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MA Fine Art

  • Year of entry
    2023/24
  • Course duration
    Full Time:  12 months
  • Year of entry
    2023/24
  • Course duration
    Full Time:  12 months

Our MA Fine Art programme, delivered by dynamic, high-profile international artists, and an additional guest artist, focuses on exhibitions and professional practice.

You will develop creative inquisitiveness and prepare for the professional art world or further research at doctoral level.

All of our staff are practising artists, curators and writers, and our research-led teaching offers opportunities for you to engage with exhibition and curatorial initiatives, theoretical texts and publication projects. You will also be taught by a range of internationally acclaimed artists through our visiting artists lecture programme.

Art is an active department with events, performances, screenings and shared discussion across disciplines that create a social environment. We pride ourselves on the quality and vibrancy of our 24-hour studio community. As a student on one of our master’s courses, you will find yourself part of a vibrant postgraduate community and intellectual environment, including staff and PhD students.

You will have the opportunity to gain teaching experience, with the support of a mentor, on our undergraduate programmes.

Our postgraduate environment extends out from Reading through our external exhibitions, symposia and workshops. Participate in our Asia exhibition network with opportunities to exhibit in Japan, China and South Korea. Our external partnerships support professional opportunities with world-leading institutions. This includes our most recent partnership with the Tate Exchange at Tate Modern. 

The Reading School of Art is internationally renowned, with 97% of our research judged to be of international standing^ and 100% of our research impact classed as outstanding or very considerable†.

For more information, please visit the Reading School of Art website.

^REF 2021, combining 4*, 3* and 2* submissions – Art and Design: History, Practice and Theory; Art

†REF 2021, combining 4* and 3* submissions – Art and Design: History, Practice and Theory; Art

Overview

Our MA Fine Art programme, delivered by dynamic, high-profile international artists, and an additional guest artist, focuses on exhibitions and professional practice.

You will develop creative inquisitiveness and prepare for the professional art world or further research at doctoral level.

All of our staff are practising artists, curators and writers, and our research-led teaching offers opportunities for you to engage with exhibition and curatorial initiatives, theoretical texts and publication projects. You will also be taught by a range of internationally acclaimed artists through our visiting artists lecture programme.

Art is an active department with events, performances, screenings and shared discussion across disciplines that create a social environment. We pride ourselves on the quality and vibrancy of our 24-hour studio community. As a student on one of our master’s courses, you will find yourself part of a vibrant postgraduate community and intellectual environment, including staff and PhD students.

You will have the opportunity to gain teaching experience, with the support of a mentor, on our undergraduate programmes.

Our postgraduate environment extends out from Reading through our external exhibitions, symposia and workshops. Participate in our Asia exhibition network with opportunities to exhibit in Japan, China and South Korea. Our external partnerships support professional opportunities with world-leading institutions. This includes our most recent partnership with the Tate Exchange at Tate Modern. 

The Reading School of Art is internationally renowned, with 97% of our research judged to be of international standing^ and 100% of our research impact classed as outstanding or very considerable†.

For more information, please visit the Reading School of Art website.

^REF 2021, combining 4*, 3* and 2* submissions – Art and Design: History, Practice and Theory; Art

†REF 2021, combining 4* and 3* submissions – Art and Design: History, Practice and Theory; Art

Entry requirements

IELTS: 6.5 overall with no element less than 6.0 (or equivalent).

Entry requirements: Normally a good undergraduate honours degree (2:1 or above) or equivalent from a university outside the UK. You should include a portfolio of current work, a written statement about your practice and a programme of research you wish to pursue.

Pre-sessional English language programme

If you need to improve your English language score, you can take a pre-sessional English course prior to entry onto your degree.

  • Find out the English language requirements for our courses and our pre-sessional English programme

Structure

  • Year 1

Compulsory modules include:

X

Module details


Title:

Critical Art Practice and Exhibition

Code:

FAMCB

Convenor:

MS Christine Ellison

Summary:

This is a studio-based module that provides a critical and supportive environment in which students develop practice-based research informed by the current discourses on contemporary art.

Assessment Method:

Project 100%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

X

Module details


Title:

Dissertation

Code:

FAMDB

Convenor:

PROF Alun Rowlands

Summary:

This module is designed to develop students' abilities in conducting and writing up an extended research project.

Assessment Method:

Dissertation 100%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Code Module Convenor
FAMCB Critical Art Practice and Exhibition MS Christine Ellison
FAMDB Dissertation PROF Alun Rowlands

Optional modules include:

X

Module details


Title:

Art, Power, Politics

Code:

FAMAP

Convenor:

DR Pil Kollectiv

Summary:

This module examines the relationship between critical ideas and influential artworks in contemporary art.

Assessment Method:

Assignment 100%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

X

Module details


Title:

Mapping the Art World

Code:

FAMMA

Convenor:

MISS Kirsten Cooke

Summary:

The module examines landmark exhibitions, the proliferation of museums and the emergence of the biennial and art fair. The module covers different historical examples sampling of galleries, dealers, artists, critics and collectors in selected decades as a means of understanding new developments in art.

Assessment Method:

Project 100%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

X

Module details


Title:

International Study Visit

Code:

FAMSV

Convenor:

PROF Alun Rowlands

Summary:

This module involves a week long supervised study trip to a major European art centre (there is also 1 lecture in Week 2 of the Autumn term). Students see and experience contemporary art at first hand and also benefit from the knowledge and expertise of accompanying academic staff. Recent centres have included Berlin, Madrid, Vienna, Cologne, Paris and Venice.

Assessment Method:

Assignment 100%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Code Module Convenor
FAMAP Art, Power, Politics DR Pil Kollectiv
FAMMA Mapping the Art World MISS Kirsten Cooke
FAMSV International Study Visit PROF Alun Rowlands

These are the modules that we currently offer. They may change for your year of study as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Fees

New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £12,100

New international students: £25,800

Tuition fee information

The fees listed are for full-time study, unless otherwise stated. Fee information will be confirmed in offer letters sent out to successful applicants. You can find further information, including information for part-time study, through our dedicated fees and funding page.

EU student fees

With effect from 1 August 2021, new EU students will pay international tuition fees. For exceptions, please read the UK government’s guidance for EU students.

Additional costs

Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.

Financial support for your studies

You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.

Careers

Our programme is designed to prepare you for either a professional career or further research at doctoral level. It also provides you with the time and expertise necessary to pursue a career as an artist. 

Overall, 88% of graduates from Art are in work or further study within 15 months of graduation. [1]

Our postgraduate teaching assistance scheme provides teaching experience and mentoring for master’s students interested in teaching, museum and gallery education. A number of our students also continue their research interests in contemporary art through PhD study.

[1] Based on our analysis of HESA data © HESA 2022, Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019/20 includes all Art responders.

For me, the most important part of the MFA is its international scope. There has been a whole range of opportunities where we have had the chance to go abroad and learn from other people. My MFA at Reading has not only taught me to be an aspiring artist, but also how to be a professional practitioner ready for the demands of the industry.

Adam Stead
MA Fine Art

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