Course summary

Our Foundation course will focus on your personal and creative development based around a broad exploration of visual disciplines, leading directly to a BA course in the School of Art or the School of Visual Communication within the Art, Design and Media Faculty at BCU. Working in a lively and energetic environment you will be given the freedom to expand your knowledge in conceptual development, practical skills and creative exploration underpinned by broad critical understanding and emerging theoretical principles. You will work individually and collaboratively to develop a stimulating visual portfolio of work that evidences your enthusiasm for further study within a specific subject area. BA teaching staff from across both schools will work with you throughout the course and you will have full access to all the University facilities. Our Fine Art BA course gives you the support of professionals to choose your own creative journey and flourish as an artist, curator, teacher or working in other creative fields. Situated in our historic Grade I-listed art school, based in Margaret Street, you'll enjoy the freedom, space and support needed to establish your own artistic voice. There are no set pathways to learning and this means you’ll have genuine freedom to experiment in any media appropriate to your ideas, encouraging you to experiment in or across painting, sculpture, printmaking, drawing, photography, installation, film and video. This course encourages you to experiment in or across painting, sculpture, printmaking, drawing, photography, installation, film and video. You'll be supported throughout your studies by our experienced and talented tutors and technical staff - all professional artists in their own right. As well as learning important skills for your future career development from our practical and professional practice modules, you’ll also be introduced to the context and curation of art. You will enjoy our close links to the Ikon Gallery, Ort Gallery, New Art Gallery Walsall and Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery and be inspired by the studios and galleries set up by former students, such as The Lombard Method, Grand Union, Stryx and Ort Gallery. The course concludes in a public professional exhibition of your practical work supported by individual websites. You will curate exhibitions, have the opportunity take part in work placements and exchanges, and go on national and international study visits. Each year the onsite project space, the International Project Space (IPS), will be the hub for a series of residencies, exhibitions and events, and we will work with a number of local, national and international partners to deliver a range of projects with our students.

Course details