Course Summary
People make art in different ways and for many different reasons. It can take many forms and generate many responses. This degree is designed to provide students with opportunities to explore all these possibilities. The degree is structured to provide coherent discussion and guidance to help students gain confidence and see clear aims, principles, qualities and directions in their work. The degree covers a range of fine art practice, including drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, installation and lens-based work, as well as creative and analytical thinking, problem solving, communication and critical judgment.
Entry Requirements
To enter Level 1 of the course, successful candidates will normally have gained the following qualifications or their equivalent:
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Two A-Levels, being Art or a Design subject at grade C or above, and one other grade E or above, and GCSE grade C in English (or equivalent EFL qualification); or
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BTEC/EdExcel Foundation or National Diploma in an Art, Design or related subject; or
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Advanced GNVQ in Art/Design, with a Merit profile; or
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Equivalent relevant work or life experience.
Applications from mature students are welcomed and the course entry requirements recognise the value and variety of experience which these students bring to the course. Careful consideration is given to their learning gained through work and life experience, including personal interests. Where possible, attention and support is given to their study plans in the light of any domestic and other commitments. As with younger students, they are invited to discuss their aspirations and motivations, though issues specific to their life stage and their recent study experience may emerge.
Course Aims
The broad educational intention of the course is:
In the context of Fine Art, to facilitate the acquisition of appropriate knowledge and understanding, the development of necessary personal attributes, and the mastery of relevant skills which will equip and prepare students for continuing personal development and professional practice (QAA 2002: 4.1)
To meet the aims of the QAA Foundation Degree qualification benchmark (QAA 065 10/2004), states that holders of Foundation Degrees should be able to demonstrate:
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knowledge and critical understanding of the well-established principles in their field of study and the way in which those principles have developed
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successful application in the workplace of the range of knowledge and skills learnt throughout the programme;
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ability to apply underlying concepts and principles outside the context in which they were first studied, and the application of those principles in a work context
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knowledge of the main methods of enquiry in their subject(s), and ability to evaluate critically the appropriateness of different approaches to solving problems in their field of study and apply these in a work context
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an understanding of the limits of their knowledge, and how this influences analyses and interpretations based on that knowledge in their field of study and in a work context.
Learning Outcomes
These course aims are broken down into sets of related skills, which are known as learning outcomes.
A. Knowledge and Understanding
By the end of the course you should to be able to:
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Articulate and synthesise their knowledge and understanding, attributes and skills in effective ways in the contexts of creative practice, further study, employment, research and self-fulfilment;
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Apply, consolidate and extend their learning in different contextual frameworks and situations
B. Mental or cognitive skills
By the end of the course you should be able to:
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Study independently, set goals, manage their own workloads and meet deadlines;
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Source, select, evaluate and manage information from a variety of sources
C. Subject Specific and Practical Skills
By the end of the course you should be able to:
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Anticipate and accommodate change, and work within contexts of ambiguity, uncertainty and unfamiliarity;
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Articulate and present ideas and information in visual, oral and written forms, to audiences in a range of situations
D. Key Skills
Key Skills, also known as graduate key skills, transferable skills or general skills, comprise communication, information technology, problem solving, numeracy, working with others and improving own learning.
By the end of the course, you should be able to:
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Analyse information and experiences, formulate independent judgements, and articulate reasoned arguments through reflection, review and evaluation;
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Formulate reasoned responses to the arguments of others;
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Identify personal strengths and needs;
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Where necessary, interact effectively with others, for example in collaboration and negotiation;
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Select and employ communication and information technologies.
Module Framework
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BFDFIA102
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Historical and Critical Studies 1
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20
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SEM2
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BFDFIA104
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Personal Development
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20
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SEM2
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BFDFIA106
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Curating, Creating and Installing
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20
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SEM2
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BFDFIA108
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Public Art
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20
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SEM1
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BFDFIA109
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Introductory Studies:Landscape
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20
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SEM1
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BFDFIA110
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Introductory Studies: Portraiture
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20
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SEM1
|
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BFDFIA201
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Site Specific Art
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20
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SEM1
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BFDFIA202
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Individual Negotiated Project
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20
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SEM2
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BFDFIA203
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Drawing
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20
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SEM1
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BFDFIA204
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Final exhibition
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20
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SEM2
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BFDFIA205
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Historical and Critical Studies 2 (Incorporating further Historical and Critical Studies)
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20
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SEM1
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BFDFIA206
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Developing a Fine Art Identity: Sourcing, Contextualisation and Exploration
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20
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SEM2
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Teaching, Learning and Assessment
The course offers a wide range of learning and teaching strategies, selected to be appropriate to the subject matter studied (e.g. formal lectures/demonstrations, individual tutorials and group seminars) and to exercise various skills and styles of learning within each student. The first level tends to be more prescriptive, with a greater level of individual responsibility for learning being given to students studying at level two. Assessment modes include project coursework, presentations, reports, essays and research folders.
Timetable
The teaching is divided into two semesters, semester one runs from September to January and Semester Two from February to June. A full time student is expected to take three modules each semester, making six modules in one year. A part-time student will take one or two modules each semester. Students can expect to have to attend UCS for four to five hours per module for the twelve weeks of the semester and to spend at least an equivalent amount of time per week in independent study. Students will be provided with timetables when they join the course.
Course Delivery
This course is delivered at University Campus Suffolk Bury St Edmunds mainly in Leonardo House.
Placements/Work Based Learning/Work Experience
Students are encouraged to investigate and liaise with all areas of the fine arts sector in order to contextualise study and promote future career aspirations. There are opportunities for project work with outside agencies and professional artists.
Tutorial and Study Support
Staff place great importance on the provision of tutorial support. Students have an entitlement to two 20-minute individual tutorials per semester. All students have a named academic who acts in an academic and pastoral capacity, providing advice on academic progress, option choices and assessment requirements, as well as forming links with the College’s other student support services. Tutors are supported in this process by student assessment profiles from the central system, in order to aid tracking the student’s progress and the discussion of the student’s plans. Across the College, there are effective arrangements for study skills support workshops and for the support of students with disabilities. The special needs of individual students are monitored, through their application forms and initial tutorial, and appropriate guidance and referrals are given by their tutor.
Opportunites on Completion of the Course
Graduates have gone on to a wide range of careers and further postgraduate studies, including individual practice, gallery work, teaching, arts administration and research.