BA Art

Explore art across a wide range of forms and contexts with our BA Art course.

BA Art brings together creative practical skills with knowledge of art history and wider cultural contexts. This unique four-year programme begins with a foundational year, giving you the time, focus and resources to explore ideas, take risks and develop expertise in your subject. You also have the opportunity to sample other subjects and spend time abroad.

The course provides you with the tools to develop, make and present your artwork. It fosters your investigative, critically reflective and independent learning through the study and discussion of contemporary art and its histories. Making and critical reflection come together to enable you to develop and articulate your own creative position.

If you are looking for our three-year programme, please visit BA Fine Art.

Facilities for BA Art

Reading School of Art has an extensive range of dedicated facilities in a new building, featuring:

flexible studios open 24 hours a day, seven days a week
specialist workshops in wood, ceramics, metal and printmaking
darkrooms for photography
digital workshops and facilities for film and video editing, imaging, sound, virtual reality and web building tools, and a dedicated audio-visual recording room.

Professional placement

You’ll be encouraged to take advantage of placement opportunities that can develop your professional skills and prepare you for a range of careers. Previous art students at Reading have:

taken part in exhibitions and public art commissions
delivered workshops at the Tate Modern
worked with different artists and designers through organisations such as Studio Voltaire and Frieze Art Fair.

Study Abroad

Study art abroad through our links with other universities. You could study in countries such as the USA, Canada, Australia, South Korea, Hungary, the Czech Republic, France and Switzerland.

You could spend two weeks or a semester abroad, or participate in a summer school abroad.

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.

Past students have participated in week-long international study trips to Madrid and Berlin, while others have participated in an exchange partnership scheme, organising exhibitions with universities in China and Japan.

Year 1

Your first, foundational year provides a stimulating introduction to art and to studying at university. You will:

explore the processes and practicalities of an artist’s studio through guided practical group projects, lectures, skills training, and receiving feedback on your work
start to develop an independent project leading to an exhibition
be introduced to the field of art history and its study, as well as wider contexts in which contemporary art practices operate
have the option of studying a module in another subject, such as climate change, classics, philosophy, politics, printmaking, modern languages, or management.

Year 2

As your studies progress, you’ll have the opportunity to expand your interests through independent studio work. Your learning is informed by:

relevant historical and contemporary precedents
seminars, lectures and extensive specialist skills training
optional international study visits.

Year 2 expands your knowledge through introducing global art discourses and the critiques in which contemporary art is situated.

Year 3

This year offers you additional time, space and support to further develop, refine and establish your intellectual and technical skills. You’ll carry out increasingly independent studio work in preparation for your final year and beyond. You will benefit from:

greater scope for experimentation and risk-taking
diverse and inclusive learning
the opportunity for work-based placements
the option to study abroad (subject to availability).

Year 4

In your final year, you’ll carry out focused studio work with an emphasis on production and presentation skills. We will support you to consolidate your interests into independent research and inquiry. The year will culminate in a dissertation and a comprehensive exhibition.

Overview

Explore art across a wide range of forms and contexts with our BA Art course.

If you are looking for our three-year programme, please visit BA Fine Art.

Facilities for BA Art

Reading School of Art has an extensive range of dedicated facilities in a new building, featuring:

flexible studios open 24 hours a day, seven days a week
specialist workshops in wood, ceramics, metal and printmaking
darkrooms for photography
digital workshops and facilities for film and video editing, imaging, sound, virtual reality and web building tools, and a dedicated audio-visual recording room.

Professional placement

You’ll be encouraged to take advantage of placement opportunities that can develop your professional skills and prepare you for a range of careers. Previous art students at Reading have:

taken part in exhibitions and public art commissions
delivered workshops at the Tate Modern
worked with different artists and designers through organisations such as Studio Voltaire and Frieze Art Fair.

Study Abroad

Study art abroad through our links with other universities. You could study in countries such as the USA, Canada, Australia, South Korea, Hungary, the Czech Republic, France and Switzerland.

You could spend two weeks or a semester abroad, or participate in a summer school abroad.

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.

Learning

Year 1

Your first, foundational year provides a stimulating introduction to art and to studying at university. You will:

explore the processes and practicalities of an artist’s studio through guided practical group projects, lectures, skills training, and receiving feedback on your work
start to develop an independent project leading to an exhibition
be introduced to the field of art history and its study, as well as wider contexts in which contemporary art practices operate
have the option of studying a module in another subject, such as climate change, classics, philosophy, politics, printmaking, modern languages, or management.

Year 2

As your studies progress, you’ll have the opportunity to expand your interests through independent studio work. Your learning is informed by:

relevant historical and contemporary precedents
seminars, lectures and extensive specialist skills training
optional international study visits.

Year 2 expands your knowledge through introducing global art discourses and the critiques in which contemporary art is situated.

Year 3

greater scope for experimentation and risk-taking
diverse and inclusive learning
the opportunity for work-based placements
the option to study abroad (subject to availability).

Year 4

Entry requirements A Level CCC

Select Reading as your firm choice on UCAS and we'll guarantee you a place even if you don't quite meet your offer. For details, see our firm choice scheme.

Our typical offers are expressed in terms of A level, BTEC and International Baccalaureate requirements. However, we also accept many other qualifications.

Typical offer

CCC

All suitable applicants will be interviewed and will need to provide a portfolio of their work.

International Baccalaureate

24 points overall

BTEC Extended Diploma

DMM

UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma

Merit

Extended Project Qualification

In recognition of the excellent preparation that the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) provides to students for University study, we can now include achievement in the EPQ as part of a formal offer.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5, with no component below 5.5

For information on other English language qualifications, please visit our international student pages.

