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BA (Hons) Fine Art: Computational Arts
College
CAMBERWELL
Start date
September 2020
Course length
3 years
UCAS code
W285
BA Fine Art Computational Arts at Camberwell College of Arts will introduce you to new technologies that are changing the interface between art and culture.
This course is subject to validation. Validation is a process that makes sure students get a high quality academic experience. During validation there maybe be some changes to course content and structure. Please contact us if you have any questions about this course.
An introduction to BA Fine Art Computational Arts.
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Course overview
This course sees coding as a material that can be used in fine art computational practice. It will enable you to explore how computational creativity and artificial intelligence can be applied to the arts. It offers you the opportunity to invent new interactive ways of working with sound and moving image.
What to expect
- A space where you can explore emergent research areas such as human computer interaction, artificial intelligence and machine learning. These open-up controversial ethical debates around digital citizenship, ‘the cyborg’ and big data. You will be encouraged to engage with these in order to articulate and contextualise your practice in an ethical, relevant and sustainable way
- Your time to be divided between the fine art studios and the Creative Computing Institute (CCI), with much of your technical teaching taking place at the CCI
- Structured activities to expand your awareness of the digital possibilities for fine art as an expanded field of practice
- Practical skills-enhancing workshops that will introduce you to the principles of creative coding
- To work with open source programming software such as Processing, OpenFrameworks, P5.js and Arduino
- To learn how to program in languages such as Java, Javascript and C++
- To be introduced to the artistic potential of immersive media and machine learning
- To explore areas such as physical computing and advanced visualisation
- To look at key terms that underpin ideas and contexts relevant to computational media within contemporary art and culture
- Project-based teaching that will introduce you to essential creative attributes such as leadership, independence and resilience
- The opportunity to co-create with software students from the CCI
- To have access to Camberwell's shared workshops that include printmaking, photography, film, moving image, digital, plastic, ceramics, wood and metalwork. View the Camberwell facilities
Mode of study
BA Fine Art Computational Arts is offered in full-time mode. It is divided into 3 stages over 3 academic years. Each stage consists of 30 teaching weeks. 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 what you can expect.
Year 1
You will receive an introduction to fine art. The focus will be on building your practice in a safe and ethical manner. Structured activities will increase your awareness of the digital possibilities within fine art. Practical skills enhancing workshops at the Institute of Creative Computing will introduce you to the principles of creative coding. You will look at key computational media ideas and terms within contemporary art and culture. There will be taught sessions on how to carry out academic research and different ways of working in the studio.
- Unit 1 - Introduction to Fine Art and Computation
- Unit 2 - Creative coding and the studio
- Unit 3 - Computational ideas into practice
- Unit 4 - Live practice London
Year 2
The second year is about working in context. You will learn how to identify your own strengths and work with others in a variety of situations considering different audiences. You will be introduced to the artistic potential of immersive media and machine learning through a series workshops at the Creative Computing Institute. By the end of this year you will be able to situate your practice formally and critically in terms of context, audience, material and technical choices.
- Unit 5 - Working for a context
- Unit 6 - Immersive media
- Unit 7 - Machine learning
- Unit 8 - Audiences
Year 3
Your final year is focused on articulation and presentation of your practice within a fast moving and ever-changing context. You will choose to undertake research either individually or collectively. You can do this in a variety of ways, such as a dissertation, live project or exploring a topic or technology related to your creative practice. You will work on a more focused body of work that you will exhibit in the college degree show.
- Unit 9 - Practice and articulation
- Unit 10 - Practice and presentation
Option Diploma between year 2 and 3
Between year 2 and 3 you can opt to undertake the Diploma in Professional Studies or the Diploma in Creative Computing.
