Fine Art & Art History
Fine Art and Art History
4 years (with placement year and/or overseas study)
In the contemporary art world, as the boundaries between fine art practices are crossed, so too are the distinctions between artist, theorist and curator. BA (Hons) Fine Art and Art History challenges these boundaries, offering you the opportunity to develop and expand your fine art practice through a deep engagement with art historical knowledge and theoretical ideas. The course also offers a curating pathway, allowing students to explore exhibition-making in its own right and as a form of artistic practice.
As part of the undergraduate programmes in art theory and practice, the course shares much of its teaching with BA (Hons) Art History and Curating, and students from the two courses collaborate on projects and exhibition making. It is taught by a multidisciplinary team of practising artists, art historians, curators and theorists.
Special Features
- —Globally recognised: We are ranked in the top 100 schools for art and design in the world (QS World Rankings 2024).
- —Creative industry connections: The course works closely with arts institutions and galleries in Manchester and beyond, helping students to foster professional skills and contacts.
- —Flexible pathways: You will have the opportunity to expand your learning outcomes through following the curating pathway.
- —Collaborative working: You’ll have access to cross-disciplinary forms of collaboration, including the opportunity to take part in the Intra-actions module, with students from across the department.
- —Varied course content: The course offers integrated learning through studio-practice that is supported by academic study.
- —Learn from experts: You’ll focus on a fusion of critical and creative thinking as you’re taught by arts practitioners and scholars with diverse, contemporary expertise and knowledge. This includes practising artists, art historians and curators.
- —International connection: Opportunities to learn a foreign language, visit international exhibitions and access international study programmes.
Course Content
Teaching over the three years will allow you to synthesise art historical and theoretical knowledge into your studio work so that you may develop an informed contemporary fine art practice. This integration will 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, curators, and art historians with expertise and research interests in the modern and contemporary period.
Year 1
In the first year, you will begin to establish your fine art practice within our studios and specialist workshops. Alongside this, you will study important movements in art from Romanticism to Modernism, placing these in their social contexts.
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.
Art History 2: The Early Twentieth century
This module deals with the early twentieth century artistic avant-garde, examining groupings such as Cubism, Futurism, Vorticism, Constructivism, Dada, and Surrealism.
Studio 1
The module introduces you to methods, materials and processes relevant to fine art. You will begin to explore approaches to the production of fine art studio outcomes that will be further developed in the second semester practice module.
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.
Year 2
In your second and third years, you will continue to explore and define your fine art practice, articulating your approaches with increasing confidence as you develop your knowledge and understanding of art's historical, theoretical, and institutional contexts. Options in the second and third year introduce valuable curatorial skills and professional perspectives, and a curating pathway is recognised through its own degree award: BA (Hons) Fine Art and Art History (Curating Pathway).
Future X: Symbiosis
In this module, you will tackle complex planetary challenges by working with students from different creative fields. Through our lab-studio-classroom, experimental approaches to practice will explore the notion of ‘What if?’ as a way to explore open-ended enquiries that allow critical space to propose alternative futures. Through multidisciplinary perspectives you'll develop innovative responses to societal issues, combining practical skills and theory to create resilient, inclusive outcomes for our changing world.
Studio 2
The module facilitates the development of an independent studio practice, providing an opportunity to further explore materials, processes and issues relating to fine art.
Art History 4: Interpretations
The module examines methods and theories relevant to the historical study and interpretation of art and other forms of visual culture, and looks at the place of these theories in the development of the discipline of art history.
Year 3
In your final year you will realise and produce a body of work or an exhibition project that demonstrates a critical and informed engagement with contemporary art practice and/or curating. You will also conduct an independent research project leading to an extended piece of writing, which may be an extended essay or a full-length dissertation.
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.
Studio 3
This module expects you to work with increasing independence to create art works that demonstrate an engagement with contemporary art practices.
Art History 6: Framings
This module will explore institutional contexts for the teaching, production, and use of art (such as the art school, the studio, patronage, the art market, the art museum). As part of this, the module will also examine historical processes of change since the Renaissance that have resulted in the transformation of the institutional structure of art.
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 25% lectures, seminars or similar; 75% independent study
- Year 2 25% lectures, seminars or similar; 75% independent study
- Year 3 100% placement (optional)
- Year 4 20% lectures, seminars or similar; 20% 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 and Art History students.
Staff
This course is taught by Fine Art and Art History staff.
- Beccy Kennedy-Schtyk
Senior Lecturer and Programme Leader, Undergraduate Programmes in Art Theory and Practice
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Dr Fionna Barber's 'Elliptical Affinities' displays work by two generations of Irish women artists
Work by art and design graduates features as part of Design Manchester
Graduates
The course allows you to develop into informed, critically capable art practitioners, able to take your place as professionals in the arts and the wider cultural industries. The course also offers you the opportunity of enhancing your employability through placement and overseas study years.
This course is appropriate for careers in a range of cultural roles such as artist, curator, journalist, arts manager, gallery assistant, teacher, as well being appropriate for postgraduate study.
Making an Application
How to Apply
Apply through UCAS.
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. |
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| 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 £800* —Students often choose to buy their own laptop in their first year. However there are computer facilities on campus. £200-£800.
Trips and Placement Costs
Optional £1,140* —Educational visits to European centres during each year. These are optional and if related to a unit of study, local alternatives are identified.
Professional Costs
There are no additional professional membership fees required for full qualification.
Other Costs
£600* plus optional £2,400* —The production of works or artefacts which may require you to purchase specific materials and/or equipment relating to your area of fine art specialism. Audio visual equipment is available to loan. Depending on what you buy, additional costs could range from £150 - £800 per year. Books and digitised readings are available from the library. However you will be required to purchase a small number of core books approx. £50 per year.
* All amounts shown are estimates.