BA (Hons) Fine Art with Foundation Year

Program Overview

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BA (Hons) Fine Art (with integrated foundation year)

Course Overview

On this Fine Art degree with integrated foundation year, you’ll develop knowledge and skills across the Fine Art disciplines of drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, ceramics, photography, filmmaking, and digital media. You’ll have easy access to fabrication facilities in metal, wood, and ceramic, as well as our print studio, darkroom, and audio/visual labs. Tutors, who are all practising artists, will support and inspire your studio practice with a historical, theoretical, and critical understanding of Fine Art.

Key Details

• Recruiting to: UK / RoI / Settled in UK, EU / EEA / International
• Course Location: Carlisle - Brampton Road
• Institute: Institute of Education, Arts and Society
• UCAS Code: W108
• Delivery Style: Blended Learning
• Course Duration: Full-time: 4 Years
• Course Start Point: September
• Award: BA (Hons)
• More information: Programme Specification, Prospectus

Minimum Entry Requirements

• 48 UCAS Tariff points

Tuition Fees

• £9,535 (UK, year)
• £14,900 (International, year)

What Our Students Say

• "There is a real sense of community and a small culture within such a small institute which was unique to the university." - Fiona Keegan, Fine Art
• "One of the main reasons I chose University of Cumbria is that it has a friendly, community feel, that you often don’t get from other universities." - Sophie Steadman, Fine Art

Related Courses

• BA (Hons) Fine Art
• BA (Hons) Illustration

Course Structure

What You Will Learn

Our close-knit and supportive community will inspire your creativity and shape your individual practice. In your foundation year, you will work across a range of disciplines and approaches to making, in a small and highly supportive studio environment.

You will develop an awareness of contemporary fine art practices and hone your ability to make, critique, and discuss your work and that of others.

Year One

In your first year, you will focus on the development of your skills across all Fine Art disciplines with practical work playing an important role in informing art theory, as well as critical and historic perspectives.

• Making Images
• Making Objects
• Visual Enquiry
• Environment
• Portfolio and Progression
• Collaborative Brief

Year Two

In your first year, you will focus on the development of your skills across all Fine Art disciplines with practical work playing an important role in informing art theory, as well as critical and historic perspectives.

• Materials and Methods
• Cultural Contexts
• Application
• Collaborative Practice

Year Three

In your second year, you will develop your skills and address professional fine art practice and current issues. Plus, you will curate and organise a public exhibition of your work, gaining essential professional experience.

• Enquiry 1
• Intersections
• Enquiry 2
• The Professional Self

Year Four

Your final year centres around a curated degree show, where you put your artistic and professional practice skills to the test.

• Practice 1
• Independent Research Paper
• Practice 2

Teaching & Assessment

How You Will Learn

During your foundation year, you will work closely with a range of specialist creative staff, as well as alongside students studying illustration, graphic design, and photography.

By learning as an integrated member of this creative community, you will experience, first-hand, the methods and techniques used by other visual practitioners. This will foster an appreciation of how your work fits into the wider world of the visual arts and provide you with greater confidence, knowledge, and skills as you progress to Level 4 of the programme.

As you enter your degree proper, you will learn through a variety of techniques that foster practical skills and theoretical knowledge. For example, lectures and seminars will take place to encourage discussion and theoretical thinking; while workshops are intended to be a place for experimentation, where you will learn new skills and put them into practice.

How You Will Be Assessed

Assessment in Fine Art does not necessarily signal an end-point for a project. The assessment process, including self-assessment feedback, feedback tutorials, crits, and referral projects, are an opportunity for you to reflect, consider, and learn from your experience in order to continually develop your skills, awareness, and practice.

Whilst assessment also functions to, eventually, provide an overall measurement of achievement in the form of the degree classification itself, it is, perhaps more importantly, part of the overall dynamic and continuum of the educational experience as a whole.

As a Fine Art student, you have the opportunity to learn during the assessment process, as you are invited to take part in the process itself. The presentation of a critical, self-assessment statement, and your presence at the assessment event, are important aspects of Fine Art’s learning and teaching dynamic. The expectation is that you will be in a position to compare your own self-assessment, with that provided by staff in feedback, as a means to reflect upon and to consider the development of your critical awareness with respect to your developing practice.

The experience should be viewed as an opportunity to ‘test reality’, in identifying common criteria used by us all on which to base our critical judgments of our work.

Summative and Formative Assessment

Assessment in Fine Art does not necessarily signal an end-point for a project. The assessment process, including self-assessment feedback, feedback tutorials, crits, and referral projects, are an opportunity for you to reflect, consider, and learn from your experience in order to continually develop your skills, awareness, and practice.

Whilst assessment also functions to, eventually, provide an overall measurement of achievement in the form of the degree classification itself, it is, perhaps more importantly, part of the overall dynamic and continuum of the educational experience as a whole.

As a Fine Art student, you have the opportunity to learn during the assessment process, as you are invited to take part in the process itself. The presentation of a critical, self-assessment statement, and your presence at the assessment event, are important aspects of Fine Art’s learning and teaching dynamic. The expectation is that you will be in a position to compare your own self-assessment, with that provided by staff in feedback, as a means to reflect upon and to consider the development of your critical awareness with respect to your developing practice.

