About Fine Art

Seeing the world anew, placing the accepted and unquestioned into a different light, exploring the boundaries between the private and public sphere, between the individual and society - doing it visually.

All departments in the Faculty of Fine Art - Media, Painting, Fine Print and Sculpture - help students to develop a highly individual way of seeing and interpreting, and of expressing themselves visually. Emphasis is placed on visual awareness and artistic analysis, on acquiring skills in the use of both traditional and new materials and media.

BA in Fine Art

Course Description

After successfully completing First Year (Core), selected students specialise in Fine Art.

During the course of the second term of Year 2, students enter the department most suited to their potential development in either media, painting, Fine Print or sculpture.

The programme of study is structured to balance the needs of individual development and course requirements. During the first half of the year the programme is designed to give students the basic knowledge, practice and skills of drawing, painting, Fine Print, sculpture, photography and media.

The course in its diversity reflects the wide range of interests and experience of the Fine Art staff who are all practising artists.

Students are assessed on their progress in the selected area of specialisation.

Some students may have a combined interest in media, painting, print and sculpture.

Arrangements can be made at tutorial level to facilitate an intermix of activities between Fine Art departments.

Twenty percent of the course for each year is devoted to studies in Visual Culture and, in the final year, the preparation of a thesis.

Student Exchanges

Fine Art students may have an opportunity to study abroad on one of the many exchange programmes arranged with other colleges in Europe, and the USA. Exchanges usually take place during Year 3 when students can benefit from the stimulus that derives from a different culture and environment at an important stage of their development.

Career Prospects

The course provides an in-depth education in the visual arts. It is primarily aimed at those who are intent on becoming the future artists in society and the College is looking for people with the commitment to pursue this life path. The nature of these courses is to develop the initiative, ability and creative potential of the student and Fine Art graduates may use their qualification as a platform to find jobs in the growing "culture industry" as curators, arts administrators, critics, etc., or apply their skills in other related creative pursuits.

The education provided equips students to respond creatively to life and business challenges. Visual arts graduates are to be found in every area of society making art at the highest levels.

Postgraduate

Graduates of exceptional ability will be in a position to apply for postgraduate studies at the National College of Art and Design (or elsewhere). Graduates might also apply for the postgraduate teaching qualification (Higher Diploma in Art and Design Education).

Click here for Entry Requirements and Application Procedures

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