Course units

Year 1

Unit 1: Introduction to Fine Art  

This unit is an introduction to your course, the College and the University.  

Unit 2: Art practice 

This unit will help you begin to define your own practice. You’ll attend seminars, lectures and gallery visits to expand your knowledge. Practical workshops will enable you to experiment and produce a diverse body of work. You’ll also present your work in group crit settings.

Unit 3: Thinking through making and making things happen  

In this unit, you will be supported to form a studio collective around interests in your practice. You will then work together on curating and installing an off-site exhibition, thinking critically about the relation of your practice to its exhibition contexts. You will also develop a written submission from your research. 

Unit 4: Positions 1  

This unit focuses on evaluating, deconstructing and rethinking your practice, alongside developing professional skills. Following from Unit 3, You will create ‘proposals for re-imagined practice’, presented in end of year gatherings. Off-site workshops will introduce you to a diverse range of professional exhibition strategies, and you will have opportunity to develop practical skills through participating in the degree show installation process.

Year 2  

Unit 5: Positions 2  

This unit reinforces your understanding of how your work relates to the work of others, and its wider context. You will begin the process of forming collaborative groups, and develop a presentation that positions your work and ideas in relation to your peers and to a wider context.   

Unit 6: Collaborative and collective practices

You will be introduced to different ways in which collaborative working can help you to focus and enhance your own creative strengths. You’ll have the chance to work with fellow students and creative communities towards a collaborative exhibition. 

Unit 7: Activation  

This unit is about furthering your own practice and testing it in public. In groups, you will stage an off-site exhibition or event and produce an accompanying publication. You will then work towards an on-site exhibition of your work. 

Unit 8: Positions 3 

In this unit, you will undertake an in-depth investigation of ideas around your practice. You’ll produce a publication, audio presentation or video which explores a key aspect of your thinking. 

Year 3

Unit 9: Thinking, making, writing  

The connection between theory and practice, and its importance for the development of your work will be explored in this unit. The unit is structured in a succession of events that ask you to reconsider your current practice and to reflect upon the progression of work that you produce and show. You will have the option to submit either a Presentation of Enquiry and accompanying written submission, or a longer dissertation. 

Unit 10: Making public

In your final unit, you will produce work for the degree show and an accompanying publication. You will also write a report about your practice, its frame of reference, and your position in relation to site and audience.  

Optional Diploma between Years 2 and 3

Between Years 2 and 3 of the course, you’ll also have the opportunity to undertake one of the following additional UAL qualifications:

Diploma in Professional Studies (DPS)

This optional diploma can be taken between years 2 and 3. With support from your tutors, you’ll undertake an industry placement for a minimum of 100 days/20 weeks. As well as developing industry skills, you’ll gain an additional qualification upon successful completion.

Diploma in Creative Computing

Between years 2 and 3, you can undertake the year-long Diploma in Creative Computing. This will develop your skills in creative computing alongside your degree. After successfully completing the diploma and your undergraduate course, you’ll graduate with an enhanced degree: BA (Hons) Fine Art (with Creative Computing).

Learning and teaching methods

• Artist, curator and writer-led workshops
• External and internal lectures and events
• Gallery visits
• Group crits
• Group and individual tutorials
• Independent study
• On-campus and off-campus exhibitions and events
• Peer practice and research reviews
• Specialist and tutor group seminars
• Student presentations

Selection criteria

We look for:

• Evidence of visual and conceptual creative ability
• The potential to develop the practical, expressive, critical and conceptual skills necessary to complete the course
• An awareness of contemporary and historical fine art contexts
• Some understanding of the role that contemporary critical thought and historical study can play in the development of personal creative work
• An ability to communicate and discuss your ideas visually, verbally and in writing
• The ability to manage your own time and initiate projects
• A clear commitment to the chosen field of study
• Evidence of an ability to generate and develop ideas through making work