Fine Art
Full-time
Three year
September 2024
In a nutshell
Our Fine Art degree is a course that emphasises how making is informed by theory to enable you to view, critique, and challenge the way we experience the world and culture. This is a practical subject supported by ideas and research. At the heart of the programme is creative play and creative thinking. You will have the opportunity to explore a range of art practice and learn how to question, explore, and define your identity as an artist.
We will prepare you for your future career in the creative industries. Greater Manchester has the fastest growing creative sector outside of London, and culture is the beating heart and soul of a city brimming with amazing museums, galleries, project spaces, and studios.
Studying within our fantastic studios and workshops at the New Adelphi campus, you can be creative, learn new skills, and develop your talent to transform your potential in art. You will have access to print, textiles, photography, wood, and metal workshops, and well as the latest cutting-edge industry technology in our digital labs. We also have state-of-the-art sound recording studios and film studios at our MediaCity campus.
You are taught by a staff team of practising artists, each with national and international reputations within the art world. We have partnerships with Tate Liverpool, Royal College of Art, Castlefield Art Gallery, HOME, The Howarth Charitable Trust and Hot Bed Press. The programme is also supported by a wide range of regional curators, artists, and arts professionals.
We start by introducing you to the studio culture that you will develop over your second and third years, progressing towards your final degree show. our theory modules, you will be introduced to the history of art as it has developed across all cultures. We will also highlight the significance of contemporary social movements and how these link to our past, present, and future. We are a university that embraces inclusivity and diversity.
Professional practice is a key aspect of the course you will learn how to promote and share your practice through collaboration, exhibiting, industry connections, teaching, marketing, web design, and social media. You will also develop essential entrepreneurial skills and advice on setting up your own business to enable you to successfully navigate the art world and creative industries on graduation.
Interested in learning more about studying for a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts? You can sign up for an Open Day or attend a campus tour.
You will:
- Have the opportunity to specialise or move between any media of your choice with the teaching and guidance of experienced artists
- Develop your professional skills and practice
- Explore and immerse yourself in the social, cultural and philosophical debates that underpin creativity and contemporary Fine Art practice.
students accepted
This is for you if...
You’re a budding artist who wants to refine your craft across one or a number of mediums
You want to be more effective at communicating and expressing ideas visually
You can think creatively and turn your thoughts into ideas
All about the course
By studying on our fine arts degree, you’ll be introduced to a range of artistic techniques and processes while gaining an academic understanding of the debates, history and culture surrounding art.
Your first year will pave the way for success, introducing you to the skills you will use and develop over your time studying with us. In your second and third year, you’ll nurture your artistic abilities further. The course enables you to specialise or work across media areas if you choose.
You will also explore the social, cultural and philosophical contexts that shape the world. You’ll gain an insight into key ideas that help us to define our place within it.
What is fine art really like at University of Salford? Read the full course breakdown below to find out.
Introduction to Studio Culture 1
During this module you will begin to develop your own visual language within an emerging studio practice, through a greater understanding of the nature of fine art studio practice. It offers the opportunity to gain a greater understanding of your practice and extend your knowledge base of the expanded field of fine art.
Introduction to Art and Ideas 1
This module introduces you to key intellectual movements (such as Classical Culture, Christianity, the Enlightenment, Romanticism, Post-Colonialism) and scholarly personalities (such as Plato, Aquinas, Darwin, Freud and Marx) that have shaped the cultural history we have inherited and which have created the context for the making, understanding and appreciation of art.
Models of Scholarship
This module will introduce you to academic life and study at Salford. You will develop key transferable skills in research, writing and citation as well as digital IT.
Introduction to Studio Culture 2
During this module you will further develop and build your own studio practice and be offered the opportunity to exhibit work in a professional public setting.
Introduction to Art and Ideas 2
This module builds on work from Intro to Art and Ideas 1, which introduces you to key intellectual movements (such as Classical Culture, Christianity, the Enlightenment, Romanticism, Post-Colonialism) and scholarly personalities (such as Plato, Aquinas, Darwin, Freud and Marx) that have shaped the cultural history we have inherited and which have created the context for the making, understanding and appreciation of art.
Models of Practice
This module will introduce you to a variety of models of art practice and develop your skills in self-representation as an artist.
Studio Practice 1: Artist and Audience
The purpose of this module is to develop a self-directed studio practice of individual relevance. You will address and explore how to inscribe meaning in your work and how to communicate with an audience.
