Contemporary Arts Practice
BA (Hons)
Undergraduate degree - single or combined honours
- UCAS codes: Institution B20, Course W190 or RTFC (with professional placement year)
- Contemporary Arts Practice handbook
Key facts
- Award
- BA (Hons) Contemporary Arts Practice
- School
- Bath School of Art and Design
- Campus or location
- Sion Hill
- Course length
- Three years full time, or four years full time with professional placement year.
- UCAS codes
- Institution Code: B20
- Course Code: W190 or RTFC
- Campus Code: A,BSU
Entry requirements
We accept a wide range of qualifications for entry to our undergraduate programmes. Typical offers include A Levels grades BCC required with a Grade B in Art, or other art/design related subject. Applicants will be invited to interview and will be required to bring high quality portfolio.
View typical offers for more information.
For individuals who want a broad educational experience across the visual arts.
- Work across a range of subjects, media and materials.
- Taught by practising artists and makers.
- Scope to specialise in the latter stages of the course.
Designed for individuals with more than one field of interest, through this course you can study a combination of visual art disciplines. With emphasis on making and thinking, you’ll cover a range of subjects.
The first year of the course is structured and project based; you’ll be taught in a shared studio or workshop with academic and technical staff. You’ll learn new practical skills as well as developing those you already have.
As the course progresses, we’ll encourage you to explore your own individual studio practice in the areas of study you choose. You’ll benefit from support and encouragement from staff who are practitioners in their specialist fields. In addition you’ll have access to the range of technical facilities the School of Art and Design offers.
You could choose to study Contemporary Arts Practice alongside Creative Computing as part of a combined course.
What you'll learn
Overview
In your first year we’ll encourage you to work in a number of disciplines, gaining extensive knowledge and fundamental skills. You’ll experiment, focusing on broadening your making and thinking skills.
You’ll study context and theory within practice-based modules, supported by lectures and seminars that will introduce you to contemporary arts practice theory.
In years 2 and 3 you’ll have the opportunity to specialise in one discipline, or maintain a broader portfolio through to graduation. Specialist strands of study include: drawing, painting, ceramics, sculpture, graphic art, mixed media textiles, printmaking, photography, performance and moving image.
Running in parallel to your study, you’ll take advantage of professional development opportunities – you can expand your skills in areas such as web-design, marketing and project management. By gaining the necessary expertise, you’ll maximise your potential as an artist or maker after graduation.
Course structure
Year one
You’ll choose modules from two of the following four core subject areas. Subject areas are 2D (painting and drawing), 3D (ceramics and sculpture), graphic arts and mixed media textiles. Optional modules are photography and moving Image, printmaking (etch) and screenprint. Alongside these subjects you will attend contextual studies lectures.
Years two and three
You can continue with two areas of study, or specialise in any of the subjects you studied in year one. Contextual studies lectures continue and you’ll also begin a programme of professional practice, with opportunities to publicly exhibit your work. In your final year you’ll complete a dissertation. You’ll be able to develop your professional practice, in preparation for your career after your degree.
How will I be assessed?
You’ll be assessed entirely by coursework such as portfolios, exhibitions, written papers and live presentations. There are no written exams.
How will I be taught?
You’ll be taught through practical workshop sessions, individual supervision, seminars and lectures. You’ll also have access to an extensive weekly programme of visiting lectures from practising artists, curators, critics and gallery owners.
Opportunities
Study abroad
You’ll have the opportunity to study in a wide range of locations around the world. Our students have completed Erasmus+ and Exchange programmes in a variety of countries including Norway, Germany, Japan, Australia and the USA.
Field trips
You’ll have opportunities to participate in regular field trips across all the course modules. Subject areas also organise international study visits to places like Berlin, Paris, New York and Venice (please note that you’ll have to pay for some study visits).
Work placements, industry links and internships
There are opportunities for you to undertake work placements as part of the professional practice programme.
Careers
Graduate careers include:
- self employment as practising artists and makers;
- curatorship;
- gallery administration;
- teaching;
- art administration;
- community based art work.
Competitions and awards
We’ll encourage you to participate in competitions such as the Porthleven Prize and the Gane Trust Travel Grant among many others.
Study options
This course is also available as a four-year full time programme with the optional addition of either an Integrated Foundation Year in Art and Design or a Professional Placement Year.
Integrated Foundation Year
The preliminary and intensive Integrated Foundation Year in Art and Design is designed to develop your ideas, skills and confidence in readiness for progressing to year one of your degree programme.
