Programme Specification for Fine Art BA Honours
|
Final award |
BA Honours |
|
Intermediate awards available |
BA (without honours), Diploma of Higher Education, Certificate of Higher Education |
|
UCAS code |
W100 |
|
Details of professional body accreditation |
N/A |
|
Relevant QAA Benchmark statements |
Art and Design |
|
Date specification last up-dated |
October 2009 |
Profile
The summary - UCAS programme profile
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
- To enter Level One you should have successfully completed a Foundation, BTEC, Portfolio or Access programme.
- Entry to Year Zero is by portfolio
- Direct entry into Level Two is also possible if you have completed Level One or equivalent elsewhere
ABOUT THE PROGRAMME
What is Fine Art?
- Fine Art is a studio-based involving practice in Painting, Sculpture, Installation, Film, Video, Printmaking, and any other appropriate media.
- It is part of an extended degree i.e. although most students enter Year One via Foundation or equivalent it is also possible to enter directly through Year Zero.
Fine Art at UEL
- The Fine Art programme at UEL attracts students with a wide range of background and experience.
- The diversity of the student group contributes a richly stimulating dialogue to the programme.
- This is complemented by the integration of a wide range of media and approaches from both students and staff, who are all practicing artists.
- This encourages an independent approach to studio practice, and results in work of outstanding quality and originality.
Programme structure
- The Fine Art programme is a three year full time programme
- There is also a part-time route, usually lasting five years.
- All students are allocated a studio space and a Personal Tutor on day one of the programme.
- First Year students are encouraged to be experimental and engage in a number of projects involving a wide range of media and attitudes
- By the end of the first term they are developing their work individually with the support of their Personal Tutor.
Learning environment
- The programme is mainly studio and workshop based
- There are weekly seminars and regular tutorials
- There is a programme of visiting Artists and studio visits, offering the opportunity to engage in discussion with artists about their work
- There is an annual study trip abroad, offering the opportunity of a concentrated period of time visiting galleries, museums and architectural sites, with the fresh perspective afforded by a foreign culture and surroundings
- Recent trips have been to Barcelona, New York, Rome, Bilbao
- The programme is supported by a wide range of theory modules, many of them designed specifically to complement the studio experience of Fine Art students
Assessment
- Most Fine Art studio modules are double modules that last all year; they are assessed once a year by exhibition or presentation. Some modules are available as single modules to allow Combined Studies students more flexibility.
- The culminates with the Degree Shows, when students' achievement is demonstrated and assessed through an exhibition of their work
- The marks from first year do not count towards the degree mark, and third year marks count as double that of second year, so the final award classification is strongly weighted towards the Degree Show.
Work experience/placement opportunities
- Students have the opportunity to do a 'Residency' module, which involves placement as an artist with a client group in the community e.g. in a school, drug rehab centre, nature reserve, boxing club, museum, hospital.
- For some students this experience has provided a vital catalyst for their development as an artist
- There is an annual working trip to Portland for First Year students, who work in the workshops of the Portland Sculpture and Quarry Trust, at the Tout Quarry, or in the landscape.
- This trip is often a seminal experience for Fine Art students.
Project work
- Exhibiting is seen as an important aspect of Fine Art, and students are encouraged to exhibit both within the institution and outside.
- In 2002-3 UEL students installed site specific work at the Stratford Circus as part of 'Public Address' a collaborative project with Central St Martins and Wimbledon School of Art
- In 2002-3 students worked with Richard Wilson, the UEL Sculpture Fellow, on his live piece 'Butterfly', helping him to resurrect a crumpled light aircraft at the Wapping Project.
- In 2003-4 students installed work on his boat/artwork 'Slice of Reality' the sliced ship commissioned for the millennium celebrations and permanently moored by the Millennium Dome
Added value
- Some students have developed careers through their involvement in the Residency programme
- Others have gained employment through their participation in the annual working trip to Portland.
IS THIS THE PROGRAMME FOR ME?
If you are interested in...
- Working in a studio
- Exhibiting or installing work in non-gallery situations
- Meeting artists in their studios and visiting exhibitions
- Developing a personal art practice
- Meeting recent graduates who have already established their own studios or are on a post-graduate programme
If you enjoy...
