“I enjoyed having the full support of the fine art lecturers on the course.”
BA (Hons)Fine Art
Apply on UCAS
Starting in: 2024
Register your interest- 3 years
- 4 years with foundation year
UCAS code: FA01
Institution code: S30
UCAS points: 112-128Flexible entry options available
Campus: Southampton City CentreView on Google Maps
Why study a fine art degree at Solent University
Nurture your talent for painting, sculpture or applied art, guided by a passionate team of artists, curators and theorists, in a supportive, creative community.
- £0minvested in a dedicated art and design school
- 0stout of 130 institutions for assessment and feedback (NSS 2023)
- 0thUK uni for sustained employment (Longitudinal Educational Outcomes 2022)
- Brand new studio spaces opening September 2023.
- Access to a range of dedicated specialist workshops. You will also be allocated personal studio space.
- Showcase your work at on-campus and external exhibitions.
- Strong industry links to organisations in Southampton and beyond, including John Hansard Gallery, Showcase Gallery, City Art Gallery, Aspace Arts, God’s House Tower and Aspex Gallery.
- Learn from highly skilled industry professionals with recent and extensive experience in research, exhibition, publications and commission-based work.
- Regular guest speakers and live art events bringing artists and performers into the fine art studios to perform just for you.
- A creative, multi-disciplinary environment for world-leading research in media, culture and the arts – you will learn from experts in their field.
This video 'Why study BA (Hons) Fine Art' is available as a text transcript, with a description of visuals.
Course overview
This course embraces all possible ways of making and thinking about fine art practice. You will be taught new skills and techniques and will learn how to use a variety of mediums in order to produce art to a very high standard. You will have the opportunity to pursue the mediums, ideas and processes that you are most passionate about.
We will nurture what is particular about you and your practice to support you to cultivate your artistic talent and grow into confident and original thinkers and makers.
Our dedicated fine art studios are equipped to enable you to reach your full potential. You will be allocated your own studio space and will have full access to a range of dedicated technical workshops, including a sculpture workshop with metalwork, welding, woodworking and casting equipment; a print-making workshop with intaglio, dry point, etching, silkscreen, woodcut and letterpress facilities; a digital print workshop with high-quality large-scale print facilities, high-end scanners and the latest software; and photography darkrooms and studios.
You will also have the opportunity to use our media academy facilities, boasting Mac suites with the latest design software, as well as a media store containing high-definition cameras, video cameras and sound equipment.
The course has strong industry and community links and you will be given the opportunity to engage in an ambitious programme of professional development alongside your own individual artistic practice. You will create an online profile and curate and show your work in group exhibitions at professional galleries within the city.
Any questions?
Contact international admissions
Call: +44 (0)23 8201 5066Email: admissions.international@solent.ac.ukCourse features
Further studies
After successfully completing your studies, there's an opportunity to continue your studies at Solent
Foundation year available
If you're not quite ready for a full undergraduate degree, there's alternative entry through one of our foundation years
Specialist facilities
This course has access to specialist facilities
Top-up option
If you have an appropriate Level 5 qualification, you can top it up to a degree in just a year
Study abroad
You have the opportunity to study abroad in one of our partner universities for a semester on this course
Who is this course for?
The Fine Art course at Solent University is ideally suited to students who want to become strong and independent creative practitioners. It is an excellent choice for those who want to acquire and develop the practical and professional skills needed to succeed within the creative industries.
Applicants should demonstrate a basic level skill set in artistic mediums, and some level of contextual understanding of art practice.
What does this course lead to?
The course prepares you for a wide range of exciting career paths including, professional artist, painter, sculptor, printmaker, photographer, film maker, illustrator, art lecturer, school teacher, art therapist, curator, art critic, art journalist, art director and art entrepreneur.
Solent stories
Hear from Solent alumni about where their careers have taken them and how studying at Solent prepared them for their future.
Read more storiesMeet the team
The University cannot guarantee any particular members of staff will teach specific aspects of the course in the future, but will endeavour to ensure the teaching team maintains their balance of experience and qualifications.
Facilities
You will be allocated personal studio space within our specially designed and recently refurbished artists’ studios, and have access to a range of dedicated specialist workshops. Facilities include: our sculpture workshop, with metalwork, welding, woodworking and casting equipment; our print-making workshop, with intaglio, dry point, etching, silkscreen, woodcut and letterpress facilities; a digital print workshop with high-quality, large-scale print facilities, high-end scanners and the latest software; as well as photography darkrooms and studios.
You will also have access to our media academy, featuring Mac suites outfitted with the latest design software, and a media store containing high-definition cameras and video cameras, sound equipment and more.
