Course description
BA (Hons) Fine Art
Materials and making lie at the heart of BA (Hons) Fine Art. Respecting and acknowledging historical fine art practice, the course builds on and respects the traditional as well as exploring contemporary approaches and realisation of work in 2D, 3D and 4D.
Our distance learning BA (Hons) Fine Art degree offers you the opportunity to obtain knowledge and understanding of fine art as a creative, technical and intellectual activity. Integration of theory and practice throughout the programme promotes critical reflection in accessible ways and widens the cultural, social and political contexts that frame your understanding of fine art and your own work.
Practice, experiment and develop your creative voice through the exploration of different media. The course offers additional optional opportunities for group work including a Music and Fine Art collaborative projects.
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Upcoming start dates
Suitability - Who should attend?
Fine Art is an open access degree; this means that there are no formal qualifications or experience required to join the course. All you need is a passion for the arts, and willingness to learn.
All OCA courses require students to be IT literate, have a good internet connection, and have a good standard of English equivalent to CEFR B2.
For more information about admission requirements, please visit the institute website.
Outcome / Qualification etc.
Final Award Title and Type: BA (Hons) Fine Arts
Upon successful completion of the course students are able to:
- Demonstrate a personal creative voice through the use of creative, analytical, visual and practical skills, techniques and media.
- Articulate a critical and contextual understanding of contemporary fine art practice and their location within it.
- Manage the learning process resourcefully and independently and make appropriate use of primary sources and scholarly reviews.
- Evaluate your own work and that of others critically and objectively
- Generate creative and innovative ideas and solutions, adapting and translating them into outcomes that communicate effectively
- Demonstrate informed and rigorous research, enquiry and reflection.
- Understand the relationship your work has to wider contemporary and historical culture
Training Course Content
Core Units
At Level 1 (HE4) you’ll complete one mandatory unit – Understanding Visual Culture. This unit guides you through core theories in visual arts heightening your critical research and reflective writing skills alongside making work in the studio, allowing you to investigate, identify and apply your findings to your own work and the work of others.
A shared structure of course units at Level 3 (HE6) provides a framework for you to contextualise your practice, develop a specialist understanding of Fine Art, synthesise critical ideas and visual work through a body of written and visual research (Fine Art 3: Contextual Studies), and undertake a self-directed major project (Fine Art 3: Major Project) culminating in an exhibition (Fine Art 3: Sustaining your Practice).
Optional Units
Alongside the core unit at Level 1 (HE4) you can choose two additional units to study from the following: Drawing, Painting, Sculpture or Printmaking.
Whichever options you choose, you can adapt and design your degree to your liking, and take options that will enhance and improve your drawing practice.
Your choices at Level 1 will inform your pathway at Level 2 (HE5) where you’ll study two course units from the following: Exploring Media, Understanding Visual Culture II, Studio Practice, Painting, Drawing, Sculpture and Printmaking.
Course delivery details
As a flexible degree, you can complete the programme in 4–9 years, with a maximum of four years to complete each level of the course.
Expenses
UK 2020/21 Fees
- Foundations: £900 per course
- Level 1 (HE4): £4,050 for the level
- Level 2 (HE5): £3,340 for the level
- Level 3 (HE6): £3,340 for the level
Outside of the UK 2020/21 Fees
- Foundations: £1,050 per course
- Level 1 (HE4): £4,500 for the level
- Level 2 (HE5): £3,690 for the level
- Level 3 (HE6): £3,690 for the level
Continuing Studies
Upon completing the BA (Hons) Fine Art degree, you’ll be set with skills to help you navigate the workplace. You could use your practice as a professional artist, illustrator or fine artist – the choice is yours. Prospects can help you with a variety of options of where your degree could take you.
While you’re pursuing your dream of being a professional artist, you can find a range of job opportunities to support your art:
- Professional practice, exhibiting
- Gallery and museum education
- Visual Communications and research
- Marketing, Advertising, media
- Transferable skills such as planning and management, presentation skills.