BA Fine Arts

Institution University of the West of England
Method At the institution
Location Bristol City
Type Undergraduate
Course fee By request

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BA Fine Arts

Objectives Fine Art at Bristol School of Art, Media and Design offers a stimulating and critical environment where different approaches to art practice are actively encouraged and discussed. The two Fine Art pathways on offer are designed to enable you to work to your own individual strengths and develop the intellectual and technical knowledge you need to realise your potential. All staff in the School of Fine Art are active practitioners and have a wide range of technical, conceptual and professional skills to enable them to support a variety of media disciplines.
Entry requirements Requirements GCSE: 5 GCSE, or 1 A-level and 3 GCSE, or 2 A-level and 2 GCSE, or 3 A-level and evidence of other subjects studied. A-level subjects: Art/ Design Technology may be useful EDEXCEL (BTEC) Diploma (Final Year): BTEC in Art and Design acceptable Access: Yes Baccalaureate EB %: 60 Baccalaureate IB pts: 24
Academic title BA Fine Arts
Course description Content

Year 1

Year 1 is common to both Fine Art pathways. You will begin the year by taking part in structured projects, workshops and lectures that will introduce a range of ideas and approaches to fine arts practice. All Fine Art students are required to take the 20 credit 'Introduction to Visual Culture' module in the first semester which enables you to question and discuss ideas and begin to understand theoretical issues and historical contexts in relation to your practice.

In the second semester you will develop self directed projects in your chosen area of study through option modules alongside a mandatory 'Introduction to Research and Professional Practice' module that will focus attention on practice-based research and documentation. Towards the end of the first year you will choose which degree pathway you want to pursue at Levels 2 and 3 and be supported in making this decision through tutorial advice and a series of presentations.

Year 2 - Fine Art

At this stage you will develop and begin to establish your studio practice by testing out and exploring various approaches to ideas and media. With support and guidance from studio tutors you will undertake research into relevant traditions, artists' practices, theory and professional practice. Throughout the year group critiques, tutorials, exhibiting opportunities and visits to galleries and museums will encourage you to discuss your work in progress with your tutors and peers. A complimentary 'Developing Research and Professional Practice' module also provides further awareness of professionalism and the development of key skills and is taught through a series of workshops and lectures. In the second semester you will choose from a range of option modules that will enable you to further develop your work through self directed or taught areas of study.

Year 3 - Fine Art

At Level 3 you will continue to develop your studio practice in the context of relevant research. Group critiques and tutorials will focus on issues arising from work in progress in greater depth, and you will be increasingly expected to consider the presentation of your work towards the final Degree Show exhibition. Students are encouraged to test out modes of installation and dissemination through group critiques and exhibiting opportunities, and to seek out appropriate research and references through regular visits to exhibitions in galleries, museums or events which relate to their practices. An important formal review point in January allows students to gather feedback on their progress from peers and tutors halfway through the academic year.

Support and encouragement is also provided for students who wish to initiate projects both internal and external to the University – such as the provision of support for applications to competitions, further study and funding.

Throughout the Fine Art pathway you will take modules in visual culture, which enable you to 'locate' your own practice within contemporary cultural contexts and help you to become articulate about your ideas and practice in relation to current debates. You will also participate in professional practice modules focusing on aspects of documentation (written and visual), arts administration and curation through a sequence of talks, seminars and student led presentations.

Year 2 - Fine Art (Visual Culture)

At Level 2 students who have chosen the Art and Visual Culture pathway begin to develop a self-directed studio practice and written enquiry which is informed by an exploration of critical discourses. Students are supported in this process through individual and group tutorials and begin to build a bibliography of researched references from which to draw upon. Seminars are provided which aim to introduce key philosophical and contextual models as well as introduce students to a wide range of media practices and their corresponding discourses. Visits to galleries, museums and specific events provide further support in establishing awareness of a variety of fine art practices and methods of installation and dissemination. A complimentary Research and Professional Practice module also provides further awareness of professionalism and the development of key skills and is taught through a series of workshops and lectures.

In the second semester of Level 2 you will choose from a range of option modules that will enable you to further develop your work through self directed or taught areas of study.

Year 3 - Fine Art (Visual Culture)

At Level 3 students continue to develop and sustain their self-directed practices through the production of artwork and text. Group critiques and tutorials will focus on issues arising from work in progress in greater depth, and you will be increasingly expected to consider the presentation of your work towards the final Degree Show exhibition. Support for written text is provided through tutorials, lectures and seminars which further develop and address a variety of critical discourses from Level 2. Students are encouraged to test out modes of installation and dissemination through group critiques and exhibiting opportunities, and to seek out appropriate research and references through regular visits to exhibitions in galleries, museums or events which relate to their practices. An important formal review point in January allows students to gather feedback on their progress from peers and tutors halfway through the academic year.

Throughout the year students will continue to expand upon their chosen areas of interest in relation to their artwork through a series of draft texts submitted for feedback and discussion. The final text is submitted alongside the final degree exhibition for assessment. Support and encouragement is also provided for students who wish to initiate projects both internal and external to the University – such as the provision of support for applications to competitions, further study, writing projects and funding.

Throughout the Art and Visual Culture pathway you will take modules in visual culture, which enable you to 'locate' your own practice within contemporary cultural contexts and help you to become articulate about your ideas and practice in relation to current debates. You will also participate in professional practice modules focusing on aspects of documentation (written and visual) and arts administration and curation through a sequence of talks, seminars and student led presentations.