Professional Placement Year
This year provides you with the opportunity to identify, apply for, and secure professional experience, normally comprising one to three placements over a minimum of nine months. Successful completion of this module will demonstrate your ability to secure and sustain graduate-level employment.
By completing the module, you'll be entitled to the addition of “with Professional Placement Year” to your degree title.
Before your Professional Placement Year, you'll work to secure your placement, constructing a development plan with your module leader and your placement coordinator from our Careers and Employability team.
On your return to University for your final year, you'll submit your Placement Portfolio, detailing your development on your placement, for assessment.
Facilities and resources
Where the subject is taught
Most of the strands within the Contemporary Arts Practice course (Art, Ceramics, Graphic Arts, Mixed Media Textiles, Photography and Print) are taught at Dartmouth Avenue and Sion Hill campuses.
Fees
UK and EU students full time
2018/19 Entry
Course fees
Year 1 | £9,250 |
Year 2 | Published Jan 2019 |
Year 3 | Published Jan 2020 |
Material fees
Year 1 | £165 |
Year 2 | Published Jan 2019 |
Year 3 | Published Jan 2020 |
2019/20 Entry
Course fees
Year 1 | Published Jan 2019 |
Year 2 | Published Jan 2020 |
Year 3 | Published Jan 2021 |
Material fees
Year 1 | Published Jan 2019 |
Year 2 | Published Jan 2020 |
Year 3 | Published Jan 2022 |
2020/21 Entry
Course fees
Year 1 | Published Jan 2020 |
Year 2 | Published Jan 2021 |
Year 3 | Published Jan 2022 |
Material fees
Year 1 | Published Jan 2020 |
Year 2 | Published Jan 2021 |
Year 3 | Published Jan 2022 |
UK and EU students full time - with placement year
During the placement year, the fee is reduced to 20% of the full time fee. Otherwise, fees are the same as for full time study.
International students full time
2018/19 Entry
Course fees
Year 1 | £13,900 |
Year 2 | Published Jan 2019 |
Year 3 | Published Jan 2020 |
Material fees
Year 1 | £165 |
Year 2 | Published Jan 2019 |
Year 3 | Published Jan 2020 |
2019/20 Entry
Course fees
Year 1 | Published Jan 2019 |
Year 2 | Published Jan 2020 |
Year 3 | Published Jan 2022 |
Material fees
Year 1 | Published Jan 2019 |
Year 2 | Published Jan 2020 |
Year 3 | Published Jan 2022 |
2020/21 Entry
Course fees
Year 1 | Published Jan 2020 |
Year 2 | Published Jan 2021 |
Year 3 | Published Jan 2022 |
Material fees
Year 1 | Published Jan 2020 |
Year 2 | Published Jan 2021 |
Year 3 | Published Jan 2022 |
Interested in applying?
What we look for in potential students
We’re looking for individuals who are curious, reflective and interested in their subject areas. You should be able to take risks and have an open mind.
We value the ability to think critically and reflectively just as much as we value the ability to create and make.
Typical offers
We accept a wide range of qualifications for entry to our undergraduate programmes. The main ones are listed below:
- A Level - Grades BCC required with a Grade B in Art, or other art/design related subject. Applicants will be invited to interview and will be required to bring high quality portfolio
- BTEC - Overall Merit, Merit, Merit (MMM) required. Applicants will be invited to interview and will be required to bring high quality portfolio.
- International Baccalaureate - A minimum score of 27 with HL Art subject at grade 6 or above preferred
- Access to HE courses - Typical offers for applicants with Access to HE will be the Access to HE Diploma or Access to HE Certificate (60 credits, 45 of which must be Level 3, including 30 at merit or higher). Any selection procedure/further requirements will also apply.
- Diploma in Foundation Studies (Art & Design) - We recommend that applicants undertake a pre-degree foundation diploma in Art and Design in combination with the above qualifications. A Merit Grade is preferred.
English Language Requirements for International and EU Applicants
IELTS 6.0 - for visa nationals, with a minimum score of IELTS 5.5 in each element.
How do I apply?
Ready to apply? Click the 'apply now' button in the centre of this page.
Need more guidance? Head to our how to apply webpages.
Portfolio and interviews
Applicants will be invited to interview at our Sion Hill campus and will be required to bring high quality portfolio in support of their application. More details will be supplied to applicants who meet the entry criteria for the course.
Admissions service: +44 (0)1225 876 180
Email: admissions@bathspa.ac.uk
Course leader: Martin Thomas