Structure
Course Structure
We offer a practical, seminar and research based course, which has core and optional modules. The core modules will enable you to develop your individual area of practice and enquiry, and the option modules will enable you to reflect critically on the theories and contexts appropriate to your individual art practice. The taught option modules are delivered in the evenings across the week in both the postgraduate certificate stage.
Individual study is central to the course which can be determined through art and design disciplines: painting, sculpture, print, photography, graphic design, illustration, product design, advertising, installation, performance, film and video as well as digital media and web-based work. While your work may be discipline-specific, you will be encouraged to consider the full range of material offered in the Arts Based Masters programme. You will be expected to complete extended essays for option modules chosen and this will help extend your range of research in relation to contemporary culture and current debate. The final Master’s stage submission is major project
You will have the opportunity to both enhance your existing skills and acquire new skills throughout the course. Students are encouraged to visit exhibitions and events regularly, and our regional, national and periodic international study visits will provide inspiration, while the extensive programme of professional practice lectures and seminars, delivered by visiting artists, curators and writers will enable you to learn from some of the best in the field. Our academic members of staff are all research active and are available for advice and guidance.
You will leave the course with an appreciation of research methods and techniques appropriate to art and design disciplines, as well as the professional knowledge that is required to practice in the field. Learning is predominately through lectures, workshops and seminars with opportunities to use multimedia and technology as and when appropriate
You’ll be supported by our team of permanent staff and visiting lecturers, who between them provide a wide range of expertise. All are actively engaged in research and several are recognised experts in their field. The programme is delivered mainly by practice based workshops, lectures and seminars, with assessment being based on coursework. There are no formal examinations.
The programme comprises Postgraduate Certificate, Diploma, and MA stages. In the final MA stage you are required to produce a major project based on your research and development.
Tutorials will encourage your individual development and incorporate Personal Development Planning (PDP), a structured system helping you to plan your own progress through the course. Your learning will be enhanced by opportunities for study visits to galleries and museums. There are strong links with local museums and art galleries whose staff contribute to the course. Optional placements can usually be arranged to provide experience and a greater understanding of professional practice in the field.
Core Modules
Advanced Practice 1 and Advanced Practice 2 (30 credits each)
These are practical components that allow students to develop and shape their own visual arts practice through a highly flexible and responsive programme of study. Students are encouraged to write individual proposals, which can involve working on studio based projects or taking their work into the wider community. This module is supported with regular tutorials and formative assessment. Students will work a broad spectrum of interdisciplinary art and design practice and will participate in workshops such as printmaking, photography and 3 Dimensional processes.
Research in Practice (15/30 credits)
This module is designed to allow students to build into their research elements of professional engagement. Students are encouraged to develop industry contacts in their chosen field as part of a professional practice. This engagement with the ‘real world’ will result in a research portfolio and will be supplemented by regular talks from visiting experts from a range of backgrounds. Additionally a lecture and tutorial programme provides you with practical advice and skills for employment/self employment.
Final Project (60 credits)
In the MA stage, students will have prepared themselves to embark on a major piece of work, this may comprise several projects or be one specific task. It will provide the opportunity for a student to test their research and findings from the PG Certificate and the PG Diploma stages of the course and realise a practical proposal that will be made and exhibited in a public show. This module is supported with regular tutorials and formative assessment.
Option Modules (15 Credits)
The option modules will enable you to reflect critically on the theories and contexts appropriate to your individual art practice. The taught option modules are delivered in the evenings across the week in both the postgraduate certificate stage.
Students are given a wide choice of modules that cover the range of expertise across the School and can choose up to 3 ‘option’ modules to take over the course of the PG Certificate and PG diploma stages of the course. The subjects range from ‘Art in the Public Realm’ to ‘Strategic Marketing in the Arts’ and are delivered by experts in their field. This is a unique feature of the School of Art and has been designed to offer a student a rich and enhanced programme of study. Staff are available to help a student decide which options may be the most useful for their creative development.
Tutorials will encourage individual development and incorporate Personal Development Planning (PDP), a structured system helping students to plan their own progress through the course. Learning will be enhanced by opportunities for study visits to galleries and museums as well as a visiting lecture programme.
Practice staff work in one or more of the following: digital media, photography, graphic design, illustration, photography, printmaking, film, installation, painting, performance, print and sculpture
The course is delivered by a team of practical and theoretic tutors as well as visiting industry practioners from graphic and fine art areas.