Compulsory modules

Art Studio

Art Studio 1 will introduce you to contemporary art and its global histories, models of practices and practical and professional skills. You will learn the codes of good practice, Health & Safety and sustainability in the studio while being given the opportunity to produce and present artworks that help develop your critically reflective and analytics skills.

Drawing

Expand your drawing competence as you are introduced to a range of different methods, techniques, materials and tools. You will equip a growing range of drawing skills as you develop your ability to choose between them to apply your enhanced proficiency to different contexts and subject specialisms.

History of Art 1

You will be introduced to the diversity of practices and theories that constitute the field of global art and its historicization in the first half of the 20th century. You will study a variety of perspectives, theories and accounts of the development of modernity and their social, geo-political and aesthetic factors.

History of Art 2

You will be introduced to the diversity of practices and theories that constitute in the field of global art and its historicization in late 20th century/early 21st century. You will consider artists and their works alongside a variety of perspectives and theories of different art periods and their social and geo-political factors. You will explore narratives in which a wide range of art practices were shaped.

Optional modules

Drawing Practice

Expand your competence in drawing as you are introduced to a variety of different methods, techniques, materials and tools. You will become equipped with a growing range of drawing skills and develop your ability to choose between them in different contexts and subject specialisms.

Optional Language Modules

These are the modules that we currently offer for 2024/2025 entry. They may be subject to change as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

Compulsory modules

Art Studio 2

History of Art 3

Explore different forms of art writing from criticism and visual analysis to interpretation to digital culture. You will consider how Art History shapes and is shaped as you develop your research and communication skills and reflect critically on the different purposes of art writing.

Art Practice 2

Engage in-depth with a chosen specialism from options including painting, printmaking, sculpture or video. You will gain knowledge on your disciplines specific histories and debate their contemporary relevance as you are guided through demonstrations and self-led experimentation that will develop your practical skills and material understanding.

Art Practice 3

Engage in-depth with a chosen specialism from options including painting, printmaking, sculpture or video. You will master real-world practices in creative industries as you employ skilful and imaginative competence in art techniques, materials and ideas and explore their histories.

Optional modules

History of Art 4

Consider your own artistic concerns in relation to the experiences of visiting speakers. You will become equipped with the knowledge to analyse contemporary ideas, practices and discourses through discussion and theoretical research as you develop an understanding between first-hand account, archival resource and theoretical research.

International Study

Embark on a supervised study visit to a major European art centre where you will encounter and experience contemporary art and art history first hand. You will visit major museums, galleries, and collections as you enhance your understanding of art history beyond an academic context. Recent visits have included Madrid, Berlin, Paris and Venice.

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

Compulsory modules

Art Studio 2b

Learn how to identify and investigate your own interests and concerns through practical engagement in the studio. You will develop your capacity for self-criticism through informed debate alongside your confidence and the ability to present exhibitions.

Situated Art Practice

Shape your understanding of the global and historical diversity of models in artistic. As you work, you will realise your active role as an artist in shaping and being shaped by the world as you effectively apply research methods to your material and present in an appropriate format.

Optional modules

History of Art 5

You will be provided with a rigorous critical forum to consider your own artistic concerns in relation to the experiences of visiting speakers. You will be equipped with the knowledge to compare a range of contemporary ideas, practices and discourses as you develop your communication skills and an understanding of the relationship between first-hand account, archival resource and theoretical research.

Art Practice 4

Engage in-depth with the areas of production and traditions of art practices that have formed in the global histories of art. Within a chosen specialism, you will examine specific histories and debate their contemporary relevance while developing practical skills and material understanding through guided demonstrations and self-led experimentation.

Independent Study with Work Placement

Gain real world experiences developed through intensive investigation into an organisation, museum, or gallery. You will engage as an active and responsible learner, managing your own work schedule and organisation talent that will allow you to nourish your independence and self-motivation.

International Study 2

Art Practice 5

History of Art 6

Develop a critical understanding of a range of historical and philosophical problems that emerge from contemporary art and evaluate the potential solutions. You will also develop a critical understanding of aesthetic and advance your research skills as you format an essay that evaluates the problems and solutions associated with contemporary art from an independent critical position.

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

Compulsory modules

Art Studio 3

Art Dissertation

These are the modules that we currently offer for 2024/25 entry. They may be subject to change as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

Fees

New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £9,250

New international students: £22,350

UK/Republic of Ireland fee changes

UK/Republic of Ireland undergraduate tuition fees are regulated by the UK government. These fees are subject to parliamentary approval and any decision on raising the tuition fees cap for new UK students would require the formal approval of both Houses of Parliament before it becomes law.

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.

Placement year fees

If you spend a full year on placement, you will only pay 15% of your usual tuition fee for that year. For more information, please see our fees and funding pages or contact placements@reading.ac.uk.

Careers

Overall, 89% of our graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of graduating (based on our analysis of HESA data © HESA 2022, Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019/20; includes first degree Art responders).

Our courses will equip you with the knowledge, intellectual ability and practice-led skills you need to make an imaginative and effective contribution to the art world – or the wider creative industries.

As well as producing world-famous artists, Turner prize nominees, and representatives for Britain at the Venice Biennale (Cornelia Parker, Mike Nelson, Bob and Roberta Smith), at Reading School of Art we equip students to be highly employable in a wide range of fields.

Recent employers include Manolo Blahnik, the London Metropolitan Police, the Victoria & Albert Museum, the BBC and University College London.

BA Art

UK/Republic of Ireland fee changes

EU student fees

Additional Costs

Financial support for your studies

Ready for more?