MA Fine Art Degree

At a glance Prog. code: PGW103

Course length
1 year full time, 2 years part time
Course starts
Induction from October 2012; EU and International student orientation from September 2012
Programme Leader
Keith Piper
Course Location
Hendon

Overview & facilities

This masters course helps artists extend and sustain a high level of Fine Art practice, preparing the student for professional involvement within contemporary art and the creative industries. The student will undertake self-initiated research into current practice and theory of Fine Art and understand where their own work is situated within the field of contemporary art practice. There is a dedicated studio space for every student, supported by excellent staff, including established artists, workshops and regular visits to London art galleries.

At the end of every study year our MA Fine Art students display their leading examples of work in the MA Fine Art exhibition.

Location & map

This course is based at our Hendon campus in north-west London.

Address: Middlesex University, Hendon campus, The Burroughs, London NW4 4BT UK

To find out how to get to the campus see Travel Directions to Hendon campus. The nearest tube station is Hendon Central on the Northern line.

Nearest halls of residence

There are four halls of residence either on or near to Hendon campus. Usher Hall is on campus, opposite the College Building.

Platt and Writtle Halls are at the same location in Colindale, a 20 minute walk from campus.

Ivy Hall is also a short distance away by public transport in Cricklewood.

Content & modules

This programme takes practice as its core concern. Knowledge is developed through the processes of making art, theoretical and historical considerations. Contemporary Fine Art practice has already eroded the constraints of convention and these can be negotiated as aspects of practice, point of reference and/or return. The students may work across the material practices of digital media, installation, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture and time-based media.

Integral theory seminar advance an understanding of contemporary art in relation to socio-historic situations and material and aesthetic conditions. The making of work, surrounding discourses and forms of display, will be understood as aspects of the practice as a whole.

A vibrant exchange of ideas takes place in the studio, through formal seminars and discussions and visits to museums and galleries. An individually negotiated programme of work extends knowledge of Fine Art through systematic research, production and criticism.

Assessment

Studio modules are assessed by a viva voce. Theory and research modules are assessed by essays or presentations. The final module has an exhibition with a viva voce examination.

Attendance

Full-time students attend up to five days a week; part-time students attend the 'core days' of Tuesday and Wednesday. 

Entry & applying

Standard entry requirements

To be accepted to study on the MA Fine Art, we normally require a good honours degree, or equivalent qualification, in an appropriate subject. We also consider candidates with other relevant qualifications and individuals with a minimum of three years' work experience. Those without formal qualifications need to demonstrate relevant work experience and the ability to study at postgraduate level.

International entry requirements

We accept the equivalent of the above from a recognised overseas university, to find out more about the requirements from your country, see further information under support in your country.

English language requirements

You must have competence in English language and we normally require Grade C GCSE or an equivalent qualification. The most common English Language requirements for international students are IELTS 6.5 (with minimum 6.0 in all four components) or TOEFL paper based 575 (no less than 4.5 in test of written English) or TOEFL internet based 90 (with no less than 19 in each component) Middlesex also offers an Intensive Academic English course (Pre-Sessional) that ranges from 5-17 weeks, depending on your level of English. Successful completion of this course would meet English language entry requirements. For more information on applying for the pre-sessional please email english@mdx.ac.uk. For details of other equivalent English language requirements that Middlesex accepts see international entry requirements.

How to Apply

Apply now

Applications for postgraduate study should be made directly to the university. The quickest way to apply is by making an online application, once you have created your account and completed your application, you will be able to track the progress of your application online. Alternatively, you can fill in an application form and return it to the appropriate admissions office. UK and EU students should apply directly to the London office. Non-EU international students can apply to our international admissions office in London, or use our network of regional offices across the world to assist you with your application.

 

 

Fees & funding

The tuition fee for MA Fine Art for the academic year 2012/13 is as follows:

UK/EU Students

Full-time students: £6,000
Part-time students: £50 per taught credit

International Students

Full-time students: £10,600
Part-time students: £93 per taught credit

Careers & placements

Middlesex has strong links with art and design employers. Our industry partners sponsor final year undergraduate students and give visiting lectures.

