Fine Art - Painting, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture, Moving Image

Year 1

This full-time, studio-based year will develop your creative and critical practice and challenge your understanding of the Art & Design disciplines. These experiences will expand on both your contextual and practical knowledge, introduce you to the Creative Industries and inform your course options for Year 2.

Year 2

You will expand your knowledge and understanding of key theoretical principles through creative interplay between studio, workshops, lectures, seminar discussions etc. Learn with tutors, technical experts, peers, and from yourself, as you define your unique visual language driven by own personal interests. Critical writing and professional skills are developed that deepen your awareness of the Creative Industries.

Learning Methods

The course is structured to develop resilient, independent graduates with skills to work with confidence and professionalism in the creative industries. Studio and workshops are central to the daily experience - a place to make, think, experiment and interact with staff and peers. At each stage of study, appropriate levels of tutorial support (academic and pastoral) will be given, these include group and one-to-one contact. As students’ progress through the course, they undertake several self-organized exhibitions that explore contexts for reaching an audience. Each semester culminates in the submission of a portfolio of artwork and supporting material that is assessed using defined criteria.

Activity Summary

Year 4

• Lectures - average 80 students per group, 1 hour per week
• Seminars - 12-15 students per group, 1 hour per week
• Tutorial - one-to-one sessions up to groups of 10 students, 45 minutes - 2.5 hours per week
• Practical class or workshop - 12 students per group, 2.5-5 hours per week
• Independent Study - 80 students per group, 15 hours per week
• External Visits - 15-40 students per group, 7 hours per semester

Group sizes and dedicated hours are indicative only, subject to change and may vary within each module. More detailed information about indicative student workload hours can be found within each module's detailed information page.

How long is a BA (Hons) Fine Art course?

The duration of a Fine Art degree is 4 years. This includes lectures, workshops, independent study and other activities.

Independent Study

BA (Hons) Fine Art is defined by ‘studio culture’ and the collaborative learning environment that our students create within studios and workshops. Tutors provide structured, supported guidance in Stage 1 & 2, becoming increasingly independent by Stage 4. This builds effective skills in working collectively, developing self-confidence and creative independence.

Staff delivering on this course

The whole staff team comprise of a rich tapestry of academic tutors, technical experts, CCS lecturers, Professional Skills and Employability advisors, Inclusion support services, and library staff. External speakers are invited through our Guest@Grays lecture series. Our diverse and dynamic team at Gray’s comprise of highly experienced and deeply committed creative ‘artist educators’ who are passionate about their craft. The core module activities of Studio Practice, Critical and Contextual Studies, and Creative Futures combine to provide interlinked opportunity to learn from multiple voices and perspectives. Of course, students learn from our staff team but equally learn from themselves and their fellow peers. 

Recent STAR Award winners include:
Caitlyn Main; Michael Agnew; Jim Hamlyn; David Blyth

Assessment

Typically students are assessed each year:

Year 1

• 1 written assignment, including essays
• 2 portfolios

Year 2

• 2 written assignments, including essays
• 2 portfolios

Year 3

• 2 written assignments, including essays
• 1 report
• 2 portfolios
• 1 practical skills assessment

Year 4

• 1 dissertation
• 1 portfolio

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.

Placements

The curriculum in Stage 3 offers students the opportunity to tailor your learning experience by selecting some optional study pathways:

Intensive Studio-based Study

This extended studio module predominantly focuses on developing deeper understanding of your own studio practice, investing in creative experimentation with material processes, contextual frameworks and creating strategies for audience engagement in the public sphere.

Combined Work Experience and Studio pathway

Alongside a shortened studio module, the work experience module can be undertaken to broaden a students’ awareness of the professional working environment. Work experience is negotiated with external partners and commonly involves one day-per-week throughout the semester (or a shorter condensed block) to enable students to continue their own Studio, CCS and Creative Futures modules alongside work-based learning.

Study Abroad

Semester 2 in Stage 3 provides the optional opportunity for students to undertake a semester-long period of international study with our partner institutions across Europe, Canada and the US.

Job Prospects

Is Fine Art a good career choice?

Previous BA (Hons) Fine Art* graduates of Gray’s School of Art, RGU have continued to live creatively, going on to pursue a diverse range of careers in the Creative Industries and public sector:

• Exhibiting Artist
• Art + Healthcare 
• Publishing 
• Curator and Gallery Assistance 
• Education (Primary, Secondary, Tertiary)
• Further Study (MA, PhD)
• Marketing, TV and Media
• Art Writing

Whilst many of our students advance their creative practice by studying Fine Art at Masters level, many of our young graduates establish their careers through active involvement with young artist collective networks in Aberdeen and across Scotland, developing fresh and fluid ideas that respond to creative opportunities are they arise. Gray’s graduates learn to be adaptable and flexible, responsive to society and the world we live in. They engage with sustainable and ethical themes throughout the learning journey developing a personal awareness and knowledge that helps them to sustain of their creative practice. Living Creatively.

*BA (Hons) Contemporary Art Practice and BA (Hons) Painting courses have merged as one course, BA (Hons) Fine Art in 2024-25.

What is needed for a BA (Hons) Fine Art degree?

Standard Entry Requirements

Entry to Year 1

These requirements relate to the first year of the BA (Hons) Foundation Art and Design. Entry to the BA (Hons) Fine Art course is from year 2 only either via suitable entry qualifications as stated, or after completion of year 1 BA (Hons) Foundation Art and Design. 

• SQA Higher: BCC to include Art & Design (or a creative design and/or media subject e.g. Graphic Communication, Media Studies) and English (or a written subject requiring the use of English)
• GCE A Level: CC to include Art & Design (or a creative design and/or media subject e.g. Media Studies) and English (or a written subject requiring the use of English e.g. History).
• Irish Leaving Certificate Higher: H3H3H4 to include Art (or a creative design and/or technology subject e.g. Graphic Communication, Media Studies) 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 (or a creative design and/or media subject e.g. Media Studies) 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:

• SQA Higher: CCC to include Art / Design (or a creative design and/or media subject such as Graphic Communication, Media Studies) and English or a written subject requiring the use of English

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 

International students who do not meet our direct entry requirements for this course can gain additional entry points through our International College at Robert Gordon University.

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.