MA/PgDip Art and Design: Contemporary Fine Art

Our graduates have exhibited successfully in a range of venues and biennales. Many graduates establish themselves within the local creative economy and develop a studio presence in the region and beyond.  

We encourage students to pursue an international profile and presence as soon as possible in support of their professional reputation. It is envisaged that opportunities via MediaCity will facilitate internationalization of practice on individual terms.

Many of our students succeed through related professions in: education, community development, healthcare environments or enterprise. Some graduates prefer to apply their creative practice to commissioning, consultancy or other professional outcomes.

The majority of our graduates continue with their creative careers. Graduates are particularly visible in the region – in group studios, exhibitions or events. Many graduates support their practice via teaching or demonstrator roles in further or higher education establishments. A number of graduates find work with museums or galleries. Our graduates are particularly proactive in initiating art-based projects – establishing new venues and curating group exhibitions, for example. A number are successful each year in securing artist residencies at home and abroad. It is envisaged that opportunities via MediaCity will further facilitate internationalization of practice on individual terms.

The School co-ordinates a range of enterprise projects and initiatives that can benefit graduating students, in order to assist their career opportunities or routes into self-employment.

Alumni Profile

Graduate, Ben Gwilliam

Ben has established a highly successful career in the field of sound art. He has performed and recorded extensively with acclaimed exponents in this field such as Espen Jensen, Jez Riley French, Helmut Lemke, Rhodri Davies and others. In 2008, Ben was nominated for the Jerwood Artist Prize and was also international artist-in-residence at Artists Unlimited, Bielefeld, Germany. He performs and exhibits internationally and has founded his own publishing label. www.thosesoundsbetween.co.uk

“The course provided a critically-rich environment where peer-to-peer relationships further expose the individual’s artistic concerns. With the wealth of staff backgrounds and knowledge, the MA gave me crucial support that was self-reflective and influenced my own critiques. Much more than an extension of undergraduate art…”

Further Study

Graduates from this course pursue professional practice via a range of enterprise, employment and self-employment strategies and contexts. Continuing practice-based and driven research is supported via MPhil/Phd courses at the University of Salford. 

Graduates can become associate members of the School of Art & Design Research Centre or other Research centres as appropriate to individual practice drivers. Graduates are currently engaged in further study via PhD courses as well as contributing to art and theory research group.

Research in the School of Art & Design is coordinated by Professor Paul Sermon, Associate Head for Research. There are over 30 fully research-active academic staff and a number of embryonic and early career researchers engaged in a range of innovative creative practice in art and design and in advancing the boundaries of theoretical investigation. Find out more on the school's research pages