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Key details

Course area
Art and Design
Student type
University Level
Course type
Full-time University Level course
Course level
Level 5
Start date
Monday 21st September 2026
Location
Adams Building Stoney Street, Nottingham, NG1 1NG
Fees
£8,250.00
Course code
Parent course code:C000328 Child course code: Q002080
UCAS course code
WW16
UCAS institution code
N30
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Course introduction

This course embraces a full range of disciplines, allowing you to work in the materials and methods of your choice.

You will develop your creativity through projects that stimulate and challenge you while allowing you the time and space to develop your work.

Alongside practical workshops and personal studio work, you will develop your own creative practices with an academic understanding of both historical and contemporary ideas and issues.

On this multidisciplinary course we’ll teach you the skills and knowledge required to carve out a career as a practising artist or gain employment in a variety of arts-related jobs. Throughout the course there will be opportunities to explore professional practice through gallery visits and contacts with artist. You’ll also take part in an exciting live group project, gaining a real world perspective on working with clients and on exhibiting.

The course will culminate in a final course exhibition showcasing studio practice.

Our dedicated staff are highly experienced educators and practicing fine artists with national reputations for excellence in their field. We’ll encourage you to work in the materials and methods of your choice including:

  • Drawing
  • Painting
  • Printmaking
  • Illustration
  • Photography
  • Installation
  • Intervention
  • Performance
  • Sculpture

Business and entrepreneurial studies will include:

  • Self-promotion
  • Portfolio preparation
  • How to exhibit and be shown as an artist in traditional and nontraditional art spaces
  • How to organise exhibitions
  • Applying for funding/grants
  • The law for visual artists
  • Professional practice

Timetable (subject to change)

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

  • Monday 09:00 – 12:15, Tuesday 09:00 – 16:15, Wednesday 09:00 – 16:15 and Thursday 09:00 – 12:30
  • 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

FdA in Fine Art Practice

You’ll need a minimum of 48 UCAS points from:

  • At least two A Levels at A2
  • BTEC Diploma or Extended Diploma
  • International Baccalaureate
  • Access to HE Diploma

Other combinations of qualifications and experience will also be considered, as will Level 3 qualifications not currently listed on the UCAS tariff. For creative courses you would usually need a qualification in a relevant subject area.

We would expect students to be working at (or to demonstrate competency at) Level 2 or above in English/literacy and maths/numeracy.

You’ll be invited to attend an interview with a portfolio or examples of your work.

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

Assessment is continuous throughout the course. Work is organised into practical and written projects. These are then graded and fed back to students with written and verbal feedback. The course culminates in a final exhibition. There are no exams.

You could progress onto our BA (Hons) Art and Design Top-up Degree.

Alternatively, you could progress to the second or third year of the BA (Hons) Fine Art at Nottingham Trent University, our validating institution.

This qualification will also open up a wide range of careers within the creative arts industries such as freelance illustrator/artist or community artist.

This course is awarded by Nottingham Trent University.

Nottingham Trent University logo

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)
Elle Innocent shares her experience studying Fine Art Practice with us

Careers related to this course

Select career:

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) Art and Design (Fine Art) Top-Up Degree (Level 6) - Part-time

BA (Hons) Fine Art Practice - Full-time