Fine Art
Fine Art
4 years (with placement year and/or overseas study)
BA (Hons) Fine Art is a studio-based course that provides you with the platform to confidently enter the professional world of the artist and arts professional. You will actively investigate universal approaches and practices in contemporary fine art that will test your knowledge, creativity and understanding. The course is taught by professional artists that are actively engaged in contemporary practice and will therefore encourage you to explore the broader social, political and community context to define a personal mode of study that will equip you to continue your development post-degree.
The wide range of teaching approaches, facilities and opportunities will support you to acquire skills and varied methodologies that allow you to either specialise or engage with a pluralistic approach to exploring fine art. The diversity of content creates a distinctive group of students that engage with and question a diverse range of approaches to studio practice and externally engaged projects.
You will also have the opportunity to develop your practice within an international context through the international exchange programme, national and international study trips and the acquisition of foreign language skills. There are opportunities to engage in the contemporary art world through study trips, exhibitions, student exchange programmes, visiting artists' lectures, workshops and gallery talks.
Special Features
- Globally recognised: We are ranked in the top 100 schools for art and design in the world (QS World Rankings 2024).
- Creative specialism: You can choose to specialise in painting/print media and sculpture/time-based art. These areas are not prescriptive and allow students to experiment with broad and expansive approaches to fine art.
- Studio-centred focus: The main focus of the course is on the production of art work within the studios and workshops.
- Cultural exploration: Study trips include gallery and museum visits to national and international centres. In Year 2 you will have access to the international student exchange programme.
Course Content
Central to the course are studio critiques, tutorials, gallery visits and practice-led seminars during which you will be encouraged to take an open-minded and investigative approach and consider your work in relation to developments in the subject area.
Teaching over the three years will allow you to synthesise visual, contextual and theoretical knowledge into your studio work so that you may develop an informed contemporary fine art practice. The programme of study is designed to challenge you, enriching your intellectual and creative ambitions, and encourage you to situate your art practice within a broader social and cultural context. The staff team delivering the course are internationally exhibiting artists, writers, and researchers with a wide range contemporary art expertise and specialisms.
The programme is also supported by extensive workshop provision, academic and technical expertise and access to the cultural sector in the North-West of England and beyond. We provide opportunities to engage in the contemporary art world through study trips, exhibitions, student exchange programmes, visiting artists' lectures and public talks.
Year 1
In year 1, after a period of induction and familiarisation, you will begin to build upon your subject area interests, and develop a body of work that responds to a growing understanding of concerns and debates within visual art. Through an open minded and investigative approach, you will be encouraged to enquire, question and consider your work in relation to the subject area and its relation to the world at large.
Working in a Studio
You will begin to explore your own creative interests, learning to use the studio and workshops, experimenting with different approaches to fine art practice, beginning to push boundaries and developing approaches to making. You will develop a range of skills, generate ideas in the studio, and establish yourselves within the learning environment. Production of work is supported by personal tutorials, induction to workshops, peer interaction, briefings, and artist talks.
Intra-actions
This module provides an opportunity to explore collaborative and interdisciplinary art and/or curatorial practice by undertaking work alongside students from other programmes in the department.
Future X: Kinship
In this module, you will explore your creative field through questions of belonging, encouraging you to consider relationships with the planet, people and place. The module functions as a Speculative Laboratory where we embrace More-Than-Human perspectives and develop new disciplinary connections to create innovative and regenerative ways of living and interacting with the world. This is an opportunity to begin to explore how creativity can be a catalyst for meaningful change.
Year 2
In year 2 you will develop a sound understanding of artistic concerns, with guidance, support and critical input from both staff and invited visitors. Through an increased scope of research, critical awareness, and development, you will learn how to articulate your work with reference to an engagement with recent and current issues within the field. Your improved skills base will allow you to select and investigate materials in closer accordance with your ideas and their translation into the visual domain.
