MA Fine Art

Semester 1 / 60 credits / 15 weeks

The Research & Exploratory Practice module requires you to undertake a critical review of your current practice to date. The module underpins the range of research and communication methods and tools appropriate to an advanced level of study. Emphasis is placed upon critical experimentation, re-establishing practice through research, and a questioning of established routines. The relationship between practice-based research and theory should be seen as a continuum, running concurrently through studio practice. The emphasis in this module is on critical experimentation and a questioning of established routines through a process of analysis of existing practice. You will be required to define, articulate and critically reflect upon your area of research enquiry, and to consider not only the conceptual and technical focus of your proposed research project, but also any issues concerning resources (such as equipment or facilities). You will explore and develop advanced specialist processes, materials and concepts pertinent to your practice.

Once the research focus has been defined, this practice-based module will give you the opportunity to explore and test your research enquiry for your self-directed practice, by focusing on the critical analysis of ideas and concepts embedded within practice. The students’ research enquiry underpins the delivery of all aspects of this module and will determine the students’ practice, enabling the clarification of aims and objectives in accordance with the module requirements and criteria. You will be expected to formulate and further examine the links between your own interests and practice and the social, cultural and philosophical perspectives that have influenced Fine Art practice. 

Semester 2 / 60 credits / 15 weeks

The Masters Project Confirmation module is characterised by body of work of increasing coherence, depth and sophistication and will commence with a review of student’s existing research enquiry generated in REP. It is a studio-based module designed to enhance practice by focus on the critical analysis of ideas and concepts embedded within practice. It gives the students the opportunity to re-work and further refine their research enquiry and test ideas within a creative and professional context.

Throughout this module, academic research and practice are seen as complementary discourses. Student’s work may manifest itself across a range of Fine Art practices arising from individual intellectual and creative concerns. The development of a critical language through which the student explores their work and the work of others is also a primary focus of this module. Students will be self-determining and able to articulate their creative agenda within the context of current practices and discourses.

Students will access both workshop and studio facilities in the production of a fully realised body of work as they continue to test and confirm their research proposal. Throughout the module the student will keep a reflective journal/blog in which they will critically reflect upon the development of their practice. At the end of the module students will complete a review, reflecting upon and evaluating their achieved outcomes.  

The MPC module is supported by seminars, tutorials, workshops, work in progress sessions, and group tutorials. A series of visiting artist talks will explore issues such as understanding, working with and managing creative cultures, people and teams, applying creative skills to develop their vision, managing resources, and identifying and exploiting opportunities. Students will further investigate and develop advanced specialist processes, materials and concepts pertinent to their practice underpinned by input from key practitioners. Group tutorials and seminars provide opportunities for dialogue and interaction between tutors and students and will be used to collectively review work in progress, present and debate key issues. All practice created in this module must be supported by in-depth research.  

Students will plan and undertake a self-devised External Partner project appropriate to their specific practice-based project that enables them to develop a number of vital transferrable skills. This may take the form of a fully documented exhibition, event, installation, a publication (multi-platform), or the organisation of a symposium or conference along with a subsequent publication of papers or any other appropriate practical outcome. Students will be encouraged to identify and make links with potential external partners, and to develop their professional practice skills as appropriate to their chosen specialist field. Students will be expected to engage as necessary with planning and funding bodies, cultural organisations and private and public businesses in a professional manner, gaining valuable insight and knowledge into how relevant opportunities are developed in the current climate.

Semester 3 / 60 credits / 12 weeks

The Masters Project Realisation module is the culmination of the students’ studies and will form an exposition of the central ideas and concepts developed throughout their MA. As such, it will achieve a resolution to previous modules and demonstrate evidence of advanced conceptual, theoretical and technical capability over an extended period of self-directed study. The outcome will draw upon students’ supporting work developed in earlier modules giving an overview of their MA project from inception to conclusion. Consideration must be given to the relationship between the theoretical discourse pursued within their studies and the practical manifestation of their Master’s project as a communicable whole. 

Masters Project Realisation will commence with a review of the students’ existing research. Students will build upon ideas, concepts and issues previously formulated on the course to produce a fully resolved, coherent and substantial project or body of work for an exhibition that takes into account the requirements of placing work in the public domain. The project or body of work will be supported by research that evidences the context of their practice. This practice must demonstrate coherence, innovation, research and a high quality of conception and execution, and will reflect the development of in-depth subject knowledge and creative autonomy. As such, it must achieve a resolution of the outstanding issues remaining to be addressed and evidence a high-level of production skills appropriate to their field and area of specialism.  

Upon resolution of the final major project, students should submit a reflective critical paper in the form of a critical commentary, literature review, and project and exhibition evaluation totalling 6000 (min) – 7500 (max) words. This commentary should demonstrate an understanding of the conceptual, contextual, ideological, and technical considerations in relation to the chosen topic. It should also comment on the initial research proposal ideas of the MA project and discuss the means chosen to develop and articulate them. 

• Applicants should have an personal understanding of their particular discipline and be able to demonstrate their ability to sustain research at MA level.
• Applicants should be (or about to become) graduates. Preference will be given to good honours graduates although exceptional applicants from a non-academic background will also be considered.
• Professional makers, designers, photographers, craftspeople and fine artists who wish to reposition their practice may also qualify.
• Applicants should submit a short proposal of up to 500 words, detailing why they are applying to the programme of study, supported by a portfolio of current practice, which will form the basis of discussion within the interview.

Students will be well equipped to operate successfully as professional practitioners in their chosen specialist field, or may consider continuing in education via teaching or PhD study.

Recent MA students have gone on to open private galleries, work at V&A and show work at the Coventry Biennial.

Through this course you will have links to local, regional, and national visual arts organisations.

Those include including New Art West Midlands, Herefordshire Visual Arts Network, Meadow Arts, Canwood Gallery, the Sidney Nolan Trust and the Manchester Contemporary.

You may be eligible for a Postgraduate Masters Loan.

Postgraduate Loans are available from Student Finance England as a contribution towards course and living costs. If you are studying over two academic years, the loan will be paid equally across 2 years (MA Contemporary Crafts). Each year’s amount will be paid in three instalments 33%, 33% and 34% directly to you.

Students must be aged under 60 years old at the start of the academic year to be eligible.

You should be able to apply for a Postgraduate Loan from the end of June 2022. For more information about Postgraduate Master Loans, please visit www.gov.uk/masters-loan

You can find more information on course fees and funding via the link below.

Open Evenings are a great opportunity to visit the campus, meet the teaching staff and get to know other students joining the course.

Postgraduate Open Events are informal in nature. They feature a campus tour from the course leader, followed by time in the studio space. 

We publish a list of dates for the upcoming year in October.

We encourage applications from students from diverse range of qualifications and life experience. 

We will take into consideration the knowledge and skills that you have developed inside and outside the classroom, as well as your previous qualifications. 

All applicants will interview with the course leader. The interview is an opportunity to demonstrate your passion and potential, and your reason for applying as well assessing whether this programme is appropriate to your interests and aspirations.

If you have any questions, you can arrange an informal chat with our admissions team by contacting registry@hca.ac.uk.

After applying, the admissions team will contact you to arrange an interview date.

They will also include guidance on what to include in a portfolio - which you will bring to discuss at the interview.

Portfolios are an opportunity to showcase what interests you, and what you would want to explore further on this course - and a jumping off point for discussion at interview.

There is an internal progression bursary that reduces tuition fees to £6,600 for HCA graduates.

To qualify, you need to have completed an undergraduate course at HCA within the last two academic years. 

If you want to check if you are eligible, you can email our Registry team at reigistry@hca.ac.uk.