Course Overview

Our Contemporary Fine Art Masters is a course that emphasises how making is informed by theory to enable you to view, critique, and challenge the way we experience the world and culture. This a practical subject supported by ideas and research. There is a strong emphasis on professional practice, particularly within an international context. Greater Manchester has the fastest growing creative sector outside of London, and culture is the beating heart and soul of a city brimming with amazing museums, galleries, project spaces, and studios. The course will also look at how you can position yourself outside of the region and develop an international profile.

At the heart of the programme is creative play and creative thinking. You will have the opportunity to explore a range of art practice and learn how to question, explore, and define your identity as an artist. Studying within our fantastic studios and workshops at the New Adelphi campus, you can be creative, learn new skills, and develop your talent to transform your potential in art. You will have access to print, textiles, photography, wood, and metal workshops, and well as the latest cutting-edge industry technology in our digital labs. We also have state of the art sound recording studios and film studios at our MediaCity campus.

You are taught by practising artists, each with national and international reputations within the art world. We have partnerships with University of Salford Art Collection, Open Eye Gallery, Tate Liverpool, HOME, Hot Bed Press and the Turnpike Gallery. The programme is also supported by a wide range of regional curators, artists, and arts professionals. Students are also eligible to apply to our Graduate Scholarship Scheme that offers mentoring, a small bursary, and free studio for a year with one of our partner organisations including Castlefield Art Gallery.

We start by examining your methodologies as well as introducing you to how theory and practice are integral to your growth and development. In your second semester, you will immerse yourself in your studio-based practice whilst simultaneously considering the wider professional contexts of your practice. Your final module, is a culmination of your personal journey as an artist as you resolve a body of work for exhibition in the MA Show.

We are a university that embraces inclusivity and diversity. We also highlight the significance of contemporary social movements and how these link to our past, present, and future.  Professional practice is a key aspect of the course you will learn how to promote and share your practice through collaboration, exhibiting, industry connections, marketing, web design, and social media.

You will:

• Be mentored and given tailored feedback from practising artists and academics who are experts in their fields

• Gain a professional understanding of how the arts industry works, while developing the skills you need to promote your work

• Graduate with a strong portfolio of work that represents the techniques and transferable skills you’ve mastered throughout this course

General Eligibility

Undergraduate degree

To join this MA you should have a second class honours degree, 2:2 or above.

Part Time Work Details

20 Hours of Work permit weekly for international students.

Language Requirement

• The IELTS score for international applicants is 6.5 (with no less than 5.5 in each component).