Funding
Find out more about financing your studies and whether you may qualify for one of our bursaries and scholarships
Money Matters
In the contemporary art world, as the boundaries between fine art practices are crossed, so too are the distinctions between artist, theorist and curator. This distinctive course challenges these boundaries, offering students the opportunity to develop and expand fine art practice through a deep engagement with art historical knowledge and theoretical ideas. The course also offers a curating pathway, allowing students to explore exhibition-making in its own right and as a form of artistic practice.
As part of the undergraduate programmes in art theory and practice, the course shares much of its teaching with BA (Hons) Art History and Curating, and students from the two courses collaborate on projects and exhibition making. It is taught by a multidisciplinary team of practising artists, ar...
3 years full-time · 4 years with placement year and/or overseas study
Teaching over the three years will allow you to synthesise art historical and theoretical knowledge into your studio work so that you may develop an informed contemporary fine art practice. This integration will challenge you, enriching your intellectual and creative ambitions, and encourage you to situate your art practice within a broader social and cultural context.
The staff team delivering the course are internationally exhibiting artists, curators, and art historians with expertise and research interests in the modern and contemporary period.
In the first year, students begin to establish their fine art practice within our studios and specialist workshops. Alongside this, they study important movements in art from Romanticism to Modernism, placing these in their social contexts.
The unit introduces students to methods, materials and processes relevant to fine art. Students will begin to explore approaches to the production of fine art studio outcomes that will be further developed in the second semester practice unit.
The module provides an opportunity to explore collaborative and interdisciplinary art and/or curatorial practice by undertaking work alongside students from other programmes in the Department of Art & Performance.
Students are allocated to a pathway according to their programme to introduce ideas relevant to their studies. The unit introduces some of the broad over-arching themes and concepts – historical, cultural, social, political, and economic – that affect and inform the production of art, design and/or craft.
This unit is delivered and assessed by individual programmes and relate directly to students’ personal practice and the contexts that inform making in professional art, design and/or craft practices. The unit asks students to begin to form a critical understanding of their own practice.
The unit involves an introduction to art c.1800-1900, addressing Romanticism, Realism, and Modernism in relation to modern life and modernity. It also introduces practices and concepts that are central to the discipline of art history.
The unit deals with the early twentieth century artistic avant-garde, examining groupings such as Cubism, Futurism, Vorticism, Constructivism, Dada, and Surrealism.
In the second and third years students continue to explore and define their fine art practice, articulating their approaches with increasing confidence as they develop their knowledge and understanding of art's historical, theoretical, and institutional contexts. Options in the second and third year introduce valuable curatorial skills and professional perspectives, and a curating pathway is recognised through its own degree award: BA (Hons) Fine Art and Art History (Curating Pathway).
The unit explores art from the mid- to late twentieth century in different geographical locations, considering categories of art practice, artists and groups, political and social conditions, and art historical issues arising from the study of art during this period.
The unit examines methods and theories relevant to the historical study and interpretation of art and other forms of visual culture, and looks at the place of these theories in the development of the discipline of art history.
The unit facilitates the development of an independent studio practice, providing an opportunity to further explore materials, processes and issues relating to fine art. Tutorials will support the student in selecting from the second semester practice options.
In their final year students will realise and produce a body of work or an exhibition project that demonstrates a critical and informed engagement with contemporary art practice and/or curating. Students will also conduct an independent research project leading to an extended piece of writing, which may be an extended essay or a full-length dissertation.
The unit will explore institutional contexts for the teaching, production, and use of art (such as the art school, the studio, patronage, the art market, the art museum). As part of this, the unit will also examine historical processes of change since the Renaissance that have resulted in the transformation of the institutional structure of art.
The unit expects students to work with increasing independence to create art works that demonstrate an engagement with contemporary art practices. Tutorials will support the student in selecting from the second semester practice options.
Whether you’ve already made your decision about what you want to study, or you’re just considering your options, there are lots of ways you can meet us and find out more about student life at Manchester Met.
We offer:
Your studies are supported by a department of committed and enthusiastic teachers and researchers, experts in their chosen field.
We often link up with external professionals too, helping to enhance your learning and build valuable connections to the working world.
These typical entry requirements may be subject to change for the 2025/26 academic year. Please check back for further details.
