Do you enjoy expressing yourself creatively? Are you an artist and creative thinker? We’ll offer you the chance to explore different media in a range of workshops including painting, drawing, image-making, sculpture, installation, moving-image, digital processes, and photography. This will allow you to build up your artistic skills so you can select the approaches that are right for you.

We offer our students the opportunity to -

• Engage with a range of inspiring guest speakers and have live sessions from professionals within your chosen field. Use our links with industry and professional practitioners to gain the opportunity to take part in live projects, national competitions, awards and exhibitions.
• Work in a lively and dynamic studio environment where you’ll be encouraged to develop your creative and conceptual thinking. On your way, you’ll be able to call on the support of our widely experienced specialist tutors and technicians.

The course is part of a suite of three courses that includes Contemporary Art BA(Hons) and Illustration BA(Hons). We’re truly flexible and want you to develop your own path. You only have to apply for one course from the suite, but you could go off in any direction once you get here.

Placements

The course offers an optional one-year (36 weeks minimum) work placement after the second year, in the UK or abroad. This will give you the opportunity to gain valuable hands-on experience, insight into your chosen career and open up your graduate employment prospects.

Our Placement Unit and academic staff have excellent industry links and can support you in applying for and finding your placement(s), as well as during your placement year. Students within the area of Contemporary Art and Illustration have previously taken up placement opportunities with companies including: House of Illustration - London; Venture Arts - Manchester; Mini Me Card Company - Skipton and Plum Pudding Publishing - Surrey.

Alternatively, if you are a student from within the UK or the EU, you could consider starting your own small business by applying for the Enterprise Placement Year in conjunction with the University’s Enterprise Team. You’ll benefit from business advice, mentoring and networking sessions. You can find out more information on the Enterprise Placement Year here. You can find out more information on placements here.

Your Career

Following the course you may opt for further study, or could consider a career as an artist, curator, or a role in community arts, the media or design for example. Our graduates have won awards and prizes such as the Northern Graduates Prize, The Alternative Turner Prize, and New Sensations (a joint venture between the Saatchi Gallery and Channel 4). They've also gone on to work for companies such as East Street Arts, Leicestershire Craft Centre, Pyramid of Arts and Studio 116 Design.**