Course summary

Overview From the outset, Fine Art students work using diverse processes and methods, with critical and contextual studies, drawing, object making and online and time-based media integral to learning. In your first year you review your previous experience and engage with art making through personal experimentation, workshops and set projects. In your second year, ongoing critical enquiry develops your individual 'language'. This is consolidated in the third year through development of work for public exhibition and of the curatorial skills required to present your own and others' practices. The course focuses, throughout, on individual progress and on supporting you to explore and articulate your own work and your aspirations for it: the aim is to enable you to become confident about presenting your practice and ideas to others - a vital skill when you graduate. Illustration aims to cover the complete range of illustration genres and forms, including children's books, editorial and magazine illustration, the graphic novel, reportage, authorial illustration and advertising. With its comprehensive foundation in drawing during students' first year, it will support development of your work across a wide range of applications encompassing traditional techniques and digital realisation. Cross media projects are encouraged and, in your final year, there is increasing emphasis on growing your knowledge of, and interaction with, professional contexts of illustration. You are taught by lecturers who, themselves, are also professional, published illustrators. Key features

• Experience a variety of Fine Art making processes, contexts and media through innovative practice-based research

• Work with internationally recognised artist-lecturers whose own research interests and networks inform the studio culture

• Benefit from a vibrant programme of visiting lecturers and MA students and guest speakers

• Live brief collaboration with national publishers and publications

• Develop a diverse set of skills and leave with a professional portfolio of practice through work placements, collaborations and opportunities to study abroad

• Opportunity to travel to destinations in mainland Europe and introduced to exhibition practice through illustration fairs, card sales and exhibitions in the final year graduation show, as well as through an opportunity to showcase their work in London

• Shortlisted for Times Higher Education’s University of the Year in 2016, 2019 and 2020

• Top 5 in the UK for Quality Education in Times Higher Education’s University Impact Rankings 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022

• Sustainability Institution of the Year in the Green Gown Awards 2019

• Top 10 for Sustained Employment - Longitudinal Educational Outcomes survey (2017)