Skip to the main content
Go to the search page

Key details

Course area
Art and Design
Student type
University Level
Course type
Part-time University Level course
Course level
Level 6
Start date
Monday 21st September 2026
Location
Adams Building Stoney Street, Nottingham, NG1 1NG
Fees
£4,125.00
Course code
Parent course code:C038538 Child course code: Q038539
Apply now

Course introduction

If you already have a Higher National Diploma or Foundation Degree this course allows you to top up to a full BA (Hons) in Art and Design with just two further years of study.

This course will suit students who wish to progress to a ‘hands-on’ creative career in Fine Art.

It combines practical studio work with contextual and theoretical studies. Studio areas and specialist workshops are available for you to explore your ideas. You will be guided through group seminars, individual tutorials and studio conversations with tutors and visitors.

The programme promotes an enquiring, creative and challenging approach towards your work. It encourages the belief that designers have independent thoughts, feelings, reactions and attitudes which they need to externalise and visualise within theoretical work and practical design practice.

Core modules include:

  • Specialist studio practice
  • Contemporary issues in design
  • Practice-led research
  • Advanced studio practice

Timetable (subject to change)

The current timetable is as follows but this is subject to change:

  • Tuesday 09:00 – 16:15 and Wednesday 13:00 – 16:15
  • Plus self directed study

Please note: Some classes may be delivered online.

You can view the full Course Specification here.

Nottingham College is proud to have been awarded the Teaching Excellence Framework Bronze Award for high quality student experience and outcomes. You can read more about this on the Office for Students website.

Course information

2 years

BA (Hons) in Contemporary Art Practice (Fine Art)

You should possess or expect to achieve one of the following in a graphics, fashion or design-related area:

  • Foundation degree (FdA)
  • Higher National Diploma (HND)
  • Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE)

You’ll be asked to submit a portfolio of your recent work and may be invited to attend an interview.

Experienced mature applicants with relevant professional experience and/or qualifications are welcome to apply.

You’ll be assessed through individual and group assignments and presentations, research tasks and individual studio project work. Your work will be displayed in an end of year professional portfolio and public exhibition.

There is a wide range of career opportunities within the creative industries. Many of our graduates set up their own small businesses.

Some graduates choose to venture into other sectors and are equally successful in gaining employment due to the transferable skills gained on the programme.

Our graduates have gained employment with companies such as Pendragon PLC; Broadway Cinema Nottingham; Hyundai; ASDA George; Brown Dog; Defacto and New Fat.

Other graduates continue with their studies with higher degrees or teacher training.

This course is awarded by Nottingham Trent University.

About the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)

The TEF is a national scheme run by the Office for Students (OfS) that aims to encourage higher education providers to improve and deliver excellence in the areas that students care about the most: teaching, learning and achieving positive outcomes from their studies.

View our TEF assessment (opens in a new window/tab) Learn more about the TEF (opens in a new window/tab)

Careers related to this course

Artists

Potential Earnings

£64,650.85

Average Earnings

£34,571.20

Source: Office for National Statistics' Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE).

Pathways

Architecture and Planning

People in these occupations design construction projects, prepare technical drawings and blueprints, survey land, and plan land use.

Art, Performance and Design

People in these occupations create art and fine craftwork, produce and perform plays and motion pictures, and design graphics and other products.

Skills

Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
View more about this career

Economic data for careers is provided by Lightcast and also available through our Career Coach app. Job postings, employment and earnings information is represented at the regional level for the East Midlands.

BA (Hons) Art and Design (Fine Art) Top-Up Degree (Level 6) - Full-time

BA (Hons) Fine Art Practice - Full-time

BA (Hons) Fine Art Practice - Part-time