Course Overview
This course provides an opportunity for students to work alongside Internationally acclaimed artists and lecturers to explore the expanding and forever evolving field of contemporary fine art practice. This course creates a learning environment whereby a broad spectrum of interdisciplinary opportunities exist. This articulation between concept and media is a fundamental characteristic of the Marts Fine Art course at UWTSD Swansea.
Students would be expected to enrol on a four-year (480-credit) programme but with the option to leave with a BA(Hons) once 360 credits have been achieved. The fourth year is designed to facilitate the creation of creative enterprises or collaborative working with industry. The programme aims to educate creative individuals proficient in meeting the needs of contemporary and future demand. The programme is underpinned by the Research and Knowledge Transfer activities of the faculty as a whole.
Key Features
Students will work on live projects with artists and galleries from the second year and go onto liaise with external clients within their 4th year. Connections that staff have with local galleries enable an on-going integration with the local art community. Many of our students have gained employment with established galleries including the Mission Gallery, Glynn Vivian, Oriel Bach and Elysium Gallery.
Staff are internationally renowned artists alongside being excellent tutors of art practice. Students will have the opportunity to work alongside these artists as they bring their own research into the learning environment. The diverse academic, artistic and professional backgrounds of the Fine Art staff supports the development of students as art practitioners in their own right.
The course offers excellent workshop facilities which include metal, wood, plaster, resin, mould-making, glass, ceramics and 3D printing, together with traditional 2D printing workshops and digital printing. There is also access to water jet and laser cutting machinery that is part of the Institute of Sustainable Design. These workshops encourage experimentation with the widest possible range of processes and display mechanisms. Installation rooms are provided for students to explore the important relationship between object made, space and environment. The understanding of the modes of presentation are intrinsically linked with workshop processes activities and outcome.
Modules
Level 4
- Introduction to Material Practice
- Construction and Deconstruction
- Visual Studies 1
- Ways of Thinking Conceptual Development
- Site and Audience
- Visual Studies 2
- Ways of Perceiving
Level 5
- Concept and Process Research as Practice
- Visual Enquiry 1
- Creative Research
- Student-Led Project
- Professional Practice
- Visual Enquiry 2
- Research Practices
Level 6
- Major Project and External Liaison
- Dissertation
- Marketing & Self Promotion
- Advanced Creative Enquiry
Level 7
- The Thought Experiment
- Advanced Critical Thinking Advanced Professional Practice (option A) or
- Advanced Professional Practice (option B)
- Principal Project
International
Erasmus
During your time with us you will have the opportunity to study abroad with the Erasmus exchange programmes currently running with Universities in Norway, Barcelona and Sweden.
Study Abroad
Students can also take up the opportunity to study a semester in the USA and Canada.
For more information please click here.
Course Tutor(s)
- Dr Catrin Webster
- Craig Wood
- Professor Sue Williams
- Professor Tim Davies
- Dr Paul Jeff
- Sarah Tombs
- Marilyn Allen
Assessment
Assessment is carried out through coursework, both written and practical. There are no exams on this course. Students are formatively assessed throughout a module, summative assessment takes place at the end of a module. A variety of teaching and learning methods are used throughout the course which include;
Lectures
Usually at the start of a scheduled contact period, lectures will generally consist of a formal presentation giving information relevant to the module, accompanied by visuals, and followed by a screening or group tutorial/activity.
Group Tutorials
Depending on the cohort size, module content and individual lecturer preferences, these are usually in groups of no more than six students at a time and delivered over a set period.
Individual Tutorials
Most often scheduled for level 5 and level 6 students, individual tutorials offer a more focused and in-depth opportunity for student feedback and development of ideas. Most often arranged in relation to individual practice modules such as Student Led Projects.
Critiques
Group critiques are scheduled regularly for all year groups. For level 4 these often form part of the assessment at the end of short projects, for levels 5 & 6 they are scheduled for the purpose of interim reviews and work-in-progress feedback, involving student participation and peer criticism.
Workshops
Delivered to teach specific skills to students, group size will depend on subject and room size, can include project work. These are not usually formally marked, but can be subject to group criticism, and informal feedback will be given.
Presentations
Formal presentations by students to peers and staff are used for research and development through to finished work. Students usually begin doing presentations at level 4 in small groups to build confidence in the process. There are then assessed research presentations to peers at level 5 and Major Project Presentations to staff and other year groups in level 6. The presentation is an ideal vehicle for developing individual confidence and transferable skills.
Career Opportunities
Many of our students have gained employment with established galleries including the Mission Gallery, Glynn Vivian, Oriel Bach and Elysium Gallery.
The course encourages students to establish a business as Artist/Designer. Entrepreneurship is fundamental to level 7 of this course.
Related Courses
- BA Fine Art: Studio, Site & Context
- BA Photography in the Arts
- BA Surface Pattern Design (Maker)
- Diploma in Foundation Studies - Art and Design
Additional Costs
Our students have access to a diverse range of equipment and resources, which in most cases are sufficient to complete their programme of study. We provide the basic materials necessary for students to develop their practical work within our extensive workshop and studio facilities. However, it is likely that art and design students will incur some additional costs to extend their investigation of their personal practice. For example, purchasing their own specialised materials and equipment, joining in optional study trips, and printing.
