About this course
The MA Fine Art degree at Winchester School of Art (WSA) offers you the opportunity to embrace new challenges in your art. Our course draws students from across the world to study and develop their art in the beautiful surroundings of the historic city of Winchester.
"... one of the UK's most dynamic and relevant postgraduate fine art degree programmes." - Anthony Luvera, artist and external course moderator, 2016-2019
This programme captures the diversity of the world's contemporary art and values all types of art practice. You will develop your work, in practice and in theory, exploring key ideas and issues that inform contemporary art today.
You will work in purpose-built studios with a wide range of technical and academic facilities, with the freedom to explore your ideas through a single medium or across multiple art forms, including:
- painting and drawing
- sculpture
- video and digital media
- photography and printmaking
- performance art
You’ll gain insights into life as a working artist and will develop your own individual profile through:
- weekly guest lectures by leading practitioners
- creating a portfolio for your final project and to exhibit
- learning how to approach galleries, use social media, and build networks
- an arts-related professional skills module
Other benefits of this art master's include access to purpose-built studios with the latest photography, video, 3D printing and laser cutting technologies, a gallery on campus, and close links to London and regional galleries. You'll also have the opportunity to display your work for the public at the annual MA Degree Show.
Winchester Centre for Global Futures in Art Design & Media will also give you the chance to attend conferences and receive tutorial support from internationally celebrated professors.
Course lead
This MA fine art course is led by Nick Stewart, who has more than 30 years’ experience both as an academic and a professional artist. His work includes drawing, installation, photography, performance, video, film and publishing.
Nick has taught at degree level in art institutions across the UK, Europe and Canada and has exhibited widely in Ireland, UK, Europe, Canada, USA and India. He has received awards, residencies and commissions from the Canada Council, British Council, British Film Institute, Arts Council England and the Royal Festival Hall, London.
“It's been an amazing year. It's almost been like being on a residency. Spending time with (visiting artist) Anne Bean was just incredible. She really inspired me."”
“I can't believe how much this course has changed my artistic vision in such a short time.”
“This year has been one of the best years in my life.”
MA Fine Art | Student Interviews | 2015 - 2020
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.
Entry requirements
You’ll need at least a 2:2 degree in contemporary fine art.
We will accept a 2:2 in another subject if you meet the portfolio requirement for this course.
Find the equivalent international qualifications for your country.
Your portfolio should show your recent artworks:
- Please include documentation of up to 10 works: painting, sculpture, installation, video, or any medium or media appropriate for you. Create a PDF document to present your work. Keep images to around 1MB, unless you need to make them larger. If video, please ensure that this can be viewed in the UK by using a platform such as YouTube or Vimeo. Use a password or code to keep it private if you wish.
- Demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of contemporary art practice through reflection on your work and references to other artists who have influenced you.
- Works in other fields, such as design, fashion or graphics, are not relevant unless directly related to your fine art practice.
- If you wish, you can include examples of professional practice in other subjects or careers, provided it has some relationship to your art.
This course is suitable if you’re an applicant with professional experience and meet the portfolio requirement.
English language requirements
If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need an overall score of 6.0 and the following scores for reading, writing, listening and speaking:
IELTS score requirements
- reading
- 5.5
- writing
- 5.5
- speaking
- 5.5
- listening
- 5.5
We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.
Got a question?
Please contact us if you're not sure 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
This course runs from September to the following September. It is split into 3 semesters.
In semesters 1 and 2 we encourage you to explore different media, develop your capacity to critically reflect on your work, and develop ideas for your final project.
You'll work on your final project in the final semester in the summer. The final project is an opportunity to develop a distinctive portfolio of work that you will showcase as part of a major exhibition on campus at the end of the course.
Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.
Modules
For entry in Academic Year 2020-21
Year 1 modules
You must study the following modules:
You must also choose from the following modules:
Learning and assessment
Learning
Alongside your studio practice you’ll learn through:
- lectures
- seminars
- tutorials
- screenings and study visits
- talks by visiting practitioners bring additional insights
You’ll have regular sessions with your tutor as well as frequent informal discussions with teaching staff about your work. You will also take part in weekly group critiques with other students on the course, which will offer new perspectives on your own work and hone your own critical skills.
