Overview
What exactly distinguishes fine artists? Usually, independent work without a client. Their work may stand out for its beauty or meaningfulness thanks to innovative practice or a high level of craft or conceptual skills. Experimentation and risk-taking are an essential part of their individualism, too.
We're proud of our reputation for igniting the talents of brilliant fine artists with the help and support of some of the biggest names in British art.
This fine art degree will help you specialise in making contemporary art. This interdisciplinary course leads to career paths in the cultural and creative industries. Our fine art students work across a range of disciplines including:
- Drawing
- Painting
- Sculpture
- Installation
- Video
- Photography
- Printmaking,
- Film
- New media involving 3D scanning, virtual reality, augmented reality and robotics.
We offer purpose-built fine art facilities so you'll work in your own personal studio. You'll work in workshops that cater for fine art from film to printmaking, and bronze casting.
This course is in Clearing
Our LLM course is a top choice
UEL’s LLM programme has been recognised as a top choice in the latest PTES survey, achieving 1st place rankings for satisfaction, teaching and more.
Creating Culture & Artistic Practice with renowned artist, Keef Winter | Makers & Mavericks
Internationally celebrated artist and Head of Visual Arts at UEL, Keef Winter gives us his hot takes on performance art and breaks down his process of creating art that draws crowds around the globe.
What makes this course different

1st in London
Our Art courses ranked 1st in London in responses on “Teaching on my course” in the 2024 National Student Survey
(National Student Survey 2024, Results published 10 July 2024)

Purpose-built art facilities
You’ll work in your own personal, purpose-built studio space and in well-equipped workshops that cater for fine art, from 16mm film to print making to bronze casting.
See our facilities
7th in the country
Our Fine Art course is ranked 7th nationally in the Guardian University Guide 2025.

2nd for satisfied with teaching
Our Fine Art courses rank 2nd nationally for satisfied with teaching in the Guardian University Guide 2025.
The Guardian University Guide 2025Course modules
The foundation year is perfect if you want a degree in fine art but you don't meet the standard entry requirements. First, we prepare you for your degree during the foundation year, bringing you up to speed with academic skills and a firm grounding in the subject, then you can go on to do the full undergraduate degree.
Fine art encompasses a diverse range of creative expressions. These include painting, sculpture, and multimedia installations, often exploring complex themes and concepts. It acts as a platform for artists to tell personal stories, make people think, and challenge society's norms. As first years, you will be introduced to elective workshops involving specific and multidisciplinary skills that will allow you to grow in many areas. Alongside these electives, will be art modules that help you contextualise your ideas and practice as creatives. You will have the opportunity to showcase your art work externally at the end of the term.
During your second year, you will become more independent practitioners in your fine art studio and become involved in teamwork learning. Practical and contextual modules will enable you to enhance your fine art creative skills. A discursive environment gives you the space to build up your confidence with fellow students and external guests.
The third year is where you focus your ideas and practice as independent creatives. Preparation for your next step beyond university is supported by practical and contextual study modules. There will be opportunities to test your fine art ideas in external spaces and engage with external projects.
NOTE: Modules are subject to change. For those studying part time courses the modules may vary.
Download course specification
Your future career
As fine art graduates, you will leave as confident and well-connected creatives. Many of our fine art students win places on postgraduate courses run by RCA and the Royal Academy. Other art students set up their own studios or businesses in the arts and creative industries. Each level of study on this fine art course is supported by a creative industry speaker series, allowing you to explore possible art careers for employability and/or entrepreneurship.
Industry links
You will benefit from our close links with the vibrant East London creative scene and all major art venues in the city. You will learn hands-on from practising artists by using your art and fine art skills. The network of links from the University of East London has opened doors to many.
Graduate employers
While some graduates enter traditional art careers, others have entered different industries. Recent graduates work for the Tate and Serpentine galleries, Securitas, Paperchase, Cass Art, Ark Brunel Primary Academy, House of Fraser, Peacocks and Yours Clothing.
Job roles
Our fine art graduates have found work as curators, teachers, freelance artists and in arts administration.
Explore the different career options you can pursue with this degree and see the median salaries of the sector on our Career Coach portal.
Further study
Many of our fine art graduates win places on postgraduate courses run by RCA and the Royal Academy. Or you can stay at UEL and study our MA Fine Art or Prof Doc Fine Art.

