University of East London Homepage

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

Mar 2012

Profile

The summary - UCAS programme profile

Fine Art is a studio based programme. Students are able to use any appropriate media including painting, sculpture, installation, video, 16mm film, and printmaking.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Students are selected on their suitability for the programme by interview with portfolio. You will have competed an Art and Design Foundation programme or equivalent BTEC, GNVQ or Access programme of at least one year’s duration.

Entrants should normally have at least 200 UCAS points; however this requirement may be waived when students have been interviewed with portfolio and deemed suitable for the programme by the Programme Leader.

Direct entry into Level 2 is also possible if you have successfully completed Level 1 at another institution or into Level 3 if you have successfully completed Levels 1 and 2 at another institution.

Students may be admitted through Accreditation of Experiential Learning (AEL) or Accreditation of Certificated Learning (ACL) processes.

In the case of applicants whose first language is not English, then IELTS 5.5 (or equivalent) is required.  International qualifications will be checked for appropriate matriculation to UK Higher Education undergraduate programmes.

ABOUT THE PROGRAMME

What is Fine Art?

Fine Art is a studio based programme offering painting, sculpture, installation, film, video, printmaking and any other media appropriate to the realisation of your practice.

It is an independent research based programme and students develop their individual practice supported by seminars, tutorials, exhibitions, workshops and a visiting artist programme.

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.

Dialogue across the programme is complemented by the integration of a wide range of media and approaches from both students and the staff who are all practicing artists. This encourages an independent approach to studio practice.

Programme structure

The Fine Art programme is a three year full time programme

It is also possible to study as a part time student, this usually takes five years.

There is also the opportunity to study as a combined honours student .In his way you can construct your own programme of study - e.g. Fine Art and Creative Writing

All students are allocated a studio space and a personal tutor on day one of the programme

Learning environment

 The learning environment is centred on individual studio practice and theoretical research and learning to develop creative practice. 

Students are supported in this through:

Workshops

Weekly seminars based around student’s work

Regular tutorials about student’s self directed studio practice

A programme of visiting artists and studio visits, offering the opportunity to engage in discussion with artists about their work

Exhibitions of work both at internal and external venues

The programme is supported by a wide range of theory modules, many of them specifically designed 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 at the end of the academic year by exhibition, oral presentation or digital presentation to members of staff.

Single modules are assessed at the end of the semester in which they are taken by exhibition, presentation or portfolio.

Level 3 culminates in the final year exhibition, when your achievement is demonstrated and assessed through an exhibition of your work.

The marks from your first year of study do not count towards your final degree classification.

Work experience/placement opportunities

Students are able to take visual theory modules which offer the opportunity to gain experience on a placement or experience in the workplace.

Throughout the programme students are able to engage in aspects of professional practice through exhibitions at external venues, exchange exhibitions, working with external organisation, visits to artist’s studios, talks by practicing artists with national and international reputations.

Project work

Throughout the programme you have the opportunity to develop your work in collaboration with other students and to work on external projects. These are seen as integral to your own studio practice and are not separately assessed.

Added value

The programme is located in purpose built studios within the School of Architecture and the Visual Arts on the Docklands Campus. All students in the building are taking programme in the arts or architecture and this creates a stimulating creative environment with the opportunity for discourse across programmes.

The campus is situated in the creative heartland of East London and area that offers the largest group of artists, studios and galleries in London. 

The programme has additional studio space at Trinity Buoy Wharf.

IS THIS THE PROGRAMME FOR ME?

If you are interested in...

Working in a studio

Exhibiting work

Meeting artist in their studios and visiting exhibitions

Developing a personal art practice

Meeting recent graduates who have already established their own studios or are on post-graduate programmes

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 external venues as well as 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

Many set up studios and develop careers as artists

Some pursue careers in teaching, galleries or in arts administration

Others develop the self motivation and entrepreneurial skills they have developed at University to build various businesses and careers

How we support you

The programme offers strong personal tutorial and professional guidance. Students are assigned a personal tutor during the first week. All students are able to request a tutorial from any member of the Fine Art staff who are all practicing artists – many with national and international reputations. There are also year tutors responsible for each level of the programme.

UEL provides a comprehensive range of student support services

Bonus factors

 

Artist and critics of international reputation visit and lecture on the programme

Richard Wilson is the visiting Professor for Fine Art

AVA provides a gallery space for student exhibitions

The programme is located close to the vibrant East London gallery scene and all the major art venues in London

In addition to well equipped workshops in all the usual Fine Art processes including Printmaking we have 16mm film, bronze casting and large scale digital printing facilities.

