Fine Art - BA (Hons)

More about this course

You’ll study in a famous art school in the busiest contemporary art scene in Europe. London is home to hundreds of art galleries and museums, a busy calendar of art events and a range of art organisations and businesses.

On this exciting and challenging undergraduate degree, you'll be taught in cutting-edge studios by practising London artists who are passionate about art and teaching. Our staff include artists with an impressive track record of international shows such as Bob and Roberta Smith, Pil and Galia Kollectiv and Mel Brimfield. There’s also an extensive programme of lectures from guest artists.

Facilities include spacious art studios, the latest 3D printing and laser-cutting facilities, exhibition spaces and even a roof garden. You’ll also have access to state-of-the-art digital media, print, painting, photography, ceramics and sculpture workshops.

You’ll study alongside a diverse mix of ambitious and prolific fellow art students and will associate with architects, designers, musicians and film directors.

With two huge all-student exhibitions taking place each year, one at Easter and one at Christmas, as well as a major degree show every summer, you will have excellent opportunities to showcase your work.

There will also be artists in residence, art awards, access to private viewings, regular field trips to the Venice Biennale and other European art events plus invaluable advice from artists who’ll guide you into your art career. As a final year student you will have the opportunity to explore a topic of your choice in depth in the Honours-level dissertation. Our dissertation students all belong to a themed dissertation studio that offers a supportive group context for planning and writing your dissertation, and specific academic tutoring about how to manage the project.

Assessment

Assessment is through practical and written coursework. Practical coursework is developed in workshops and studios, while some written project development coursework is developed online. Fine Art BA coursework is marked in percentages according to a standard band of passing grades by a group of art examiners using clear, published assessment criteria.

You will also be involved in formative assessment during the year. This includes tutorials in which you will be given valuable verbal and written feedback on your art project proposals, works in progress and draft submissions, helping you to build on your individual strengths.

There are no examinations.

Entry requirements

In addition to the University's standard entry requirements, you should have:

• a minimum of grades BBC in three relevant A level subjects such as the arts, humanities and social sciences (or a minimum of 112 UCAS points from an equivalent Level 3 qualification in relevant art and design subjects)
• a portfolio interview
• English Language GCSE at grade C (grade 4) or above (or equivalent)

We also accept mature students with diverse backgrounds and experiences, and encourage applications from international/EU students with equivalent qualifications.

If you live in the UK, you will be invited to a portfolio interview. If you live outside the UK you will be required to submit a small portfolio of work via email.

If you do not have traditional qualifications or cannot meet the entry requirements for this undergraduate degree, you may still be able to gain entry by completing our Fine Art (including foundation year) BA (Hons) or Art and Design (including foundation year) BA (Hons) degree.

Accreditation of Prior Learning

Any university-level qualifications or relevant experience you gain prior to starting university could count towards your course at London Met. Find out more about applying for Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL).

English language requirements

To study a degree at London Met, you must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. If you require a Student visa you may need to provide the results of a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as Academic IELTS. This course requires you to meet our standard requirements

If you need (or wish) to improve your English before starting your degree, the University offers a Pre-sessional Academic English course to help you build your confidence and reach the level of English you require.

Modular structure

The modules listed below are for the academic year 2022/23 and represent the course modules at this time. Modules and module details (including, but not limited to, location and time) are subject to change over time.

Year 1 modules include:

Critical & Contextual Studies 1 (Art) (core, 30 credits)

This module currently runs:

• all year (September start) - Thursday morning

Critical and Contextual Studies (CCS) Level 4 aims to orient and critically engage students in the history and theory of their discipline, its extent and conventions, and its broader social and material context in culture and contemporary practice.

The module helps students to reflect on what they see, and to read connections between different ideas that have shaped their discipline. In particular the module investigates how thinking and articulating ideas about practice in their field might be framed – for example in relation to history, the economy, society and the environment, or through theory and practice.

The module introduces students to a range of academic skills needed to produce a graduate-level study in their final year. It helps students to develop their own interests, and to reflect on and take responsibility for the development of their own learning. This includes surveys in the history of their discipline, research and writing workshops, seminars, library sessions, visits and tours in addition to guided independent learning.

