Fine Art and Digital Media (Study Abroad) Lancaster University

The Fine Art and Digital Media degree places you at the forefront of contemporary art practice, where creativity meets rapidly evolving digital technologies. This course encourages you to expand your artistic practice while critically engaging with the opportunities and challenges of digital media.

With a strong focus on professional experience and transferable skills, this degree prepares you for a wide range of careers across the digital media and creative sectors, equipping you with both creative confidence and industry awareness

Why study Fine Art and Digital Media at Lancaster?

• Work with tutors who are practicing artists and scholars, working with video, 3D, machine learning, environment, temporality, new materialism, participation and socially engaged practices.

• Learn from expert academics who shape conversations in areas such as media power, ethics and AI

• Combine digital art practices with the study of contemporary art and emerging debates in art and media.

• Benefit from our Fine Art studio space, expert technical support, and a fully equipped digital media studio

• As you progress though the course, choose modules from either subject, depending on your own interests

How will I develop my skills in Digital Media Art at Lancaster?

Digital Media Art at Lancaster is about finding your voice and deciding what matters to you in today’s contemporary art landscape. With engaging seminars in art history and theory, we’ll support you in shaping your values and understanding the evolving role of art. As you develop these ideas in your own studio practice, discover how contemporary digital art can be bold, critical and meaningful.

You will broaden your understanding of contemporary Art via hands-on projects, technical demonstrations and skills-based workshops. Experiment with video, digital art, installation, painting, drawing, sculpture, and their many hybrids. Our purpose-built studios include a digital art lab, installation spaces and fully equipped workshops.

What areas of Digital Media will I study?

Developments in digital technology range from overly friendly chatbots to inconspicuous algorithms. But what role do digital media technologies play in our everyday lives, our local communities and cultures, and the global societies we live in?

Our team carries out world-leading research into a wide range of fascinating topics, from artificial intelligence and algorithmic cultures to fandom, sustainability, gender and sexualities, and more. Our academics consult on key policy debates and bring their expert knowledge into their teaching.

You will learn how digital technologies, in their many forms, function in our everyday lives and the global societies we live in. Through exploring key themes in digital societies, such as social media, digital creativity, artificial intelligence, algorithmic power and surveillance, you will discover how these themes present both opportunities and challenges within our everyday lives and the creative industries.

What opportunities are there to gain professional experience at Lancaster University?

Throughout the course you will have networking opportunities, lectures and workshops with professional artists and industry experts, and field trips.

Gaining professional experience is important, and previous students have worked with arts organisations such as Deco Publique, Good Things Collective, FACT Liverpool, and Lancaster Arts. Tutors draw on a wealth of experience in exhibiting, curating and writing including high profile residencies and commissions in museums, galleries and cultural industries worldwide. They have exhibited at institutions such as the Henry Moore Institute, the Foreman Art Gallery Canada and Hong Kong Art Fair.

Study abroad

The study abroad option is an exciting opportunity for anyone who is thinking of working abroad during their career or who simply wants the experience of living and studying overseas as part of their degree.

Entry requirements

These are the typical grades that you will need to study this course. This section will tell you whether you need qualifications in specific subjects, what our English language requirements are, and if there are any extra requirements such as attending an interview or submitting a portfolio.

A levels

ABB. Art and Design or a humanities subject would be considered desirable but not essential.

Access to HE Diploma

30 Level 3 credits at Distinction plus 15 Level 3 credits at Merit. Art and Design or a humanities subject would be considered desirable but not essential.

Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales

We accept the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales in place of one A level, or equivalent qualification, as long as any subject requirements are met.

BTEC Extended Diploma

DDM. Ideally this would be in a relevant subject, although this is not essential.

BTEC in combination with A levels

A level at grade B plus BTEC(s) at DD, or A levels at grade BB plus BTEC at D. Art and Design or a humanities subject would be considered desirable but not essential.

International Baccalaureate

32 points overall with 16 points from the best 3 HL subjects

Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers

We are happy to admit applicants on the basis of five Highers, but where we require a specific subject at A level, we will typically require an Advanced Higher in that subject. If you do not meet the grade requirement through Highers alone, we will consider a combination of Highers and Advanced Highers in separate subjects. Please contact the Admissions team for more information.

T levels

Distinction overall. Ideally this would be in a relevant subject, although this is not essential.

GCSE requirements

English Language grade 4/C.

We will also look at your overall GCSE profile when considering your application as a whole.

We do have flexibility when considering GCSE requirements. Go to our GCSE information for more details.

Additional requirements

You will typically be asked to submit a portfolio.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, we require an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each component for this programme. English language qualifications for undergraduate study.