BA (Hons) Fine Art
Our BA (Hons) Fine Art course is rigorous and questioning, encouraging an ambitious diversity of approaches in thinking and making. We promote an interdisciplinary exploration of contemporary art, where you will gain skills to critically question and actively create.
<p>The course provides opportunities for working collaboratively, deepening cultural understanding and exploring new processes in workshops, within a learning environment that provides a meaningful link between your studio practice and contemporary art theory.</p>
Find out more about BA (Hons) Fine Art at Arts University Plymouth.
<ul><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Degree: BA (Hons) Fine Art</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">UCAS codes: 3-year degree W101 / 4-year Integrated Foundation W103</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Typical UCAS points: 104–120</p></li></ul>
<p dir="ltr">This is a dynamic course that supports ambitious, interdisciplinary contemporary art practice, encouraging you to critically question and actively create.</p>
<p dir="ltr">You’ll be supported to develop your individual practice-based study through exposure to a wide variety of material methods and modes of art practice.</p>
I wouldn’t change any of the decisions that led me here. I’m so glad that I quit my job in London and came back to the South West to study Fine Art at Arts University Plymouth. That was the best decision I’ve ever made.
MOLLY ERIN MCCARTHY, BA (HONS) FINE ART GRADUATE
Students exhibit work throughout the year – including at the university's annual Graduate Shows.
<p dir="ltr">You’ll participate in workshops that allow you to explore new processes while connecting studio practice with contemporary art theory.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Workshops include opportunities across drawing, sound, glass, installation, video, clay, performance, painting, scale and sculpture, projection mapping, wood, printmaking and critical writing.</p>
<p dir="ltr">You can also explore 3D casting in plaster, alginate and rubber, alongside traditional sculptural practices.<br /></p>
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From forming international artist collectives, winning awards, exhibiting at Art Weekenders and securing places on the prestigious Venice Biennale Fellowship - our students regularly engage with the public, and gain vital artist exposure.
<p dir="ltr">The course is led and supported by a stimulating community of creative practitioners. The core academic team are experienced artists who are active makers, writers and researchers in contemporary fine art practice.</p>
<p dir="ltr">We encourage diversity in thinking and making through material exploration, collaborative working, cross-fertilisation of ideas, and the exploration of new concepts and materials.<br /></p>
<p dir="ltr">As a student you will develop an unrivalled understanding of the professional art world through ongoing partnerships with emerging and established galleries, museums, creative organisations and practising artists.</p>
<p dir="ltr">You will gain a deep understanding of the professional landscape through these partnerships, preparing you effectively for a career in the creative sector upon graduation.<br /></p>
BA (Hons) Fine Art students enjoy access to dedicated workspaces, and award-winning facilities.
<ul><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Our course prioritises contemporary art practice and critical enquiry. As a studio-centred, interdisciplinary programme, it allows you the freedom to work in any medium at any stage, offering the flexibility to shape your own professional journey.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Partnerships with ambitious and contemporary art spaces, such as our on-site gallery, MIRROR, and our neighbours, The Box. We think beyond our walls and you will get to test, experiment and exhibit work in real-life professional art settings.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Access to industry connections including: KARST, The Box, Sprite Arts Collective, Plymouth Culture, RAAM, Heart for Art, Stoke Village Hub, MIRROR gallery, WonderZoo, Yourway Project and Make Tank.</p></li></ul>
<p>Career opportunities include: Professional Artists, Curators, Producers, Arts Facilitators, Exhibition Organisers, Digital Content Creators, Art Therapists, Researchers, Photographers, Lecturers and Teachers, Art Conservators and Framers, Art Handlers, Gallery Owners or Curators, Studio Assistants, Technicians, Directors, Printmakers, Writers and Directors of Artist-run Spaces.</p>
<p>It is a rigorous and questioning course that encourages an ambitious diversity of approaches in thinking and making, with an interdisciplinary exploration of contemporary art.</p>
<p>You’ll study in a learning environment that provides a meaningful link between your studio practice and contemporary art theory.</p>
<p>You can participate in workshops for drawing, sound, glass, installation, video, clay, performance, painting, scale and sculpture, projection mapping, wood, printmaking, critical writing, and 3D casting in plaster, alginate and rubber, alongside traditional sculptural practices.</p>
<p>Yes. The course focuses on the development of individual practice-based study through exposure to a wide variety of material methods and modes of art practice.</p>
<p>You’ll be led and supported by a stimulating community of creative practitioners, with a core academic team of experienced artists who are active makers, writers and researchers in contemporary fine art practice.</p>
<p>Yes. The course provides opportunities for working collaboratively, encouraging diversity through material exploration, collaborative working and cross-fertilisation of ideas.</p>
<p>You will develop an unrivalled understanding of the professional art world through ongoing partnerships with emerging and established galleries, museums, creative organisations and practising artists.</p>
<p>Yes. Through partnerships with ambitious and contemporary art spaces such as MIRROR and The Box, you will get to test, experiment and exhibit work in real-life professional art settings.</p>
<p>Career opportunities include Professional Artists, Curators, Producers, Arts Facilitators, Exhibition Organisers, Digital Content Creators, Art Therapists, Researchers, Photographers, Lecturers and Teachers, Art Conservators and Framers, Art Handlers, Gallery Owners or Curators, Studio Assistants, Technicians, Directors, Printmakers, Writers and Directors of Artist-run Spaces.</p>
Student work by Miranda Hallett-Pullen, BA (Hons) Fine Art, at our 2024 Graduate Shows.
