MA Visual Practice

Program Overview

The MA Visual Practice program at the University of Sunderland empowers students to develop their unique artistic vision through specialized pathways in Contemporary Fine Art, Photography, Glass, or Ceramics. Emphasizing independent creativity and technical proficiency, the program prepares graduates for careers in the creative industries, including self-employment, teaching, and freelance practice. With access to exceptional facilities and support from research-active faculty, students gain advanced analytical, critical, and production skills to excel in their chosen field.

Program Outline

MA Visual Practice at the University of Sunderland: Detailed Extraction

Degree Overview

• MA Visual Practice: Contemporary Fine Art
• MA Visual Practice: Photography
• MA Visual Practice: Glass
• MA Visual Practice: Ceramics

Outline

• Experiment and reflect
• Re-evaluate and test new ideas
• Develop your own creative and professional practice
• Resolve and exhibit your work professionally

Core modules:

• Experiment and Reflect (60 credits):
• Re-evaluate, experiment, and test new ideas to expand your contemporary practice
• Survey critical concepts and frameworks in contemporary visual practice
• Consider how these relate to your own perspective of practice
• Gain a studio space in Priestman Building for individual work
• Developing your Creative and Professional Practice (60 credits):
• Build on your established practice, current interests, concerns, and ideas
• Develop a personal project or body of work
• Extend existing ideas and approaches or explore a new direction
• Learn from and participate in a series of “Creative Lives” talks
• Gain insights into professional practice from curators, cultural producers, designers, digital entrepreneurs, and freelance artists
• Access FabLab on City Campus
• Resolve and Exhibit (60 credits):
• Bring your visual practice to a professional level of resolution and present it professionally (group exhibition)
• Choose between two options for your final Reflective Report:
• An evaluation report contextualizing your practice with professional contexts, issues, and debates, and outlining your professional development to date and future goals
• An extended academic essay exploring a specific aspect of contemporary visual practice relevant to your practice or enhancing your research potential

Facilities:

• Excellent workshops in printmaking, 3D printing, digital photography, digital sewing and embroidery, woodwork, metalwork, and casting
• Support in the development of film and sound
• Access to FabLab on City Campus
• National Glass Centre with world-class production facilities and a programme of international exhibitions and creative projects
• Priestman Building with individual studio spaces for Fine Art students
• Northern Centre of Photography with modern facilities for black and white and colour printing, digital photography, and film and video production

Assessment

Assessment methods include:

• Essays
• Presentations
• Portfolios
• Reflective reports
• Group work
• Individual projects

Assessment criteria will relate to:

• Originality
• Technical skill
• Critical thinking
• Communication skills
• Professional development

Teaching

Teaching methods include:

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Workshops
• Peer reviews
• Individual tutorials
• Group discussions
• Guest speakers from academic and creative industry backgrounds

Faculty includes:

• Research-active artists
• Creatives
• Academics immersed in their field
• Extensive knowledge of theory and practice
• Exhibiting nationally and internationally
• Well-networked in their subject areas across the globe

Careers

Graduates have gone on to work as:

• Independent self-employed artists
• Lecturers in schools
• Lecturers at universities
• Jewellers
• Architects
• Interior designers
• Engineers
• Photographers
• Painters
• Sculptors

Other

The University has close links with arts organizations including:

• Arts Council England
• BALTIC
• Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art
• Centre of Ceramic Art (CoCA) York
• Equal Arts
• The Biscuit Factory
• Tyne and Wear Museums Service
• Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art (MIMA)

International links include institutions in:

• USA
• China
• Czech Republic
• Australia

Tuition Fees and Payment Information:

Full-time fees are: £8,500 if you are from the UK/Europe £16,500 if you are an international student Part-time fees are £445 per 10 credits. Please note that part-time courses are not available to international students who require a Student visa to study in the UK.

• European Union (EU), EEA (European Economic Area), and Swiss nationals who do not qualify for the EU Settlement Scheme are classed as international, however, for 24/25 admission you will receive a European student fee scholarship and will pay the home tuition fee rate for the duration of your studies.
The discounted fee will be reflected in your offer letter. Learn more in our Help and Advice article. If you are unsure whether you qualify as a UK, EU, or international student, find out more in our Help and Advice article.