Course summary
Our BA (Hons) Fine Art is a four-year, intensive, studio-based programme designed to support you in developing your approach to creative practice and a critical understanding of contemporary culture. You will work closely with specialist staff to take multiple approaches to your creative work and will develop an understanding of how fine art is produced, experienced and valued in society. Our programme will help to shape you as an artist while introducing you to the many other creative, critical and cultural possibilities within the diverse and evolving field of contemporary fine art. We welcome all students who are interested in:
- the creative process
- the many practices and contexts of contemporary fine art
- exploring the process of becoming an artist
- Our studio-based programme establishes an inclusive and exciting studio culture which supports communities of peers to co-develop one another’s learning. You will get hands-on experience of how to use a studio space and develop relevant practices using a studio space.
- Our holistic approach to balancing and integrating practical and contextual studies of contemporary fine art prepares you for work across a range of related creative and cultural sectors.
- Experience specialist research-led teaching from internationally renowned practitioners who are practising artists, curators, and theorists.
- Experience a dynamic and evolving curriculum that encourages you to pursue paths of complimentary study and make use of a huge range of world-class facilities and resources across the wider ECA and the University of Edinburgh.
- Our programme provides a wide variety of event-based learning including visiting artist talks, workshops, exhibitions, screenings, special events, gallery visits, day trips, an overseas trip, projects with external organisations, and graduate shows.
- In Year 3 of your programme you have the option to study abroad at a range of internationally renowned institutions.
How to apply
This course is not open to application until the 13th May 2025.
14Jan
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- BAFA
- Institution code:
- E56
- Campus name:
- Central area campus
- Campus code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
- Year 2
Entry requirements
Standard Qualification Requirements
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
A level - ABB
Scottish Higher - ABBB
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 34 points
Direct entry to second year is available; see our website for entry requirements. Applicants studying Pearson BTEC Level 3 Nationals in Art and Design will be considered for entry with the following: * Pearson BTEC Extended Diploma with DMM * Pearson BTEC Diploma with MM plus one A level at A (or DM plus B at A level) * Pearson BTEC Extended Certificate / Subsidiary Diploma with D plus two A levels at B (or M plus AB at A level) Applicants studying the University of the Arts London Level 3 Extended Diploma in Art and Design will be considered with Merit. Detailed entry requirements, including typical offer levels, and information about other qualifications we accept, are available on the University of Edinburgh’s website. You’ll also find important information on how to apply. You must submit a fully completed UCAS application that includes details of the qualifications you are taking, including full predicted grades for qualifications not yet completed, your personal statement and your reference.
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course
https://study.ed.ac.uk/programmes/undergraduate/669-fine-art
Minimum Qualification Requirements
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
A level - ABB
Scottish Higher - ABBB
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 34 points
Please click the following link to find out more about minimum qualification requirements for this course
https://study.ed.ac.uk/programmes/undergraduate/669-fine-art
Additional entry requirements
Portfolio
You need to submit a digital portfolio to show your artistic skill and potential. This portfolio is an important part of the application process for this programme. The portfolio guidance for 2026 entry will be released in August 2025.
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.5 | total 6.5 with at least 5.5 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements. |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 92 | total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements. |
| Cambridge English Advanced | total 176 with at least 162 in each component. | |
| Cambridge English Proficiency | total 176 with at least 162 in each component. | |
| Trinity ISE | ISE II with distinctions in all four components. |
You must prove that you can read, write, listen and speak in the English language at a level that will allow you to succeed in your studies. This is the case for all applicants, including UK nationals. You can meet our English language requirements with qualifications from school or an English language test. We accept any of the following, at the specified grade or higher: SQA National 5: English at C; GCSE: English at C or 4; Level 2 Certificate: English at C; International Baccalaureate (IB) Standard Level: English at 5 (English ab initio is not accepted for entry). Before you apply, check the required subjects for this programme, as you may need a higher English grade to meet the academic requirements. We also accept other qualifications from around the world. If you don’t have school qualifications that meet our requirements, we accept any of the English language tests, at the specified grade or higher, as detailed above. Qualifications from the following English language tests must be no more than two years old from the start date of your programme, regardless of your nationality: IELTS, TOEFL, Oxford ELLT. All other types of English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of your programme. If you are a national of a majority English-speaking country or region, as defined by UKVI, there is no time limit on how old these other types of English language qualifications can be.
Full details of our English language requirements can be found on our website:
https://study.ed.ac.uk/undergraduate/entry-requirements/english-language
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Scotland | £1820* | Year 1 |
| England | £9535* | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9535* | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9535* | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9535* | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £9535* | Year 1 |
| EU | £38900 | Year 1 |
| International | £38900 | Year 1 |
*This is a provisional fee and subject to change.
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Scottish students must apply to the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) for payment of their tuition fees.
Please note the 2026-27 fee rate is yet to be confirmed by the Scottish Government.
England/Wales/Northern Ireland - The Rest of UK (RUK) rate is yet to be confirmed. The fee for 2025 entry was £9,535.
For 2026 entry this may increase in line with inflation and will be subject to government limits
.
EU On 9th July 2020 the decision was made by the Scottish Government to end free university tuition for European Union (EU) students starting in 2021-22. Funding policy for EU nationals and associated groups starting a course of study in academic year 2022-23 or later will be in line with international fees.
Full time international and EU students will pay a fixed annual fee rate for the duration of their programme
Provider information
The University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh
Old College
South Bridge
Edinburgh
EH8 9YL