Graduate Diploma Fine Art

Course overview

Graduate Diploma in Fine Art is for students who have a BA (Bachelor of Arts) but not necessarily in fine art. The course will help you progress to MA (Master of Arts) level or pursue a career within the field of fine art.

What to expect  

• A practice-led course: That brings together a wide range of media. These include film, video, digital media, sound, print, performance, drawing, painting and sculpture. 
• Integrated practice and theory: This will help you understand the contexts and conditions that shape and frame contemporary art practice. 
• Independence: To develop an art practice enabling you to progress onto MA level. You’ll have significant control over what you learn, the pace you do this at and how you might show this.
• Support: You’ll be helped throughout the course via on-going dialogue with your tutors and fellow students.
• A framework to develop your work: This will enable you to locate your ideas and practice in relation to contemporary art and debates on cultural and theoretical issues. 
• Portfolios and proposals: You’ll produce a portfolio of practical work and write applications for MA or other related courses and funding. 
• Written work and verbal presentations: To articulate your ideas in relation to other appropriate practices and theories.
• Inductions: Into the processes and facilities available in the College’s studios and workshops.
• Negotiated access to Chelsea's workshops: These include ceramics, casting, laser cutting, photography, audio-visual editing, metal and woodwork. View the Chelsea facilities.

Industry experience and opportunities  

The Graduate Diploma Fine Art course has professional practice at its core. The course prepares you for progression to MA study as well as to independent practice. You’ll take part in exhibitions at the College and offsite. These will give you hands-on industry experience in curation, collaboration, exhibition production, publicity and publications. The taught programme covers transferable skills and introduces you to a wide range of professional contexts.   

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.

Home fee

£13,330

International fee

£28,570

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.

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.