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Postgraduate

MA Fine Art

Photograph of performance in park with person in military uniform eating a picnic by Veera Rustomji - MA Fine Art.
Veera Rustomji.,
, Chelsea College of Arts, UAL
College
Chelsea College of Arts
Start date
September 2024
Course length
15 months (full time)

MA Fine Art at Chelsea College of Arts offers emerging artists an intensive programme of development to professional practice.

Applying for more than 1 course

You can apply for more than 1 postgraduate course at UAL but we recommend that you apply for no more than 3. Find out more in the Apply Now section.

Course overview

MA Fine Art at Chelsea College of Arts is designed to enhance the making, criticality and articulation of your practice. It aims to expand the contextual reach of your works and the audiences for them. The course encourages experimental studio practice and individual inquiry at a professional level.  

Throughout the course, you will challenge what art is or could be, how art is communicated or exhibited, and consider how to develop a future-facing, culturally progressive fine art practice. You’ll undertake research to critically explore the local, national and international contexts within which art operates. Developing this contextual awareness will ensure you build a sustainable, audience-aware practice that engages with culturally relevant concerns.

What to expect 

  • Contextual understanding: Explore contemporary cultural practices and ideas in order to develop a critically engaged and relevant fine art practice.
  • Intensive practical sessions: Undertake intensive periods of practical development to help you refine your ideas and successfully articulate them to different audiences.
  • Professional experience: Participate in public events, exhibitions and publications to build your professional experience and portfolio.
  • International community: Be part of an international arts community and draw inspiration from shared experiences, perspectives and skillsets.
  • Collaborate: Take part in collaborative projects with your fellow students and course partners to diversify your outlook and understanding of fine art practices.
  • Partnership network: Get involved in our partnerships network and have access to specialist workshops, studio visits, field trips and exhibitions. These currently include Sotheby’s Institute of Art and the UAL Research Centre for Transnational Art, Identity and Nation (TrAIN).

Industry experience and opportunities  

MA Fine Art at Chelsea College of Arts is specifically developed to facilitate your progression to professional practice and employability throughout the course. You will continually develop your practice and demonstrate your learning and progress by initiating, participating in, and accomplishing audience-facing outcomes and events. 

Mode of study 

MA Fine Art is offered in full-time mode and runs for 45 weeks over 15 months, with a break over the summer. You will be expected to commit an average of 40 hours per week to your course, including teaching hours and independent study.

Course units

Unit 1: Establishing a community 

This unit is an introduction to your course, the College and the University. 
 
You’ll develop your own practice and ideas while continually making work in a professional context for a public audience. You’ll work collaboratively on exhibitions and events with other students. 
 
Off-site activities will include field trips and introductions to London’s emerging art scene. As part of the unit, you’ll be asked to produce a publication and online portfolio.

Unit 2: Making your work public 

This unit is designed to help you refine your ideas and how to articulate them to different audiences. Discussion forums will help you position your ideas within contemporary dialogues and debates. Consultancies with visiting guests will give you a chance to get professional feedback on your practice and development. 
 
A series of professional development workshops will help you with communication of your work, exhibition strategies and project management. You’ll take part in and organise an off-site live project with other students. You’ll also present work in a postgraduate show. 
 
You’ll submit a proposal that outlines how you plan to progress your professional practice during the unit 3.

Unit 3: Locating and sustaining your practice 

Unit 3 is about progressing your career ambitions and will take place entirely off-campus. You’ll be assigned and supported by an advisor, who is an arts professional. 
 
You’ll research how you might activate your practice within an external context that you have chosen and identified as appropriate to your development. This may include setting up a studio collective with other students from the course, or operating within a professional context within London, other locations in the United Kingdom or abroad. 
 
You’ll be asked to reflect on your learning and development during the unit. This will form part of your assessment along with your online portfolio and end of unit presentation.

Note: 120 Credits must be passed before the final unit is undertaken.

Learning and teaching methods

  • Exhibition making and publishing
  • Field trips
  • In-person consultancies
  • Live projects
  • Professional practice workshops
  • Technical support
  • Theory lectures and discussion forums

MA Fine Art

Open day recording

Course Leader Ian Monroe gives an overview of MA Fine Art at Chelsea College of Arts.

