Our Fine Art degree gives you the support of professionals to choose your own creative journey and flourish as an artist, curator, teacher or working in other creative fields.

Situated in our historic Grade I-listed art school, based in Margaret Street, you'll enjoy the freedom, space and support needed to establish your own artistic voice.

There are no set pathways to learning and this means you’ll have genuine freedom to experiment in any media appropriate to your ideas.

WHAT'S COVERED IN THIS COURSE?

This course encourages you to experiment in or across painting, sculpture, printmaking, drawing, photography, installation, film and video.

You'll be supported throughout your studies by our experienced and talented tutors and technical staff - all professional artists in their own right.

As well as learning important skills for your future career development from our practical and professional practice modules, you’ll also be introduced to the context and curation of art.

You will enjoy our close links to the Ikon Gallery, Ort Gallery, New Art Gallery Walsall and Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery and be inspired by the studios and galleries set up by former students, such as The Lombard Method, Grand Union, Stryx and Ort Gallery.

The course concludes in a public professional exhibition of your practical work supported by individual websites.

Enhancing your employability skills

You will learn of range of skills which will be key to enhancing your future employability.

Specifically you will learn to:

• Develop your own practice and how to analyse this in relation to future employment options.
• Identify the relationship of theory to practice and how this can be used to develop your own individual identity.
• Negotiate, plan, exhibit and present to a professional standard.
• Work independently and collaboratively.
• Be a self-motivated, organised, effective learner.

You will also learn skills in a range of workshop practices in relation to individual development, including photography, casting, woodwork, metalwork, silk screen, etching, 3D printing, laser cutting, and printed and constructed textiles.

Professional practice guidance will teach you a range of skills such as CV writing;  the use of social media and other platforms for self-promotion,  presenting yourself and your work in a professional framework using a range of appropriate communication skills, such as video and various types of presentation software.

PLACEMENTS

You will have the option of an international exchange, and the opportunity to get involved in a range of projects and placements.

Our students have recently been on placements with the Birmingham Repertory Theatre, working with and alongside  sculptor Rob Olins on a recent production of ‘The BFG’.

Students have also worked with the sound artist, Justin Wiggan, exploring the university archives in relation to the School of Art to create site-specific work.

The Fierce Festival and the Flatpack Festival regularly work with our Fine Art students.