- Working independently
- Discussing your work within a supportive, ambitious, and varied group of students
- Being experimental within your work
- Working with a wide range of media
If you want...
- To become very focussed and ambitious about your studio practice
- To Work in public spaces as well as in the studio
- To equip yourself to establish a studio of your own
Your future career
- Many of our graduates go on to study at post-graduate institutions such as the Royal College of Art and the Slade (16 in Sept 2002)
- Others establish their own studios and develop careers as independent artists
- Some pursue careers in teaching, museum services or in arts administration
- Others use the self-motivation and entrepreneurial skills they have developed at college to build varied businesses and careers e.g. directing pop videos, model making for the V&A, artists assistant e.g. to Damien Hirst, Anthony Gormley
How we support you
- You are assigned a Personal Tutor during your first week at UEL
- All the tutors are practicing artists in their own right, and have a very good understanding of their students' needs and ambitions
- Year Tutors run weekly seminars where wider issues affecting students are discussed as well as the work itself
- Student accommodation is available on the Docklands site
- There is a network of recent graduates who pass on experience of finding studios and exhibiting
Bonus factors
- The programme is located close to the vibrant East London gallery scene, and all the major art venues of London
- The Docklands campus is in an extraordinary location with views over the water to City Airport and Canary Wharf, and is served by the Docklands Light railway, with Cyprus Station right on campus
- Artists and critics of international reputation visit and lecture on the programme
- Richard Wilson is the UEL Sculpture Fellow
- In addition to well equipped workshops for all the usual Fine Art processes we have equipment and processing facilities for 16mm film and large scale (one and a half metres x any length) digital printers.
- The large con programme at Docklands is used for student and staff exhibitions
Outcomes
Programme aims and learning outcomes
What is this programme designed to achieve?
This programme is designed to give you the opportunity to:
- Provide a stimulating, questioning and responsive learning environment
- Develop your individual creative ambitions
- Develop an informed critical understanding
- Develop an awareness of the context for your work within Fine Art practice
What will you learn?
Knowledge
- An understanding of Fine Art Practice as the context for your work
- A specialised awareness of artists working in your and related fields
- An understanding of visual language relevant to your practice
- An understanding of the demands of exhibition
Thinking skills
- The analytical skills appropriate to the subject
- The ability to make fine critical judgements
- The ability to find creative solutions to problems
- The ability to select the media and methods appropriate to an idea
Subject-Based Practical skills
- Specialised skills relevant to your practice e.g. casting, drawing, editing
- Relevant skills for installing/ exhibiting work
- The ability to articulate your work and ideas to a specialist and a general audience
Skills for life and work (general skills)
- Ability to work independently
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Ability to respond positively and inventively to problems
- Ability to plan effectively/ time management
Structure
The programme structure
Introduction
All programmes are credit-rated to help you to understand the amount and level of study that is needed.
One credit is equal to 10 hours of directed study time (this includes everything you do e.g. lecture, seminar and private study).
Credits are assigned to one of 5 levels:
- 0 - equivalent in standard to GCE 'A' level and is intended to prepare students for year one of an undergraduate degree programme
- 1 - equivalent in standard to the first year of a full-time undergraduate degree programme
- 2 - equivalent in standard to the second year of a full-time undergraduate degree programme
- 3 - equivalent in standard to the third year of a full-time undergraduate degree programme
- M - equivalent in standard to a Masters degree
Credit rating
The overall credit-rating of this programme is 360 credits.
Typical duration
The typical duration of this programme is three years full-time or five years part-time. It is possible to move from full-time to part-time study and vice-versa to accommodate any external factors such as financial constraints or domestic commitments. Many of our students make use of this flexibility and this may impact on the overall duration of their study period.
How the teaching year is divided
The teaching year begins in September and ends in June, but some programmes also allow students to join at the start of Semester B, in February. A typical full-time student will study the equivalent of 120 credits over the year. A typical part-time student will study for one day and one evening per week and will complete 60-80 credits.
What you will study when
This programme is part of a modular degree scheme. A typical full-time student will take six 20 credit modules per year. An honours degree student will complete six modules at level one, six at level 2 and six at level 3.
