Climate Crisis: Speculative Futures
Interview with David Cross, Reader in Art and Design, ahead of the climate crisis event at the Horniman Museum and Gardens in south east London.
Graduate Diploma Fine Art
Apply to start in October 2020
This course has places available for 2020/21 entry.
Coronavirus updates
If you're thinking about applying, or you've applied for a postgraduate course starting in 2020/21, see guidance for prospective students during the Coronavirus outbreak.
Graduate Diploma in Fine Art at Chelsea College of Arts enables you to develop an independent art practice and build confidence in your approach.
Student work
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Graduate Diploma Fine Art interim show -
Graduate Diploma Fine Art interim show -
Graduate Diploma Fine Art interim show -
Graduate Diploma Fine Art interim show
Graduate Diploma Fine Art Stories
In pictures: Undergraduate Summer Show 2019
4,000 people came to the private view at Chelsea to see installations, performances and work by our graduating students.
Life At Chelsea: Will Coups and Matt Weir – MA Fine Art
Continuing with our Life at Chelsea interview series as we approach the MA Summer Show, opening Friday 7 September, we talk to Will Coups and Matt Weir currently studying MA Fine Art (MAFA). “We […]
Life after Chelsea: Caroline Popham, Graduate Diploma Fine Art
As part of our series catching up with Chelsea alumni as we approach this year’s MA summer show opening on 7th September, we hear from Caroline Popham who graduated from Graduate Diploma […]
Course overview
Graduate Diploma in Fine Art is aimed at students who wish to progress to MA level or pursue a career within the field of fine art.
What to expect
- A studio-based and practice-led course that brings together a wide range of media. They include film, video, digital media, sound, print, performance, drawing, painting and sculpture
- At Chelsea practice and theory are integrated. This helps you understand the contexts and conditions that shape and frame contemporary art practice
- A tutor group that you will meet on a regular basis to discuss each other’s work
- Significant control over what you learn, the pace you do this at and how you might show this. You will be helped in these decisions through on-going dialogue with your tutors and fellow students
- To develop an independent art practice enabling you to progress onto MA level
- A framework to help you develop a critical body of work enabling you to locate your ideas and practice in relation to contemporary art and debates on cultural and theoretical issues
- To produce a portfolio of practical work, write proposals for MA applications and to articulate your ideas in relation to other appropriate practices and theories, both in writing and in the form of verbal presentations
- To get inductions into the processes and facilities available in the college’s studios and workshops. Chelsea has specialist technicians on hand to offer support
- To have access to Chelsea's shared workshops. These include ceramics, casting, laser cutting, photography, audio-visual editing suite, metal and woodwork. View the Chelsea facilities
Mode of study
Graduate Diploma Fine Art is offered in full-time mode and consists of 30 teaching weeks over 1 academic year. You will be expected to commit an average of 40 hours per week to your course, including teaching hours and independent study.
Course units
A short description of each unit and what you can expect.
Unit 1 - Building practice
This unit is an introduction to your course, the college and the university.
- Inductions to learning resources and workshops at Chelsea
- An introduction into the ways in which theoretical material and research can be used in relation to art practice
- A programme of artist talks, lectures and seminars
- Visits to museums and galleries to engage with the cultural and artistic resources that London has to offer
- Regular tutor group sessions
- To question the value of taking risks and experimentation
- To challenge your already established practice
- To develop an enquiry-based practice which includes making and writing
- To take part in an interim exhibition
- To produce a piece of critical writing
Unit 2 - Public practice: development and realisation
In this unit you will develop your work further producing an appropriate portfolio of work that can be used within a professional context or in order to apply for an MA.
