Explore what it means to be an artist in the 21st Century, considering the role of contemporary art in modern society. Develop your artistic work across the full range of contemporary fine art media, including drawing, installation, painting, sculpture, performance, photography, film, video, sound, and print.

Nottingham is internationally recognised as a vibrant hub for new and emerging artists and artist-led initiatives, boasting a diverse and thriving network of galleries, art spaces and artist collectives. Benefit from our links with such organisations locally, nationally and internationally by working on collaborative projects and enhancing your professional practice.

You’ll have the opportunity to enter competitions and exhibit your work globally. Our Fine Art graduates have played a big role in the development of the artistic network in Nottingham – there is direct correlation with the amount of art projects going on in the city and our alumni – a reciprocal ecosystem that future students can benefit from.

Key features

• Experiment with different media before focusing on what is right for your own practice.
• Work in our dedicated Fine Art studios and workshops, alongside students from all years.
• Attend our Live Lecture Series, featuring national and international artists, creative practitioners and theorists.
• Be inspired by Nottingham’s artistic community and creative places to visit, including Nottingham Contemporary, New Art Exchange and Lakeside Arts.
• Create connections with Nottingham’s wider art community through our alumni and staff network.
• NTU is ranked in the top 15 universities in the UK for Art and Design (12th). (Guardian University Guide 2021).
• Benefit from our extensive links with festivals, art organisations and artists’ groups, nationally and internationally.
• Take part in local and international exhibitions and events, such as the Tilburg project in the Netherlands and Kunstpodium T programme.
• Go on optional study trips to destinations such as Berlin, New York, and Copenhagen.
• Have the support of academic and technical staff who are practising artists in their own right.
• During your time here, you will be given the opportunity to showcase your work to members of the creative industries and exhibit externally in local, national or international spaces.
• We are proud to be in the top ten in England and Wales for Art and Design (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2020).
• We're ranked 12th best University for Art and Design in the UK. (The Complete University Guide 2021).

A high proportion of graduates stay in Nottingham to pursue artistic activities. Many go on to become artists or work in roles such as curators, teachers, gallerists, animators, musicians, community artists, photographers and filmmakers. Some go on to use the skills and experience they’ve gained to enter careers in journalism, media, photography, web design, interiors, landscape design, and education.

Successful and notable graduates from this course include:

• film director Simon Ellis
• painter Nigel Cooke
• artist and illustrator Jon Burgerman
• curators Hannah Conroy and Ashley Gallant
• artists Tim Noble and Sue Webster
• award-winning landscape designer Sarah Price
• video artist Marianna Simnett
• artist Yoko Hayashi
• sculptor David Batchelor.