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 the demands of exhibition

Thinking skills

  • The ability to find inventive and creative solutions to problems
  • Self reflection and analysis
  • Analytical skills

Subject-Based Practical skills

  • Specialised skills relevant to the development of independent practice in all media offered
  • Relevant skills for 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 and as part of a team
  • Ability to plan effectively
  • Verbal articulation

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 expected duration of this programme is 3 years when attended in full-time mode or 5years in part-time mode.  It is possible to move from a full-time mode of study to a part-time mode of 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 student, in full-time attendance mode of study, will register for 120 credits in an academic year. A student in a part-time mode of study may register for up to 80 credits in any academic year.

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.

LEVELMODULE CODETITLE

SKILLS MODULE

(Insert Y where appropriate)

CREDITSSTATUS
SINGLE		STATUS
MAJOR		STATUS JOINTSTATUS MINOR

1

 FA1001

Introduction to Fine Art

 

40

Core

Core

Core 

Core 

1

 FA1002

Fine Art Workbench

 

40

Core

 

 

 

1

 FA1004

Live Art

 

20

Option

Option

Option 

 

1

 FA1005

Bronze Casting

 

20

Option

Option

Option

 

1

 FA1006 

Introduction to Drawing

 

20

Option

Option

 Option

 

1 

 VT1013

Study Skills for Academic Learning

 Y

20 

Core 

Core 

Core* 

 

-

 

-

 

-

-

-

 

 

2

FA2001 

Sculpture

 Y

40

Option

Option

 Option

Option 

2

 FA2003

Sculpture

 Y

40

Option

Option

 Option

Option 

2

 FA2055

Painting and printmaking

 Y

40

Option

Option

 Option

Option 

2

 FA2007

Painting and printmaking

 Y

40

Option

Option

 Option

Option 

-

 

-

 

-

-

-

 

 

3

 FA3001

Sculpture

 

40

Option

Option

 Option

Option 

3

 FA3003

Sculpture

 

40

Option

Option

 Option

Option 

3

 FA3005

Painting and Printmaking

 

40

Option

Option

 Option

Option 

3

 FA3007

Painting and Printmaking

 

40

Option

Option

 Option

Option 

3

 FA3009

Advanced Processes

 Y

20

Core

Core

 Core*

 

The Skills Modules listed in the Joint Route are Core, unless the equivalent Skills Modules are taken in your other combined subject.

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 tutorials
  • Practical studio work
  • Visiting artists lectures and visits to studios
  • Exhibition and gallery visits

Thinking skills are developed through

  • Seminars and tutorials
  • Presentations and exhibitions
  • Independent studio practice

Practical skills are developed through

  • Projects and workshops
  • Technical demonstrations
  • Independent studio practice
  • Making and exhibiting

Skills for life and work (general skills) are developed through

  • Practical studio work
  • Presenting and exhibiting
  • Seminars and discussion
  • workshops

Assessment

Knowledge is assessed by

  • Articulation of ideas through;
  • a power point presentation at the end of level 1
  • an end of year exhibition and discussion at level 2
  • an end of year exhibition at level 3

Thinking skills are assessed by

 
  • oral presentation with power point at the end of level 1
  • discussion in exhibition of student’s work at the end of Level 2
  • realisation of ideas through work produced

Practical skills are assessed by

 
  • presentation of work at exhibition
  • presentation of work through power point presentations
  • quality of the artefact

Skills for life and work (general skills) are assessed by

  • oral and power point presentations
  • the quality of the work
  • decision made in relation to editing and installing work for exhibition

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:

  • Module evaluations
  • Student representation on programme committees
  • Feedback at weekly seminars
  • Tutorials

Students are notified of the action taken through:

  • circulating the minutes of the programme committee
  • providing details on the programme noticeboard
  • weekly seminars

Listening to the views of others

The following methods are used for gaining the views of other interested parties:

  • Annual student satisfaction questionnaire
  • Questionnaires to former students
  • Feedback from professionals visiting the programme

Further Information

Alternative locations for studying this programme

LocationWhich elements?Taught by UEL staffTaught by local staffMethod of Delivery

-

-

-

-

-

Where you can find further information

Further information about this programme is available from:

Information for screenreader users:

For a general description of these pages and an explanation of how they should work with screenreading equipment please follow this link: Link to general description

For further information on this web site’s accessibility features please follow this link: Link to accessibility information