Fine Art (MA)

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 all of the following scores as a minimum:

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

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.

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.

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 2022). 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

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £9,250.
• EU and international students pay £21,000.

Check fees for other versions of this course.

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:

• accommodation costs

• living costs

• budgeting advice

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 2021
•    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.

Full terms and conditions.

Winchester School of Art Postgraduate Global Talent Scholarship

Twenty scholarships of £5,000 each are available to international students joining our postgraduate master’s courses at the Winchester School of Art in September 2023.

Find out more about the Winchester School of Art PGT Global Talent Scholarship, including eligibility, deadlines and how to apply.

Southampton Arts and Humanities Deans Global Talent Scholarship

Ten scholarships of £10,000 each are available to international students studying for an undergraduate degree or a postgraduate master’s degree in Arts and Humanities.

Find out more about the Southampton Arts and Humanities Deans Global Talent Scholarship, including eligibility, deadlines and how to apply.

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.

1. Use the 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our online application form.
2. Search for the course you want to apply for.
3. Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
4. Submit your application.

Application deadlines

Application assessment fee

We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for a postgraduate taught course.

This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees and is payable per application. 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 certain scholarships, you will not need to pay the fee. PGCE applications through GOV.UK and Master of Research (MRes) degree applications are also exempt. 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

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 aim to 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