Assessment
We'll assess you using academic criteria to evaluate your intellectual engagement with your work, as well as your technical skill. Assessment methods vary by module but will include written assignments and visual (portfolio and exhibition) presentations.
Final Major Project
For your final project you will create a solo exhibition of your work in an expansive studio space at WSA. This exhibition will be supported by a portfolio of developmental work.
Academic Support
You’ll receive ongoing support and feedback as you progress through the course. The diverse creative community at Winchester School of Art provides an enriching and supportive environment in which to take your practice to the next level.
You’ll have a personal academic tutor who will be your first point of contact for any queries or issues you might have, whether academic or personal. You’ll also have access to a wide range of advice and welfare services offered by the School and the wider university.
Careers
You’ll gain the confidence and professional skills to take forward a career as an artist in the arts, cultural and media industries.
You could choose to undertake further study at PhD level, or to pursue a career in arts-related organisations and other sectors. Previous graduates are enjoying success as professional artists and other related roles in teaching, the media, animation and curation. For example, one recent graduate is now Director’s Assistant at the prestigious Today Art Museum in Beijing.
Careers services at Southampton
We're a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2020). 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/resume and interview skills workshops
- networking events
- careers fairs attended by top employers
- a wealth of volunteering opportunities
- study abroad and summer school opportunities
We have a thriving entrepreneurship culture. You'll be able to take advantage of:
- our dedicated start-up incubator, Futureworlds
- a wide variety of enterprise events run throughout the year
- our partnership in the world’s number 1 business incubator, SETsquared
Fees, costs and funding
Tuition fees
Fees for a year's study:
- UK students pay £9,250.
- EU and international students pay £19,850.
Deposit
When you accept your offer to study on this course you’ll be asked to pay a deposit. This is non-refundable. The deposit amount is:
- UK students: £250
- EU and international students: £1,000
Full terms and conditions and details of how to pay this deposit will be sent to you in your offer letter.
What your fees pay for
Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams.
Find out how to pay your tuition fees.
Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. Explore:
10% alumni discount
If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton you get a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.
Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK nationals only)
This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. Find out if you're eligible.
International Postgraduate Taught Merit Scholarship
You are eligible for this scholarship if you:
are an international student who hasn’t taken a master's with us before
are enrolling to start a master's in September 2020
gained a 1st class honours degree at undergraduate level
If you meet these criteria you’ll be awarded an automatic £3,000 scholarship. This will mean a £3,000 reduction in your tuition fees. We’ll confirm your scholarship in your offer letter.
Unfortunately this offer isn’t open to UK / EU students.
Other postgraduate funding options
A variety of additional scholarships, grants and bursaries may be available to help you fund your master’s study, both from the University and from other organisations.
Funding for EU and international students
Find out about funding you could get as an international student.
How to apply
- Use the 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our online application form.
- Search for the course you want to apply for.
- Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
- Submit your application.
Application deadlines
UK students
Applications must be received no later than 4 weeks before the start of the course. You must supply all supporting documentation at least 2 weeks before starting your course.
International students
We recommend you apply at least 6 weeks before the start of the course to ensure you're able to meet our requirements and apply for a visa in time.
We cannot guarantee students who do not meet these deadlines will be able to begin their course.
Application assessment fee
We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for any postgraduate taught course that starts in or after September 2021.
This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.
If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, or if you're applying for a Master of Research (MRes) degree, you will not need to pay the fee. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.
Supporting information
When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course.
You’ll need to include information about:
- your knowledge of the subject area
- why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
- how you intend to use your qualification
You'll also need to send 2 academic references.
Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.
You may also be asked to provide:
- a degree transcript
- a personal statement
- a CV/resume
- an art portfolio
Learn more about how to apply with our postgraduate application guide.
What happens after you apply
You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.
We'll assess your application on the strength of your:
- academic achievements
- relevant professional experience
- personal statement
- academic references
We'll get back to you within 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 us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000