Fine Art MA Farnham | University for the Creative Arts

Course overview

Are you ready to question, be critical, be curious and be enthusiastic about testing the boundaries of what constitutes fine art practice? Join us on our MA Fine Art course at UCA Farnham do all this and take your own work to the next level.

Our course welcomes fine artists who are looking to re-examine their current work and research.

We want you to critically evaluate your practice and the work of others, constantly developing your visual and conceptual thinking. You'll then establish and refine a research project to be developed into either a practice-based or theoretically-led enquiry beyond graduation.

You’ll be guided by a community of teaching staff comprised of professional artists, curators and theorists, who will also actively promote you and your work in the wider world.

UCA Farnham is renowned for its world-leading research and range of first-class facilities, including bronze foundry, printmaking studios, metals, wood and casting facilities and resources. We provide specialist studio spaces for both full and part-time students, and dedicated technical staff are on hand to support individual projects and give introductions to workshop areas.

Course entry options

Select from the options below to find out more about the different study options available for this course:

What you'll study

What you'll
study

The content of the course may be subject to change. Curriculum content is provided as a guide.

Term one

Critical Perspectives
Through a series of lectures, discussions in seminar sessions and written pieces, you’ll examine the meaning of contemporary practice and methods of working, alongside students from the MFA Photography course.

Together, you’ll learn about the range of theoretical and critical debates which have impacted significantly on recent contemporary practice. As well as understanding how these relate to political and social contexts, you’ll also consider the materials you use, and how they might be placed in wider culture.

Research and Practice
You’ll devise an initial study proposal, in consultation with your tutors. While experimentation and open enquiry is encouraged, you’ll need to present a coherent framework for this investigation, which will be critiqued, discussed and updated as the unit progresses. This will ensure your enquiry remains within and around the focus subjects of current critical debates. You’ll also learn about how best to present your practice externally, as part of your development and growth as an artist.

Term two

Professional Practice and Negotiated Study
Rigorous deconstruction and analysis of your practice from Term 1 will enable you to find focus and identify an area of enquiry for you to focus on. From here, you’ll begin to plan an Independent Project, which will form the foundation for your Final Major Project in the final term.

You’ll be challenged to organise all aspects of the project, from concept to execution through to identifying an external artist-run space in London or the South-east to display it.

Term three

In the third term of the course, you'll apply the knowledge gained through your research to create a final body of work.

Final Major Project
The culmination of your studies throughout the course, we expect your Final Major Project – building upon your Independent Project - to reflect your identity, not only as an artist but as a researcher. You’ll take ownership of and thrive in a chosen area of enquiry, from concept and theory through to practice and public presentation, and beyond as you take your practice further.

Fees and additional costs

Tuition fees - 2023 entry

UK students:

Integrated Pre-Masters course - £10,500
MA course - £10,500

EU students:

Integrated International Pre-Masters course - £10,500 (see fee discount information)
MA course - £10,500 (see fee discount information)

International students:

Integrated International Pre-Masters course (30 weeks) - £17,500
Integrated International Pre-Masters course (15 weeks) - £8,750
MA course - £17,500

Additional course costs
In addition to the tuition fees there may be other costs for your course. The things that you are likely to need to budget for to get the most out of a creative arts education will include books, printing costs, occasional or optional study trips and/or project materials. These costs will vary according to the nature of your project work and the individual choices that you make.

Further information
For more detailed information about our course fees and any financial support you may be entitled to please see our fees and finance pages.

The fees listed here are correct for the stated academic year only. Costs may increase each year during a student’s period of continued registration on course in line with inflation (subject to any maximum regulated tuition fee limit). Any adjustment for continuing students will be at or below the RPI-X forecast rate.

Fee discounts and scholarships

To support our students and alumni to progress to the next level of study, we have developed a new range of fee discounts across a range of courses.

Read more about fee discounts

Course specifications

Please note, syllabus content indicated is provided as a guide. The content of the course may be subject to change in line with our Student Terms and Conditions for example, as required by external professional bodies or to improve the quality of the course.

Noelle Genevier, MA Fine Art, UCA Farnham

Michael Palmer, MA Fine Art, UCA Farnham

Facilities

Fine Art facilities include extensive studio spaces and access to workshops for painting, 2D and 3D laser cutting, sculpture, wood and plaster and mould-making. There are also print studios with relief and block printing, plate or stone lithography, intaglio, letterpress, photopolymer plate printing, and screen-printing. There’s also access to film and photography studios and performance workshops. Our modern library has a wealth of books, journals, special collections and online resources.

View 360 virtual tour

Fine Art studios, UCA Farnham

Print studios, UCA Farnham

Foundry wax and plaster room, UCA Farnham

Library, UCA Farnham

Course connections

Course
connections

Industry links

Our industry links are with publicly-funded galleries and commercial London-based spaces.

We also enjoy links with regional artist groups and artist-run spaces throughout the South East. We work closely with a number of public arts projects throughout the region.

Throughout your studies, you’ll be supported by professional artists, curators and theorists. The department has a rich tradition in the teaching and exploration of fine art, and many of our staff are research practitioners, contributing to the wider development of knowledge within their specialist areas.

Careers

Graduates from this course go on to work as:

Professional artists
Curators
Arts administrators
Community artists
Technicians
Lecturers and teachers.

Further study

You may also wish to progress onto a PhD or MPhil research degree.

Explore our Gradshow

Visit our grad show site to see the incredible work created by our graduating students

Visit the Gradshow website

Shamini Holloway

"I was really impressed by UCA Farnham. The environment was great and quickly felt like home, in fact, it still does! The facilities and expertise of staff across all disciplines was exactly what I needed to progress my project to the next stage of realisation."

Entry requirements

UK entry requirements

MA course

An honours degree or equivalent qualification in the subject or a related discipline

and/or

Relevant work experience, demonstrating your ability to study at postgraduate level.

Consideration will also be given to applicants who can make a strong case for admission in relation to a particular project and can demonstrate their potential to satisfactorily complete the course.

International and EU entry requirements

Check the equivalent qualifications for your country and the English language requirements:

Non-UK equivalent qualifications

English language requirements

Any additional entry requirements listed in the UK requirements section, e.g., subject requirements, work experience or professional qualifications, also apply to international applicants applying with equivalent qualifications.

MA course with Integrated International Pre-Masters course
A recognised bachelor degree or 3 year diploma with a strong portfolio in a relevant subject.

Don't meet the international entry requirements or English language requirements?
You may be able to enter the course through the following entry pathways:

Portfolio requirements

MA course

We’ll need to see your visual or written portfolio for review. We’ll invite you to upload your portfolio online via your Applicant Portal – further information will be provided once you have applied. If you would prefer to meet the Academic Team in person for a review of your work on campus, this can also be arranged for you.

More portfolio advice