Studio Practice 2: Development
This module will further develop a focused self-directed studio practice of individual relevance resulting in the production of a body of studio work through appropriate media and discipline areas, underpinned by an ongoing visual research project.
Visual Analysis
The module aims to introduce some key methods of visual analysis including semiotics, iconography/iconology, gender, Marxism and non-European aesthetic systems. This module also offers an introduction to key interpretive tools to examine art works and cultural products, and contextualise them within broader fields of enquiry.
Art in Context
This module will provide you with the opportunity to research and prepare a live brief in a ‘real world’ situation that offers a professional development opportunity, whilst critically examining the ways in which visual arts practice is affected by notions of professionalism and allied contextual frameworks.
Dissertation
This module offers a programme of research, reflection, structured learning and writing that helps you develop and understand the critical and contextual framework that underpins your practice, and articulate more effectively the relationship between theory and practice.
Professional Studio Practice
This module offers you the opportunity to pursue an extended programme of individual study enabling you to synthesise your previous learning and to continue to explore and experiment to forge a new body of work that displays a growing maturity.
Professional Futures
This module prepares students for life after art school and supports the development of a professional development plan, a hard copy portfolio, a digital portfolio, CV, interview skills and the ability to successfully present work professionally.
Please note that it may not be possible to deliver the full list of options every year as this will depend on factors such as how many students choose a particular option. Exact modules may also vary in order to keep content current. When accepting your offer of a place to study on this programme, you should be aware that not all optional modules will be running each year. Your tutor will be able to advise you as to the available options on or before the start of the programme. Whilst the University tries to ensure that you are able to undertake your preferred options, it cannot guarantee this.
Be part of a creative, supportive community
All our Art and Design courses are delivered by the Salford School of Arts, Media, and Creative Technology. Our focus is to ensure that you have the skills you need to pursue your dreams, and we encourage our students, past and present, to collaborate with each other and achieve great things.
Each year - through the Create Student Awards – our school rewards the incredible achievements and successes of our final year and postgraduate students. Final year students will have the opportunity to showcase their work at our annual Degree Show.
Whatever you choose to study with us, you’ll be mentored and supported by experts. And once you graduate, it won’t end there. You’ll join a thriving alumni network across Greater Manchester and beyond, meaning you’ll be supported professionally and personally whenever you need it.
Art and Design Facilities
This Fine Art degree is based at our £55 million New Adelphi building, the home of design and creativity on campus.
When you study with us, you’ll learn from our experienced tutors and demonstrators, who’ll teach you how to use our art and design facilities. These include:
Studio space – dedicated areas for each course, giving you room to think and create.
Maker Space workshop - create digital rapid prototypes using 3D printers, CNC machines, laser cutters and more.
Photography studios - industry-standard photographic studios, which you can use in conjunction with darkrooms and digital printing facilities.
Workshops – from print to textiles, wood to metal, our range of workshops allow you to take your ideas from page to reality and work in a variety of media.
Mac suites - equipped with the industry-standard software you’ll need during your studies and in the world of work.
You’ll also be able to visit our New Adelphi Theatre. The industry-standard live 350-seat theatre is located in our New Adelphi building. It’s also open to the public, and it’s three floors of tiered seating, it’s the largest of our performing spaces.
Explore our Art and Design facilities at New Adelphi, or take a 360 tour of our New Adelphi building.
MEET THE ART AND DESIGN TEACHING STAFF
Are you looking to learn more about the background of our Art and Design tutors and technical demonstrators or put a face to a name?
Find out who'll work with you throughout your academic journey at the University of Salford.
Explore the Art and Design faculty at the University of Salford
What about after uni?
EMPLOYMENT
When you study fine art at the University of Salford, you’ll gain the skills you need to pursue a career as an artist, curator, freelance creative, arts officer/administrator, gallery education officer, or art therapist, to name just a few of the career options available to you. Our students are self-motivated self-starters, putting them in an ideal position to go on to create their own businesses in a variety of fields. And while not all graduates become artists, many pursue a career in the arts.
Studying a fine arts course will teach you resourcefulness, initiative and creativity – transferrable skills that will enable you to thrive in whatever career path you choose. Studying as an artist, you’ll also learn self-discipline, project management skills and the ability to work with others.