- To exhibit your work both externally and within the college premises
- To continue to develop an independent enquiry-based practice
- To document your work including exhibition installation
- Skills based workshops, tutorials and crits
- To give an inquiry focussed presentation
- To produce a piece of critical writing
- To present work in the college show
Learning and teaching methods
- Documentation and portfolio presentation workshops
- Group and individual tutorials
- Exhibition and work in progress crits
- Presentation skills workshops
- Technical skills workshops on installation
Assessment methods
- Artist statements
- Art submissions
- Essays
- Presentations
- Projects
- Research portfolios
Staff
- Dr Katrine Hjelde - Course Leader
- Markus Eisenmann - Associate Lecturer
How to apply
Opportunities for all
We are committed to making university education an achievable option for a wider range of people and to supporting all of our students in achieving their potential both during and after their courses.
We welcome applications from people with disabilities. If you have a disability (e.g. mobility difficulties, sensory impairments, medical or mental health conditions or Asperger’s syndrome) we strongly encourage you to contact us on disability@arts.ac.uk or +44 (0)20 7514 6156 so that we can plan the right support for you. All enquiries are treated confidentially. To find out more, visit our Disability & Dyslexia webpages.
Entry requirements
The standard minimum entry requirements for this course are:
- BA (Hons) degree or equivalent academic qualifications
- Evidence of ability in art or design
- Alternative qualifications and experience will also be taken into consideration
- Personal 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, 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:
- IELTS level 6.0 or above, with at least 5.5 in reading, writing, listening and speaking (please check our English language requirements)
Selection criteria
We look for:
- Evidence of visual and conceptual creative abilities
- A clear commitment to the chosen field of study
- The potential to develop the full range of practical, expressive, critical and conceptual skills necessary to complete the course
- The ability to benefit from the learning environment and experience
- An awareness of the contemporary and historical context of fine art
- Some understanding of the role that contemporary critical thought and historical study can play in the development of personal creative work
- The ability to communicate and discuss issues and ideas both verbally and in writing
- The ability to manage your own time and initiate projects
Making your application
Portfolio advice
- A range of artwork - such as drawing, painting, photography, sculpture, video
- Clear documentation of work that is too large to bring to interview
- Self-initiated as well as project or course work
- Evidence of research and development of ideas
- Evidence of recent written work - where relevant to your practice
Personal statement
This should be about 500 words long and include:
- Your reasons for choosing the course
- Your current creative practice and how this will help with your future plans
- If you do not have any formal academic qualifications please describe your relevant education and experience
This course has places available for 2020/21 entry. Applications for 2021/22 entry will open in Autumn 2020.
Apply
You should apply by making a direct application.
Application deadline
Home/EU applicant period may stay open until midday Monday 31 August 2020.
Although we advise you to apply sooner than this. Some courses are very popular and may close to applicants early.
External Student Transfer Policy:
If you are currently studying at another institution and if you have successfully completed 60 credits in the equivalent units and modules on your current graduate diploma course and wish to continue your studies at Chelsea College of Arts, you can apply to transfer. The Admissions Tutor will consider applications on a case by case basis, subject to places being available. You must apply directly to the course via the course webpage as early as possible. Further information can be found in our UAL External Student Transfer Policy.
Deferring your place
This course allows offer holders to defer. If you have an offer of a place, but you would like to defer starting for a year, please contact our Admissions Service as soon as possible via your UAL Portal. Make sure you check our Admissions Policy before requesting a deferral.
If you are an EU offer holder, it is important to consider that, from 2021-22, you may be charged International fees, which are higher. Read our Coronavirus guidance for prospective students for details.
What happens next
Communicating with you
After you’ve submitted your application, you’ll receive a confirmation email providing you with your login details for the UAL Portal. We’ll use this portal to contact you to request any additional information, including inviting you to upload documents or book an interview, so please check it regularly.
Initial application check
We check your application to see if you meet the standard entry requirements for the course. If you do, you’ll be invited to or asked to book onto a suitable date to attend an interview selection event.
Interview selection event
You will be expected to bring your portfolio, which will be reviewed by the academics conducting the event. Please be prepared to talk about your work, what inspires you and your influences. We may not discuss all of these topics at the event.
