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A major factor on what drives my creative practice.

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Selection of recent works.

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Explore Ben Chandler Art's 38 photos on Flickr!

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Pinterest Mood Boards and selection of personal work.

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My LinkedIn account.

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Course 4 - Nottingham Trent University (Fine Art)

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Course 4 - Nottingham Trent University (Fine Art)

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[Did not apply]

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Course 5 - Edinburgh University (Fine Art)

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Course 5 - Edinburgh University (Fine Art)

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[Did not apply]

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Edinburgh is a beautiful city with great facilities. I've also found that the tutors are incredible and very knowledgeable. The diversity of talent here is great.

Aidan Stephen 3rd year BA (Hons) Painting

Our undergraduate programmes provide a scholarly framework for students who wish to develop their art practice. We provide a broad-based environment, with enough rigour and focus to enable you to engage with the challenges of study in intermedia, painting, photography and sculpture, within the context of contemporary art practice.

Our students demonstrate imaginative responses to the world through curiosity and exploration and we prepare them to do this with an educational experience that offers depth, breadth and ambition. Our students are equipped with the talent, knowledge and expertise to lead, rather than simply respond to, innovation in art practice.

We have been at the forefront of introducing option courses, providing you with choices that permit a breadth and depth of subjects. We recognise your desire to immerse yourself in your discipline but believe your learning is enhanced if you are exposed to a wider range of methods and knowledge beyond the confines of the studio.

In Years 1 and 2 your choice of option courses allows you to, in effect, construct a suite of courses that reflect your interests and enhance your main study. There are many permutations available to you but we imagine your choices would include a mix of art and other university courses.

W100 Applications

Please select the UCAS code W100 if you wish to apply for entry into Year 1 in the School of Art, a general year in which you will experience a wide range of options including painting, photography, sculpture and intermedia art. At the end of Year 1 you will be transferred to one of the following specialist programmes within the School of Art:

W900 Intermedia Art

W120 Painting

W640 Photography

W130 Sculpture

A distinctive aspect of your study here is the flexibility of choice of pathway which you can choose in Years 1 and 2. We believe innovation within contemporary art practice will not solely originate within discipline-specific study but will develop through its relationship to other fields of study and inquiry.

Our curriculum allows for flexibility of choice in Years 1 and 2 with specific in depth study in artistic practice in subsequent years.

Year 1

You will develop the core intellectual, visual and practical skills necessary for the study of art. You will follow a balanced programme that alternates between common projects and discipline-specific approaches in intermedia, painting, photography and sculpture, enabling you to choose a subject for specialist study.

There are 60 credits of option courses available from across the College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences, nominally made up of three 20-credit courses. You will study 60 credits of compulsory courses within your chosen area and 60 credits are open for you to choose your own pathway of study - subject to availability.

You will study Art Studio 1A and take workshops. A possible semester one timetable might also include Edinburgh Collections and Architectural History, or perhaps a language course (this would be useful if you are considering taking part in the international exchange programme in Year 3).

In semester two you will study Art Studio 1B and Introduction to Visual Culture as compulsory courses but you may also select another option art course such as Drawn from the City or, from the wider university, Ethnography, Theory and Practice.

There are many permutations available to you but we imagine your choices would include a mix of art and other university courses.

Year 2

You will focus on the development of visual ideas through appropriate materials, media and technical processes related to your chosen subject. Projects take place in the workshops and studios. You will present, evaluate and discuss work through technical workshops, tutorials, group discussions, critiques, exhibitions and presentations.

A total of 40 credits of option courses are available. We offer more than 20 option courses and there are many more available across the wider university to choose from.

Year 3

The emphasis shifts from structured projects to a self-generated programme of study. You will have opportunities to participate in live, external projects, commissions, events, visits, workshops, exhibitions, and group and individual tutorials, alongside extended periods of independent study.

Year 4

You will develop your own research interests, supported by studio staff. These will be realised through a body of work exhibited at your final Degree Show. You will also write a dissertation on a subject related to your practice.

Year 5

(Fine Art only)

You will write a history of art dissertation on a topic of your choice. Most of your time will be taken up with research, and production of your work in the art studios, culminating in the production and presentation of your artwork at the public Degree Show exhibitions.

