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.
Graduate Diploma Fine Art
College
CHELSEA
Start date
September 2019
Course length
1 year (full time)
Course summary
Applications closed 2019/20
Applications for 2019/20 entry to this course have now closed.
Graduate Diploma in Fine Art at Chelsea College of Arts enables you to develop your practice within a contemporary context, against the backdrop of the vibrant London art scene.
The course is aimed at students who wish to progress to MA level or pursue a career within the field of fine art.
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
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 […]
Life at Chelsea: Shazia Salam – Graduate Diploma Fine Art
Our Graduate Diploma courses at Chelsea College of Arts are a full time, one year programme enabling students to develop their practice to progress to further study at Masters Level […]
Graduate Diploma Fine Art: Collaboration with Penguin Modern
After the success of their previous student sponsored project Penguin Books collaborated with us again this year by celebrating the launch of the new Penguin Modern series. Fine Art and […]
Course details
What you can expect
- A studio-based and practice-led course that brings together a wide range of media. They include painting, sculpture, digital media, sound, print, performance, drawing, film and video
- 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 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
Course units
Unit 1 - Exploring your practice
You will develop a working practice that makes best use of the college and your studio. You will ask questions about what it is to have a research informed practice. Where will you explore and articulate ideas through making work? This unit will help you develop an approach where theory, practice and a profession context are interdependent.
Unit 2 - Contexts: Critical and Professional
In unit 1 you will have explored ideas and theories that inform your practice. You will now contextualise your practice in relation to current theories and debates. You will identify references within art, literature, popular culture or theory. You will focus on your own interests to develop an understanding of areas that are important to your practice. The lectures and seminars act as models of how to focus, analyse and explore issues in greater depth.
Unit 3 - Practice: Development and Realisation
This unit asks you to develop your work towards a point of realisation. This will be through exhibitions and a portfolio. It requires you to document the exhibitions. The exhibitions will show your awareness of how your work might operate within a professional context.
Learning and teaching methods
- Exhibition, group and work in progress crits
- Group and individual tutorials
- Independently directed research and study
- Individual and group based analysis and evaluation
- Lectures and professional speaker programme
- Peer assessment, support and development
- Presentation skills workshops
- Project work, supported by integrated teaching of history, theory and contemporary practice
- Speaker programme highlighting contemporary fine art issues
- Studio based teaching and practice
- Student presentations
- Team work
- Technical workshops
- Visits and work-based learning opportunities
- Workshops on documentation, portfolio presentation and digital skills
Assessments methods
- Artist statements
- Art submissions
- Essays
- Presentations
- Projects
- Research portfolios
Staff
Dr Katrine Hjelde - Course Leader
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
Applications for 2019/20 entry for this course are now closed. Applications for 2020/21 entry will open in Autumn 2019.
Application deadline
We recommend that you apply as soon as possible. This course will close when all our places have been offered.
This course will give consideration to deferred entry application. If you are interested in requesting a deferral, you can only request this if you are successful at application.
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.
Applications for 2019/20 entry for this course are now closed. Applications for 2020/21 entry will open in Autumn 2019.
2020/21 entry
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
We recommend you apply by midday Friday 30 August for equal consideration.
However, this course will consider applications after that date, subject to places being available.
This course will give consideration to deferred entry application. If you are interested in requesting a deferral, you can only request this if you are successful at application.
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’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, 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.
Fees & Funding
Home / EU fee
£10,890 (2019/20).
International fee
£19,930 (2019/20).
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.