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Project Work 1 (core, 30 credits)

This module currently runs:

• all year (September start) - Friday morning
• all year (September start) - Tuesday afternoon
• all year (September start) - Tuesday morning
• all year (September start) - Friday afternoon

Focusing on the student’s own evolving fine art or photographic practice, the FA4P01 Project Work 1 module provides an opportunity for students to develop projects, responding to cross-module art or photography briefs, using technical skills developed within those projects and relating to research and methods of enquiry undertaken for those projects within other modules during the year. The module considers the relationship between method, medium and meaning, with reference to relevant theory, as well as traditional and contemporary practices.

The module FA4P01 Project Work 1 is shared by, serves and sustains the awards in the BA Fine Art, BA Fashion Photography, BA Painting and BA Photography courses, delivered in a seamless and integral relationship with the work of other core modules in the level, including the Critical and Contextual Studies modules.

Students are encouraged to develop as autonomous learners, taking increasing responsibility for the progress of their project work. All project briefs relate to themes in CP4013 Critical & Contextual Studies 1 (Art). Students will be expected to consider and construct critical connections between Level 4 modules.

This module aims to enable students to develop key skills of interpretation and knowledge in the development of individual art or photographic practice. Through assigned briefs and projects, the module aims to provide a framework to develop concepts and principles in visual practice relevant to contemporary debates in art or photography. Building upon skills acquired in the other studio practice module and the subject-specific module on this level, the module aims to facilitate learning in the selection, testing and informed use of materials, equipment, facilities, research and processes relevant to their enquiry into and interpretation of the theme of a given project. One key objective of the module is to give the students opportunities to present their project work to an audience of peers. The module also aims to put students at the centre of the formulation of group ethics in the studio - defining under supervision their own rules about how practitioners are to conduct themselves and help each other in their work and study, mutual respect and self-regulation of codes of practice. Finally, the module aims via guided independent study to be the vehicle for regular trips in which the students will experience how professional practitioners choose to address different audiences.

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Techniques: Fine Art (core, 30 credits)

This module currently runs:

• all year (September start) - Friday afternoon
• all year (September start) - Friday morning

The FA4008 Techniques: Fine Art module introduces students to and engages them with a range of art media and approaches to artistic production. Focusing upon key skills and concepts, the module introduces students to relevant materials, processes and techniques for the development of ideas and artefacts, enabling students to make quick, heuristic connections between intention, process, and outcome.

The module involves a series of demonstrations and exercises, introducing and developing basic artistic skills and techniques relevant to Fine Art practice. Allied with the FA4007 Visual Intelligence module, the module supports an applied understanding of visual and technical literacy through development of project work, negotiated between tutor and student.

In the FA4008 Techniques: Fine Art module students are expected to look for and construct relationships between and across modules. Students are encouraged to test out and explore different methods or enquiry and approaches to practice through one or more of the established Fine Art disciplines of painting, photography, printmaking, drawing, ceramics, sculpture, installation art and mixed media.

FA4008 Techniques: Fine Art serves and sustains an award in the BA Fine Art course only, delivered in a seamless and integral relationship with the work of other core modules on Level 4. Students are expected to investigate and develop critical and aesthetic working relationships between and across the Level 4 modules.

This module aims to enable students to test the methods of art enquiry introduced in other modules by applying art processes and art media techniques effectively, with students learning to organise tools and materials and use workshop equipment with fluency and control. The module aims in this way to give maximum opportunities in the practical aspects of art-making, allowing students to show respect and consideration for artworks by their careful installation and finishing, with attention to professional storage of artworks and the construction of packing cases with protective interiors.

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Visual Intelligence (core, 30 credits)

This module currently runs:

• all year (September start) - Thursday afternoon

In the module FA4007 Visual Intelligence, processes and methods of enquiry are explored in art and photography. Students are supported to undertake a range of exercises and short experimentation projects, following tutorial guidance and on-going discussion.