Are there additional costs?

Costs for materials will vary depending on your programme of study. In addition, some programmes offer fieldwork and you will usually be required to cover accommodation, subsistence and travel costs. Your additional costs depend on the programme and courses selected.

Our facilities

Students benefit from studio-based learning in purpose-built workshops and studios for intermedia, painting, photography and sculpture at Lauriston Place, along with the exhibitions and events associated with a vibrant art college.

Some lectures and tutorials will take place in the George Square area. You will have access to the University's libraries and computer facilities.

The University is investing in the Edinburgh College of Art ( ECA ) estate and facilities to further develop our flexible, stimulating, supportive and sustainable learning and research environment for students and staff.

Further information is available on the ECA website.
Facilities and resources at ECA
Study abroad

We offer Erasmus and international exchanges with institutions around the world. An international placement immerses you in a new culture, expands your language skills and develops a self-reliance that employers value. Exchanges usually take place in Year 3.

How will I learn?

Most teaching and learning on compulsory courses is through involvement in a range of experiential projects, situated in a studio environment; option courses taken across the wider university will vary in delivery method.

Conceptual, material and technical issues are explored through seminars, workshops, lectures, tutorials and critiques. Research, critical thinking and study of the visual, intellectual, social and professional contexts that shape creative practice are regarded as essential to your development. This often involves participation in exhibitions and live projects.

As well as learning through group situations you will also be allocated a studio tutor with whom you will have one to one tutorials on a regular basis.

How will I be assessed?

We conduct continuous assessment throughout the year, to give meaningful feedback and to encourage experimentation in the studio and beyond. Assessment can take the form of project work, participation in group events and presentations.

Many graduates pursue careers as artists or enter other art-related professions and go on to undertake residencies and commissions in a global context. A high percentage of graduates establish themselves in workshops and studios. Many have achieved considerable success and built international reputations.

Our programmes provide a progressive education in contemporary art practice. Our students develop analytical and practical skills, the ability to work with others in an organised manner and the ability to think laterally. These attributes can be applied to a wide range of career possibilities.

Some students continue their studies at postgraduate level. Others have gone on to teach or to make an impact in the wider creative industries.

6 degrees in Art

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Edinburgh is a beautiful city with great facilities. I've also found that the tutors are incredible and very knowledgeable. The diversity of talent here is great. Aidan Stephen 3rd year BA (Hons) Painting Our undergraduate programmes provide a scholarly framework for students who wish to develop their art practice.

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Course 3 - Reading University (Fine Art)

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Course 3 - Reading University (Fine Art)

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The University of Reading is a global university that enjoys a world-class reputation for teaching, research and enterprise.

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Course 2 - Goldsmiths University of London (Fine Art)

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Course 2 - Goldsmiths University of London (Fine Art)

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UCAS
W190

Length
3 years full-time

Department
Art

This degree aims to equip you with creative, interpretive, critical and analytical skills, so that you can participate in and contribute to the expanding field of contemporary art.

This course is no longer accepting applications for 2017 entry. Applications for 2018 entry will be opening this autumn.

Why study BA Fine Art at Goldsmiths?

You'll make and study contemporary art in a dynamic, critical and interdisciplinary environment

We'll equip you with the skills that will help you develop independent thought and confidence in your practice, as well as transferable skills suitable for employment in the creative industries

You'll have your own studio space from day one, and will have access to excellent facilities including specialist research laboratories

All staff on the programme are practising artists, curators and writers, here to respond to the work that you make and to help you understand how it contributes to, and challenges, the critical debates that exist in the study area and beyond

Since 1990, former Goldsmiths students have been nominated for the Turner Prize more than 30 times, and have won the prize on seven occasions

Contact the department

If you have specific questions about the degree, contact Dawn Mellor (Home/EU applicants) or Lucy Clout (international applicants)

What you study

The programme has two elements:

Studio Practice (75% of the course)

You'll have your own studio space from day one, and will have access to excellent facilities and technical advice. Studios are not divided by year or discipline, so you will be studying alongside students from all stages of the programme working in a wide variety of media, including:

Drawing

Painting

Constructed textiles

Printmaking

Sculpture

Stitch

Fabric

Photography

Printed textiles

Video

Installation

Performance

Studio teaching is supported and complemented by workshop areas, which will introduce you to the techniques and skills relevant to the practical development of your work.

