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Undergraduate

BA (Hons) Fine Art: Drawing

Abstract black and grey drawing by Meg Shipton - BA Fine Art Drawing.
Meg Shipton., Meg Shipton.
BA (Hons) Fine Art: Drawing, Camberwell College of Arts, UAL
College
Camberwell College of Arts
UCAS code
W111
Start date
September 2024
Course length
3 years

BA Fine Art Drawing at Camberwell College of Arts explores drawing as an expanded field of practice within contemporary art.

Course overview

BA Fine Art: Drawing is a unique course rooted in a shared passion for drawing. We see contemporary drawing as a way of questioning and communicating our relationship to the world. From pencils to pixels, drawing is a versatile tool because it can be immediate, affordable, portable and adaptable.

Students explore their ideas through a range of approaches and materials. These include mark-making, printmaking, moving image, sculpture, sound, text, performance and digital.

Our course team includes painters, sculptors, printmakers, animators, filmmakers and performers. All view drawing as both a generative process and primary medium.

BA Fine Art: Drawing will allow you to develop your art making wherever your interests lead you. Teaching will include both practical workshops and contextual studies. The course will help you position your work in relation to social and environmental issues.

What to expect

  • Contextual understanding: Examine the social, cultural and historic frameworks that underpin fine art practice. This will help you to situate your work within wider professional contexts.
  • Vehicle for change: Use your work as a platform to critique global issues and present new ideas about the world around you.
  • Ethical and inclusive practice: Learn how to use sustainable methods and materials to create ethical and accessible work.
  • Communication skills: Learn to effectively communicate, critique and reflect upon your own and your classmates’ work. 
  • Collaboration: Attend lectures and collaborate on projects with students from Camberwell’s other fine art degrees including Painting, Photography, Sculpture and Computational Arts.
  • Community engagement: Make a positive social impact through community engagement projects and extracurricular activities.
  • Expand your skillset: Access Camberwell’s facilities and develop a wide skillset that will open doors to the creative industries and beyond.

Industry experience and opportunities

All our students have the opportunity and are supported in exhibiting their work to an external audience. Students can take part in a wide range of seminars and workshops hosted by a variety of professionals and external arts organisations. Students will be able to take part in the College’s international exchange scheme to study abroad.

Third year students have the option to undertake a work placement, instead of a written dissertation or practical live project. Students and graduates can register with UAL Arts Temps, an employment agency, which offers students paid opportunities within the creative sector.

Mode of study

BA Fine Art: Drawing is offered in full-time mode. It is divided into 3 stages over 3 academic years. Each stage consists of 30 teaching weeks. You will be expected to commit an average of 40 hours per week to your course, including teaching hours and independent study.

Course units

Year 1

Unit 1: Introduction to Fine Art

This unit is an introduction to your course, the university and London as a resource.

Unit 2: Establishing practice

With support from your tutors, you will develop your own fine art practice through identifying areas of interest that have emerged in Unit 1. This will be through self-directed projects leading to sustained and increasingly independent practice. There will be timetabled workshops, seminars, lectures and tutorials.

Unit 3: Ideas into practice

You will focus on further developing and strengthening your skills and confidence in articulating and exploring your chosen areas of research through writing and art practice. By identifying specific skills and strategies, you will develop your work for public exhibition.

Unit 4: Activating practice

You will be introduced to working outside a studio environment and situating your work in the public realm.

Year 2

Unit 5: Exploring context through practice

You will extend the independent practice you established in Year 1. This will deepen your understanding and articulation of the ideas influencing your practice.

Unit 6: Collaborative and collective practices

You will be introduced to different ways in which collaborative working can help you to focus and enhance your own creative strengths. You’ll have the chance to work with fellow students and creative communities.

Unit 7: Refining practice

This unit will build on some of the collaborative skills gained in Unit 6 in order to facilitate the presentation and contextualisation of your work. You will research and present an essay to help situate your work critically.

Unit 8: Audiences

In this unit, you are prompted to professionally plan and communicate your work in the third year, focusing the direction and context of your practice.

Year 3

Unit 9: Practice and articulation

You will develop work for a public audience, supported by a piece of research produced either in written form, presentation, live project or work placement.

Unit 10: Practice and presentation

You will work to build a sustainable and ethical practice for your degree show. You will consolidate your research in the creation of new work which engages audiences.

Optional Diploma between Years 2 and 3

Between Years 2 and 3 of the course, you’ll also have the opportunity to undertake one of the following additional UAL qualifications:

Diploma in Professional Studies (DPS)

This optional diploma can be taken between years 2 and 3. With support from your tutors, you’ll undertake an industry placement for a minimum of 100 days/20 weeks. As well as developing industry skills, you’ll gain an additional qualification upon successful completion.