GCE A levels - grades BCC or equivalent
Pearson BTEC National Extended Diploma - grade DMM
Access to HE Diploma - Pass overall with a minimum 106 UCAS Tariff points
UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma - grade of Merit overall
OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma - grade DMM
T level - We welcome applications from students undertaking T level qualifications. Eligible applicants will be asked to achieve a minimum overall grade of Merit as a condition of offer
IB Diploma - Pass overall with a minimum overall score of 26 or minimum 104 UCAS Tariff points from three Higher Level subjects
Other Level 3 qualifications equivalent to GCE A level are also considered.
A maximum of three A level-equivalent qualifications will be accepted towards meeting the UCAS tariff requirement.
AS levels, or qualifications equivalent to AS level, are not accepted. The Extended Project qualification (EPQ) may be accepted towards entry, in conjunction with two A-level equivalent qualifications.
Please contact the University directly if you are unsure whether you meet the minimum entry requirements for the course.
We will ask for a portfolio of your work as part of your application.
GCSE grade C/4 in English Language or equivalent, e.g. Pass in Level 2 Functional Skills English
Please see our digital portfolio requirements page for guidance on preparing and submitting your portfolio.
GCE A levels - grades BCC or equivalent
Pearson BTEC National Extended Diploma - grade DMM
Access to HE Diploma - Pass overall with a minimum 106 UCAS Tariff points
UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma - grade of Merit overall
OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma - grade DMM
T level - We welcome applications from students undertaking T level qualifications. Eligible applicants will be asked to achieve a minimum overall grade of Merit as a condition of offer
IB Diploma - Pass overall with a minimum overall score of 26 or minimum 104 UCAS Tariff points from three Higher Level subjects
Other Level 3 qualifications equivalent to GCE A level are also considered.
A maximum of three A level-equivalent qualifications will be accepted towards meeting the UCAS tariff requirement.
AS levels, or qualifications equivalent to AS level, are not accepted. The Extended Project qualification (EPQ) may be accepted towards entry, in conjunction with two A-level equivalent qualifications.
Please contact the University directly if you are unsure whether you meet the minimum entry requirements for the course.
We will ask for a portfolio of your work as part of your application.
There’s further information for international students on our international website if you’re applying with non-UK qualifications.
Please see our digital portfolio requirements page for guidance on preparing and submitting your portfolio.
Tuition fees for the 2025/26 academic year are still being finalised for all courses. You can find information on 2024/25 standard undergraduate fees for UK/Channel Islands and EU/Non-EU international students. All fees stated may be subject to change for the 2025/26 academic year.
Optional estimate: £800
Students often choose to buy their own laptop in their first year. However there are computer facilities on campus. £200-£800.
Optional estimate: £1,140
Educational visits to European centres during each year. These are optional and if related to a unit of study, local alternatives are identified.
There are no additional professional membership fees required for full qualification.
Compulsory estimate: £600
Optional estimate: £2,400
The production of works or artefacts which may require you to purchase specific materials and/or equipment relating to your area of fine art specialism. Audio visual equipment is available to loan. Depending on what you buy, additional costs could range from £150 - £800 per year. Books and digitised readings are available from the library. However you will be required to purchase a small number of core books approx £50 per year.
Find out more about financing your studies and whether you may qualify for one of our bursaries and scholarships
Money MattersThe course allows students to develop into informed, critically capable art practitioners, able to take their place as professionals in the arts and the wider cultural industries. The course also offers students the opportunity of enhancing their employability through placement and overseas study years.
This course is appropriate for careers in a range of cultural roles such as artist, curator, journalist, arts manager, gallery assistant, teacher, as well being appropriate for postgraduate study.
You can apply for this course for 2025/26 entry once UCAS applications open in autumn.
Visit UCAS for further details, including deadlines.
Get advice and support on making a successful application.
You can review our current terms and conditions before you make your application. If you are successful with your application, we will send you up to date information alongside your offer letter.
Programme review
Our programmes undergo an annual review and major review (normally
at 6 year intervals) to ensure an up-to-date curriculum supported by the
latest online learning technology. For further information on when we
may make changes to our programmes, please see the changes section of our
terms and conditions.
Important notice
This online prospectus provides an overview of our programmes of study
and the University. We regularly update our online prospectus so that
our published course information is accurate. Please check back to the
online prospectus before making an application to us to access the most
up to date information for your chosen course of study.
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