alongside developing your critical thinking.

Year two – You will develop your work within our studio community, with specialist teaching, tutorials, and critiques to extend your practice. You will enhance your professionalism by implementing artists’ strategies and exhibition practice.

Year three* – You will consolidate your informed and positioned practice and begin to work beyond your studio community. As a confident and emerging professional artist, you will extend your networks and learn how to develop proposals and applications for local, national, and international projects and exhibitions.

*If you choose to study this course over four years, this will include a placement year (also known as a sandwich year, work placement, industrial placement, or year in industry), which provides a fantastic opportunity to enhance your employability and gain practical experience in your field of study. The placement year typically occurs after year two and before year three. Read our placement year FAQs at www.leeds-art.ac.uk/undergraduate-placement-year-faqs.