Student work

  • Phillip_Rhys_Olney_-_MA_Fine_Art_-_CHE_-_2022-2000.jpg
    Phillip Rhys Olney
    MA Fine Art, Chelsea College of Arts, UAL
  • Hazel-OSullivan-Elevated-Views,-Timber-Structure,-MDF-panels,-vinyl-flooring,-upholstery,-2022-2000-MA-Fine-Art-Chelsea-College-of-Arts.jpg
    Hazel O'Sullivan
    MA Fine Art, Chelsea College of Arts, UAL
  • Semin-Hong-Lilly-Yang-Kimchi-Witches,-2021-MA-Fine-Art-Chelsea-College-of-Arts.jpeg
    Semin Hong and Lilly Yang
    MA Fine Art, Chelsea College of Arts, UAL
  • Zheyi-Zhou-Unbearable-Lightness,-2020-MA-Fine-Art-Chelsea-College-of-Arts-2000.jpg
    Zheyi Zhou
    MA Fine Art, Chelsea College of Arts, UAL
  • Ying-Cai-Metamorphasis,-2021-MA-Fine-Art-Chelsea-College-of-Arts.jpg
    Ying Cai
    MA Fine Art, Chelsea College of Arts, UAL
  • Nisa-Khan-from-rags-to-bitches-to-riches-Sir-Ochterlony-and-his-Bibis-Mixed-media-installation.-Digital-print-on-vinyl.-2021.-Installation-at-Saatchi-Gallery.jpg
    Nisa Khan
    MA Fine Art, Chelsea College of Arts, UAL

Staff

  • Patricia Ellis - Fine Art Programme Director
  • Ian Monroe - Course Leader
  • Shahin Afrassiabi - Associate Lecturer
  • Sarah Baker - Associate Lecturer
  • Sam Capps - Associate Lecturer
  • Ami Clarke - Associate Lecturer
  • Quilla Constance - Associate Lecturer
  • Sacha Craddock - Associate Lecturer
  • Jeff Dennis - Senior Lecturer
  • Diane Edwards - Associate Lecturer
  • Doug Fishborne - Associate Lecturer
  • Lucy Gunning - Associate Lecturer
  • Galia Kollectiv - Senior Lecturer
  • Professor Paul Goodwin - UAL Chair of Contemporary Art and Urbanism, Director of TrAIN
  • Candice Jacobs - Associate Lecturer
  • Sharone Lifschitz - Associate Lecturer
  • Caroline McCarthy - Associate Lecturer
  • Milika Muritu - Associate Lecturer
  • Janette Parris - Associate Lecturer
  • Amanprit Sandhu - Associate Lecturer
  • Lindsay Seers - Associate Lecturer
  • Anna Vickery - Associate Lecturer

Fees and funding

Home fee

£14,600

This fee is correct for 2024/25 entry and is subject to change for 2025/26 entry.

Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students on courses lasting more than one year. For this course, you can pay tuition fees in instalments.

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

£32,260

This fee is correct for 2024/25 entry and is subject to change for 2025/26 entry.

Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students on courses lasting more than one year. For this course, you can pay tuition fees in instalments.

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.

Scholarship search

Entry requirements

The standard minimum entry requirements for this course are:

  • BA (Hons) degree or equivalent academic qualifications
  • Alternative qualifications and experience will also be taken into consideration
  • Artist’s statement
  • Portfolio of work

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

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 artists' statement
  • Potential for practice in another field to be developed in Fine Art contexts
  • 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:

  • The potential to devise and develop a self-directed programme of fine art practice and related research
  • Evidence of an ability to carry out a sustained independent enquiry through making work
  • The ability to analyse and evaluate in visual, written, and oral terms
  • An eagerness to engage in the critical debate surrounding contemporary fine art practice and to develop a critical framework for their practice

Apply now

Application deadline

Deadline

Round 1:

13 December 2023 at 1pm (UK time)

Round 2:

3 April 2024 at 1pm (UK time)

Digital portfolio deadline

Round 1:

16 January 2024

Round 2:

16 April 2024

Decision outcome

Round 1:

End of March 2024

Round 2:

End of June 2024

Round 1
Round 2
Deadline
13 December 2023 at 1pm (UK time)
3 April 2024 at 1pm (UK time)
Digital portfolio deadline
16 January 2024
16 April 2024
Decision outcome
End of March 2024
End of June 2024

All applications received by 3 April will be treated equally. If there are places available after this date, the course will remain open to applications until places have been filled.