It is possible to bring together modules from one subject with modules from another to produce a combined programme. Subjects are offered in a variety of combinations:
- Single - 120 credits at levels one, two and three with minimum of 40 credits drawn from University Wide Options
- Major - 80 credits at levels one, two and three with a minimum of 20 credits drawn from University Wide Options
- Joint - 60 credits at levels one, two and three with a minimum of 20 credits drawn from University Wide Options
- Minor - 40 credits at levels one, two and three.
Modules are defined as:
Core - Must be taken
Option - Select from a range of identified modules within the field
University Wide Option - Select from a wide range of modules across the University
The following are the core, optional and University Wide Option requirements for the single pathways for this programme.
| LEVEL | TITLE | CREDITS | STATUS SINGLE | STATUS MAJOR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Introduction to Fine Art |
40 |
Core |
Option |
|
1 |
Fine Art Workbench A |
20 |
Core |
Option |
|
1 |
Fine Art Workbench B |
20 |
Core |
Option |
|
1 |
Study Skills for Academic Learning |
20 |
Core |
Core |
|
1 |
Live Art |
20 |
Option |
Option |
|
1 |
Bronze Casting |
20 |
Option |
Option |
|
1 |
Drawing |
20 |
Option |
Option |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
2 |
Sculpture (Tutorial) |
40 |
Option |
Option |
|
2 |
Sculpture (Seminar) |
40 |
Option |
Option |
|
2 |
Sculpture A |
20 |
Option |
Option |
|
2 |
Painting/ printmaking (Tutorial) |
40 |
Option |
Option |
|
2 |
Painting/ Printmaking (Seminar) |
40 |
Option |
Option |
|
2 |
Painting/Printmaking A |
20 |
Option |
Option |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
3 |
Sculpture (Tutorial) |
40 |
Option |
Option |
|
3 |
Sculpture (Seminar) |
40 |
Option |
Option |
|
3 |
Painting/ Printmaking (Tutorial) |
40 |
Option |
Option |
|
3 |
Painting/ Printmaking (Seminar) |
40 |
Option |
Option |
|
3 |
Advanced Processes |
20 |
Core |
Core |
Requirements for gaining an award
In order to gain an honours degree you will need to obtain 360 credits including:
- A minimum of 120 credits at level one or higher
- A minimum of 120 credits at level two or higher
- A minimum of 120 credits at level three or higher
In order to gain an ordinary degree you will need to obtain a minimum of 300 credits including:
- A minimum of 120 credits at level one or higher
- A minimum of 120 credits at level two or higher
- A minimum of 60 credits at level three or higher
In order to gain a Diploma of Higher Education you will need to obtain at least 240 credits including a minimum of 120 credits at level one or higher and 120 credits at level two or higher
In order to gain a Certificate of Higher Education you will need to obtain 120 credits at level one or higher.
In order to gain a Foundation Degree you will need to obtain a minimum of 240 credits including:
- A minimum of 120 credits at level one or higher
- A minimum of 120 credits at level two or higher
(A foundation degree is linked to a named Honours degree onto which a student may progress after successful completion of the Foundation degree.)
Degree Classification
Where a student is eligible for an Honours degree, and has gained a minimum of 240 UEL credits at level 2 or level 3 on the programme, including a minimum of 120 UEL credits at level 3, the award classification is determined by calculating:
|
The arithmetic mean of the best 100 credits at level 3 |
× |
2/3 |
+ |
The arithmetic mean of the next best 100 credits at levels 2 and/or 3 |
× |
1/3 |
and applying the mark obtained as a percentage, with all decimals points rounded up to the nearest whole number, to the following classification
|
70% - 100% |
First Class Honours |
|
60% - 69% |
Second Class Honours, First Division |
|
50% - 59% |
Second Class Honours, Second Division |
|
40% - 49% |
Third Class Honours |
|
0% - 39% |
Not passed |
Assessment
Teaching, learning and assessment
Teaching and learning
Knowledge is developed through
- Seminars and discussion
- Gallery and Studio visits
- Visiting Artist lectures
- Exhibition
- Practical studio work
Thinking skills are developed through
- Seminars and discussion
- Presentation and Exhibition
- Practical studio work
Practical skills are developed through
- Making work
- Presenting and Exhibiting
- Projects and workshops
Skills for life and work (general skills) are developed through
- Practical studio work
- Presenting and Exhibiting
- Seminars and discussion
Assessment
A Mid-year Review informs assessment at each Level.
