Key details

Course area
Art and Design
Student type
University Level
Course type
Full-time University Level course
Course level
Level 5
Start date
Location
Adams Building Stoney Street, Nottingham, NG1 1NG
Fees
£8,250.00
Course code
Parent course code:C061603 Child course code: Q061604
UCAS course code
ART2
UCAS institution code
N30
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Course introduction

Push your creative ideas further and develop your own artistic voice with our new Level 5 HND Fine Art course.

Building on the skills and experience developed at Level 4, this is a highly creative interdisciplinary course which explores traditional and contemporary fine art practices.

Whether you work with physical materials or prefer a more conceptual approach, we’ll encourage you to experiment with a wide range of materials, methods, and processes, such as drawing, painting, ceramics, textiles, sculpture, printmaking, illustration, photography, installation, performance and digital technology.

This new course is currently subject to validation with our first students planned for September 2027.

About the course:
Designed to reflect the demands of the creative industries and the flexibility needed in modern life, this course model lets you develop your studies step by step, one year at a time. You can continue, pause, or change direction, while still achieving a recognised, industry-relevant qualification at each stage.

Level 5 (120 academic credits)

Module B – Professional Creative Practice 

  • B1 – Personal Professional Development (45 credits) - a substantial part of the year’s delivery, this is mostly practical and studio-based.
  • B2 - Professional Project (75 credits) - a design brief that allows you to explore and further develop your creative practice, encouraging your growth as a holistic practitioner.

Our tutors are experienced and highly qualified practising creatives with national and international profiles. You’ll also be supported by specialist technicians and purpose-built workshops to help you develop and progress.

Facilities
The course is based at the Adams Campus, a Victorian heritage building in the "Lace Market" Creative Quarter of Nottingham City Centre.  Purpose-built accommodation features seminar rooms and top-floor studios with amazing natural daylight.  We are proud to offer each student their own personal workspace.

  • dedicated fine art studios
  • industry‑standard Adobe software
  • traditional printmaking facilities and darkrooms
  • photographic studios and equipment
  • 3D design and technology suites

Course information

1 year

Pearson Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Fine Art (subject to validation)

Applicants for this course will have already passed (or expect to achieve) a full Level 4 qualification in a related subject area. This could be a Higher National Certificate, Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE) or similar qualification worth a minimum of 120 academic credits at undergraduate level.

This course will be delivered through blended learning with demonstrations, lectures and practical activities.  Assessment is evidence-based including: practical work, portfolios, group work, presentations, written assignments and exhibitions. There are no examinations.

The Level 5 HND in Fine Art is designed to enable students to build on the firm foundations established in the Level 4 HNC programme, taking the next step in their creative practice and – if desired - advance to the final year of a degree programme.

The creative industries offer many career options with an increasing proportion of graduates freelancing and setting up their own small businesses, locally and online. Some choose to venture into other sectors and are equally successful in gaining employment due to the range of transferable skills acquired. 

This course is subject to validation.

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

£53,123.39

Average Earnings

£29,763.68

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

Employment opportunities

The number of job postings in this career for previous years starting from 2023, the current year and projections for future years until 2034.

Sources: The Labour Force Survey (LFS), Working Futures (projections) data, and Business Register and Employment Survey (BRES).

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.

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