Course Overview

This programme is specifically tailored to meet the demands of creative practitioners who wish to develop their specialist studio practice to a higher level. It builds upon the distinctive approach to Fine Art currently offered on the BA in Fine Art under graduate programme at the University of Bolton.

It aims to bring together a critical and contextual understanding of your particular discipline, which will enhance your practice, and seeks to engage you directly with the world of contemporary fine art by encouraging a dialogue with external partners and arts based agencies. The course will give you the opportunity to develop and broaden your creative work in both the formulation and articulation of your ideas.

You will also be expected to develop business management skills, in learning how to create a business plan, and write proposal briefs for commission, exhibition, and project work. A high level of personal commitment is required on the course, and you will be expected to manage your time effectively over the 12 month period of the programme, working with your fellow students on all aspects of your final, public exhibition at the end of the year.

Fact File

School	School of Arts, Media and Education|
Award	MA
How to apply	Please apply directly to the University of Bolton using the standard university application form.   Please give one reference in section 11 - it is not necessary to complete section 12 for this course.   Please visit our How to apply for a taught postgraduate course webpage for details.|
Mode of attendance	Full-time
Duration	12 months (1 calendar year)
Start dates	September
Entry requirements(typical offer)	You should hold a BA (Hons) degree, at 2.1 or above, in art, design or a related subject (eg textiles, photography, 3D Design,).   You will be required to submit a portfolio of your work and attend an interview.   Consideration will be given to applicants who do not have the stated qualifications but who have experience in a related field.
Tuition fees	Please contact Student Data Management Fees Enquiries on +44 (0)1204 903406 or +44 (0)1204 903059 for details.
Awarding body	University of Bolton
Location	University of Bolton: Deane Campus, Deane Road, Bolton, BL3 5AB

 

About the Course

The course is taught by practitioners with extensive experience in the field of Fine Art. In addition to studio work, (which will take up the bulk of your time here), you will learn through lectures, master classes, field trips, seminars, presentations, group work, tutorials and independent study.

There are regular talks by guest speakers who work in the field of Fine Art, and other related specialism's within post graduate Framework of the School of Arts, Media and Education. You will be part of the newly formed School of Arts Media and Education Masters Framework, which will allow you to make links across the post graduate courses, and be part of an elite masters cohort.

The Fine Art department has excellent facilities for a variety of creative practices, including a fully equipped wood workshop, a fully equipped metal workshop with facilities to work with a wide variety of metals, including a small aluminium foundry, a printmaking studio, a ceramics and casting studio, with two large kilns, and a digital studio equipped with the latest AppleMac computers, a range of high end software, and printing facilities up to A1 size.

Technicians for the different workshop specialism's are available to provide practical support and advice.

What you will learn

The course will give you the opportunity to enhance your practical and creative skills as a practising artist, under-pinned by a contextual research based programme of critical studies. You will be given a personal supervisor at the start of the programme, and you will also work in the studio alongside your other fellow MA Fine Art students. During the 12 month programme, you will develop a body of work for exhibition in the new Fine Art studio/exhibition area, to be held in September, at the end of the course. Opportunities for commission, and work for external agencies will also be made available to all students on the programme, and students will be encouraged to make external links through exhibition, or artist in residency opportunities.

What you will study

You will study six modules over three semesters, worth 180 credits. These will be:

Advanced Practice 1, Advanced Research and Study Skills, leading to a Post Graduate Certificate

Advanced Practice 2, Critical Thinking in Practice, leading to a Post Graduate Diploma

Advanced Practice 3, Critical Analysis and Reflection, leading to the Master of Arts.

Specials Features

Because of the open nature of the Fine Art studio, you will have the opportunity to apply a multi-disciplinary approach to your work, making use of the high level facilities available within the studio set-up.

The Fine Art department has established strong links with a number of arts organisations and groups within the region, including Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council, Bolton At Home, Queens Park and Bolton Landscape Department, Bolton Schools Liaison Network, Bolton Museum and Art Gallery, Hospital Arts, and a large number of private organisations who regularly commission our students.

Students from the under graduate programme has successfully set up three large studio groups in the region, and studio spaces are available for students to rent in these studio's at very reasonable rates. Two new contemporary art galleries have also been set up by our students in the past three years.

The department has also set up an under graduate programme in Fine Art in Athens, and students from the programme have an opportunity to spend some time at the art school in the centre of this historic city.

Careers and professional development

Fine Art graduates, and post graduates, are highly regarded for their abilities to visualise, and to think creatively "outside of the box". They are highly adaptable individuals who possess a range of specialist skills, and are able to move into careers covering a wide spectrum of the creative industries. Many Fine Art students set up as small businesses in their own studio spaces, and some of our graduates have established their own contemporary art galleries in Bolton and the region. Careers include self-employed professional artists, public artists, community based arts practitioners, freelance artists/illustrators, interior designers, museum and gallery curators, and art therapists to name a few.

Related courses

     Public Art – MA full-time

     Digital Image and Media - MA full-time|

     Digital Image and Media - MA part-time|

     Photography - MA (China) full-time|

     Photography - MA (UK) full-time|

    Photography - MA (UK) part-time|

Open days

Go to our Visit Us webpages to find out about our Open Days and Courses Advice Days|.

Further Information

For an informal discussion and further details about the course please contact:

Alan Buckingham (Programme Leader)
Tel: +44 (0)1204 903378
E-mail: A.Buckingham@bolton.ac.uk|

 

For general information about the University and how to apply please contact:

Enquiry Team (Student Services) Tel: +44 (0)1204 903903 Email: enquiries@bolton.ac.uk| http://www.bolton.ac.uk|