The module enables students to explore and test a range of approaches, for example close observation; data collection; recording; analysis and communication. Work on the module is informed by lectures, practical workshops, group critique and individual tutorials that consider the role of materials, techniques and cultural contexts in the development of a visual intelligence and visual language.

The FA4007 Visual Intelligence module is delivered holistically in Level 4 with the FA4P01 Project Work 1 module. The module is shared by, serves and sustains the awards in the BA Fine Art, BA Fashion Photography, BA Painting and BA Photography courses, delivered in a seamless and integral relationship with the work of other core modules in the level, including the Critical and Contextual Studies modules.

The FA4007 Visual Intelligence module aims to enable students to develop, test and evaluate key skills and knowledge in critical thinking in the concepts, principles and methods of enquiry in art or photography, particularly in context for practice. A key objective is to allow students first to set out and then to describe to an audience of their peers the context and the parameters of a method of enquiry for making in art or photography. Practical skills, techniques and processes will be linked to key concepts that constitute the language of art, drawing, photography and other lens-based media in relation to critical research and applied experimentation through development of project work. Critical debate around ways of seeing and making in the module aims to equip students with the visual intelligence that will support them in development and positioning of their own work. The module also aims to put students at the centre of the formulation of group ethics in the studio - defining under supervision their own rules about how practitioners are to conduct themselves and help each other in their work and study, mutual respect and self-regulation of codes of practice.

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Year 2 modules include:

Critical & Contextual Studies 2 (Art) (core, 30 credits)

This module currently runs:

• all year (September start) - Tuesday afternoon

Critical and Contextual Studies 2 continues to orient and critically engage students in the history and theory of their discipline, its extent and conventions, and its broader social and material context in culture and contemporary practice. It builds on studies undertaken in Level 4 and prepares students as independent thinkers, capable of selecting an appropriate topic and producing a sustained piece of independent study in the form of a dissertation in Level 6.

The module continues to situate the student within the process of constructing knowledge about their discipline, its history, context, and its professional and ethical dimension. It rehearses the analytical and discursive skills students need to become knowledgeable about the authorities, objects and methods in their field; to understand the roles, locations and responsibilities of important players whilst examining the broader ethical questions relevant to their discipline; and to become conversant with current debates across the subject area. This process may be approached from the point of view of the producer or consumer, the critic or the professional, the academic or the practitioner.

Students are encouraged to think creatively and to take responsibility for the development of their own learning. The module recognises that the student is also an active contributor in the process: what students bring to the construction of knowledge counts – and how effectively they construct this knowledge depends on how well they understand the field of their discipline.

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Methods and Enquiry 1 (core, 30 credits)

This module currently runs:

• all year (September start) - Monday morning

The FA5006 Methods and Enquiry 1 studio practice module consists of thematic workshops and group-initiated projects in an art or photography studio practice setting. These provide an opportunity for group work, research and collaboration, including work with outside agencies where appropriate, as well as for individual art or photographic practice. In investigating method and enquiry in practice, the module will reflect upon trends in current practice as well as historical models. Case studies and seminar sessions with practitioners are intended to encourage engagement with and understanding of the character, institutional and professional practices of art or photography.

The FA5006 Methods and Enquiry 1 module is delivered holistically in Level 5 with the FA5P01 Project Work 2 module. The module is shared by, serves and sustains the Honours awards in the BA Fine Art, BA Fashion Photography, BA Painting and BA Photography courses, delivered in a seamless and integral relationship with the work of other core modules in the level. Allied to Critical and Contextual Studies modules, the intention is for FA5006 Methods and Enquiry 1 to inform approaches to the Dissertation in the later (Honours) Level 6.

The module aims to enable students to develop key skills and knowledge in critical thinking as well as in the concepts and principles of art and photography. The module also aims to provide students with information about method and enquiry for later recall in the application of critical thinking for the building of the conceptual and contextual boundaries within which they then create and make their own work. This element of the curriculum also aims to develop the key Art & Design skill of making strong, decisive judgements about practice through regular reflection on and evaluation of learning, as well as the general transferable skill of collaborating well with others in a group on a collective objective.

