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Full-time, 3 years
Why choose this course
- Work across drawing, painting, printmaking, 3D materials, ceramics and textiles
- Specialise in one discipline or keep exploring interdisciplinary practice
- Workshops and studio spaces, with tutorials and peer feedback
- Assessed by coursework, including portfolios of artworks
- Leads to roles such as Art Technician and Gallery Manager
Overview
Central to the ethos of this programme is the development of practical skills and a sense of creative exploration. Uniquely supporting both the fine art and craft disciplines, you are introduced to a broad range of materials and processes including drawing, painting, printmaking, 3D materials, ceramics, and textiles. You can select to specialise in a specific discipline as you progress or continue to explore more interdisciplinary practices.
What you’ll study, level by level
Levels 4 to 6 · 9 modules
This course includes the following core modules that all students complete:
Level 4
Year 1
- Fine Art and Craft Materials and Processes
- Developing a Studio Practice
- Visual Research Practice
Level 5
Year 2
- Studio Practice: Project Development
- Studio Practice: Project Realisation
- Critical and Professional Contexts
Level 6
Year 3
- Negotiated Project
- Exhibition Presentation
- Critical and Professional Intent
Occasional changes to modules and course content may take place. Students will be notified when applicable.
How you’ll learn
You’ll learn through lectures, workshops and studio time, with independent study in between.
- Lectures
- Workshops
- Studio time
- One-to-one tutorials
- Field trips
- Online learning platform
- Independent study
Read more about how you’ll learn
The primary way of delivering this programme is on campus with our workshops and studio spaces providing essential creative environments for face-to-face interaction with teaching staff and likeminded students; this studio practice is supported by tutorials and peer group activities to provide ongoing feedback. Contextual studies blend presentations with research activities and external visits, and we use a Virtual Learning Environment to provide online programme materials.
Delivery is over an equivalent of 2.5 days per week. Students will receive 13 hours of teaching per week throughout this course. Additional one-to-one meetings with tutors will provide further support.
Meet us at an open event.
What you need and where it leads
- Entry requirements
- This course Level 6
- Further study
Entry requirements
Don’t have the standard qualifications? You may still be able to apply.
48UCAS points
Entry requirements would usually be one of the following:
- 48 UCAS Tariff Points: Level 3 qualifications, these may include: A
- Level or BTEC National Diploma (PPP) or a Foundation Diploma, in a relevant subject area.
- Access to HE Diploma in an art related programme with at least 45 credits at Level 3.
- Recognition of Prior Certificated Learning (RPCL). Recognition of Prior Experience (RPEL).
Applicants must:
- provide a portfolio during interview, of art and design-related work that evidences creative ability and suitability for the programme.
Taken a different path?
We are committed to creating educational opportunities for people from a variety of backgrounds and situations. If you have been out of formal education for some time, and/or you do not have the qualifications stated, we might still be able to consider your application and offer you a range of support. We are here to help. Please get in touch to find out more.
Careers it can lead to
- Artists £35,100 a year
- Teaching Professionals £18.01 an hour
- Glass and Ceramics Makers, Decorators and Finishers £27,100 a year
- Higher Level Teaching Assistants £17.10 an hour
See all 14 careers
- Further Education Teaching Professionals £35,500 a year
- Educational Support Assistants £14.50 an hour
- Arts Officers, Producers and Directors £36,200 a year
- Furniture Makers and Other Craft Woodworkers £35,000 a year
With further study or experience
- Secondary Education Teaching Professionals £39,400 a year
- Primary Education Teaching Professionals £40,100 a year
- Managers and Directors in the Creative Industries £50,800 a year
- Nursery Education Teaching Professionals £34,800 a year
- Special and Additional Needs Education Teaching Professionals £32,700 a year
- Head Teachers and Principals £82,300 a year
Job titles to look out for: Art and Design Secondary Teacher, Teaching Assistant, Art Technician, Gallery Manager, Community Arts Worker.
Read more about careers and progression
This course is particularly relevant to people looking to develop themselves as professional artists and makers within independent or group studios, continuing to exhibit, engage with community art groups and projects, and promote and sell their own work.
This course provides a range of creative skills relevant across a variety of different professions.
If you wish to continue studying beyond this course, it will provide you with a strong academic basis to do so. Course progression routes could include Initial Teacher Training programmes to qualify as Secondary School teachers in Art and Design, Masters in the Fine Art and Craft disciplines or Art Therapy.
Typical pay is the UK median for each job (Lightcast, October 2026).
Student Work
Fees and funding
£8,190
a year for UK students
Financial support
UK students can take out a tuition fee loan to cover the cost of their course and a maintenance loan to cover living costs.
We also have a range of other financial support available.
Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE)
If your course starts on or after 1 January 2027, you may need to apply for student finance through the new Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE). It’s loan funding you could use across your working life, and applications are now open.
- Applications for the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) are now open
- Student finance if your course starts on or after 1 January 2027
- How much LLE you could get
Find out more on our Lifelong Learning Entitlement page.
Additional costs
Your Tuition fees cover most costs associated with your course (including registration, tuition, and assessment).
There may be some extra costs that you might need to make, or choose to pay, for example:
- Books (you’ll have access to books from your module reading lists in the HE library, but you may wish to buy your own copies)
- Printing and photocopying
- Trips and enhancement opportunities
- Basic art materials and sketchbooks to support the specialist materials provided in introductory workshops.
- Specialist art materials to support individual practice.
You may be required to pay for a Basic or Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
Questions about funding?
Your next step
Apply now, come and see us first, or ask us anything.
What happens after you apply
1
You apply
UCAS gives you an applicant ID to track your application. Apply direct and we’ll reply by email.
2
You hear back
Responses usually arrive between November and May: an unconditional offer, a conditional offer, or an unsuccessful application.
3
You get ready to start
Before you enrol we’ll need photo ID and copies of your certificates. Apply for Student Finance early.