BA (Hons) Fine Art (with Foundation year)
Course overview
Start date
September 2021
Subject area
Art and Design
Attendance
Full-time, 4 years
Part-time
Learning
On campus, dual delivery
Course summary
Return to campus: dual delivery
In a Covid-secure environment, enjoy learning on our state-of-the-art campuses and flex between online delivery
Find out moreWorld-renowned artists
We’ll give you the chance to have personal tuition from world-renowned artists such as Turner Prize winner Grenville Davey, sculptor Richard Wilson and award-winning film maker John Smith.
1st
Our students voted us top in London for academic support and top 3 for UK modern universities.
Purpose-built 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.
Karolina Chojnacka
BA (Hons) Communication and Cultural Studies
During my Foundation year, I learned study skills, step by step, in an engaging way, so when I started the full course, I was better able to focus on the theoretical content, rather than worrying about how to write essays. It was also a great chance to learn with students from different courses and backgrounds.
Fees and funding
Tuition Fee Loan
You can apply for a loan to cover the cost of your tuition fees, which will be paid directly to UEL. There are no up-front fees required. Repayment only starts after you finish your course and are earning over £25,000. If you haven’t finished repaying your loan after 30 years it will be automatically cancelled.
To apply visit gov.uk/student-finance
Maintenance Loan
You can apply for a loan to help with living costs such as food, travel and accommodation. How much you can borrow depends on where you live and study, and whether you are currently on welfare benefits. The maximum loan you can apply for is £12,729.
To apply visit gov.uk/student-finance
Supplementary Grants
The government also offer the following additional support:
- Parents' Learning Allowance
- Adult Dependants' Grant
- Childcare Grant
- Disabled Students’ Allowance
- All nursing and many allied health students on courses from September 2020 will receive a payment of at least £5,000 a year from the government.
For further information visit gov.uk/student-finance or contact Student Finance England.
All students will receive:
Bursaries Schemes for which you can apply
- Care Leaver and Foyer Bursary - up to £1,500
- Progression Bursary - up to £2,000
- Engagement Bursary - up to £2,000
- Hardship Bursary - up to £2,000
- Helena Kennedy Foundation - £1,500
- Going Global – awards range from £300 - £700
Scholarships Schemes for which you can apply
- Vice Chancellor Scholarship - up to £27,750 over three years
- Dean Scholarship - up to £13,500 over three years
- Civic Engagement Scholarship - £1,000
- EU Scholarship (EU Only) - £1,000
- ELSEF Scholarship - £1,000
- UTC Scholarship - £1,500
- Sports Scholarships - up to £6,000
There are a number of external organisations that offer financial help to
students. Please see the list below list to view additional support options.
Alternatively, you can visit the Scholarship Search website.
Please note that the University of East London is not responsible for
the content of these external sites and is not associated in any way
with the funding schemes and their application processes.
The Student Money Advice and Rights Team (SMART) are here to help you navigate your finances while you are a student at the University of East London.
We can give you advice, information and guidance on government and university funds so that you receive your full funding entitlement.
Email: study@uel.ac.uk
Phone: 020 8223 4444
TBC
You don't need to pay this up front.
EU, EEA and Swiss Nationals starting a course in September 2021, will no longer be eligible for Home fees. However, such nationals benefitting from Settled Status or Citizens' Rights may become eligible for Home fees as and when the UK Government confirms any new fees regulations. Further information can be found at UKCISA.
Tuition fees are subject to annual change. Fees for future years will be published in due course.
Tuition Fee Loan
You can apply for a loan to cover the cost of your tuition fees, which will be paid directly to UEL. There are no up-front fees required. Repayment only starts after you finish your course and are earning over £25,000. If you haven’t finished repaying your loan after 30 years it will be automatically cancelled.
Maintenance Loan
Part-time students can access maintenance loans from Student Finance England.
From academic year 2018/19, part-time students can access maintenance loans from Student Finance England.
You can apply for a loan to help with living costs such as food, travel and accommodation.
Part-time students need to study their courses at a rate of at least
25% of an equivalent full-time course in each academic year.
For further information visit gov.uk/student-finance
We appreciate that finance is one of the key considerations when you are applying to university. That's why alongside your Government loan, you can apply for scholarships to help towards your finances. We have invested over £2 million worth of scholarships to financially assist new students, starting in September 2019. If you are awarded a scholarship you don't need to pay it back.
All students will receive:
Ebooks
Bursaries Schemes for which you can apply
Scholarships Schemes for which you can apply
There are a number of external organisations that offer financial help to
students. Please see the list below list to view additional support options.
Alternatively, you can visit the Scholarship Search website.
Please note that the University of East London is not responsible for
the content of these external sites and is not associated in any way
with the funding schemes and their application processes.
The Student Money Advice and Rights Team (SMART) are here to help you navigate your finances while you are a student at the University of East London.
We can give you advice, information and guidance on government and university funds so that you receive your full funding entitlement.
Email: study@uel.ac.uk
Phone: 020 8223 4444
Price per 30 credit module.
EU, EEA and Swiss Nationals starting a course in September 2021, will no longer be eligible for Home fees. However, such nationals benefitting from Settled Status or Citizens' Rights may become eligible for Home fees as and when the UK Government confirms any new fees regulations. Further information can be found at UKCISA.
At UEL, we understand that studying in another country is a big financial commitment. If you apply early for an undergraduate, you may be entitled to a scholarship of up to £3,000.You can find out more about the international scholarships here.
The Student Money Advice and Rights Team (SMART) also run an Emergency International Fund to assist international students in hardship.