I came here at 63, and not once did anyone refer to my age. I loved the course, I learnt so much. It was something I always wanted to do, and it really was a dream come true."Pia Zanelli
BA (Hons) Fine Art
How you'll learn
When not attending timetabled lectures or workshops, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. This will typically involve skills development through online study, reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects and preparing coursework assignments and presentations. Your independent learning is supported by a range of excellent facilities including online resources, and specialist facilities, such as art studios, the library, the full Microsoft Office software, including MS Teams, and Moodle: our Virtual Learning Environment.
Guided independent study
We are investing in key areas beyond your studies including our career services, library and well-being, to be available both face-to-face on campus and online with many of these available 24/7. We have new, modern library facilities on both campuses offering inspirational environments for study and research. Libraries contain resources in print and digital formats, a range of study spaces and a dedicated librarian who can assist with your learning.
Academic support
You will attend weekly seminars, individual tutorials, specialist workshops, Detour Ahead, Cultural Manoeuvres and guest lectures.
These series of interactive events have involved artists, such as:
- Richard Wentworth and his Concertina project
- Eileen Perrier
- Gretchen Andrew
- Ruth Beale
- Eileen Simpson
- Ben White
These sessions are part of the unique visual arts subject area teaching that takes place at the University. It allows you to engage with other creatives, understand different fine art practices and support each other while learning alongside teaching support from staff.
You will have a studio space and we have a range of fantastic workshops and project spaces where you can experiment to advance your thinking. It is a discursive environment structured to allow you to build your confidence and take risks. Art studio spaces are open late every day of the week including weekends to allow as much use as possible.
Dedicated personal tutor
If you need a bit of extra help with certain skills such as academic writing, English, maths, or statistics, academic tutors offer workshops, drop-in sessions, and one-to-one appointments to help you achieve your potential.
You can receive advice and guidance on all aspects of the IT systems provided by the university from our IT Service Desks located on all three campuses. Our Student Support hubs feature centralised helpdesks.
UEL provides support and advice for disabled students and those with specific learning difficulties (SPDs).
Workload
Each year you will spend around 300 hours of timetabled learning and teaching activities. These may be lectures, workshops, seminars and individual and group tutorials. Contact hours may vary depending on each module.
The approximate percentages for this course are:
- Year 1: scheduled teaching - 300 hours; guided independent study - 900 hours.
- Year 2: scheduled teaching - 300 hours; guided independent study - 900 hours.
- Year 3: scheduled teaching - 300 hours; guided independent study - 900 hours.
Your timetable
Your individualised timetable is normally available to students within 48 hours of enrolment. Whilst we make every effort to ensure timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week between 9.00am and 6.00pm. For undergraduate students, Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities, but there may be occasions when this is not possible.
Class sizes
The size of classes can vary depending on the nature of the course, module and activity. This can range from large groups in a lecture theatre setting, to smaller groups taking part in seminars and collaborative work.
Class sizes for this course are usually around 20 students per group.
You will receive your personalised timetable at the beginning of the academic year depending on your course.
How you'll be assessed
Assessment tasks are mainly spread across the year to make the workload manageable. Assessment methods include group work, exams and individual work including essays, presentations, case studies, professional development and practical activities depending on the nature of the course.
All grades count towards your module mark. More details will be included in the student handbook and module guides. You will always receive detailed feedback outlining your strengths and how you can improve. We aim to provide feedback on assessments within 15 working days, although you will receive immediate feedback following many of our face-to-face assessments.
Campus and facilities
Our campus and the surrounding area
Our waterfront campus in the historic Royal Docks provides a modern, well-equipped learning environment.
Join us and you'll be able to make the most of our facilities including contemporary lecture theatres and seminar rooms, art studios and exhibition spaces, audio and visual labs and a multimedia production centre.
Features include our 24/7 Docklands library, our £21m SportsDock centre, a campus shop and bookstore, the Children's Garden Nursery, cafés, eateries, a late bar, plus Student Union facilities, including a student lounge.
The University of East London is one of the few London universities to provide on-campus accommodation. Our Docklands Campus Student Village houses close to 1,200 students from around the world. We are well connected to central London and Canary Wharf, with London City Airport just across the water. We also run a free bus service that connects Docklands with Stratford campuses.
Who teaches this course
This course is delivered by the School of Architecture, Computing and Engineering
The teaching team includes qualified academics, practitioners and industry experts as guest speakers. Full details of the academics will be provided in the student handbook and module guides.
- Course leader
Amanda Francis
Department of Architecture & Visual Arts, School Of Arts And Creative Industries - Course leader
Dr Sharone Lifschitz
Department of Architecture & Visual Arts, School Of Arts And Creative Industries - Course leader
Dr Michael Pinsky
Department of Architecture & Visual Arts, School Of Architecture, Computing And Engineering - Course leader
Lee Maelzer
Department of Architecture & Visual Arts, School Of Arts And Creative Industries - Course leader
Russell Hedges
Department of Architecture & Visual Arts, School Of Arts And Creative Industries - Course leader
Dr Keith Winter
Department of Architecture & Visual Arts, School Of Architecture, Computing And Engineering - Course leader
Adam Wiseman
Department of Architecture & Visual Arts, School Of Architecture, Computing And Engineering
What our students and staff say

I thoroughly enjoyed my time at UEL. It was a life-changing experience. The course furnished me with so many positive experiences and is a huge benefit to me as an artist. If I could give current UEL students one piece of advice it would be: keep working at what feels right for you."
Ann Haycock
Fine Art BA (Hons)

The best aspect of the course are my peers and the artists who teach on the course who share their practices. I’m always open to be involved in different exhibitions, trips and activities, even from different courses.”
Jay Ho
Fine Art BA (Hons)