Fine Art

Year 1

You will develop fundamental core skills and knowledge of Fine Art Practice through studio projects, lectures, seminars and specific subject related technical workshops in drawing, printmaking, photography and contextual and critical studies.

Years2-4

You willchoose one of the following coursesbefore entering Year 2:

Learning Methods

You will engage in a series of multidisciplinary experiences that will give you a greater understanding of the critical, creative and professional skills that you will need to flourish.

Activity Summary

Year 4

• Lectures - average 30students per group, 4hours per term
• Seminars - 8students per group, 4hours per term
• Tutorial - one-to-one sessions,4hours per term
• Project Supervision - average 30students per group, 4hours per term
• Demonstration - average 15students per group, 4hours per term
• Practical class or workshop - average 30students per group, 6hours per term
• Supervised time in studio / workshop - average 30students per group, 60hours per term
• Independent Study - average 30students per group, 340hours per term
• External Visits -10-20 students per group, 1-2 daysper term
• Placement / Work Based Learning - variable depending on individual project

How long is a BA (Hons) Fine Art course?

The duration of a Fine Art degree is 4 years. This includes lectures, workshops, independent study and other activities.

Independent Study

Throughout the course, particular emphasis is placed on your development of independent learning through self-directed design project/s. In Year 4, you are required to study independently with the emphasis on supported study through tutorials, seminars, critiques and exhibitions.

Staff Delivering on this Course

There is a combination of academic and technical staff teaching on this course, all staff having specific expertise in one of the named routes and are active researchers or practicing artists within the subject.

Expert practitioners in the industry contribute to course as Professional Associates, the ‘Life After Art School’ lecture programme and through the Guest@Grays programme, which invites national and international artists and designers to speak about their work and aspects of essential professional skills acquisition.

There is also input from Graduate in Resident artists, PhD and master's students.

Assessment

Typically students are assessed eachyear:

Year 1

• 1 written assignment, including essays
• 2 portfolios
• 3 group critiques

Year 2

• 2 written assignments, including essays
• 2 portfolios
• 3 group critiques

Year 3

• 2 written assignments, including essays
• 2 portfolios
• 2 project outputs
• 3 group critiques

Year 4

• 1 dissertation
• 1 portfolio

Feedback

We aim to provide you with feedback within 20 working days of hand-in for all written exams, coursework and practical exams.

Placements

In year 3, Term2, you will have the opportunity to undertake up to 4 weeks work experience within one or more placement experiences. This will enable you to gain first-hand experience and a real insight into professional practice. We have longstanding agreements with a range of organisations both in the city of Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and beyond including Peacock Visual Arts, Scottish Sculpture Workshop, The Carbrach Heritage Trust and GHAT (Grampian Hospital Arts Trust).

There is also opportunities for you to apply for open call placements in preparation for Year 4. Each placement is financially supported and the Student Placement and Support Manager will support you in finding placements.

STUDY ABROAD

In Year 3, Term2, there is the opportunity to undertake a period of international study exchange with our partner colleges across Europe, Canada and the US.

Job Prospects

Is Fine Art a good career choice?

Your career choice will depend on the path you choose from Year Two of the course.

PreviousBA Fine Art graduates of Robert Gordon University have gone on to pursue the following careers:

• Freelance Artist
• Community Arts
• Educational Art Assistant
• Graduate in Residence

You may develop your individual creative practice through exhibitions, residencies, public art projects and many other forms of arts-related activity. Options include independent production, publishing, advertising, curatorial and archival work, gallerists, video & TV, arts administration, teaching and community arts.

There is also the option of extending your academic experience through postgraduate study at Gray’s School of Art or other postgraduate institutions.