In recent years, our graduates have achieved notable successes in major galleries and museums regionally, nationally and internationally including: The National Gallery (Cape Town, South Africa), Institut d'Art Contemporain (Lyons, France), Irish Museum of Contemporary Art (Dublin), The British Art Show, Liverpool Biennial, Curwen Gallery (London), Cornerhouse (Manchester), the Bluecoat Gallery (Liverpool) and many more.
Find out why Sade Dobbs – a proud graduate from this course - was awarded with the University of Salford’s Alumni Achievement award for contributions to the Art and Design sector.
FURTHER STUDY
Graduates showing strong academic and research skills can pursue a further postgraduate path through our Postgraduate programmes on a full-time or part-time basis subject to a satisfactory proposal.
Career Links
This fine arts degree thrives on inviting artists and arts professionals to deliver presentations to our undergraduate and postgraduate students. Most recently this has included Rachel Maclean, Liam Young, Hannah Farrell, Sarah Hardacre and Alan Birch.
What you need to know
APPLICANT PROFILE
At Salford, we believe there are three essential ingredients to the perfect fine art student; enthusiasm, commitment and intellectual curiosity. That’s why, as part of the application process for our fine arts degree course, you will be invited to interview, where we will be considering factors such as personality, portfolio, and examples of written work.
You will need to provide a portfolio of your previous artwork. When reviewing this, we will be looking at factors such as your creativity and technical skills, your knowledge and understanding of the subject, as well as your ability to analyse and think critically.
You’ll also have to submit a personal statement and meet our entry requirements. A personal statement is a personal summary (360 to 500 words) of your academic, professional/life experience and future goals. We’ll want to understand:
- what motivates you and what you’ve learnt on your current academic journey;
- why you want to work in the creative industries; and
- why the University of Salford and this course is right your future goals.
As part of your application, we will need to see a portfolio of work to provide opportunity for you to share your creative practice with us. Any offers will be conditional upon our subject team having the opportunity to review your portfolio, and we look forward to viewing your work. For some applicants, you may also be asked to take part in an informal group seminar discussion or interview– either live or on camera – to demonstrate your skills.
Once you’ve made your application to study with us, we’ll contact you and let you know the next steps.
Do you want to know more about this bachelor’s degree in fine arts? You can sign up to an Open Day or attend a campus tour.
Our supportive course enquiries team can help you with any general questions you may have. You can also explore all of our Art and Design courses.
GCSE
English Language at grade C/level 4 or above (or equivalent) is required. Maths at grade C/4 or above (or equivalent) is preferred but not essential.
You must fulfil our GCSE entry requirements as well as one of the requirements listed below.
UCAS tariff points
104-112 points.
A level
104-112 points.
T level
Merit
BTEC National Diploma
DMM including an Art & Design subject area
BTEC Higher National Diploma
Applicants may be considered for entry into year 2
Foundation Diploma in Art and Design
Distinction = 112 UCAS points - if you have a Pass (80 points) or Merit (96 points), you must have additional qualifications to a total of 112 points.
Foundation Degree
Applicants may be considered for entry into year 3
Access to HE
Pass Level 3 Access to HE Diploma with 112 points (relevant subject)
Scottish Highers
112 points in a practice based art and design subject
Irish Leaving Certificate
112 points in a practice based art and design subject
International Baccalaureate
31 points including a practice based art and design subject
European Baccalaureate
Pass Diploma with 73% overall (relevant subject)
International students
We accept qualifications from all around the world. Find your country to see a full list of entry requirements.
If you are an international student and not from a majority English speaking country, you will need IELTS 6.0 with no element below 5.5.
We also accept a range of other English language qualifications. If you do not have the English language requirements, you could take our Pre-Sessional English course. Or if you have finished high school in your country but don’t have the qualifications to gain entry to this course, you can take our International Foundation Year as a pathway to this degree.
Salford Alternative Entry Scheme (SAES)
We welcome applications from students who may not meet the stated entry criteria but who can demonstrate their ability to pursue the course successfully. Once we have received your application we will assess it and recommend it for SAES if you are an eligible candidate.
There are two different routes through the Salford Alternative Entry Scheme and applicants will be directed to the one appropriate for their course. Assessment will either be through a review of prior learning or through a formal test.
How Much?
| Type of study | Year | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time home | 2025/26 | £9,250.00per year |
| Full-time international | 2025/26 | £17,650.00per year |
Additional costs
You should also consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits.
Scholarships for International Students
If you are a high-achieving international student, you may be eligible for one of our scholarships. Explore our international scholarships.