Scenic Art and Prop Making

Scenic Arts have been an essential part of Mountview's production arts training for 40 years.

Two programmes offer specialist vocational training in scenic art and prop making for theatre, film, TV and related industries such as theming and heritage.

A two-year Foundation Degree (FdA) in Scenic Art and Prop Making provides a fast-track training, and a one-year top-up allows FdA graduates to gain a BA (Hons).

There is a maximum of eight places available each year with practical training running over 30 hours per week, 36 weeks per year.

N.B. The application route for this course is FREE and direct with Mountview.  You may apply to this course directly in addition to the UCAS maximum of 5 choices.

The range of public productions Mountview produces gives a vast array of learning opportunities.

The FdA programme places a strong emphasis on developing specialist crafts and practical problem solving. You'll learn a range of skills and processes from traditional and established methods and materials to new and future-facing technologies. The course encourages strong links with the industry and opportunities for work-based learning.

As an FdA graduate you will be prepared to enter the workplace, with a broad range of skills making you highly employable.

A BA (Hons) top-up year allows you to explore more advanced creative and management roles. You will take on a minimum of two major roles on productions through the year. A specialist research project requires you to apply advanced research skills to extend knowledge in a particular area of interest.

Strong emphasis is placed on learning through practice, and the majority of work across all the modules is continuously assessed. Skills modules will be assessed through coursework and practice modules through assessment of production roles.

• Painting scenic cloths and gauzes
• Specialist paint finishes and effects
• Mould making and casting
• Sculpting and modelling using specialist materials
• Working with timber, plastics, metals, resins, foams and fabrics
• Scenic art and prop making realisation through a design concept for fantasy themes
• Puppetry and puppet making
• Prosthetics and special effects make-up
• Upholstery and furniture making
• Career development and entrepreneurial skills

Applying to the FdA

Applicants must be aged 18 years or over at the start of the FdA course. 

Applicants are not required to have any formal academic qualifications. All applicants will receive an interview. Offers of places will be based on your application, interview, portfolio of work and two references. At interview you will present a portfolio of art and design work, and will be invited to talk about previous experience, interests and inspirations.

Entry is based on an interview at which you will present a portfolio of art and design work, and will be invited to talk about previous experience, interests and inspirations. There are no academic entry requirements, however one of the following is desirable:

> Five GCSE passes and two A-Levels or
> Four SCE Higher Grade passes
> BTEC National or Higher National Certificate or Diploma with merit grades
> Foundation course (Applicants for BA (hons) top-up must hold a minimum of 240 credits).
> Access to Higher Education Diploma

Applying to the BA (Hons) Top-up Year

Applicants from Mountview's FdA in Scenic Art and Prop making:

Students on Mountview's FdA who wish to apply for the BA (Hons) in Secnic Art and Prop Making must make a formal application. We recommend that students apply as early as possible in their second year. An offer of a place will be based on an interview and you must pass the FdA in order to take up a place.

External applicants:

Application information will include a personal statement, information on education and work background and two references relating to your education and/or employment background. Applicants will usually have gained, or be studying for, an FdA equivalent in content to Mountview's FdA in Scenic Art and Prop Making. They may also have accrued 240 credits on an equivalent BA (Hons) programme. Assessment of the equivalence of other courses will be made on a case-by-case basis. Check your eligibility here.

All applicants

If an applicant's first language is not English, and they have not been taught in English or studied to A Level standard in the UK, they will need to demonstrate an acceptable minimum level of competence through the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) (Band 6.5).

Mountview welcomes applications from people with disabilities and is keen to support all applicants to achieve their best. If applicants have any special requirements or access needs, these should be discussed with the course leader/administrator.

Mountview is committed to a comprehensive policy of equal opportunities for students in which individuals are selected and treated on the basis of their relevant merits and abilities. No applicant will receive less or more favourable treatment on grounds of sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, ethnic origin, disability, religion and marital/parental status or any comparable grounds.