Art and Audience
In this module you will undertake individual studio practice as well as collaborations with other students, to plan and produce public projects, exhibitions or events. You'll interrogate ideas of curatorial strategy and contemporary publics in relation to contemporary fine art practice and introduce your work to audiences. Through this process you will also gain depth and understanding of your own practice in the larger social, political and cultural context and learn key elements of professional practice and etiquette.
Studio Practice: Experimenting and Exploring
By facilitating the broadening of an independent fine art studio practice, this module provides an opportunity to explore materials, processes and issues relating to the field of contemporary fine art. Through an experimental approach to making you will begin to develop a body of work that reflects your current concerns and research. Production of work is supported by tutorials, workshops, artists’ talks, briefings, and interaction in the studios.
Year 3
In year 3 you will begin to demonstrate a heightened understanding of your work within the contemporary visual art landscape, and will be encouraged to sustain an open minded, inventive, and highly creative attitude to your chosen area of enquiry. By introducing a sense of refinement towards both established and new materials, and technological processes, your chosen ideas will begin to be reflected through an understanding of your own artistic voice.
Future X: Re-worlding
In this module, you will explore the boundaries of where your discipline intersects with other fields of practice as a catalyst for innovation. You will use theory to contextualise thinking, moving beyond the silo of subject specialism, and engage in imaginative experiments to rethink traditional approaches and roles in 'the profession’. This module helps prepare you for your final year of study, setting the context for the year ahead.
Defining and Refining Contemporary Art Practice
After reflecting on your previous work, you'll work independently to create a compelling body of work that showcases your proficiency, intellectual depth, and a growing understanding of contemporary fine art practice.
Assessment Methods
Formal end of unit assessments. Ongoing formative assessment, feedback, advice and discussion.
Assessment Weightings & Contact Hours
10 credits equates to 100 hours of study, which is a combination of lectures, seminars and practical sessions, and independent study. A three year degree qualification typically comprises 360 credits (120 credits per year). The exact composition of your study time and assessments for the course will vary according to your option choices and style of learning, but it could be—
Study
- Year 1 30% lectures, seminars or similar; 70% independent study
- Year 2 30% lectures, seminars or similar; 70% independent study
- Year 3 100% placement (optional)
- Year 4 20% lectures, seminars or similar; 80% independent study
Assessment
- Year 1 100% coursework
- Year 2 100% coursework
- Year 3 100% placement (optional)
- Year 4 100% coursework
Student Work
Visit our online Degree Show galleries to see examples of work by final year Fine Art students.
Staff
- Chara Lewis
Programme Leader
— - Anne-Marie Atkinson
Lecturer
— - Rick Copsey
Senior Lecturer
— - Jenny Eden
Senior Lecturer in Fine Art (Painting)
— - Dave Evans
Lecturer
— - Brigitte Jurack
Reader in Sculpture and Time Based Arts
— - Andrew Lacon
Senior Lecturer
— - Jo Lansley
Senior Lecturer
— - Rachel Magdeburg
Lecturer in Fine Art (Painting)
— - Brigid McLeer
Senior Lecturer
— - Brian Mountford
Lecturer
— - David O
Reader in Fine Art
— - Oran O'Reilly
Senior Lecturer
— - Hannah Singleton
Senior Lecturer
— - Emily Speed
Senior Lecturer
— - Chester Tenneson
Lecturer
— - Katie Tomlinson
Lecturer
— - Adam Walker
Lecturer
— - Ben White
Reader
—
Bertosz Beda is a finalist in the Study UK Alumni Awards in the USA
Tia Taylor Berry, Rachel Wharton, and Lou Blakeway, will receive mentoring and studio space at a host university and a grant of £24,000.
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Graduates
Graduates from BA (Hons) Fine Art have gone on to have successful careers as art professionals, exhibiting their work in the UK, Europe, the USA and beyond in public shows and as part of private collections. You will also be well-equipped to pursue other career paths, including as curators, gallery facilitators, digital content curators, technicians, fabricators, educators, event organisers and studio managers.
Making an Application
How to Apply
Apply through UCAS.