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Professional Practice 1: Fine Art (core, 30 credits)

This module currently runs:

• all year (September start) - Monday afternoon

FA5007 Professional Practice 1: Fine Art is a module specific to the Fine Art subject, based on learning by doing, thinking through making and facilitation by networking in contemporary art practice. The module builds on the key technical skills and concepts introduced at Level 4, now providing students with a sustained and in-depth engagement with the world of work in the Fine Art area by encouraging students to begin to contact and engage with viewers of art, art exhibition visitors or art buyers. Technical competence is enhanced and advanced while exploring the range and application of Fine Art practice in the realisation of group and individual projects.

FA5007 Professional Practice 1: Fine Art serves and sustains an award in the BA Fine Art course only, delivered in a seamless and integral relationship with the work of other core modules on Level 5. Students are expected to investigate and develop critical and aesthetic working relationships between and across the Level 5 modules.

The module aims to enable students to develop key subject-specific skills and knowledge in the concepts and principles of Fine Art only, as they apply to the world of work in that discipline. Through mastering the organisation of tools, equipment, materials in private and public space, this module’s objectives are to enable students to develop the key cognitive skill of applying what is learned in the art studio to novel situations in the presentation and display of work to new audiences or a wider public.

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Project Work 2 (core, 30 credits)

This module currently runs:

• all year (September start) - Thursday afternoon
• all year (September start) - Thursday morning

The FA5P01 Project Work 2 studio practice module encourages and facilitates development of practical and conceptual knowledge and understanding of contemporary practice in art or photography in the realisation of group project briefs and of an individual project, presented to peers at its outset and finished by submission deadline for a summative assessment. The module builds on the skills, key concepts and principles of art or photography introduced in Level 4 and now applied with relevance to the world of work.

The FA5P01 Project Work 2 is delivered holistically in Level 5 with the FA5006 Methods and Enquiry 1 module. FA5P01 Project Work 2 is shared by, serves and sustains the awards in the BA Fine Art, BA Fashion Photography, BA Painting and BA Photography courses and is delivered in a seamless and integral relationship with the work of other core modules in the level. Students are expected to reflect upon and represent the complexity of critical and creative relationships between and across the body of work undertaken at this diploma level.

This module aims are to enable art or photography students to develop key skills and knowledge in working with others successfully, experiencing how others work in different contexts, as well as understanding different audiences for art or photography and how contemporary practitioners address those audiences. The module aims to provide a vehicle for study trips to places where art or photography practice is put to work. In enabling students to experience and understand how groups work, the module aims to provide learning in how to agree, apply and police common codes and ethics around art or photography studio practice. A key objective of this module is to help art or photography students learn the requirement for planning and managing time in their practice, both in project and in life/work balance and the general transferable skill of collaborating well with others in a group on a collective objective.

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Year 3 modules include:

Critical & Contextual Studies 3: Dissertation (Art) (core, 30 credits)

This module currently runs:

• all year (September start) - Wednesday afternoon
• all year (September start) - Wednesday morning

Critical and Contextual Studies (CCS) Level 6 results in an independent dissertation. It builds on two years of undergraduate study or previous experience that critically engages students in the history and theory of their discipline, its extent and conventions, and its broader social and material context in culture and contemporary practice.

Students undertake an enquiry into a topic of their own choice and, based on this enquiry, develop a sustained critical study in support of their practice, building on techniques and knowledge developed in previous years and previous experience. This study demonstrates the student’s ability to thoroughly research a topic, use appropriate methods of investigation, and work in a methodical and organised way to develop a coherent argument. It affords a sophisticated instrument for interrogating, testing and presenting ideas, and encourages the student to deploy and develop a variety of skills to show how well they can conduct and present a critical investigation.

The module rewards criticality and innovation, and provides a platform for ambitious independent work. To this end, it offers individual supervision designed to support the student’s learning. The subject matter of the dissertation can be theoretical, technical, or historical. In terms of format, the dissertation may be envisaged in different ways and can include visual, technical or other non-written material which may form the subject of the enquiry and comprise an integral part of the whole.

