Postgraduate
MA Fine Art Digital
Due to the circumstances surrounding COVID-19 and the ongoing pandemic we understand and appreciate that there may be late interest in our fully online postgraduate course in Fine Art.
If anyone would like to discuss a late application to MA Visual Arts: Fine Art Digital, please email the Course Leader, Jonathan Kearney (j.kearney@arts.ac.uk) and they will be happy to talk through your options.
Re-approval
Please note this course is undergoing re-approval. This is the process by which we ensure the course continues to provide a high quality academic experience. During re-approval there may be some changes to the course content displayed on this page. Please contact us if you have any questions about the course.
Whatever your art specialism, this online learning space allows you to question fine art practice in a digital context. This course is part of the Art programme.
Why choose this course at Central Saint Martins
- Flexible online interactive learning: The course is delivered online with students from across the world. The structure and timescale allow for a particular pace of development. It gives time for risk-taking and reflection in your practice as well as balancing other life and work commitments. Through self-organised practice and student-led initiatives, the course will help you to build a sustainable practice.
- Tried-and-tested model: Established in 2004, this course initially ran at Camberwell College of Arts, pioneering a highly effective model for building an online community. As part of a small group of students, you will learn together in a challenging and rewarding setting, supported by award-winning staff. Recent graduates from the course have won numerous awards and commissions, including the Aspen Art Award and ARTIQ Graduate Art Prize.
- Personal project: The curriculum is designed to foreground your individual practice and study. You will define and develop your own project to combine your skills, experience and interests, focusing on issues that are relevant to a particular group or audience.
- Theory and practice: Our aim is to integrate theory and practice, ensuring that you develop your potential in relation to a clear question, context and methodology. With a research-oriented, interdisciplinary and socially engaged ethos, we focus on innovation and developing deeply a reflective art practice.
Student work
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Kehkashan Khalid -
Collaborative workshop MA Fine Art Digital -
Ziyan Yang -
Xavier Solé Mora -
Sneja Dobrosavljevic -
Steph Lee-Vae
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Steph Lee-Vae -
Peter Mansell -
Matt Edwards -
Janet Waring Rago -
Iris Wong -
Anthi Evangelou -
Ala'a Beseisso -
Jacky Huang -
Alejandra Escobar
Course overview
MA Fine Art Digital at Central Saint Martins supports a broad range of experimental art practices. It will test and challenge your work, bringing it into a contemporary critical context. Our research-based teaching strategies actively seek to extend your experience and skills. We work responsively to your changing needs as individuals. We also encourage collaborative projects in relation to your work.
Students on MA Fine Art Digital work in many media – including painting, sculpture, print, installation, time-based and digital. The course offers an environment where complex social, cultural and artistic viewpoints are negotiated. Here, art-making is a testing ground for ideas and media. Artists who study with us are open to change – not just in expanding their practices – but also in creating new positions. Our focus is on student-centred learning, bringing your work to the critical scrutiny of the academic setting. Through these interactions, you will develop your individual research into a confident, sustained practice.
On this course, we place emphasis on creating a supportive but challenging space for investigating your creative practice. Since 2004, the online environment for learning has proved to be highly effective, which in the new context of Central Saint Martins, will continue to expand and develop. MA Fine Art Digital has a track record of innovative teaching and its flexible structure is designed for widely accessible learning, allowing students to engage from incredibly diverse settings. This offers students the enriching experience of collectively exploring what art is in a digital environment. Whatever media you are investigating, the opportunities afforded by the online space are broad and exciting.
On this course, diverse approaches to creative practice are supported by strong critical engagement with contemporary technologies of making and dissemination. Weekly group sessions act as forums for cross-course and transdisciplinary exchange and collaboration. An intensive programme of study will develop your skills and knowledge of research methods in art-related fields. Your learning will extend across our postgraduate Art programme, offering input from the College’s research community. On the course, we aim to provide you with a range of opportunities and learning experiences, giving you a broad skill set to go out into professional life.
Course units
MA Fine Art Digital supports the development of your thinking and practice. Teaching includes personal tutorials, group critiques, seminars and lecture context. Teaching is all delivered online in a flexible and adaptable model.
Unit 1: Research, Development and Practice
In Unit 1, you will develop a study statement which gives direction to your practice. You will start and maintain a reflective blog that documents and evaluates your practice-based research. This will form the framework for how you will develop your work in Unit 2.
Unit 2: Knowledge and Communication
The emphasis of Unit 2 is a combination of ambitious practical work and a deepening awareness of the context of your work. This is evidenced in the ongoing use of your reflective blog and active involvement in group discussions. You will also write a research paper which contextualises your practice. Collectively, this forms the foundation for your work in Unit 3.
Unit 3: Reflection and Presentation
During Unit 3, your focus will be on resolving your work in relation to your study statement with a wider contextual understanding. You will present your research as part of a symposium and your practical work in a public exhibition Consideration will be given to your future practice and personal and professional development.
Mode of study
MA Fine Art Digital is offered online in extended full-time mode which runs for 60 weeks over two academic years. You will be expected to commit 30 hours per week to study, which includes teaching time and independent study.