You'll have regular individual and group tutorials with your own tutor, with other tutors, and with visiting artists. You will also present your work for discussion with a larger group of students each term.

Critical Studies (25% of the course)

The lecture and seminar series in Year 1 offers a space for exploring and examining the historical and critical context in which art is made, seen and understood. The seminar options from which you can choose in Year 2 engage and extend your critical skills, enabling you to develop your ability to analyse, judge and write about contemporary art. Tutorials will guide your essay writing in Years 1 and 2, and will support the completion of your dissertation in Year 3.

All staff on the programme are practising artists, curators and writers, here to respond to the work that you make and to help you understand how it contributes to and challenges the critical debates that exist in the study area and beyond. We support your development and creativity and help you acquire independent learning skills. This approach requires you to be committed, to thrive on constructive criticism exchanged between staff and students, and to participate in discussing your own work and that of others.

Assessment

Studio practice coursework is continuously assessed through individual tutorials and group seminars. This is complemented by studio presentations at Year 1, viva voce at Year 2, and a final exhibition at Year 3. Critical Studies is assessed through essays (Years 1 and 2) and a dissertation (Year 3).

Download the programme specification, relating to the 2017-18 intake. If you would like an earlier version of the programme specification, please contact the Quality Office.

Please note that due to staff research commitments not all of these modules may be available every year.

Our entry requirements for this programme are usually:

Successful completion of three A-levels, International Baccalaureate or an equivalent qualification

PLUS successful completion of an Art and Design Foundation diploma

Portfolio of work

OR
Successful completion of a Foundation diploma, BTEC Extended Diploma in Art and Design (completed by the end of the academic year preceding entry).

Please note, students applying directly from A-Levels who have not completed an Art and Design Foundation or BTEC Extended Diploma in Art and Design will not be eligible for this programme.

After submitting your application you'll be asked to upload a portfolio online. If selected for interview, you'll be asked to bring along a portfolio of recent work and an essay. Find out more about the electronic portfolio requirements.

Mature students without formal qualifications who have relevant experience are also welcomed.

Equivalent qualifications
We accept a wide range of qualifications equivalent to the ones listed above. This includes:

Scottish qualifications: Successful completion
European Baccalaureate: Successful completion
Irish Leaving Certificate: Successful completion

If your qualifications are from another country, find out more about the qualifications we accept from around the world.

English language requirements
If English isn't your first language, you'll need to meet our English language requirements to study with us.

For this programme we require:

IELTS 6.5 with a 6.5 in writing and no element lower than 6.0

If you need assistance with your English language, we offer a range of courses that can help prepare you for degree-level study.

Read more about our general entrance requirements.

We have a world-leading reputation that brings together
students and researchers from all over the globe

Art
We specialise in making, curating and writing about contemporary art in a dynamic, critical and interdisciplinary environment.
And we work with a network of artists, curators, galleries and museums in both London and internationally to create an inspiring and dynamic place in which to study and develop an artistic practice.

Our alumni go on to do great things. Many of them are among the most recognised names working in art today, and since 1990 they've been nominated for the Turner Prize more than 30 times, winning the prize on seven occasions.

Find out more about the Department of Art.

Facilities

Our spectacular Ben Pimlott Building provides purpose-built teaching space on campus, including some of the art studios, lecture theatres, and digital media labs. The studios benefit from generous floor-to-ceiling windows. The department provides space for:

art studios

performance work

installations

temporary projects and exhibitions

a range of research laboratories

You also have access to College-wide facilities.

Studios

All students have their own studio space. This is a place in which to work, to meet and spend time with other students, and to have tutorials. It's also a base from which to organise your work in other parts of the college - such as the various research laboratories, the workshops, and the library - as well as your research visits to galleries and exhibitions in London.

