BA (Hons) Fine Art

Program Overview

The BA Fine Art course at the University of East London offers  a dynamic, critical and interdisciplinary learning  creative  environment for students wishing to specialise in making  contemporary  art that will lead to broad career paths in the cultural and creative industries.

As part of the unique Visual Arts subject area, we understand how contemporary art can engage with many disciplines. Our course  is taught by practising  artists, curators, cultural directors and writers;  many of whom have international exhibition or publication profiles, experience working with public and private organisations, who share their practice and expertise with the  students. The programme provides opportunities to engage with external organisations and practising creatives in our Detour Ahead, Cultural Manoeuvres, Guest Lecture series and visits.

Our students work across a range of disciplines including painting, sculpture, installation, video, photography, printmaking, film, new media involving 3D scanning, virtual reality, augmented reality and robotics.

We're proud of our reputation for igniting the talents of brilliant fine artists with the help and support of some of the biggest names in British art.

The foundation year is perfect if you want a degree in fine art but you don't meet the standard entry requirements. First we prepare you for your degree during the foundation year, bringing you up to speed with academic skills and a firm grounding in the subject, then you can go on to do the full undergraduate degree.

Our fine art students work across a range of disciplines, including drawing, painting, sculpture, installation, film, photography and performance. What exactly distinguishes fine artists? Well, they usually work independently, without a client. Their work may stand out for its beauty or meaningfulness thanks to innovative practice or a high level of craft or conceptual skills. Experimentation and risk-taking are an essential part of their individualism, too.

The emergence of such singular talents has long marked out UEL's fine art course as exceptional. We've been well known for nurturing ground breaking artists since the Chapman brothers started making their dramatic impression back in the 1980s. It's the diversity of our students and staff, with their wide, vastly differing backgrounds and experiences, which helps make this a uniquely rich and fascinating course.

Program Outline

As first years, you will be introduced to elective workshops involving specific and multidisciplinary skills that will allow you to  grow  in many areas. Alongside these electives, will be modules that help you contextualise your ideas and practice as creatives. You will have the opportunity to showcase your work  externally at the end of term.

During your second year, you will become more independent practitioners in your studio and become involved in team work learning. Practical and contextual modules will enable you to enhance your creative skills. A discursive environment gives you the space to build up your confidence with fellow students and external guests.

The  third year  is where you focus your ideas and practice as independent creatives. Preparation  for your next step beyond university  is supported by practical and contextual study modules. There will be opportunities to test your ideas in external spaces and engage with external projects.

You will attend weekly seminars, individual tutorials, specialist workshops, Detour Ahead, Cultural  Manoeuvres  and  guest lectures.

These series of interactive events have involved artists, such as:

These sessions are part of the unique visual arts subject area teaching that takes place at the University of East London. It allows students to engage with  other  creatives and understand different practices and to support each other while learning alongside teaching support  from  staff.

You will have  a  studio space  and  we have a range of fantastic  workshops and project spaces  where you can  experiment  to advance your thinking. It is a discursive environment structured to allow you to build your  confidence and to take risks.  Studio spaces are  open late  every day of the week including weekends to allow as much use as possible.

Alongside making art we run a range of contextual studies and professional practice modules that work in parallel  to the practice-driven modules. Students often exhibit their work in the  UEL's  'Way out East' Gallery space, the  Container Space  Gallery  including  external venues across London.

We have recently added new  digital  workshops to  help students  work across analogue and digital processes, opening up  new opportunities to make work.  UEL  Fine  Art is now at the forefront in combining new technologies with traditional  artistic  methods. Working closely with academic and technical staff from various areas; it is an  exciting time to be in these workshops.

Guided independent study

We are investing in key areas beyond your studies including our career services, library and well-being, to be available both face-to-face on campus and online with many of these available 24/7. We have new, modern library facilities on both campuses offering inspirational environments for study and research. Libraries contain resources in print and digital formats, a range of study spaces and dedicated librarian who can assist with your learning.

Academic support

Students are supported with any academic or subject related queries by an Academic Advisor, module leaders, former and current UEL students.

If you need a bit of extra help with certain skills such as academic writing, English, maths or statistics, our Academic Tutors offer workshops, drop-in sessions and one-to-one appointments to help our students achieve their potential. You can receive advice and guidance on all aspects of the IT systems provided by the University from our IT Service Desks located on all three campuses.

Our Student Support hubs in Docklands and Stratford feature centralised helpdesks to cater for your every need. UEL provides also support and advice for disabled students and those with specific learning difficulties (SPDs).

Workload

Each year you will spend around 300 hours of timetabled learning and teaching activities. These may be lectures, workshops, seminars and individual and group tutorials. Contact hours may vary depending on each module.

The approximate percentages for this course are:

Class sizes

The size of classes can vary depending on the nature of the course, module and activity. This can range from large groups in a lecture theatre setting, to smaller groups taking part in seminars and collaborative work.

You will receive your personalised timetable at the beginning of the academic year dependent on your course.

At the end of the first term in your first year you'll deliver a presentation of your work to a panel of two staff members. No mark is given at this stage you'll receive oral and written feedback.

You'll repeat this at end of the second term in your first year, but this time you'll be awarded a mark.

In your second year you'll participate in the second-year show and discuss your work with two tutors. A mark is then awarded.

In your third year you'll present the best of your work in the degree show and a panel of all the academic team members agree your mark.

The marks at each level are moderated by a team of external examiners.

Feedback is provided within 15 working days in line with UEL's assessment and feedback policy.