About this course
Be part of a distinctive, energetic flagship art programme, tailored to your needs on our fine art degree. Develop an outstanding individual fine art practice in a contemporary, cutting-edge discipline built on centuries of tradition. Address the pressing issues of today and tomorrow. Learn clarity of thought, teamwork and project management through ambitious collaborative projects. Reflect, refine and resolve in our spacious, purpose-built studios and excellent workshop facilities.
Experiment across all media, and choose the areas you’d like to specialise in, including:
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painting
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printmaking
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sculpture
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digital and lens-based work
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performance
As part of your BA Fine Art you can:
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meet active professional artists at our weekly Talking Heads lecture series
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take advantage of easy access to London for studio and gallery visits
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join our twice-yearly Shared Drive projects, which bring together students from all years of study to participate in ambitious, large-scale, collective projects
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study overseas for a semester at one of our partner universities in Europe, Canada or Asia
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connect with professionals from the commercial and public art worlds at special network events such as our Fine Art Degree Show Review Symposium
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be part of a lasting record of your achievements here in the Shared Drive Fine Art Yearbook
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enjoy collaborative relationships with organisations such as a space arts, John Hansard Gallery and Hampshire Cultural Trust
What's it like to study Fine Art at Southampton
Course location
This course is based at Winchester.
Awarding body
This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.
Download the programme specification
The programme specification sets out the learning outcomes of this course and details how the course is taught and assessed.
In light of COVID-19, we’ve made changes to some elements of course delivery for 2020-21. For details as to how this has changed delivery for this course, please view the Addendum to the Programme Specification PDF.
Entry requirements
For Academic year 202021
A-levels
BBB
A-levels additional information
A Level offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking.
A-levels with Extended Project Qualification
For this programme we do not make an alternative offer, however we welcome applicants who have achieved a good grade in the EPQ
A-levels contextual offer
We are committed to ensuring that all applicants with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience.
Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
International Baccalaureate Diploma
Pass, with 30 points overall with 15 points at Higher Level
International Baccalaureate contextual offer
We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement
Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements.
Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.
BTEC
Distinction, Distinction, Merit in the BTEC Extended Diploma in an art or design based subject.
Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC Diploma plus B in an A level
Distinction in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus BB in two A levels
BTEC additional information
No additional information
Other requirements
GCSE requirements
Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 4/C)
Non-academic entry requirements
All applicants will need to provide a portfolio of art work
Got a question?
Please contact our enquiries team if you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000
Course structure
COVID-19: we've made some changes to the structure of the course for this academic year. Download the programme specification addendum in 'About this course' to learn more.
You’ll study 6 studio practice modules - one per semester – which form the heart of the course. You'll also study 6 modules that frame the context for your developing practice in terms of history, theory and professional application.
Year 1 overview
This year you’ll:
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experiment with methods and materials
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build up your research and critical reflection skills
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understand how contemporary practice relates to its history and to the wider world
At the end of the year, you’ll be guided to choose the right studio space for your practice in year 2.
Year 2 overview
You'll deepen your practice by:
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engaging in further experimentation and challenging your thinking
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specialising or working across media, as your creative ‘voice’ develops
You’ll choose 1 module from a list of theoretical and career-focused topics to individually tailor your programme of study:
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Business Skills for the Creative Industries
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Creative Futures - exploring democratic forms of innovation, including collaborative and environmental practices, activism, social innovation and economic sustainability
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Creative Writing
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Image and Branding
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Visual Culture - the role of images in the construction of identity and the ways in which we understand the world around us
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Framing your Practice - analyse and reflect on the relationship between your work and other relevant creative and cultural outputs
You’ll expand your experience by choosing one of these options:
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refine your focus, develop creative awareness and independence, and elevate your ambition with a studio practice module
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spend a semester at a partner university in Europe or further afield
Year 3 overview
Your final modules prepare you for professional practice and employment. You'll explore:
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experimentation within an increasingly defined practice that's starting to yield ambitious, professionally organised and audience-oriented outcomes
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professional engagement practices
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critical reflection of your work
You'll bring together your practical learning in a single, self-directed, fully-resolved exhibition as your final major project.
Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.
Modules
COVID-19: we've made some changes to our modules for this academic year. Download the programme specification addendum in 'About this course' to learn more.
For entry in Academic Year 2020-21
Year 1 modules
You must study the following modules in year 1:
Learning and assessment
COVID-19: we've made some changes to our learning and assessment methods for this academic year. Download the programme specification addendum in 'About this course' to learn more.
The learning activities for this course include the following:
- lectures
- classes and tutorials
Course time
How you'll spend your course time:
Year 1
Study time
Your scheduled learning, teaching and independent study for year 1:
How we'll assess you
Your assessment breakdown
Year 1:
Academic support
You’ll be supported by a personal academic tutor and have access to a senior tutor.
Course leader
John Gillett is the course leader.
Careers
As a graduate of our fine art degree, you’ll have proven yourself to be a self-motivated, flexible, and highly creative individual. Our graduates have succeeded in a diverse range of fields, including:
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fine art
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film
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music
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TV
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publishing
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museums
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galleries
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teaching
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art therapy
Careers services at Southampton
We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2019). Our Careers and Employability Service will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:
work experience schemes
CV and interview skills and workshops
networking events
careers fairs attended by top employers
a wealth of volunteering opportunities
study abroad and summer school opportunities
We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.
Fees, costs and funding
Tuition fees
Fees for a year's study:
- UK students pay £9,250.
- EU and international students pay £18,520.
What your fees pay for
Your tuition fees pay for the full cost of tuition and all examinations.
Find out how to:
Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. Explore:
Bursaries, scholarships and other funding
If you're a UK or EU student and your household income is under £25,000 a year, you may be able to get a University of Southampton bursary to help with your living costs. Find out about bursaries and other funding we offer at Southampton.
If you're a care leaver or estranged from your parents, you may be able to get a specific bursary.
Get in touch for advice about student money matters.
Scholarships and grants
You may be able to get a scholarship or grant that's linked to your chosen subject area.
We award scholarships and grants for travel, academic excellence, or to students from underrepresented backgrounds.
Support during your course
The Student Services Centre offers support and advice on money to students. You may be able to access our Student Support fund and other sources of financial support during your course.
Funding for EU and international students
Find out about funding you could get as an international student.
How to apply
When you apply use:
- UCAS course code: W190
- UCAS institution code: S27
What happens after you apply?
We will assess your application on the strength of your:
- predicted grades
- academic achievements
- personal statement
- academic reference
Applicants who meet our minimum entry requirements will be invited to attend an individual portfolio interview. Download our portfolio advice for fine art (PDF, 150.10 KB).
We do not expect you to attend an interview if you do not already live or study in the UK. International and EU applicants are usually invited to send a portfolio by post or email.
We aim to respond to you within 2 to 6 weeks with a decision about your application.
Equality and diversity
We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.
Got a question?
Please contact our enquiries team if you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000