The course has been designed in this way to enable you to pursue studies, while also undertaking part-time employment, internships or care responsibilities.
The online mode works successfully across the world’s time zones by carefully timing synchronous weekly group sessions in the afternoon UK time. The allows North and South American students to connect in the morning, European, African and Middle Eastern students through the afternoon and Central to East Asia in early to late evenings. Other activities are asynchronous and can fit around your own commitments.
Students will need an internet connection and computer or mobile device to engage with online learning. Working from their own homes or studios, students will be able to access all synchronous and asynchronous materials online. We emphasise options that are as open and cross platform as possible, using both the University’s virtual learning environment and supporting students in building their own, personal learning environments.
Credit and award requirements
The course is credit-rated at 180 credits.
On successfully completing the course, you will gain a Master of Arts (MA degree).
Under the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications, an MA is Level 7. All units must be passed in order to achieve the MA but the classification of the award is derived from the mark for the final unit only.
If you are unable to continue on the course, a Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) will normally be offered following the successful completion of 60 credits, or a Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) following the successful completion of 120 credits.
Learning and teaching methods
- Study statement
- Weekly online group sessions
- Reflective journal/blog
- Personal tutorials
- Lecture programme
- Workshops
- Research paper
- Exhibition
Assessment methods
- Reflective journal/blog
- Study statement
- Research and preparatory work
- Documentation of work
- Presentations
- Written work
- Participation in debates and discussions
- Realisation of individual programme of practice
Staff
Course Leader: Jonathan Kearney
Kaori Homma (www.kaorihomma.co.uk)
Jonny Briggs (www.jonnybriggs.com)
Dave Charlesworth (www.southkiosk.com)
Dr Ed Kelly
Dr Gareth Polmeer (www.garethpolmeer.com)
Julia Alvarez
David Cross
Chila Burman (www.chila-kumari-burman.co.uk)
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 entry requirements for this course are as follows:
- An honours degree
- Or an equivalent EU/international qualification.
AP(E)L – Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning
Exceptionally applicants who do not meet these course entry requirements may still be considered. 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
Or a combination of these factors.
Each application will be considered on its own merit but cannot guarantee an offer in each case.
English language requirements
IELTS level 6.5 or above, with at least 5.5 in reading, writing, listening and speaking (please check our main English language requirements webpage).
Selection criteria
We select applicants according to potential and current ability in the following areas:
- Demonstrable competencies in your existing practice
- The ability and capacity for self-reflection
- Ambition and research interest
- Aspiration for a higher level of practice
- Quality of work
Making your application
You should apply by clicking on the link to the direct form below. The application form can be saved as you fill it out, so you do not need to complete it all at once. You will also have the chance to review all the information and make any necessary amendments before you submit the application form.
Deferred entry
Central Saint Martins does not accept applications for deferred entry. You should therefore apply in the year you wish to study.
Transfers
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 postgraduate course and wish to continue your studies at Central Saint Martins, 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.
Please check our Student Transfer Policy for more important information and be ready to provide us with your current course handbook and unit transcripts.
You will need to provide an official document (translated into English) from your current university, explaining the learning outcomes of the units you have completed.
Start your application now
Before you apply, please take time to read the guidance below. You will be asked to provide the following information when completing the online application form:
General information
Personal details (including legal full name, date of birth, nationality, addresses)
Current English language level
Current and/or previous education and qualification details
Employment history
Personal statement
You will need to submit a short statement about why you want to study MA Fine Art Digital. This gives us a picture of your interests and your suitability for our course. It should be about 500 words.
Here are some tips for what you could include:
- Your current creative practice and how this will help with your future plans
- What do you want to learn on the course? How do you think it will help you to develop your work?
- Why do you want to study MA Fine Art Digital at Central Saint Martins?
We cannot consider your application if you do not provide all the information above.
Communicating with you
After you have successfully submitted your application, you will receive an email confirming we have successfully received your application and providing you with your login details for the UAL Portal. We will request any additional information from you, including inviting you to upload documents / portfolio / book an interview, through the portal. You should check your UAL Portal regularly for any important updates and requests.
Please add csm.ukeu@arts.ac.uk to your contacts to ensure that you do not miss any important updates re: your application to UAL. Also consider altering your spam or junk mail filter to ensure that emails from @arts.ac.uk get through to you.
Application deadline
15 May 2021
We recommend you apply as soon as possible before this date, for equal consideration. We may still be able to accept applications after this date, depending on availability.
When you’ll hear from us
Once you’ve sent in your application, this will be sent through to our course teams for review. We’ll be in touch shortly after you apply with information about next steps. Find out more about what happens after you apply.
There are two ways international students can apply:
- One of our official representatives in your country
- A direct application.
If you are applying directly you click on the link to the direct form below. The application form can be saved as you fill it out, so you do not need to complete it all at once. You will also have the chance to review all the information and make any necessary amendments before you submit the application form.
Deferred entry
Central Saint Martins does not accept applications for deferred entry. You should therefore apply in the year you wish to study.
Transfers
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 postgraduate course and wish to continue your studies at Central Saint Martins, 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.