<p dir="ltr">BA (Hons) Fine Art students gave very strong feedback in the National Student Survey (NSS) 2026, with <strong>100% positive responses to 12 of the 27 individual questions</strong>. Students responded positively at <strong>90% or above to 20 of the 27 questions</strong>.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Fine Art also received <strong>100% positive responses</strong> to both questions in the NSS scale <strong>‘Academic support’</strong>: <strong>“How easy was it to contact teaching staff when you needed to?”</strong> and <strong>“How well have teaching staff supported your learning?”</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">Responding BA (Hons) Fine Art students gave <strong>100% positive responses</strong> to questions including:</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Learning opportunities</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">“To what extent have you had the chance to explore ideas and concepts in depth?”<br />“To what extent have you had the chance to bring together information and ideas from different topics?”</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Assessment and feedback</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">“How clear were the marking criteria used to assess your work?”<br />“How fair has the marking and assessment been on your course?”<br />“How often have you received assessment feedback on time?”<br />“How often does feedback help you to improve your work?”</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Academic support, organisation and student voice</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">“How easy was it to contact teaching staff when you needed to?”<br />“How well have teaching staff supported your learning?”<br />“How well organised is your course?”<br />“How well have the library resources (e.g., books, online services and learning spaces) supported your learning?”<br />“To what extent do you get the right opportunities to give feedback on your course?”<br />“How well communicated was information about your university/college’s mental wellbeing support services?”<br /></p>
<p>Graduates of this course can access application guidance, portfolio preparation and progression planning for relevant taught postgraduate programmes at the Royal College of Art through our progression agreement.</p>
<p>Your undergraduate degree is taught and awarded by Arts University Plymouth. Applications to the RCA follow its normal admissions process, and applicants must meet the entry requirements for their chosen programme.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/royal-college-of-art-progression">Explore the RCA progression route and scholarships for 2027/28 entry</a>.</p>
<p>This degree is also available as a four-year <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/integrated-foundation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Integrated Foundation</a> option. Our <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/integrated-foundation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Integrated Foundation</a> provides you with a preparatory year that will support your creative development, through a broad understanding of art, design and media skills relevant to your chosen degree subject. Learning through experimentation, exploration and discovery will support you in progressing to the next level of your degree at Arts University Plymouth.</p>
<p>All students at Arts University Plymouth can access specialist support via our Student Support Team. Our trained advisers offer information and guidance on student finance and funding, disability support, counselling and more.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/disability-support-and-reasonable-adjustments" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Click here</a> to read more about the support we offer.</p>
<ul><li><strong>Email:</strong> <a href="mailto:fineart@aup.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fineart@aup.ac.uk</a></li><li><strong>Instagram: </strong><a href="https://www.instagram.com/aup_fineart/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@aup_fineart</a></li></ul>
<p>After graduating from BA (Hons) Film & Screen Arts, you could continue your studies at Arts University Plymouth on one of the postgraduate courses listed below. Our graduates are entitled to a 15% discount on tuition fees for our MA programmes.</p>
<p>Through our <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/royal-college-of-art-progression">partnership with the Royal College of Art</a>, graduates of this course can also access application guidance and portfolio preparation for relevant RCA postgraduate programmes.</p>