The dissertation may be practice-based and include field-work and primary research in its methodology; or it might be academic and theoretical in its outlook and draw predominantly on secondary sources. Its form and approach can reflect a broad range of discipline-specific approaches based on discussion and agreement with the supervisor and/or course leader.

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Major Project (core, 30 credits)

This module currently runs:

• all year (September start) - Thursday afternoon
• all year (September start) - Thursday morning

FA6P01 Major Project marks the summation of the programme of studies in four undergraduate courses. The project comprises a major piece of independent study, produced under supervision and guidance. The purpose of the major project is to demonstrate the application and integration of the skills and knowledge gained throughout the course.

The module requires the student to frame appropriate questions for their project, followed by a period of research and development, culminating in the submission of a final body of work using ideas, techniques and processes at the forefront of art or photography, determined by the scope and character of the initial aims and objectives of the project. The module will be supported by a series of project planning workshops. On this basis, the module will require the student to frame the project in contemporary terms and be able to justify in a presentation the methods employed in its execution, including the conceptual and practical aims of the project and its intended audience or reception.

The FA6P01 Major Project module is shared by, serves and sustains the Honours awards in the BA Fine Art, BA Fashion Photography, BA Painting and BA Photography courses and is delivered in a seamless and integral relationship with the work of other core modules in the level. Students are expected to reflect upon and present the complexity of critical and creative relationships between and across the body of work undertaken in Level 6, including in the Critical and Contextual Studies dissertation.

The module aims to allow students to show they have acquired coherent and detailed knowledge at the forefront of fine art or photography, able to deploy critical thinking with accuracy by developing and sharing the context for their project, compiling a journal of experimentation, research and development that supports the production of a substantial body of work.

By planning and communicating to peers the framing of appropriate questions, method of enquiry and context for their project in advance, one of this module’s objectives is to enable students to have the solid background and clear information to make decisions about and solve for themselves complex and unpredictable problems encountered in a project they have initiated and executed themselves.

The module aims to allow students to show how they can manage project time professionally, and so give themselves plenty of time to evaluate, edit and finesse their project as a result.

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Methods and Enquiry 2 (core, 30 credits)

This module currently runs:

• all year (September start) - Monday morning

The FA6010 Methods and Enquiry 2 module supports intensive research and development towards the realisation of a major art or photographic project in the parallel module FA6P01 Major Project. The module involves students in presenting an outline of their individual method of enquiry addressing a final major project .

During the module, students test out working methods, clarify their intentions, and frame their project in a contemporary context. The module involves an extensive period of independent research practice and development, to be documented and reflected on demonstrating a critical evaluation of an expanded Critical Contextual Framework

The FA6010 Methods and Enquiry 2 module is shared by, serves and sustains the Honours awards in the BA Fine Art, BA Fashion Photography, BA Painting and BA Photography courses, delivered in a seamless and integral relationship with the work of other core modules in the level. Students are expected to reflect upon and represent the complexity of critical and creative relationships between and across the body of work undertaken in Level 6, including in the Critical and Contextual Studies dissertation.

The module aims to allow students to show they have acquired coherent and detailed knowledge at the forefront of art or photography, able to deploy critical thinking with accuracy by developing and sharing method of enquiry over the course of a major project.

By planning and communicating method of enquiry to peers in advance, one of this module’s objectives is to enable students to make decisions about and solve complex and unpredictable problems encountered in a project they have initiated and executed themselves.

The module also aims to enable students to demonstrate skills in reflection on and evaluation of concepts used in method of enquiry and judgements made over materials and techniques in project, via a public dialogue with a specialist audience - their peers.

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Professional Practice 2: Fine Art (core, 30 credits)

This module currently runs:

• all year (September start) - Monday afternoon

FA6006 Professional Practice 2: Fine Art is a subject-specific module supporting students to further develop their professional and academic skills. It will cover elements of professional practice for a variety of arts related careers. It will include learning how to write professionally in various formats, both for the public and professionals in the sector. Students are expected to synthesise the experience and knowledge gained over the course, and employ a range of transferable skills in communication, negotiation, analysis, project planning and project management.