Read more about deadlines

Apply now

Application deadline

Deadline

Round 1:

13 December 2023 at 1pm (UK time)

Round 2:

3 April 2024 at 1pm (UK time)

Digital portfolio deadline

Round 1:

16 January 2024

Round 2:

16 April 2024

Decision outcome

Round 1:

End of March 2024

Round 2:

End of June 2024

Round 1
Round 2
Deadline
13 December 2023 at 1pm (UK time)
3 April 2024 at 1pm (UK time)
Digital portfolio deadline
16 January 2024
16 April 2024
Decision outcome
End of March 2024
End of June 2024

All applications received by 3 April will be treated equally. If there are places available after this date, the course will remain open to applications until places have been filled.

Read more about deadlines

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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 and CV.

Personal statement advice

Your personal statement should be maximum 500 words and include:

  • your reasons for choosing the course
  • your current creative practice
  • your strengths and weaknesses of your practice and how you would like to develop your work
  • any relevant education and experience, especially if you do not have any formal academic qualifications.

Visit our personal statement page for more advice.

CV advice

Please provide a CV detailing your education, qualifications and any relevant work or voluntary experience. If you have any web projects or other media that you would like to share, please include links in your CV. If English is not your first language, please also include your most recent English language test score.

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:

  • a maximum of 30 pages
  • be a concise and focussed portfolio of your own completed work
  • demonstrate your critical awareness of fine art practice and its contextual underpinnings
  • include work in progress to demonstrate how you experiment and develop your work from initial concept to final outcome
  • shows evidence of sustained enquiry and reflection.

For more support, please visit our Portfolio advice page and PebblePad advice page.

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.

Applying to more than 1 course

You can apply for more than 1 postgraduate course at UAL but we recommend that you apply for no more than 3 courses. You need to tailor your application, supporting documents and portfolio to each course, so applying for many different courses could risk the overall quality of your application. If you receive offers for multiple courses, you'll only be able to accept 1 offer. UAL doesn't accept repeat applications to the same course in the same academic year.

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

We do not accept any deferral requests for our postgraduate courses. This means that you must apply in the year that you plan to start your course and you will not be able to defer your place to start at a later date.

Application deadlines

For postgraduate courses at UAL there are 2 equal consideration deadlines to ensure fairness for all our applicants. If you apply ahead of either of these deadlines, your application will be considered on an equal basis with all other applications in that round. If there are places available after the second deadline, the course will remain open to applications until places have been filled.

Careers

The course develops students’ potential to operate as professional practitioners within an international art community, or to progress to further academic research at PhD level.

Many students go on to set up their own studio practice, developing strong professional links with galleries, critics, and curators. Many Chelsea MA Fine Art alumni are practicing artists working at national and international level.

Due to the course’s interdisciplinary practical approach, many graduates have expanded or multi-platform careers in related fields such as curating, arts management, art dealing, arts advisory services, theatre, film, broadcasting, music, fashion, education, events management, online media, writing and publishing.

Alumni

Graduates from Chelsea's MA Fine Art course include Turner Prize winning artists and nominees Helen Chadwick, Peter Doig, Anish Kapoor, Mike Nelson, Mariella Neudecker, Andreas Oelhert, Stephen Pippin, Kimio Tsuchiya, Mark Wallinger and Rebecca Warren.

Other alumni, who are now established practitioners, include Keith Coventry, Nicky Hoberman, Morag Keil, Julie Lomax, Haroon Mirza and Saskia Olde Wolbers.

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