Why study this course?
This is a top-up version of our Fine Art BA (Hons) degree. A top-up degree is the final year (Level 6) of an undergraduate degree course and is for those who have a foundation degree, Higher National Diploma or equivalent qualification, or those wishing to study the final year of their degree in London.
On this superb fine art degree you’ll be taught by internationally renowned artists in our state-of-the-art facilities, attend international events and gain all the skills and expertise you'll need to succeed as an artist.
Our art courses are first in London for overall student satisfaction according to the latest National Student Survey (NSS).
Visit our Fine Art BA online degree show to see what our students have achieved over the past year and celebrate their successes with us!
More about this course
In our School of Art, Architecture and Design, you’ll be studying in a famous art school in one of the busiest contemporary art scenes in Europe. London is home to hundreds of art galleries and museums, 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, providing a collaborative atmosphere that will stimulate your creativity.
With two huge all-student exhibitions taking place, as well as a major degree show every summer, you will have excellent opportunities to showcase your work.
As a final year student you will have the opportunity to explore a topic of your choice in your 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. 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.
Fees and key information
Apply nowEntry requirements
In addition to the University's standard entry requirements, you should have one of the following:
- 240 credits from a Higher National Diploma (HND), Foundation Degree (FdA/ FdSc) or equivalent international qualification in a relevant subject
- 240 credits from years 1 and 2 of an undergraduate degree (BA/BSc) in a relevant subject at a different institution
- a portfolio interview
Suitable applicants living in the UK will be invited to a portfolio interview. Applicants living outside the UK will be required to submit a portfolio of work via email.
Portfolios and interviews
Your portfolio should be selective but have enough work to show the range of your interests and talents. We're interested in seeing how you develop a project from beginning to end, not only finished work.
Physical portfolio
If you are coming in person to your interview we strongly suggest bringing a physical portfolio of work.
Things to bring:
- Sketchbooks – we love to see your sketchbooks with ideas and notes, even if they are messy
- Examples of the development of a project from start to finish and the final outcome
- Some work that you are really proud of and want to talk about
- Some work that shows you experimenting with different processes
Digital portfolio
If you are submitting an online application, please follow these guidelines.
Things to include:
- Scans or photographs demonstrating items from the list above
- Storyboarding for motion-based work
- Scans of sketchbook pages showing development
- Be sure to check the resolution and overall quality of your image to ensure submissions are not pixelated
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 3 modules include:
- 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. - 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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 Vicar, Fine Art graduate
“I am really grateful for all of the support and encouragement provided 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 and I really benefited from learning in this environment.”
Grace Radford, Fine Art graduate
Where this course can take you
Many organisations value a Fine Art graduate’s creativity very highly, and you’ll be joining the School’s proud list of students, 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, 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 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.
How to apply
If you're a UK applicant wanting to study full-time starting in September, you must apply via UCAS unless otherwise specified. If you're an international applicant wanting to study full-time, you can choose to apply via UCAS or directly to the University.
If you're applying for part-time study, you should apply directly to the University. If you require a Student visa, please be aware that you will not be able to study as a part-time student at undergraduate level.
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.
To find out when teaching for this degree will begin, as well as welcome week and any induction activities, view our academic term dates.
.jpg)
,-Janette-Parris.jpg)
