Painting

Year 1

Year 1 is about challenging your understanding of skills and exploring how and in which ways your skills can be applied. Studio projects focus on the core activities of research and idea development and act as an introduction to both the technical and conceptual aspects of the visual language of Painting.

Year 2

This year you are assigned an academic / personal tutor who will support and challenge you on a one to one basis. You will undertake a sequence of projects that continue to develop your understanding of the methods and procedures essential to the study of Painting.

Year 3

Projects become more self-directed and engaged with external contexts in Year 3. In Term 1 you will undertake intensive and wide-ranging research to develop your conceptual thinking. In Term 2 you have the opportunity to develop and apply your research towards a resolved body of work in readiness for self-directed study in Year 4.

Year 4

Projects become more self-directed and engaged with external contexts in Year 3. In Term 1 you will undertake intensive and wide-ranging research to develop your conceptual thinking. In Term 2 you have the opportunity to develop and apply your research towards a resolved body of work in readiness for self-directed study in Year 4.

Learning Methods

Teaching on this course is delivered on a one to one basis by subject specific staff and personal tutors in a conducive and spacious studio environment. From Year 2, you will be allocated your own dedicated studio space to work from for the duration of the course.

There are numerous opportunities to develop your skills and knowledge through a weekly drawing programme, attending a series of guest talks or external events, and working on industry-linked projects.

Throughout the course, you will be able to experience a professional approach to presenting and exhibiting work, most notably by organising the annual painting interim exhibition in Edinburgh in Year 4.

Activity Summary

• Lectures - 23 students per group, 1 hour per term
• Tutorial - 1 student per group, 4 hours per term
• Crits - 23 students per group, 7 hours per term

How long is a BA (Hons) Painting course?

The duration of a Painting degree is 4 years. This includes lectures, tutorials, independent study and other activities.

Independent Study

Independent study is a fundamental aspect of Year 4 and will make the majority of your study time. Support is still provided, in the form of tutorials, seminars and lectures, but the frequency of contact is reduced, in keeping with your journey to becoming an independent learner.

Staff Delivering on This Course

This course is staffed by academics with expert knowledge within Painting and Drawing. Many staff members have worked as freelance consultants or have set up their own studio practices therefore have individual interests and concerns in their own practices that offer differences within a context of communality and shared values.

Expert practitioners in the field contribute to the course as Professional Associates and through the Guest@Grays lecture programme, which invites national and international artists and designers to speak about their work.

Assessment

Typically students are assessed each year:

Year 1

• 1 written assignment, including essays
• 3 portfolio assessments

Year 2

• 1 written assignment, including essays
• 2 portfolio assessments

Year 3

• 2 written assignments, including essays
• 3 portfolio assessments

Year 4

• 1 dissertation
• 1 portfolio assessment

Feedback

We aim to provide you with feedback within 20 working days of hand-in for all written exams, coursework and practical exams. 

Academic Support

The Inclusion Centre advises and supports students who disclose a sensory or mobility impairment, chronic medical condition, mental health issue, dyslexia and other specific learning differences. Applicants are encouraged to arrange a pre-entry visit to discuss any concerns and to view the facilities.

Online Learning & Support

All undergraduate and postgraduate students, whether you are learning on campus or by online learning, benefit from using our collaborative virtual learning environment, CampusMoodle. You will be provided with 24/7 online access to your learning material and resources, along with the ability to interact with your class members and tutors for discussion and support.

Study Skills Support

The Study Support Team provides training and support to all students in:

• Academic writing
• Study skills (note taking, exam techniques, time management, presentation)
• Maths and statistics
• English language
• Information technology support

Library Support

The Library offers support for your course, including the books, eBooks, and journals you will need. We also offer online reading lists for many modules, workshops and drop-ins on searching skills and referencing, and much more.

Study Abroad

In Year 3, Term 2, there is the opportunity to undertake a period of international study exchange with our partner colleges across Europe, Canada and the US.

Job Prospects

Upon graduation you will have acquired a wide range of transferable skills that will equip you for employment in a diverse range of careers within the creative and cultural industries, as well as other fields of employment where creative thinkers are highly valued.

Is Painting a good career choice?

Many graduates go on to study at prestigious postgraduate schools, including the Slade and the Royal College of Art or sustain individual studio practices and are actively exhibiting, curating and furthering their careers as professional artists.

Previous Painting graduates of Robert Gordon University have gone on to achieve the following national awards and scholarships:

• BAFTA (for a music video) to established
• Royal Scottish Academy,
• The Carnegie Trust
• The Cross Trust 

There is also the option of extending your academic experience through postgraduate study at Gray’s School of Art.

What is needed for a BA (Hons) Painting degree?

Standard Entry Requirements

Entry to Year 1

• SQA Higher: BCC to include Art & Design and English (or a written subject requiring the use of English)
• GCE A Level: CC to include Art & Design and English (or a written subject requiring the use of English e.g. History).
• Irish Leaving Certificate Higher: H3H3H4 to include Art  and English (or a written subject requiring the use of English)
• IB Diploma: 24 to include Higher Level Visual Arts and English (or a written subject requiring the use of English).

All applicants with the appropriate qualifications (or due to sit appropriate qualifications) will be invited to attend a portfolio review/interview and participate in a selection process.

Entry to Year 2

Suitable qualifications for entry to Year 2 (or above) may include relevant GCE A Levels, HNC/HND or Diploma in Foundation Studies (e.g. Art & Design, Design & Media, Fashion Design, Textile Design).

• GCE A Level: BCC to include Art & Design and English (or a written subject requiring the use of English).
• IB Diploma: 27 to include Higher Level Visual Arts and English (or a written subject requiring the use of English)

All advanced entry applicants with the appropriate qualifications (or due to sit appropriate qualifications) and who successfully meet the criteria will be invited to attend an ‘advanced’ portfolio review/interview and participate in a selection process.

Minimum Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirements for widening access applicants are:

Entry to Year 1

• SQA Higher: CCC to include Art & Design and English or a written subject requiring the use of English

Applicants from Partner Colleges

A relevant HND from one of our partner colleges will be considered for entry into Year 2 or 3, subject to successfully meeting the partner course criteria.  

All advanced entry applicants with the appropriate qualifications (or due to sit appropriate qualifications) and who successfully meet the criteria will be invited to attend an ‘advanced’ portfolio review/interview and participate in a selection process.

Alternative Qualifications

Those who may not hold the standard qualifications listed are encouraged to apply if they can evidence other appropriate/relevant creative work, qualifications and/or life experiences. Such candidates are advised to contact the Student Admissions Service for further advice and guidance.

A portfolio review/interview is still a requirement for this category of candidate.

International Students

The International College at Robert Gordon University offers first year degree entry into Art and Design courses at Robert Gordon University for International Students.

English Language Requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English should have an IELTS of 6.0 overall, with no component lower than 5.5, or an equivalent.

We accept a variety of in-country and secure English language tests, find out more:

Please note, some courses may require a higher standard of English than stated in this page. Contact admissions@rgu.ac.uk for further information.

Additional Costs

• Studio Fund - Year 1 £100, Year 2 £160. There is no studio fund in Years 3 and 4, as the costs attached to these years will vary from student to student and will very much depend on the nature of your individual practice.