The studios are occupied by students from all three years of the course. This arrangement maximises opportunities for conversation and exchange, and helps to encourage sharing of knowledge, interest and experience between students.

Read more

On this degree you'll be taught through intensive studio and research laboratory practice, tutorials, and mixed-year studio practice presentations. This will enhance your academic knowledge of the subject, improve your communication skills, and develop your technical and creative skills. You'll also attend lectures and seminars where you'll hear about ideas and concepts related to specific topics, and where you'll be encouraged to discuss and debate the issues raised.

But this is just a small proportion of what we expect you to do on the degree. For each hour of taught learning, we expect you to complete another 5-6 hours of independent study. This typically involves carrying out research and producing work. This emphasis on independent learning is very important at Goldsmiths.

Studio teaching

Each year you'll be allocated a studio space that will be the focal point of your activities. All the studios are mixed, with students from all three levels sharing the studio spaces, providing valuable peer support. You will determine the nature of your practice and, with guidance from the tutorial staff, be encouraged to work in any medium that you choose. Studio teaching is enhanced by technical support, which introduces you to techniques relevant to the practical development of your work. You'll also be expected to research the appropriate context and debates around your chosen area of working practice.

Studio practice

In Studio Practice each year you're assigned a tutor who will be part of a group of staff with overall responsibility for supporting and assessing your progress. Throughout the programme you will be taught through individual tutorials in your studio space and mixed year group presentations and discussions. This enables a valuable exchange of ideas between all students on the programme.

Critical studies

In Critical Studies, lectures and seminars will introduce and develop key issues, which inform contemporary art practices and encourage you to extend your ability to discuss, analyse and write about contemporary art. This provides a framework for judgement so that you can develop your work in the critical context of art practice.

The programme seeks to engage and extend your critical faculties as a practising artist and to enable you to develop your ability to talk about, analyse and judge contemporary art. You'll be taught through a systematic programme of lectures, seminars and tutorials. Contemporary Critical Studies takes a distinct form in each year that allows you to work towards developing an independent research programme.

Find out more about these learning and teaching approaches.

Skills

All our undergraduate programmes will give you the skills to develop independent thought and confidence in your practice. These skills will also be of use in other career paths you may wish to follow. You'll develop the following transferable skills:

critical and analytical skills

creative and practical skills

ability to express ideas clearly

IT skills

We provide you with a series of opportunities for specialist advice and further information to complement your studies and prepare you for professional life after graduation. Our students actively seek opportunities to exhibit their work beyond Goldsmiths through external networks while they are here.

Careers

Many graduates have continued to be successful, practising artists long after graduating, winning major prizes and exhibiting around the world. The Turner Prize shortlist has consistently included at least one of our former undergraduates, including Angela de la Cruz in 2010. Six of the prize-winners have studied here: Grenville Davey, Antony Gormley, Damien Hirst, Gillian Wearing, Steve McQueen and Mark Wallinger.

The interdisciplinary nature of the programme will enable you to work in a variety of fields (eg media, museums, education, the music business, and academia) and progress to a variety of careers, including:

practising artist

art historian

arts administrator

gallery curator

arts journalist

teacher

lecturer

writer

conservationist

designer

You can read more about potential career paths after graduation on our Department of Art careers pages. Find out more about employability at Goldsmiths.

Similar programmes

Around the university

See more profiles for this programme

Read more

"My work has developed so much as I've been allowed to pursue my own interests and ideas with good critical feedback from both tutors and students."

"I first found out about Goldsmiths when I was searching for well-regarded art degrees in the UK and there was certainly a lot of discussion about the BA course here. After coming to an open day, seeing the studios and learning about the very self-directed nature of their studio practice, I was certain the structure at Goldsmiths was perfect for me. I'm just coming to the end of my second year now, and I feel my work has developed so much as I've been allowed to pursue my own interests and ideas with good critical feedback from both tutors and students.

The atmosphere at Goldsmiths has also definitely helped my confidence as it's a very accepting place where you're encouraged to be yourself, even if it's a bit weird. Being a student ambassador has been equally beneficial and has allowed me to develop a lot of useful skills which I can actually apply to my career as an artist.

