Fine Art and Design (Placement Year) Lancaster University

Lancaster's Fine Art and Design degree is one of the few programmes in the UK where fine art studio practice and contemporary design sit alongside each other as equals. Rather than treating them as separate disciplines, the course brings them into conversation, encouraging you to move between making, research and critical thinking in ways that neither field could offer on its own.

Why Lancaster?

• Take a highly distinctive programme that combines fine art practice with the study of contemporary ideas and art practice with the study of contemporary ideas and art movements

• Benefit from studio space with expert technical support on hand

• Work with tutors who are practicing artists and scholars, exhibiting and publishing their work across a range of fine art ideas and mediums

• Be taught by experts. Our design researchers and practitioners from ImaginationLancaster will encourage you to push the boundaries of design

• Join a supportive community of staff and students committed to making art and design relevant today, helping you build connections that will shape your future in the art and design industry

• Study in Lancaster, a vibrant and inspiring hub of award-winning arts festivals, events and places of cultural significance

Bring your vision to life

Our BA in Fine Art and Design at Lancaster is about finding your voice and deciding what matters to you in today’s creative landscape.

You will experience design as a dynamic, creative practice for solving problems and developing ideas beyond traditional disciplines such as graphic or product design. By working across different contexts, you’ll develop adaptable skills that prepare you for wide range of career opportunities in the creative industries and beyond.

Dedicated studio space for hands-on learning

In your fine art practice you will work with diverse mediums in our purpose-built studios that include art studio spaces and workshops, a digital art lab, installation spaces, and fully equipped workshops.

You’ll be encouraged to experiment with painting, drawing, sculpture, installation, video, digital art, and their many hybrids, discovering how these different practices can drive your creative impulse.

In your design work you will develop practical skills for visualising and communicating ideas across a range of methods and media, including graphic and user experience (UX) design. You will engage with the design process in depth, learning how to conduct rigorous design research and translate your findings into physical and digital responses to complex briefs.

A thriving creative community

At Lancaster you’ll join our thriving creative community, working with experienced artists and designers who will help you build connections to shape your future in the art world and beyond.

Your Fine Art tutors are professional artists who are exhibiting, curating and writing across a range of art and ideas, including high profile residencies and commissions in museums, galleries and cultural industries worldwide.

In Design, you will be taught by researchers and practitioners from ImaginationLancaster, Lancaster University's internationally recognised design research lab.

Creative futures

Opportunities to develop your practice beyond the studio will give you a head start in your career. The chance to exhibit your work throughout the course will help you develop your professional skills and build your confidence.

Your Placement Year
Sometimes known as a year in industry, your placement year will take place between your second and final year of study and this will extend your degree to four years. You'll spend your third year in a paid, graduate-level position, where you’ll work for between nine and twelve months in the type of role that you might be considering for after you graduate.

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.