Please check our Student Transfer Policy for more important information and be ready to provide us with your current course handbook and unit transcripts.
You will need to provide an official document (translated into English) from your current university, explaining the learning outcomes of the units you have completed.
Start your application now
Before you apply, please take time to read the guidance below. You will be asked to provide the following information when completing the online application form:
General information
Personal details (including legal full name, date of birth, nationality, addresses)
Current English language level
Current and/or previous education and qualification details
Employment history
Personal statement
You will need to submit a short statement about why you want to study MA Fine Art Digital. This gives us a picture of your interests and your suitability for our course. It should be about 500 words.
Here are some tips for what you could include:
- Your current creative practice and how this will help with your future plans
- What do you want to learn on the course? How do you think it will help you to develop your work?
- Why do you want to study MA Fine Art Digital at Central Saint Martins?
Immigration history check
Whether you are applying online or through a UAL representative you will need to complete an immigration history check to establish whether you are eligible to study at UAL. If you do not complete the check we will not be able to proceed with your application.
We cannot consider your application if you do not provide all the information above.
Communicating with you
After you have successfully submitted your application, you will receive an email confirming we have successfully received your application and providing you with your login details for the UAL Portal. We will request any additional information from you, including inviting you to upload documents / portfolio / book an interview, through the portal. You should check your UAL Portal regularly for any important updates and requests.
Please add csm.international@arts.ac.uk to your contacts to ensure that you do not miss any important updates re: your application to UAL Also consider altering your spam or junk mail filter to ensure that emails from @arts.ac.uk get through to you.
Application deadline
15 May 2021
We recommend you apply as soon as possible before this date, for equal consideration. We may still be able to accept applications after this date, depending on availability.
When you’ll hear from us
Once you’ve sent in your application, this will be sent through to our course teams for review. We’ll be in touch shortly after you apply with information about next steps. Find out more about what happens after you apply.
After you apply
What happens next
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 invited to submit a portfolio through the UAL Portal.
Portfolio
You will be required to submit online a digital portfolio containing up to 20 pages of your work which should contain selected images/documentation of your work/research evidencing your current creative practice:
- Show a selection of your work that is relevant to your application. This can include both finished work and examples of your research and development
- For video, sound or web-based work please provide links
- Where appropriate include captions or short explanations that give context for your work
- If you have worked on any group projects explain your role
- Provide indications of the size and media used
- If you are invited for interview you may need to show original work.
The only files that can be uploaded as part of the portfolio are:
- Images: bmp, gif, jpg, jpeg, png
- Audio: mp3, mp4, ogg, wav, wma
- Video: avi, mp4, mpg, mpeg, mkv, mov, wmv
Portfolio advice
Your portfolio should demonstrate creative development, whether for a college project or in your personal work. By creative development, we mean ideas that have originated through your own experience and research and progressed towards potential visual proposals. Ideas, visual research and experimentation are more important than finished design solutions and can be shown in 2D work, or through photos of 3D objects and maquettes.
It is important that the creative work you include reflects and demonstrates your thinking, initiative and personal commitment to a particular project, theme or idea. We are interested in you as an individual, your personal interests, your creativity and initiative in finding out about your proposed area of study. We would also like to know about your favourite designers and artists, where you have seen their work at first hand and how you have acquired more information about the work that interests you.
For more portfolio advice please visit the Portfolio advice page.
Following the review of the portfolio we select a small number of applicants to move on to the next stage of the process. These applicants will be invited to an interview.
Interview
Interviews are held online or by telephone.
How we notify you of the outcome of your application
You will receive the outcome of your application through the UAL Portal.
Fees and funding
Home fee
£5,870 per year
This fee is correct for 2021/22 entry and is subject to change for 2022/23 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 resident nationals. However, the rules are complex and you can find out more on our tuition fees pages.
From 2021/22 entry, most EU students will be charged the International tuition fee rate, although this may depend on your individual circumstances. If you started your course in October 2020 or earlier, you’ll continue to pay Home (UK) fees for the duration of your course. Read more advice for EU students on our Brexit information webpage
International fee
£14,725 per year
This fee is correct for 2021/22 entry and is subject to change for 2022/23 entry. Tuition fees for international students may increase by up to 5% in each future year of your course. For this course, you can pay tuition fees in instalments.
International fees are currently charged to students from countries outside of the UK. However, the rules are complex and more information can be found on our tuition fees pages.
From 2021/22 entry, most EU students will be charged the International tuition fee rate, although this may depend on your individual circumstances. If you started your course in October 2020 or earlier, you’ll continue to pay Home (UK) fees for the duration of your course. Read more advice for EU students on our Brexit information webpage
Careers and alumni
Camberwell’s MA Fine Art Digital graduates go on to work in a wide range of settings, with many now self employed and regularly exhibiting their work in galleries, festivals or running their own creative businesses.
Other alumni work in the wider creative industries as creative directors, designers, photographers, videographers or educationalists. The expanding role of the digital is transforming all creative work and creating new opportunities that could scarcely be imagined just a few years ago.
Alumni
- Darren Perry - The Media Workshop
- Mariana Tschudi Benvides
Find out how careers and employability helps our students and graduates start their careers.