Fine Art

In a dynamic environment of dedicated studios and industry-standard workshops, you’ll gain the technical expertise, creative confidence, and critical understanding needed to shape your unique artistic voice.

Whether focusing on a single discipline like Painting or pushing boundaries with multi-disciplinary approaches, you’ll have the freedom to experiment and evolve. From exploring diverse concepts in your first year to curating exhibitions in your second, and refining your visual language in your final year, every step is designed to nurture your ambitions. Our professional studies content connects you to the thriving North East art scene and equips you with the skills for a successful career in the arts—whether as an exhibiting artist, educator, or through postgraduate study.

Student & Graduate Exhibitions
Students and graduates have exhibited in various venues, including:

The National Museum of the Royal Navy Hartlepool
Hartlepool Art Gallery
Fresh Thirsk
The House of Blah Blah Middlesbrough
The Python Gallery Middlesbrough
Pineapple Black Arts Middlesbrough
The Hub Redcar
Base Camp Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough Art Weekender
Ferens Art Gallery Hull

Year One - Fine Art Foundation and Orientation
In your first year (Level 4), you will be introduced to the core skills, and techniques that form the foundation of fine art practice. You’ll explore a variety of mediums and approaches to help you understand the wide possibilities within the discipline. This year focuses on developing your creative conceptual understanding of the technical training that will allow you to become an arts and media specialist.

• 2D Practices including Painting, Drawing and Printmaking
• 3D Practices including Assemblage, Casting, Installation and Site Specific Art
• Digital Practices including Photography, Scanning, Editing and Video Production
• The content, form and context of your work in relation to the work of other Fine Art practitioners through debate and analysis
• Narrative
• Creative Thinking

Year Two - Development and Exploration
Your second year (Level 5) builds on this foundation, allowing you to develop more focused advanced practice. You will begin to define your personal direction through your body of work and subject matter, in which you will explore opportunity to exhibit your work, while building a professional portfolio that reflects your developing specialism.

• Your individual personal practice
• Confidence in directing your own work and understanding its context
• Your Professional practice through live assignments, work experience and collaboration

Year Three - Consolidation and Expertise
In your final year (Level 6), you will consolidate your skills, experience and creative identity as a fine artist. Working on a self-initiated body of work, you will refine your practice and explore your future professional direction. This year provides the opportunity to realise your creative aspirations and independent practitioner and prepare for a successful transition into professional practice or further study.

• A honed exhibition of personal practice
• Work for competitions and commissions
• Dissertation which will enrich and inform your practice
• A plan for life beyond your degree

In course assessment. Each module is assessed upon completion and given a percentage mark.