Self-Assessment

Throughout the Fine Art course, you will be invited to make self-assessment statements, typically at the conclusion of a module. This exercise provides tutors with the opportunity to monitor your awareness of the assessment criteria, and offers an insight into your own critical faculties. It is a valuable opportunity for you to explore your judgment relative to the criteria and assessment philosophy of the course.

Qualifications

Entry Requirements

• A-levels: A
• T-levels: P (D or E) All subjects are accepted for entry to this course
• Access to HE: 45 Credits at Pass
• CACHE Technical Level 3 and Level 3 Extended Diploma: D
• OCR Cambridge Technical & Edexcel/Pearson BTEC Level 3 (National) Extended Diploma: PPP
• Scottish Highers: 48 UCAS Tariff Points
• Irish LC Highers: 48 UCAS Tariff Points
• Other experience: Pearson Level 3 National Diploma MP

Fair Admissions

When you apply, our Admissions specialists will review your whole application. We are looking for your potential to succeed so will assess your qualifications, any relevant work experience, your personal statement, and references.

When we review your portfolio, we are assessing your ability to benefit from the course you have applied for. Any offers are based on your whole application and the review of your portfolio of work.

Where you have received a conditional offer subject to achieving particular grades/UCAS tariff scores, and do not quite meet these scores, please try not to worry, where vacancies exist our Admissions specialists will review your whole application again and take account of any mitigating circumstances and reassess your suitability for the course.

Selection Criteria

As part of the application and selection process, we are looking for your commitment to this programme. In your personal statement, you should demonstrate your motivation for choosing this course and reflect upon any experience you have gained.

All places are offered subject to successful interview and portfolio. You should present a cohesive portfolio containing a broad range of work and be able to explain at interview what has led you to apply for Fine Art and the attributes you would bring to it.

We are looking for applicants who have an interest in fine art as an arena where ideas about the world can be made manifest through traditional and non-traditional means. We are keen to encourage those of an inquisitive nature who already have some skills (perhaps drawing initially), and are generally prepared to work hard and achieve and develop practical and conceptual skills using a variety of media in order to present and convey their ideas effectively.

The Integrated Foundation Year programme supports your return to education and are specifically designed for students who have the ability to study for a degree but may not have all the necessary qualifications, skills or experiences to join the degree in Year 1.

Contextual Admissions

Going to higher education can transform a person’s life. We use contextual admissions to make sure that we are accessible to everyone who has the potential to succeed. Qualifications and grades are important, but they are considered alongside other information that helps universities to identify potential and widen access to university level study. For some individuals, the disadvantages they have experienced in their life mean that they have not been able to demonstrate their full academic potential. Where a person lives and their personal circumstances can all affect their educational attainment.

We take this context into account and look for an applicant’s potential when making admission decisions. The University of Cumbria will make offers to applicants that live in postal code regions with the lowest participation in Higher Education (Polar 4 quintile 1 – you can check your postcode here) and care leavers, offers will be made at the bottom of any UCAS Tariff range. Attendance at our Masterclasses and Summer Schools will also allow applicants to receive an offer lower within the tariff range. (T&Cs apply)

Returning to Education

If you are over 21 and returning to study after being in relevant employment for a minimum of 3 years and do not meet the published entry requirements for Year 1 of our degree courses, please do not assume you are not qualified to join us. Our experienced Admissions and Academic staff will review your prior qualifications and professional experience to support your application.

Fees & Funding

Tuition Fees

2025 - 2026

• £9,535 (UK)
• £14,900 (International)

2024 - 2025

• £9,250 (UK)
• £13,575 (International)

The figures above don't include accommodation and living costs.

Tuition fees are set annually and are subject to review each year. The University may therefore raise tuition fees in the second or subsequent years of a course, in line with inflation and/or the maximum permitted by law or Government policy. Students will be notified of any changes as soon as possible.

International Finance

At the University of Cumbria, we offer affordable tuition fees for international and EU students looking to study at one of our main four campuses. No matter your choice of course or career path, our International Team is here to support you.

Funding

Fees for foundation year studies are as stated. Fees for studying beyond the integrated foundation year (years 2-4) will be changed at standard cost.

For information about funding, please visit our undergraduate funding page.

More Information

We have a wide range of scholarships, bursaries, grants, and funds available to support you throughout your studies with us. This includes the Cumbria Bursary - a non-repayable bursary designed to support first-year students with a household income of less than £25,000.

Additional Costs

There will be some additional costs. For example, all students will need to purchase stationery and may wish to purchase some textbooks. Extra costs may also be applicable to cover field trips, membership fees, etc. although such features are usually options within the course.

Books are reviewed annually and are therefore subject to change, course welcome information will provide you with an indicative list for the year.

Books and Journals

Most core textbooks are available via the University's library, however, students may wish to buy copies of any texts used to support your learning on your course. This could cost between £50 - £100 per year.