We will ask you to provide a Digital Portfolio to support your application.
You will be notified of our decision through UCAS.
Entry Requirements
| UCAS Tariff Points/Grades Required | 104-112. GCE A levels - grades BCC or equivalent Pearson BTEC National Extended Diploma - grade DMM Access to HE Diploma - Pass overall with a minimum 106 UCAS Tariff points UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma - grade of Merit overall OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma - grade DMM T level - We welcome applications from students undertaking T level qualifications. Eligible applicants will be asked to achieve a minimum overall grade of Merit as a condition of offer IB Diploma - Pass overall with a minimum overall score of 26 or minimum 104 UCAS Tariff points from three Higher Level subjects Other Level 3 qualifications equivalent to GCE A level are also considered. A maximum of three A level-equivalent qualifications will be accepted towards meeting the UCAS tariff requirement. AS levels, or qualifications equivalent to AS level, are not accepted. The Extended Project qualification (EPQ) may be accepted towards entry, in conjunction with two A-level equivalent qualifications. Please contact the University directly if you are unsure whether you meet the minimum entry requirements for the course. Learn more about MMU's Foundation Diploma in Art and Design. |
|---|---|
| Specific GCSE Requirements | GCSE grade C/4 in English Language or equivalent, e.g. Pass in Level 2 Functional Skills English |
| International Baccalaureate | IB Diploma with minimum 26 points overall or 104 UCAS Tariff points from three Higher Level subjects. If you plan to meet the Level 2 course requirements through your IB Diploma you will need to achieve Higher Level 4 or Standard Level 5 in English Points |
International Students
A minimum IELTS score of 6.0 overall with no individual element below 5.5 is required.
There’s further information for international students on our international website if you’re applying with non-UK qualifications.
Tuition Fees 2026 Entry
UK and Channel Island students
Fees for this course have yet to be confirmed and will be updated as soon as more information is available.
Find out about the extra support we may be able to provide with our scholarships for UK students.
EU and non-EU international students
Full-time fee: £21,500 per year. Tuition fees will remain the same for each year of your course providing you complete it in the normal timeframe (no repeat years or breaks in study).
Many of our international students are eligible for a discount on their tuition fees. Visit our scholarships and funding pages to find out what's available for you.
Additional information
A degree typically comprises 360 credits, a DipHE 240 credits, a CertHE 120 credits, and an integrated masters 480 credits. For courses that offer a placement year option that starts in September 2025, the tuition fee is £1,905 (subject to Parliamentary approval). For courses that offer a study year abroad option that starts in September 2025, the tuition fee is £1,430 (subject to Parliamentary approval). Placement Year fees and study abroad fees for subsequent academic years may increase for inflation to reflect increased costs of course delivery (up to a maximum of 10% each academic year) and/or changes in UK government regulation. Inflationary increases will be calculated by reference to RPIx (RPIx is a measure of inflation in the UK). Fee increases are subject to limits imposed by UK government regulation.
See Funding your studies for further information and advice.
Additional Costs
Specialist Costs
Optional £600* —The production of artwork requires students to purchase specific materials and/or equipment, though it is impossible to place a precise figure on this as each student’s requirements will differ. Discounted materials are available to buy from the store in the School of Art. Students often choose to buy their own laptops but computers are available on campus and laptops are available for students to borrow. All of the books required for the course are available from the library, though some students choose to buy some of the recommended textbooks. Students may also need to print their assignments and other documents. Campus printing costs start from 5p per page. Estimated costs are £300+ for a laptop and £50 each year for books and printing.
Other Costs
Optional £1200* —Travel:
There is a study trip to a different European centre during each year, and there are occasional day or overnight trips within the UK. Trips involving additional costs are always optional; if they relate to a unit of study, alternative activities on campus are identified. Estimated costs are £220 each year for the European study trip (based on a three-night stay). £750 for trips outside of Europe (based on a 3night stay), and £20 each year for occasional trips.
* All amounts shown are estimates.