I hope to be able to carry on making art after I graduate, supporting myself with part-time or freelance jobs until I'm able to do an MA. I think the entrepreneurial spirit at Goldsmiths has really given me the best chance at succeeding in the art world, as well as the skills to do things by and for myself.

I'm currently organising an group exhibition around ideas of fiction and boundaries that will be held at Lewisham Arthouse. I was able to fund this project through a successful application to the Annual Fund at Goldsmiths. The show will include work from students in several different creative departments at the college."

"For me, art is not about objects of high monetary exchange - it's about reasserting our first-hand experience in present time."

Acclaimed sculptor Antony Gormley, recently knighted in the 2014 New Year Honours list for services to the arts, studied BA Fine Art at Goldsmiths in the late 1970s, and since then has enjoyed a career as one of Britain's most critically acclaimed artists.

Antony is probably best known for his ' Angel of the North ' sculpture (pictured), one of the most talked about pieces of public art ever produced. The figure - which is the height of four double decker buses - dominates the Gateshead landscape on which it stands, and typifies his preoccupation with encouraging us to reconsider the elemental world we live in. "The angel has three functions," he explained. "Firstly a historic one to remind us that below this site coal miners worked in the dark for 200 years; secondly, to grasp hold of the future, expressing our transition from the industrial to the information age; and, lastly, to be a focus for our hopes and fears." It has won numerous awards, and was named as one of the classic designs of the 20th century by the BBC.

In 1994 Antony was awarded the prestigious Turner Prize for his sculpture 'Field for the British Isles', which makes him one of seven Turner Prize winners who are former Goldsmiths students. Almost a quarter of those shortlisted for the award since it began have studied at Goldsmiths.

Speaking about his work in a 2012 TED Talk, he explained that "art is not about objects of high monetary exchange - it's about reasserting our first-hand experience in present time." His pieces have been exhibited throughout the world, and he has participated in major group shows like the Venice Biennale. In addition to the 'Angel of the North', other permanent public works include 'Another Place' (Crosby Beach, England), 'Inside Australia' (Lake Ballard, Western Australia) and 'Exposure' (Lelystad, The Netherlands).

Antony spoke to Radio 4 about his experience of studying at Goldsmiths: "The most important thing was the constitution of the course and what the tutors could provoke in the students - a kind of chemistry in every year. There was an understanding that the major energy, and the source from which you learned the most, was the energy of your fellow students. There was this absolute understanding that everybody there was absolutely compelled to keep going, and keep exploring, and keep actually articulating what they were exploring - either by showing it or talking about it. The whole thing was driven by the students."

"Studying Fine Art and History of Art at Goldsmiths for three years was an excellent scaffold for my career."

"After my graduation in 2010, I completed an internship at the Department for Education as a Policy Advisor. This was an invaluable experience as I gained skills in analysing current regulations and legislations within education proposed by the government and making the required changes accordingly. I then went on to complete a postgraduate course in education and I am currently working at a comprehensive boys' secondary school in Barnet, as an art and design teacher.

Studying Fine Art and History of Art at Goldsmiths for three years was an excellent scaffold for my career. My modules in history of art trained me in the critical skills and theoretical understanding required to adequately develop Key Stage 3, GCSE and A-level schemes of work; where students engage and analyse with ideas, images and artefacts from varied artists and cultures. Most importantly however, Goldsmiths has allowed me to develop my practice as an artist."
Image: one of Jusna's final year works

Kathy

"I chose to take the MFA Curating at Goldsmiths as the course was less 'formal' than that of other institutions."

Find out more

Professor Kristen Kreider

Find out more

Hunky Dory

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UCAS W190 Length 3 years full-time Department Art This degree aims to equip you with creative, interpretive, critical and analytical skills, so that you can participate in and contribute to the expanding field of contemporary art.

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Course 1 - Birmingham City University (Fine Art)

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Course 1 - Birmingham City University (Fine Art)

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Fine Art - BA (Hons) - 2018/19 Entry - Birmingham School of Art | Birmingham City University

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Our fine art course gives you the support to choose your own creative journey and flourish as an artist, curator, teacher or working in other creative fields.