Diploma in Creative Computing

Between years 2 and 3, you can undertake the year-long Diploma in Creative Computing. This will develop your skills in creative computing alongside your degree. After successfully completing the diploma and your undergraduate course, you’ll graduate with an enhanced degree: BA (Hons) Fine Art: Drawing (with Creative Computing).

Learning and teaching methods

  • Events, screenings and visits
  • Group and individual critiques, tutorials and formal reviews
  • Individual programmes of study
  • Key ideas lecture programme
  • Learning skills in practical and technical workshops
  • Lectures and visiting speakers
  • Staff and student led seminars and discussions
  • Taught drawing sessions

BA Fine Art: Drawing

Open day recording

Course Leader Kate Terry gives an overview of BA Fine Art: Drawing at Camberwell College of Arts.

Student work

  • Augustus-Stickland-BA-Fine-Art-Drawing.jpg
    Augustus Stickland
    , Chelsea College of Arts, UAL | Photograph: Camberwell College of Arts
  • Jessica-Mankenda-BA-Fine-Art-Drawing.jpg
    Jessica Mankenda
    , Camberwell College of Arts, UAL | Photograph: Camberwell College of Arts
  • camberwell-ba-drawing-max-k-weaver-jarkid.jpg
    Max K Weaver - BA Drawing
  • BA-Drawing-Queenie-Clarke-1000.jpg
    Queenie Clarke - BA Drawing
  • camberwell-ba-drawing-Ikra-Arshad-1000.jpg
    Ikra Arshad - BA Drawing
  • camberwell-ba-drawing-Rhian-Spencer-Noronha.jpg
    Rhian Spencer Noronha - BA Drawing
  • Daniel-Stafford-BA-Fine-Art-Drawing.jpg
    Daniel Stafford
    , Camberwell College of Arts, UAL | Photograph: Camberwell College of Art
  • james_bullimore_ba_drawing-1860-x-1443.jpg
    James Bullimore - BA Drawing

Film

Graduate Showcase: Vince Ibay

Tanya Wilson

Augustus Stickland

Catherine Hulme

Staff

  • Kate Terry - Course Leader
  • Sadegh Aleahmad - Associate Lecturer
  • Nicholas Byrne - Lecturer
  • William Cobbing - Senior Lecturer
  • Elliot Dodd - Senior Lecturer
  • Frances Drayson - Associate Lecturer
  • Nicholas Feldmeyer - Senior Lecturer
  • Rosie Gibbens - Associate Lecturer
  • Asuf Ishaq - Associate Lecturer
  • Lawrence Leaman - Lecturer
  • Lana Locke - Senior Lecturer
  • Anna Mossman - Associate Lecturer
  • Renee Odjidja - Lecturer
  • Janette Parris - Senior Lecturer
  • Annette Robinson - Senior Lecturer
  • Yu-Chen Wang - Associate Lecturer
  • Stephen Wilson - Senior Lecturer

Fees and funding

Home fee

£9,250 per year

This fee is correct for entry in autumn 2024 and is subject to change for entry in autumn 2025.

Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students.

Home fees are currently charged to UK nationals and UK residents who meet the rules. However, the rules are complex. Find out more about our tuition fees and determining your fee status.

International fee

£28,570 per year

This fee is correct for entry in autumn 2024 and is subject to change for entry in autumn 2025.

Tuition fees for international students may increase by up to 5% in each future year of your course.

Students from countries outside of the UK will generally be charged international fees. The rules are complex so read more about tuition fees and determining your fee status.

Scholarship search

Entry requirements

The standard minimum entry requirements for this course are one or a combination of the following qualifications:

  • Pass at Foundation Diploma in Art and Design (Level 3 or 4)
  • 2 A Levels at grade C or above
  • Merit, Pass, Pass (MPP) at BTEC Extended Diploma
  • Pass at UAL Extended Diploma
  • Access to Higher Education Diploma
  • Or equivalent EU/International qualifications, such as International Baccalaureate Diploma at 24 points minimum
  • And 3 GCSE passes at grade 4 or above (grade A*-C)

Entry to this course will also be determined by the quality of your application, looking primarily at your portfolio of work, personal statement and reference.

APEL - Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning

Applicants who do not meet these course entry requirements may still be considered in exceptional cases. The course team will consider each application that demonstrates additional strengths and alternative evidence. This might, for example, be demonstrated by:

  • Related academic or work experience
  • The quality of the personal statement
  • A strong academic or other professional reference
  • A combination of these factors

Each application will be considered on its own merit but we cannot guarantee an offer in each case.