At the Mid-year Review students make a slide presentation of their work and discuss their progress with their tutor and other staff.
At the end of Semester B an assessment takes place.
At Level 1 this takes the same form as the Mid-year Review
At Level 2 students exhibit their work in the second year show, and the assessment takes the form of a discussion with staff based on the work in the show. Work made earlier in the year but not exhibited is also taken into consideration.
At Levels 1 and 2 students are able to demonstrate their knowledge, thinking skills, practical and general skills by
- Articulating their process
- Articulating the strengths, weaknesses, and ambition of their work
- The quality of their work
At Level 3 assessment is by exhibition, the Degree Show
The students' knowledge, thinking skills, practical and general skills are evidenced by
- The quality of the work
- Decisions made in relation to editing and installing the work
- The development of the work since the Mid-year Review
Quality
How we assure the quality of this programme
Before this programme started
Before the programme started, the following was checked:
- there would be enough qualified staff to teach the programme;
- adequate resources would be in place;
- the overall aims and objectives were appropriate;
- the content of the programme met national benchmark requirements;
- the programme met any professional/statutory body requirements;
- the proposal met other internal quality criteria covering a range of issues such as admissions policy, teaching, learning and assessment strategy and student support mechanisms.
This is done through a process of programme approval which involves consulting academic experts including some subject specialists from other institutions.
How we monitor the quality of this programme
The quality of this programme is monitored each year through evaluating:
- external examiner reports (considering quality and standards);
- statistical information (considering issues such as the pass rate);
- student feedback.
Drawing on this and other information, programme teams undertake the annual Review and Enhancement Process which is co-ordinated at School level and includes student participation. The process is monitored by the University's Quality Standing Committee.
Once every six years an in-depth review of the whole field is undertaken by a panel that includes at least two external subject specialists. The panel considers documents, looks at student work, speaks to current and former students and speaks to staff before drawing its conclusions. The result is a report highlighting good practice and identifying areas where action is needed.
The role of the programme committee
This programme has a programme committee comprising all relevant teaching staff, student representatives and others who make a contribution towards the effective operation of the programme (e.g. library/technician staff). The committee has responsibilities for the quality of the programme. It provides input into the operation of the Review and Enhancement Process and proposes changes to improve quality. The programme committee plays a critical role in the University's quality assurance procedures.
The role of external examiners
The standard of this programme is monitored by at least one external examiner. External examiners have two primary responsibilities:
- To ensure the standard of the programme
- To ensure that justice is done to individual students
External examiners fulfil these responsibilities in a variety of ways including:
- Approving exam papers/assignments
- Attending assessment boards
- Reviewing samples of student work and moderating marks
- Ensuring that regulations are followed
- Providing feedback through an annual report that enables us to make improvements for the future
Listening to the views of students
The following methods for gaining student feedback are used on this programme:
- Student feedback forms returned for each module
- Student representation on programme committees (meeting 3 times a year)
- Weekly Year group seminars are used as a forum for student concerns
Students are notified of the action taken through:
- circulating the minutes of the programme committee
- Studio, Year, or meetings are called to disseminate new information
- providing details on the programme noticeboard
Listening to the views of others
The following methods are used for gaining the views of other interested parties:
- Response from External Assessors
- Response of Visiting Artists
- Former students respond informally
Further Information
Alternative locations for studying this programme
| Location | Which elements? | Taught by UEL staff | Taught by local staff | Method of Delivery |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Where you can find further information
Further information about this programme is available from:
- The UEL web site
- The student handbook
- Module study guides
- UEL Manual of General Regulations and Policies http://www.uel.ac.uk/qa/
- UEL Quality Manual http://www.uel.ac.uk/qa/
- Regulations for the Academic Framework http://www.uel.ac.uk/academicframework/
- UEL Pathway catalogue for the Undergraduate Academic Framework