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 one or a combination of the following qualifications:
- Pass at Foundation Diploma in Art and Design (Level 3 or 4)
- 2 A Levels at grade C or above
- Merit, Pass, Pass (MPP) at BTEC Extended Diploma
- Pass at UAL Extended Diploma
- Access to Higher Education Diploma
- Or equivalent EU/International qualifications, such as International Baccalaureate Diploma
- And 3 GCSE passes at grade 4 or above (grade A*-C)
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:
- An ability to explore and develop artwork
- An ability to articulate an interest in Computational Arts verbally and in writing
- Your portfolio to demonstrate digital literacy to a level of competency
- An ability to present contextual information
- An ability to self-reflect on their own work
Making your application
Portfolio advice
- Your portfolio should include visual research you have conducted as well as contextual statements, sketchbooks and any supporting material made in the development of your work
- An engagement on some level with digital literacy and an interest in computational process
- It is important to carefully edit and select the contents of your portfolio so that you can discuss your working methods and decisions
- If you include media work or documentation of media work you should bring a laptop or tablet with the work set up to play
Please remember:
- The quality of the work is more important than the quantity
- Where possible, large or 3-dimensional work should be photographed and scanned
- To organise your work by project, with supporting work presented alongside final outcomes
You must apply through UCAS, where you’ll need the following information:
- University code - U65
- UCAS course code - W285
Application deadline
We recommend you apply by 15 January for equal consideration.
However, this course will consider applications after that date, subject to places being available.
External Student Transfer Policy
If you are currently studying at another institution and if you have successfully completed 120 credits (year 1) or 240 credits (years 1 and 2) in the equivalent units and modules on a degree course and wish to continue your studies at Camberwell College of Arts, you can apply to transfer to year 2 or year 3 respectively. The Admissions Tutor will consider applicants for entry to year 2 and 3 on a case by case basis, subject to places being available on the course. You must apply through UCAS and indicate POE 2 for entry to year 2 or POE 3 for entry to year 3 on your application. Further information can be found in our UAL External Student Transfer Policy.
Deferred entry application:
This course will consider deferred entry applications.
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 Camberwell College of Arts
- By phone or Skype
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 UCAS track.
Please note that applicants for this course may be given an alternative offer. This decision will be based on our assessment of your creative and potential interests.
There are 3 ways international students can apply to an undergraduate course at Camberwell College of Arts:
- Through one of our official representatives in your country
- Through UCAS
- By direct application
If you are applying via UCAS you will need the following information:
- University code - U65
- UCAS course code - To be confirmed
You can only apply to the same course once per year whether you are applying via UCAS, UAL representative or using the UAL online application system. Any duplicate applications will be withdrawn. Read the UAL international application advice for further information on how to apply.
Application deadline
We recommend you apply by 15 January for equal consideration.
However, this course will consider applications after that date, subject to places being available.
External Student Transfer Policy
If you are currently studying at another institution and if you have successfully completed 120 credits (year 1) or 240 credits (years 1 and 2) in the equivalent units and modules on a degree course and wish to continue your studies at Camberwell College of Arts, you can apply to transfer to year 2 or year 3 respectively. The Admissions Tutor will consider applicants for entry to year 2 and 3 on a case by case basis, subject to places being available on the course. You must apply through UCAS and indicate POE 2 for entry to year 2 or POE 3 for entry to year 3 on your application. Further information can be found in our UAL External Student Transfer Policy.
Deferred entry application:
This course will consider deferred entry applications.
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, 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
- If you applied through UCAS you will receive the final outcome of of your application through UCAS track
- If you applied directly or through an agent, we will notify you through the UAL portal
Please note that applicants for this course may be given an alternative offer. This decision will be based on our assessment of your creative and potential interests.
Study Abroad
Through the Study Abroad programme international students can apply to join an undergraduate course.
For information on how to apply visit the Study Abroad section.
Fees & Funding
Home / EU fee
£9,250 (2020/21).
Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students, in line with an inflationary amount determined by government. Please visit our undergraduate tuition fees page for more information.
International fee
£22,920 (2020/21).
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.