You can contact our SMART team on 02082233333 or study@uel.ac.uk
As part of the Tier 4 student visa requirements, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) estimate that you will need £1,265* per month to cover your living costs. It includes expenses for accommodation, food and drink, travel within London, text books, entertainment, clothing, toiletries and laundry. Most Tier 4 students are required to show they have sufficient funds to cover the first nine months of the course before they start- a total of £11,385- in addition to the tuition fees. You can find more information about the specific requirements of the Tier 4 student visa here. The amount that you will spend can vary depending on your lifestyle. The UKCISA International Student Calculator can help you plan and manage your money. Please make sure you also factor in the fees for the visa application and immigration health surcharge when budgeting.
* Please note the Immigration Rules are subject to change and this figure is likely to be increased by UKVI year on year. Please therefore check our ISA pages for more information at the time of preparing your visa application.
Deposits and paying by instalments
International students are required to pay a deposit prior to being issued a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
Your remaining balance will be paid in five monthly instalments over your first term. The first of these instalments must be paid when completing your enrolment on arrival at UEL. Please follow the payment instructions here.
After the required payment has been made, you will be asked to complete the online International Student Reply Form to confirm your acceptance of our offer and of our terms of admittance and fees policy.
Our International team at UEL are available for advice and guidance on studying in London, fees, scholarships and visa requirements.
Email: international@uel.ac.uk
Entry requirements
- September 2021
-
Degree with Foundation Year
64
New UCAS Points
Access to HE Diploma (QAA approved) with 60 credits overall and 45 credits at Level 3
We will also consider the UEL New Beginnings pre-entry course
The portfolio should show evidence of observational drawing, the development of an idea through to a completed illustration, and techniques and processes that you have worked with. We are particularly interested in seeing your sketchbooks / journals to see how you develop your ideas.
At interview you should be prepared to discuss your work, ideas and ambitions. You should also be able to discuss graphic artists, illustrators or animators who influence you.
Overall IELTS score of 5.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking (or recognised equivalent).
If you do not meet the academic English language requirements for your course, you may be eligible to enrol onto a pre-sessional English programme. The length of the course will depend on your current level of English and the requirements for your degree programme. We offer a 5-week and an 11-week pre-sessional course. Find out more here.
Level 2 equivalences such as Level 2 Functional Skills in English / Maths, Level 2 Key Skills in Communication / Application of Number and Level 2 Adult Literacy / Adult Numeracy
Please note that some courses require applicants to meet the entry requirements outlined on the course page. Our pre-entry Information Advice and Guidance Team are able to provide further advice on entry requirements and suitability for study.
What you'll learn
From the start of your three-year course, you’ll be developing your skills for the art world to appreciate.
Exhibitions of your work will be at the heart of your course. Throughout, you’ll be assessed on the quality of your work in a course which is about 75 per cent practice and 25 per cent theory.
Although you may decide to specialise in a particular area – such as painting or photography – there’ll be scope to work with a variety of media.
Your work will be exhibited for the first time at the end of your first term, and you’ll continue to develop your skills in your own studio space at our well-equipped AVA building in Docklands.
In your third year, instead of a thesis you can opt for a ‘contemporary practice’ course in which you’ll be part of a group organising its own external exhibition. In 2014, we had nine exhibitions of our students’ work in locations all over London.
What you'll study and when
We consistently review our courses to ensure we are up-to-date with industry changes and requirements from our graduates. As a result, our modules are subject to change.
- Found – all core
- Year 1 – all core
- Year 2 – all core
- Year 3 – all core
How you'll be assessed
At the end of the first term in your first year you'll deliver a presentation of your work to a panel of two staff members. No mark is given at this stage you'll receive oral and written feedback.
You'll repeat this at end of the second term in your first year, but this time you'll be awarded a mark.
In your second year you'll participate in the second-year show and discuss your work with two tutors. A mark is then awarded.
In your third year you'll present the best of your work in the degree show and a panel of all the academic team members agree a mark.
The marks at each level are moderated by a team of external examiners.
Feedback is provided within 15 working days in line with UEL’s assessment and feedback policy.
Course specification Foundation Year (if Required)
How you'll learn
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 and Ben White
These sessions are part of the unique Visual Arts Cluster teaching that takes place at the University of East London. It allows students to engage with other creatives and understand different practices. It allows students to support each other while learning alongside teaching support from staff.
You will have a studio space and we have a range of fantastic workshops, project spaces where you can experiment also advance your thinking. It is a discursive environment structured to allow you to build your confidence and to take risks. Studio spaces are open late every day of the week including weekends to allow as much use as possible.
Alongside making art we run a range of contextual studies and professional practice modules that work in parallel to the practice driven modules. Students often exhibit their work in the UEL’s ‘Way out East’ Gallery space, the Container Space Gallery including external venues across London.
We have recently added new digital workshops to help students work across analogue and digital processes, opening up new opportunities to make work. UEL Fine Art is now at the forefront in combining new technologies with traditional artistic methods. Working closely with academic and technical staff from various areas it is an exciting time to be in these workshops.
• 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 dedicated librarian who can assist with your
learning.
• Academic
support
Students are supported with any academic or subject related
queries by an Academic Advisor, module leaders, former and current UEL
students.
If you need a bit of extra help with certain skills such as
academic writing, maths or IT, our Skillzone and English for Academic Purposes
we offer workshops, drop-in sessions and one-to-one appointments to help our
students achieve their 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 in Docklands and Stratford feature
centralised helpdesks to cater for your every need. UEL provides also 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.
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. You will receive your personalised timetable at the beginning of the academic year dependent on your course.
Your future career
As graduates you will leave as a confident and well-connected creative. Many of our students win places on postgraduate courses run by RCA and the Royal Academy. Other students set up their own studios or businesses in the creative industries.
Students have found work as curators, teachers and in arts administration. You will benefit from our close links with the vibrant East London creative scene and all major art venues in the city.
