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Student painting in a studio

Your learning experience

Our distinctive degrees support your individual development and allow you to navigate your way through artistic practice and theory.
 
You’ll be fully immersed in the creative process, exploring different artistic techniques through a range of teaching, participation and collaboration.
 
Your practice will cover everything from painting, sculpture, photography, printmaking, performance, digital art and video.

Creative teaching methods

Our flexible degrees combine innovative modules, industry partnerships, creative teaching and critical thinking.

Studio teaching

students taking part in a clay workshop

You'll spend most of your time in the studio exploring different media and techniques, combining staff-led sessions with your independent practice. 

Gain feedback on your work through small group critiques with fellow students, and have regular one-to-one tutorials with tutors to guide your development.

Seminars

Students reviewing artwork

Your practical studies are complemented by seminars to strengthen your academic skills in visual analysis, research, and the contemporary theories and histories of art.

Artist talks

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An inspiring programme of guest speakers will introduce you to different areas and themes within the art world.

Field trips

Group of students outside on a field trip
Regular field trips to galleries, art institutions and exhibitions will teach you about the diverse nature of art and the importance of audience interpretation.

Exhibitions

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Opportunities to exhibit and collaborate with regional, national and international artists and curators will develop your professional practice and skills and knowledge.

Placements

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Work placements give you the opportunity to improve your employability by applying your skills in a professional capacity, often by working with our own academics on their research projects.

Technical and material sessions

Throughout your degree, you will have access to a variety of ‘material sessions’ that focus on your development of material, technical and conceptual knowledge in a wide range of media. 

From painting to pop music, glass, text-based art, slip casting, VR and documentary film, the sessions combine the expertise of our staff with student interests.

Audiovisual workshop

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Shoot your own videos and photos in our audiovisual (AV) studio, complete with green screen, lighting and camera equipment. We also have a dedicated animation studio for creating stop-frame animations.

Digital workshop

Students sitting at computers, taking part in a digital workshop
Create in our computer suite, equipped with the latest software for image, video and sound editing and complemented by our dedicated video editing suite and sound recording booth.

Fabrication workshop

Students taking part in a fabrication workshop
Use a range of tools and machines designed for 3D work in wood, metal, ceramics, textiles, and glass. For 2D work: screen printing, a photographic darkroom, etching, and letter press.

Learn through practical experience

Collaborate on innovative projects with a range of exhibitions and activities

We provide lots of opportunities for real-world experience, allowing you to raise your profile by taking part in exhibitions, events and work placements.


Study abroad

Our Study Abroad option is available in the autumn term of your second or third year, giving you the opportunity to study at one of our partner Universities overseas.
 
We’ll help you decide where to go and for how long, guide you through the application process, and support you when you’re abroad.

 

To find out more about the benefits of studying abroad, and discover where you could go, visit the Study Abroad website.
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Tate Exchange partnership

Students enjoying activities as part of  Tate Exchange

Each year, students and staff from the School take over Tate Exchange at Tate Modern to deliver free workshops and activities. 

The scheme gives students the opportunity to develop their leadership and event management skills, bringing creative ideas to life with members of the public. 

More about the Tate Exchange partnership.

International study opportunities

Students admiring a building on a study trip to Madrid
As an international team of staff and students, we are keen to promote a global perspective on art.
 
For some degrees we offer an International Study module which involves a week-long supervised study trip to a major European city. Recent centres have included Berlin, Madrid, Vienna, Cologne, Paris and Venice.

 

We also continually develop international exchange partnerships with opportunities for exhibiting abroad.