The event will also give you a chance to meet current students, take a tour of the college and see the facilities.
More details about your interview selection event will be emailed to you once you have chosen or been allocated your date.
Selection for Home/EU applicants happens in a variety of different ways:
- In person at Chelsea College of Arts
- By phone or Skype
If you choose phone or Skype, you will be sent an email requesting that you upload a digital portfolio using UAL’s online portfolio review system.
How we notify you of the outcome of your application
You will receive the final outcome of your application through the UAL portal.
Please note that applications made to this course may be given an alternative offer. This decision will be based on our assessment of your creative and potential interests.
This course has places available for 2020/21 entry. Applications for 2021/22 entry will open in Autumn 2020.
There are 2 ways international students can apply to a graduate diploma course at Chelsea College of Arts:
- Through one of our official representatives in your country
- By direct application
Read our immigration and visa information to find out if you need a visa to study at UAL.
Application deadline
International applicant period may stay open until midday Monday 31 August 2020.
Although we advise you to apply sooner than this. Some courses are very popular and may close to applicants early.
External Student Transfer Policy:
If you are currently studying at another institution and if you have successfully completed 60 credits in the equivalent units and modules on your current graduate diploma course and wish to continue your studies at Chelsea College of Arts, you can apply to transfer. The Admissions Tutor will consider applications on a case by case basis, subject to places being available. You must apply directly to the course via the course webpage as early as possible. Further information can be found in our UAL External Student Transfer Policy.
Deferring your place
This course allows offer holders to defer. If you have an offer of a place, but you would like to defer starting for a year, please contact our Admissions Service as soon as possible via your UAL Portal. Make sure you check our Admissions Policy before requesting a deferral.
What happens next
Communicating with you
After you’ve submitted your application, you’ll receive a confirmation email providing you with your login details for the UAL Portal. We’ll use this portal to contact you to request any additional information, including inviting you to upload documents or book an interview, so please check it regularly.
Immigration history check
Whether you’re applying online via UCAS, through a UAL representative or by direct application you will need to complete an Immigration History Check to establish whether you are eligible to study at UAL. If you don’t complete the check we won’t be able to proceed with your application.
Initial application check
We check your application to see if you meet the standard entry requirements for the course. If you do, you will be asked to upload a digital portfolio. Once you have uploaded your portfolio, you’ll be invited to or asked to book onto a suitable date to attend an interview selection event.
Interview selection event
You will be expected to bring your portfolio, which will be reviewed by the academics conducting the event. Please be prepared to talk about your work, what inspires you and your influences. We may not discuss all of these topics at the event.
More details about your interview selection event will be emailed to you once you have chosen or been allocated your date.
Selection for international applicants happens in a variety of different ways:
- By phone or Skype
- In your country, if your application was made through one of our official representatives
- In person at our international office based at Chelsea College of Arts
If you choose phone or Skype your portfolio that you uploaded via UAL’s online portfolio review system will be used during the interview.
How we notify you of the outcome of your application
You will receive the final outcome of your application through the UAL portal.
Please note that applications made to this course may be given an alternative offer. This decision will be based on our assessment of your creative and potential interests.
Fees & Funding
Home / EU fee
£11,220 (2020/21).
International fee
£22,920 (2020/21).
Course fees may be paid in instalments.
Additional costs
In addition to tuition fees you are very likely to incur additional costs such as travel expenses and the cost of materials. Please read the information on our additional costs page.
Accommodation
Find out about the accommodation options available and how much they will cost.
Scholarships and awards
Use our search tool to find out more about the scholarships and awards available to students.
Careers and alumni
The course is aimed at preparing students for further study at Masters level or pursuing a career in the field of fine art. This could include art practice, art writing, curation, arts administration, art consultancy, collaborative practice and community arts.
Find out how careers and employability helps our students and graduates start their careers.