International opportunities
Broaden your horizons by adding an international dimension to your CV – essential to achieving success in today’s fast-changing, global environment.
Studying, working or volunteering in another country could be the experience of a lifetime. Enhance your degree by developing important global skills such as knowledge of other countries, language skills, intercultural awareness, adaptability and confidence.
For more information, please email international.mobility@solent.ac.uk.
What you'll study
Core modules
Introduction to Contemporary Art
This module introduces pivotal modern and contemporary artworks and the contexts in which the works are produced. By familiarising yourself with unconventional approaches, you can begin to think about art from a new perspective.
Expanded Drawing
This module will teach you how to think about drawing as well as make drawings in new and exciting ways. It will expand your current thoughts about what drawing is and what it can do.
Spatial Experiments
You will learn how spaces of art can be produced, choreographed, occupied and inhabited. Not only does the module let you think critically about the spaces in museums and galleries, but it also allows an insight into the production of art spaces by gestures and references to the concepts and histories of art.
Unlearning and Unknowing
In this module you can begin to ask questions through making, to examine what you think you already know in order (in some cases) to unlearn it.
Exploring Mediums
This module aims to facilitate your exploration into the production of your work during the course. You are encouraged to continue an open-ended and speculative enquiry, exploring a range of methods, materials and processes.
Inscription and Traces
This module explores the language of drawing within many different contexts; you will also learn to explore notions of trace and inscription through a variety of different mediums and means.
How you will learn and be assessed
You will learn by:
You may be assessed by a combination of:
- Practical activities
- Essays
Solent’s curriculum framework builds on our unique, creative and applied approach to teaching. The transformation of students’ lives is at the heart of our mission as a university, and our curriculum – informed by the latest theory – reflects this shared educational vision.
Find out more
Study support
The student achievement team are on hand to help you succeed during your studies at Solent. They aim to contact you at key times during your time here with personalised information, advice and guidance, by email or phone.
Access Solent provides information, advice and guidance for disabled students.
All students can access Succeed@Solent, Solent's online guide to getting better grades. It offers extensive, practical information and advice on topics such as academic writing, research and presentations.
Why choose the industry?
Historically art has occupied a crucial role in driving knowledge, technology and ideas forward. Art takes up an even more significant role in communicating progressive ideas to envision and shape societies to come. Through expressive and communicative means, artists contribute to the social bodies such as museums, galleries, schools and communities. The course will equip students with technical and practical skills, as well as intellectual and artistic thinking to fulfil their responsibilities as artists, curators and educators.
We have strong partnerships with regional and national arts agencies. You will have opportunities to exhibit your work in professional art galleries, run curatorial projects, deliver educational workshops and provide arts-based therapeutic workshops within the local community.
The University’s Showcase Gallery also offers an opportunity to work at the gallery whilst studying, which offers invaluable insight into how a gallery operates and the role of an arts administrator. We also run a graduating student residency at Showcase, where selected artists from our third year graduates receive professional exhibition space.
Tuition fees
The tuition fees for the 2024/25 academic year are:
- UK, EU (settled status) and Channel Island full-time fees: £9,250 per year
- International full-time fees: £16,125 per year
For further information, please visit our tuition fees page.
Extra course costs
While most course costs are covered by your tuition fees, some essential resources and optional extras may need to be paid for separately. These additional costs are listed below. For advice on budgeting and managing your money, please contact student.funding@solent.ac.uk.
The 2024/25 other costs are:
Compulsory costs
- Year three
Printing and binding a dissertation: £400
Optional costs
- Year one
Materials and study trip: £300 - Year two
Materials: £200
Bursaries, scholarships and financial support
Solent University offers a range of bursaries and scholarships that provide financial assistance or waive fees for tuition or accommodation. Each bursary or scholarship has specific eligibility criteria. Check out our bursaries and scholarships pages to find out more.
Graduation costs
There is no charge to attend graduation, but you will be required to pay for the rental of your academic gown (approximately £45 per graduate, depending on your award). You may also wish to purchase official photography packages, which range in price from £15 to £200+. Graduation is not compulsory, so if you prefer to have your award sent to you, there is no cost. Extra guest tickets will go on sale after results publication and will be sold on a first-come-first-served basis. The cost per ticket is currently £15. Please note, we do not guarantee there will be any extra tickets available to purchase.
Student finance videos
Student finance This video 'Student finance - bitesize' is available as a text transcript, with a description of visuals.
Student funding - the essentials This video 'Student funding essentials - Student Funding for 2023' is available as a text transcript, with a description of visuals.