English language requirements

All classes are taught in English. If English isn't your first language you must provide evidence at enrolment of the following:

Selection criteria

We look for:

  • An ability to explore, articulate and develop ideas
  • An ability to research information and visual material to support your ideas
  • Your portfolio to demonstrate a range of appropriate skills and technical abilities
  • An ability to communicate your ideas visually, verbally and in writing
  • An ability to self-direct and evaluate your own work

Apply now

Application deadline

31 January 2024 at 18:00 (UK time)

If there are places available after this date, the course will remain open to applications until places have been filled.

Apply to UAL

Home students can apply to this course through UCAS with the following codes:

University code:

U65

UCAS code:

W111

Start your application

Apply now

Application deadline

31 January 2024 at 18:00 (UK time)

If there are places available after this date, the course will remain open to applications until places have been filled.

Apply to UAL

International students can apply to this course through UCAS with the following codes:

University code:

U65

UCAS code:

W111

Start your application
or

Apply with a UAL Representative

Based across the world, our local UAL representatives can support you with your application from your home country. Check to see if there is a representative available in your country currently.

Find your representative

How to apply

Follow this step-by-step guide to apply for this course

Step 1: Initial application

You will need to submit an initial application including your personal statement.

Personal statement advice

Your personal statement should be maximum 4,000 characters and cover the following:

  • Why have you chosen this course? What excites you about the subject?
  • How does your previous or current study relate to the course?
  • Have you got any work experience that might help you?
  • Have any life experiences influenced your decision to apply for this course?
  • What skills do you have that make you perfect for this course?
  • What plans and ambitions do you have for your future career?

Visit the UCAS advice page and our personal statement advice page for more support.

Step 2: Digital portfolio

We will review your initial application. If you have met the standard entry requirements, we will ask you to submit a digital portfolio.

You’ll need to submit this via PebblePad, our online portfolio tool.

Digital portfolio advice

Your portfolio should consist of recent work that reflects your creative strengths.

It should:

  • be maximum of 30 pages, showing a reflection of your interest and understanding of fine art
  • include both self-directed work and project work, demonstrating your diverse skills and abilities to work with a wide range of medias
  • give a strong indication of your passion and enthusiasm for the subject
  • include images from your sketch books to demonstrate your working process and abilities to develop research interests and influences.

For more support, see our Portfolio advice and PebblePad advice.

Step 3: Interview

You may be invited to an interview following our review of your application. All interviews are held online and last 15 to 20 minutes.

For top tips, see our Interview advice.

You also need to know

Communicating with you

Once you have submitted your initial application, we will email you with your login details for our Applicant portal.

Requests for supplementary documents like qualifications and English language tests will be made through the applicant portal. You can also use it to ask questions regarding your application. Visit our After you apply page for more information.

Visas and immigration history check

All non-UK nationals must complete an immigration history check. Your application may be considered by our course teams before this check takes place. This means that we may request your portfolio and/or video task before we identify any issues arising from your immigration history check. Sometimes your history may mean that we are not able to continue considering your application. Visit our Immigration and visas advice page for more information.

External student transfer policy

UAL accepts transfers from other institutions on a case-by-case basis. Read our Student transfer policy for more information.

Alternative offers

If your application is really strong, but we believe your strengths and skillset are better suited to a different course, we may make you an alternative offer. This means you will be offered a place on a different course or at a different UAL College.

Deferring your place

You must apply in the year that you intend to start your course. If you are made an offer and your circumstances change, you can submit a deferral request to defer your place by 1 academic year. You must have met your conditions by 31 August 2024. If you need an English language test in order to meet the entry requirements, the test must be valid on the deferred start date of your course. If not, you will need to reapply. Requests are granted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Contextual Admissions

This course is part of the Contextual Admissions scheme.

This scheme helps us better understand your personal circumstances so that we can assess your application fairly and in context. This ensures that your individual merit and creative potential can shine through, no matter what opportunities and experiences you have received.

Careers

BA Fine Art Drawing graduates have had success working as part of collectives, showing in gallery and museum exhibitions and gaining prestigious residencies in places such as Frieze Art Fair, Venice Biennale, Palais de Tokyo, Skowhegan and Kolla Festival Luxembourg.

Alumni

  • Adam Farah - Artist and South London Gallery postgraduate Artist-in-Residence
  • Ellen Greig - Artist
  • Izat Arif - Artist and founding member of the Malaysian Artist Intention Experiment (MAIX)
  • Jenny N. R. Smith - Artist studying a postgraduate course in medical art with the Medical Artists' Education Trust
  • John Hill - Artist, academic and member of Lucky pdf
  • Kurt Buckley - Artist
  • Mary Vettise - Artist
  • Renee Odjidja - Swarovski Foundation Curator: Youth Programme, Whitechapel Gallery
  • Sandra Lane - Artist
  • Sin Wai Kin - Visual Artist
  • Theo Turpin - Artist

Find out how careers and employability helps our students and graduates start their careers.