Course units

Year 1

Unit 1: Introduction to Fine Art

This unit is an introduction to your course, the university and London as a resource.

Unit 2: Establishing practice

With support from your tutors, you will develop your own fine art practice through identifying areas of interest that have emerged in Unit 1. This will be through self-directed projects leading to sustained and increasingly independent practice. There will be timetabled workshops, seminars, lectures and tutorials.

Unit 3: Ideas into practice

You'll focus on further developing and strengthening your skills and confidence in articulating and exploring your chosen areas of research through writing and art practice. By identifying specific skills and strategies, you will develop your work for public exhibition.

Unit 4: Activating practice

You'll be introduced to working outside a studio environment and situating your work in the public realm.

Year 2

Unit 5: Exploring context through practice

You'll extend the independent practice you established in Year 1. This will deepen your understanding and articulation of the ideas influencing your practice.

Unit 6: Collaborative and collective practices

You'll 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.

Unit 7: Refining practice

This unit will build on some of the collaborative skills gained in Unit 6 to facilitate the presentation and contextualisation of your work. You will research and present an essay to help situate your work critically.

Unit 8: Final year study proposal

In this unit, you are prompted to professionally plan and communicate your work in the third year, focusing the direction and context of your practice.

Year 3

Unit 9: Practice and articulation

You'll develop work for a public audience, supported by a piece of research produced either in written form, presentation, live project or work placement.

Unit 10: Practice and presentation

You'll work to build a sustainable and ethical practice for your degree show. You'll consolidate your research in the creation of new work which engages audiences.

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: Photography (with Creative Computing).

Diploma in Apple Development 

This optional diploma can be taken between years’ 2 and 3. Over the extra year you’ll become an Apple developer, undertaking a learning programme which includes content from Apple’s official 'Develop in Swift' curriculum. After successfully completing the diploma and your undergraduate degree, you’ll graduate with an enhanced degree: BA (Hons) Fine Art: Painting (with Apple Development). 

Learning and teaching methods

• Events, screenings and visits
• Group and individual critiques, tutorials and formal reviews
• Individual programmes of study
• Key ideas lecture programme
• Learning skills in practical and technical workshops.
• Lectures and visiting speakers
• Staff and student led seminars and discussions

Selection criteria

We look for:

• An ability to explore, articulate and develop ideas
• An ability to research information and visual material to support your ideas
• Your portfolio to demonstrate a range of appropriate skills and technical abilities
• An ability to communicate your ideas visually, verbally and in writing
• An ability to self-direct and evaluate your own work