Our Careers Service offers you a range of support both while you’re studying with us – and after you’ve graduated.

Placements

Work placements are proven to increase your success in the job market – as well as being a fantastic experience. We encourage as many students as possible to grasp this opportunity.

We have a dedicated Placements Service which helps you find and plan for a placement.

Past students (alumni)

Past fine art students at Middlesex include Anish Kapoor, Turner Prize winner, as well as Hayley Newman (1988-92), Siobhán Hapaska, Bethan Huws and Alison Goldfrapp, lead singer and musician with Goldfrapp.

Open days

University Open Evenings

Open evenings are a great opportunity to learn more about your chosen subject, meet academic and admissions staff, find out more about Middlesex and what life is like on campus. Open evenings for this course are held at our Hendon campus in London, for information on how to get here see our locations page.

Book Your Place Now

Book your open evening place now – make sure you select postgraduate, Hendon campus open days. The dates for open evenings are included in the booking form.

See the programme for the day and find out more about open evenings at Hendon. 

If you can't make our open day, there are more opportunities available for you to come and visit us. Campus tours are available throughout the year if you would like to have a look around. Led by Student Ambassadors, they take place most Wednesday afternoons at 1pm. You will get a feel of the campus atmosphere, plus the opportunity to ask any questions about being a student at Middlesex University. Click here to book your campus tour.

Portfolio and Interview

The application is just the first step in our selection process, we also invite you to an interview and review your portfolio of art and design work. We’ve put together some simple notes to help you prepare:

Your portfolio

  • Be selective about the work you show while continuing to show a range of skills and ability
  • Show mostly recent work that you are most proud of
  • Consider how to present your work and the impression the overall look of your portfolio will have on the viewer
  • We like to see lots of work but don’t overfill your portfolio - you should be able to carry it by yourself!
  • You do not need to bring large pieces of 3D work, photographs are sufficient

Sketchbooks are extremely important. They should be a ‘diary’ of your thinking and include observational and speculative drawings/sketches communicating a visual sensitivity. We also look for evidence of how you develop and work through your ideas. Include photographs and collected images and importantly your reaction to them, but avoid letting your sketchbooks being merely scrapbooks

Your interview

The interview itself usually lasts about 15 minutes, but please allow an hour as this usually includes a tour of our facilities. We use the interview to allow us to find out more about you, to better understand your aspirations and interests and for you to learn more about us. The interview will explore why you want to study the subject with us, there will be no trick questions, so don't be too nervous.

Our Tutors

Your tutors will be artists and designers themselves; we believe in practicing what we preach and being able to showcase what our lecturers have achieved themselves. You will be learning from the best and have the opportunity to utilise the skills and contacts of others.

Nye Parry
Nye works across many genres of music and sound art. He has made work for numerous museums including the Science Museum, the National Maritime Museum, Heineken Experience and the British Museum. Many of his pieces are site-specific and deal in some way with evoking a sense of history, both in the choice of sound sources and their spatial composition. In particular, the multi-channel installation Boomtown (Oldham, 1998) spawned an interest in oral history which led to a number of collaborative projects with Cathy Lane, including the Memory Machine at the British Museum (2005), a co-edited edition of the journal Organised Sound on the theme of Sound, History and Memory, and a residency at Srishti College of Media in Bagalore.  He has written concert works including a number featuring Balinese Gamelan alongside western instruments. He has also worked extensively with contemporary dance with pieces for Bedlam, Scottish Dance Theatre, Colin Poole and Charles Linehan among others. He was programme leader for the MA in Sonic Art at Middlesex between 2003 and 2011 and also lectures at The Guildhall School of Music, Tinity/Laban and Goldsmiths Colleges. He now teaches on Middlesex’s Fine Art courses.

Student work

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