Entry requirements
Please select an option below:
Key entry requirements
112-128 UCAS tariff points
- A minimum of two completed A-levels in an relevant subject, a BTEC Extended Diploma at DMM or BTEC Diploma at D*D*, or equivalent qualification, or a combination of qualifications which comply with the minimum entry requirement of 112 UCAS points.
- UK applicants are required to attend a portfolio viewing.
- Applicants from outside the UK will be required to send an electronic portfolio.
- Direct entry into years two or three may be considered for this course.
- Applicants over the age of 21 may be considered based on relevant experience, without having the required tariff points.
- For further information about UK qualifications, please contact admissions.
Key entry requirements
As a general guide, we look for qualifications that are equivalent to the British high school A-levels.
Applicants from outside the UK will be required to submit an electronic portfolio for consideration.
If you are applying from outside the UK, find information about entry requirements, visas and agents for your country here.
For further information about EU qualifications, please contact admissions.
Key entry requirements
As a general guide, we look for qualifications that are equivalent to the British high school A-levels.
Applicants from outside the UK will be required to submit an electronic portfolio for consideration.
If you are applying from outside the UK, find information about entry requirements, visas and agents for your country here.
For further information about UK, EU and international qualifications, please contact admissions.
Note to all international students requiring a visa
All international applicants need to be aware that the English language requirements to attend Solent University, and the English language requirements to obtain a visa from the Home Office, may be different. This means that if you meet the Solent University language requirement to gain a place on the course, you may still have to meet additional requirements to be granted with a visa by the Home Office.
We strongly advise all applicants to visit the Home Office website which outlines all the requirements for a successful visa application and to take a look at our 2023 course entry statement document.
112-128UCAS points
Any questions?
Contact international admissions
Call: +44 (0)23 8201 5066Email: admissions.international@solent.ac.ukHow to apply
Full-time
Any student applying for the first year of a full-time/sandwich undergraduate course must apply through UCAS (University and Colleges Admissions Service). This includes mature, overseas and EU students.
Nearly all schools and colleges offer their students the facility of applying electronically through the UCAS website using 'Apply'; it may also be used by those applying independently in the UK and overseas. This facility and all course information can be found on the UCAS website: www.ucas.com.
Your application should reach UCAS by 31 January if you hope to enter a course the following autumn. Early application is advised for the most popular subject areas. Late applications may be made until the end of June. The UCAS Code for the University is S30, code name SOLNT.
Find out what happens after you apply
Contextual offers
Solent endeavours to offer learning opportunities to students from all backgrounds. When we receive and review an application, we take into consideration the context and personal circumstances of applicants when making a decision, which means our advertised entry tariff could be reduced.
Alternative entry options
Top-up route:
We welcome applications from students currently studying a Foundation Degree, DipHE, HNC, HND or modules of an undergraduate degree course at another university, who wish to enter directly into Years 2 or 3 of one of our undergraduate degree courses. Please contact our admissions team for more information: contact us
Language requirements
Applicants who do not have English as their first language will be required to demonstrate an approved level of proficiency in the use of the English language. The agreed minimum requirements for this course are:
- IELTS minimum 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each individual component
- TOEFL IBT minimum 80 with a minimum of 20 in each individual component
- Duolingo English Language Test - 115 overall with minimum of 95 in each component or equivalent.
Qualifications are checked before enrolment, and international students must bring their original certificates or certified copies when coming to study at the University.
Pre-Sessional English programme
The University also offers a pre-sessional English programme for international students who wish to improve their level of English before starting a degree course.
We will prepare you for your future
Suitable roles for graduates include:
- Curator
- Gallery assistant
- Art Co-ordinator
- Art Therapist
- Art Critic
- Writer
- Film-maker
- Video editor
- Art studio technician
- Community art project manager
We will help you start your career
The Solent Futures team is committed to getting students into great careers.
While you are studying, the team can help you with finding work experience or placements, link you with a mentor, check your CV, or offer one-to-one guidance.
If you're in your final year, we also have graduate job opportunities just for Solent graduates.
Find out more
Support at Solent
All students at Solent University have access to a range of specialist support services. Whether you are having financial difficulty, need additional help with academic skills or want advice on setting up your own business you'll find that help is always on hand.
Most of our specialist support services are based around the Student Hub, a central space where you can access all the information and support you may need during your time at University. The Student Hub is the first point of contact if you have any queries relating to your course, including questions about your timetable, options, and assessments and extenuating circumstances.
We work in partnership with the University to build a sense of pride and confidence in your Union, University and student experience.
Find out more
Further study
Thinking about studying further than an undergraduate degree? Alumni can get 20% off their postgraduate study.
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Make your application
- 3 years
- 4 years with foundation year