Stationery

Students should budget for stationery and consumables for your own personal use. This should include notebooks, pens, and pencils for taking notes in class and/or in the field. Students should also budget for the purchase of USB pen drives, as well as occasional printing and photocopying costs incurred in the preparation or submission of coursework. Whilst you will choose how much you need, expect to pay around £30 - £40 per year for these items.

Program Outline

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Degree Overview:

This Fine Art degree with integrated foundation year equips students with knowledge and skills across Fine Art disciplines, including drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, ceramics, photography, filmmaking, and digital media. The program fosters a hands-on approach with access to fabrication facilities, studios, and labs.

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Objectives:

• To develop knowledge and skills in Fine Art disciplines.
• To cultivate artistic skills through practical experience in studios and workshops.
• To gain a theoretical and critical understanding of Fine Art through historical and contemporary perspectives.
• To develop entrepreneurial skills and professional experience through local and national exhibitions, curating, and organizing public events.
• To graduate with the skills and confidence to contribute to the artistic and cultural landscape.

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Outline:

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Foundation Year:

• Introduces students to a range of Fine Art disciplines and approaches to making.
• Provides a supportive studio environment for skill development.
• Encourages an awareness of contemporary Fine Art practices and analytical skills.

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Year One:

• Focuses on developing skills across all Fine Art disciplines.
• Integrates practical work with art theory, critical analysis, and historical perspectives.
• Modules:
• Making Images:
Exploring visual expression through various mediums.
• Making Objects: Creating three-dimensional art pieces.
• Visual Enquiry: Developing critical thinking and analytical skills.
• Environment: Examining the relationship between art and the surrounding world.
• Portfolio and Progression: Building a portfolio of work and planning future art endeavors.
• Collaborative Brief: Working in teams on artistic projects.

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Year Two:

• Focuses on deepening technical skills, exploring cultural contexts, and developing a personal Fine Art practice.
• Modules:
• Materials and Methods:
Mastering tools and techniques used in art-making.
• Cultural Contexts: Understanding the historical, social, and cultural influences on creative work.
• Application: Translating theoretical knowledge into studio practice.
• Collaborative Practice: Learning the dynamics of collaborative artistic endeavors.

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Year Three:

• Develops professional Fine Art practice and addresses current issues in the art world.
• Provides experience in curating and organizing public exhibitions.
• Modules:
• Enquiry 1:
Refining artistic direction and understanding the process of art-making.
• Intersections: Exploring postmodern and contemporary themes in Fine Art.
• Enquiry 2: Developing independent research and critical thinking skills.
• The Professional Self: Mastering professional presentation skills for artists.

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Year Four:

• Culminates in a curated degree show where students showcase their artistic and professional practice.
• Modules:
• Practice 1:
Refining research strategies and artistic methods.
• Independent Research Paper: Conducting in-depth research on a specific artistic topic.
• Practice 2: Developing a self-directed, investigative project culminating in the Degree Show.

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Assessment:

• Assessment is a continuous process that encourages reflection, learning, and skill development.
• Methods include:
• Self-Assessment Statements:
Students reflect on their work and understanding of assessment criteria.
• Feedback Tutorials and Crits: Students receive feedback from tutors and engage in critical discussions.
• Portfolio Review: Students present their work for evaluation.
• Curated Degree Show: Students showcase their final projects and professional practice.

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Teaching:

• Learning is fostered through a mix of lectures, seminars, workshops, and studio practice.
• Lectures and seminars encourage discussion and theoretical thinking.
• Workshops provide hands-on experience and skill development.
• Studio practice allows students to explore ideas, experiment, and develop individual artistic styles.
• The faculty consists of practicing artists who offer guidance and support to students.

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Careers:

• The program prepares students for a variety of careers in the art world, including:
• Artist:
Working independently or in collaboration with galleries and institutions.
• Curator: Managing and organizing exhibitions in galleries and museums.
• Art Educator: Teaching art in schools or community settings.
• Art Critic: Writing and reviewing art for publications and online platforms.
• Art Therapist: Using art as a therapeutic tool for individuals and groups.

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Other:

• The program encourages students to exhibit their work locally and nationally.
• Students have opportunities to curate and organize public exhibitions, gaining valuable professional experience.
• The University of Cumbria provides a supportive and creative community for students to develop their artistic practice.
• The program emphasizes the importance of critical thinking, research, and professional development.

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Note:

The context does not explicitly mention specific career outcomes or job placement statistics.

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Tuition Fees and Payment Information:

• Tuition fees for UK students: £9,250 per year
• Tuition fees for international students: £13,575 per year
• The figures above don't include accommodation and living costs.
• Tuition fees are set annually and are subject to review each year.
The University may therefore raise tuition fees in the second or subsequent years of a course, in line with inflation and/or the maximum permitted by law or Government policy. Students will be notified of any changes as soon as possible.
• Fees for foundation year studies are as stated.
Fees for studying beyond the integrated foundation year (years 2-4) will be changed at standard cost.
• For information about funding, please visit our undergraduate funding page.
• We have a wide range of scholarships, bursaries, grants and funds available to support you throughout your studies with us.
This includes the Cumbria Bursary - a non-repayable bursary designed to support first year students with a household income of less than £25,000.