The module includes lectures and workshops to support students to deliver an professional artistic proposal, a working document that they will continue to develop, test and revise over the course of the year. A schedule of tutorials, supervision, technical input and workshops, as appropriate are available to enable students to realise their learning outcomes at the end of the module.

The FA6006 Professional Practice 2: Fine Art module serves and sustains an award on the BA Fine Art course only, delivered in a seamless and integral relationship with the work of other core studio practice modules on Level 6. Students are expected to investigate and develop critical and aesthetic working relationships between and across the Level 6 modules.

The module aims to let students show they have acquired coherent and detailed knowledge of specific fine art skills in writing professionally, including understanding curating and exhibition display and are able to deploy critical thinking.

The module also aims to provide students with work-related learning about social media platforms and websites to develop wider public and new art audiences, with a view to creating and updating a sustainable legacy of art career assets to aid employability.

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What our students say

"This is an enjoyable and rewarding course which provides exciting engagement with current art practice. It allowed me to develop my own approach to the discipline of painting, equipping me with both discipline-specific skills and a range of transferable ones, too. It provided me with the experience and confidence to go on to my MA."

Elizabeth Vicary

“I am really grateful for all of the support and encouragement provided during my three years at the School of Art, Architecture and Design and to have had such an enriching education. Having tutors like Patrick Ward, Mel, Jonathan, Galia and Ben Cain was amazing and the critical direction they provided and professional relationships we had were unlike any of the ones my friends at other London art schools have had. I think working in studios was one of the best aspects of studying at the School of Art, Architecture and Design and I really benefited from learning in this environment.”

Grace Radford

Where this course can take you

Many organisations value a Fine Art BA graduate’s creativity very highly and you’ll be joining our proud list of alumni, which includes famous artists such as Tracey Emin, Sam Taylor-Wood, John Cecil Stephenson and Professor Gerard Hemsworth.

There are a wide range of job opportunities as artists, curators, art critics and art journalists, as previous graduates will testify. Others have gone on to become artists' assistants, art technicians, gallery administrators, art event organisers, marketers, auctioneers, print technicians, photographers, video producers and studio managers.

Alternative career paths include arts officers for local government, art teachers, art tutors and lecturers. Some graduates have even pursued rewarding roles as art therapists, working in hospitals, day care, rehabilitation, prisons and the probation service.

There’s also the chance that your work may one day be displayed alongside our past students. Organisations that host work by our graduates include the Tate Modern, Tate Britain, Venice Biennale, ICA, Henry Moore Foundation, Yorkshire Sculpture Park, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Museum of Modern Art, the Guggenheim, Art Basel, Frieze, Parkett, Artforum, The English Arts Council and the Pompidou Centre.

Important information about this course

We're committed to continuously improving our degree courses to ensure our students receive the best possible learning experience. Many of the courses in our School of Art, Architecture and Design are currently under review for 2023-24 entry. We encourage you to apply as outlined in the how to apply section of this page and if there are any changes to your course we will contact you. All universities review their courses regularly and this year we are strengthening our social sciences and professions courses to better reflect the needs of employers and ensure you're well-equipped for your future career.

Additional costs

Please note, in addition to the tuition fee there may be additional costs for things like equipment, materials, printing, textbooks, trips or professional body fees.

Additionally, there may be other activities that are not formally part of your course and not required to complete your course, but which you may find helpful (for example, optional field trips). The costs of these are additional to your tuition fee and the fees set out above and will be notified when the activity is being arranged.

Stay up to date

Treat yourself to snaps of our latest students' work and news from the course by following us on Instagram @metartlondon.

You can also follow our School of Art, Architecture and Design on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date with everything that's happening in our creative community.

Discover Uni – key statistics about this course

Discover Uni is an official source of information about university and college courses across the UK. The widget below draws data from the corresponding course on the Discover Uni website, which is compiled from national surveys and data collected from universities and colleges. If a course is taught both full-time and part-time, information for each mode of study will be displayed here.

When to apply

The University and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) accepts applications for full-time courses starting in September from one year before the start of the course. Our UCAS institution code is L68.

If you will be applying direct to the University you are advised to apply as early as possible as we will only be able to consider your application if there are places available on the course.