BA Fine Art with Foundation Year
About this course
BA (Hons) BA (Hons) Fine Art with Foundation Year, a fine art degree focused on creative studio practice and contextual study within the arts. Core topics include Research Methods and Design & Creative Practice. The four-year programme begins with an integrated foundation year designed to build baseline academic knowledge and technical capabilities before progression into the main undergraduate degree. The first year focuses on foundational creative methods through modules such as Introducing Creative Research Practice, Seeing, Thinking, Making Meaning, Ideas, Images and Objects, and Innovation Lab. The second year introduces tools, methods, and cultural contexts via Materials and Methods, Cultural Contexts, Application, and Collaborative Practice. The third year shifts towards independent direction and theoretical study through Enquiry 1, Intersections, Enquiry 2, and The Professional Self. The final year culminates in self-directed creative projects and public presentation through Practice 1, Independent Research Paper, and Practice 2, which ends with a public Degree Show.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
48 UCAS Tariff Points. You can find out more about the tariff and qualification options from the UCAS tariff table . A-levels: A. T-levels: P (D or E) All subjects are accepted for entry to this course. Access to HE: 45 Credits at Pass. Scottish Highers: 48 UCAS Tariff Points. Irish LC Highers: 48 UCAS Tariff Points. Other experience: Pearson Level 3 National Diploma MP. Selection criteria: As part of the application and selection process, we are looking for your commitment to this programme. In your personal statement, you should demonstrate your motivation for choosing this course and reflect upon any experience you have gained. All places are offered subject to successful interview and portfolio. You should present a cohesive portfolio containing a broad range of work and be able to explain at interview what has led you to apply for Fine Art and the attributes you would bring to it. We are looking for applicants who have an interest in fine art as an arena where ideas about the world can be made manifest through traditional and non-traditional means. We are keen to encourage those of an inquisitive nature who already have some skills (perhaps drawing initially), and are generally prepared to work hard and achieve and develop practical and conceptual skills using a variety of media in order to present and convey their ideas effectively. The Integrated Foundation Year programme supports your return to education and are specifically designed for students who have the ability to study for a degree but may not have all the necessary qualifications, skills or experiences to join the degree in Year 1.
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What students say
Based on about 9 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 91%
- Learning opportunities: 85%
- Assessment and feedback: 87%
- Academic support: 100%
- Organisation and management: 68%
- Learning resources: 91%
- Student voice: 85%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 20 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 50%
- Gained a higher qualification: 45%
- Left higher education: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 9 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 65%
- Working and studying: 5%
Most common jobs
- Administrative occupations: 20%
- Elementary occupations: 20%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 10%
- Teaching Professionals: 10%
- Sales occupations: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 40%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 30%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 20%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 185 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 11%
- North West: 54%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 11%
- East Midlands: 4%
- West Midlands: 2%
- East of England: 2%
- London: 5%
- South East: 3%
- South West: 3%
- Scotland: 5%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 45%
- A degree: 10%
- Other HE qualification: 25%
- Other qualifications: 25%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Bronze for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Introducing Creative Research Practice
- Seeing, Thinking, Making Meaning
- Ideas, Images and Objects
- Innovation Lab
- Creative Industries Toolkit
- Creative Playbook
- Materials and Methods
- Cultural Contexts
- Application
- Collaborative Practice
- Enquiry 1
- Intersections
- Enquiry 2
- The Professional Self
- Practice 1
- Independent Research Paper
- Practice 2
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Fine Art with Foundation Year at University of Cumbria earn?
The median salary is £24,000 after 15 months, £17,000 after 3 years, £19,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £15,500 and £24,500. The £19,500 median after five years is £3,000 less than the UK median for Art.
What do graduates of BA Fine Art with Foundation Year at University of Cumbria do next?
75% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2022-23).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Fine Art with Foundation Year at University of Cumbria?
91% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2024-25.
What grades do I need for BA Fine Art with Foundation Year at University of Cumbria?
The average entrant had 124 UCAS points.
How many students continue on BA Fine Art with Foundation Year at University of Cumbria?
50% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.