The University of Edinburgh
Painting BA (Hons)
The University of Edinburgh

Key Course Facts

Salary

Salary of Graduates in Art

Important: Salary data below is not course specific, but contains data of all students of Art at the university. Due to data collection methodology, salary data is mainly based on data related to undergraduate students.

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £18500 £16000 £22500
25-75 percentile range £18000 - £21000 £9500 - £23000 £13500 - £27000


Salary of all UK Graduates of Art

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £18000 £16221 £19536
25-75 percentile range £15000 - £22000 £11190 - £21313 £13583 - £25698

Course Description

The Painting programme focuses on developing confident, enquiring, resilient students.

You will be able to research and articulate your practice, and question your position, and that of painting, within the wider context of contemporary visual culture.

We put emphasis on drawing and research through visual thinking at all levels. Work can also be realised through practices such as:

  • printmaking

  • artists' books

  • installation

  • digital and lens-based media

Studio work

This programme is centred on the studio. You will identify, reflect on and develop your personal, visual vocabulary through the languages of painting. The nurturing and development of the individual is a priority.

You will be allocated your own personal space and you will be able to access exhibition spaces in and outside the College. Students can install work individually or in small groups. Such events then create a platform for discussion.

Skills and methods

You will be instructed in:

  • technical methods

  • use of materials

  • different types of grounds and supports

We want you to explore how to make a painting and also what it means to make a painting.

Visual culture

A visual culture strand provides a multidisciplinary context for your study syllabus across all art programmes at ECA.

This involves the imaginative research, analysis and communication of issues raised by the visual aspects of culture.

Our students engage in a critical and creative dialogue with the work of their peers. They also gain an understanding of the nature of today's diverse visual cultures.

You will study the artistic, intellectual, social and professional contexts that shape creative practice in visual arts. You will also learn how to best communicate this knowledge in a range of written, oral, visual and practical forms.

What You Will Learn

Programme content: As a student of Painting, BA (Hons) you will study the following course modules.

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

Jobs & Career Perspectives

15 months after graduation, graduates of this course were asked about what they do and, if they are working, about their current job and their perspectives.

Current jobs

Required skill level of job after 15 months

Jobs of graduates of this course (15 months after graduation)

Example below based on all graduates of Painting BA (Hons) at The University of Edinburgh

40% Artistic, literary and media occupations
20% Elementary occupations
10% Teaching and Childcare Support Occupation
10% Design occupations
10% Business and public service associate professionals

Grading & Study Time

Entry Requirements / Admissions

UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for this course

Qualification requirements

Required subjects: A Levels: no specific A Level subjects required. GCSEs: English at C or 4.

ABBB by end of S5 or AABB/ABBBB by end of S6. BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6. Required subjects: Highers: no specific Higher subjects required. National 5s: English at C.

34 points with 655 at HL. Required subjects: HL: no specific subjects required. SL: English at 5.

Direct entry to second year is available. Detailed entry requirements, including typical offer levels, and information about other qualifications we accept, are available on the University of Edinburgh’s website. You’ll also find important information on how to apply. You must submit a fully completed UCAS application that includes details of the qualifications you are taking, including full predicted grades for qualifications not yet completed, your personal statement and your reference.

English language requirements

test Grade Additional Details
IELTS (Academic) 6 6.5 overall with 5.5 in each component.
TOEFL (iBT) 92 92 or above with 20 in each section (including Special Home Edition). We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
Cambridge English Advanced 176 overall with 162 in each component.
Cambridge English Proficiency 176 overall with 162 in each component.
Trinity ISE ISE II with a distinction in all four components.

Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Painting, BA (Hons), if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.

Costs

Tuition Fees Painting BA (Hons)

England UK £9250 year 1
Northern Ireland £9250 year 1
Wales £9250 year 1
Channel Islands £9250 year 1
Ireland £9250 year 1
Scotland £1820 year 1
EU £30400 year 1
International £30400 year 1

Additional fee information

Scotland In 2021-22 the fee level set by the Scottish Government was £1,820. The 2022-23 fee rate is expected to be confirmed by the Scottish Government in early 2022. Students must apply to the Student Awards Agency Scotland SAAS for payment of their tuition fees.

England/Wales/N Ireland The Rest of UK RUK rate is yet to be confirmed and was £9,250 for 2021 entry. For 2022 entry this may increase in line with inflation and will be subject to government limits.

EU On 9th July 2020 the decision was made by the Scottish Government to end free university tuition for European Union EU students starting in 2021-22. Funding policy for EU nationals and associated groups starting a course of study in academic year 2022-23 or later will be in line with international fees.

Full time international students will pay a fixed annual fee rate for the duration of their programme -

Average student cost of living in the UK

Rent £518
Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) £50
Supermarket shopping £81
Clothing £35
Eating out £33
Alcohol £27
Takeaways / food deliveries £30
Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) £24
Holidays and weekend trips £78
Transport within city £17
Self-care / sports £20
Stationary / books £13
Mobile phone / internet £13
Cable TV / streaming £7
Insurance £51
Other £95
  
Average student cost of living £1092

London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.

How to apply

Application deadline:

January 1, 2024

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Possible Entry Points:

  • year 1 (Default entry point)

University Rankings

Positions of The University of Edinburgh in top UK and global rankings.

Rankings of The University of Edinburgh in related subject specific rankings.

Arts Visual & Performing

    • #2 
    • #9 
    Art & Design
    CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
    [Published 08 June, 2023]
    • #3 
    • #51 
    Art & Design
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]

See all 38 university rankings of The University of Edinburgh

About The University of Edinburgh

The University of Edinburgh is located in the Scottish city of the same name, and is one of the oldest universities in the entire United Kingdom, having opened in the year 1583. The university enjoys a strong reputation for its contributions to international research efforts, which is reflected in their inclusion in the Russell Group, Universitas 21, and Una Europa. Edinburgh offers its residents a historic yet modern city, with a lively nightlife scene, reliable public transport, and friendly locals.

List of 735 Bachelor and Master Courses from The University of Edinburgh - Course Catalogue

Where is this programme taught

Central and Kings Buildings
map marker Show on map
Central area campus
map marker Show on map

Similar courses

Program University Student satis­faction Unem­ployed Drop­out Tuition (UK) Tuition (Inter­national) UCAS Tariff City
Painting BA (Hons) The University of Edinburgh 78% 0% 5% £9250 £30400 195 Edinburgh On campus Full-time
Fine Art - Painting/Printmaking BA (Hons) Glasgow School of Art 65% 5% 1% £9250 £18960 209 Glasgow On campus Full-time
Painting BA (Hons) Robert Gordon University 95% 0% 0% £6750 £15000 £15450 160 Aberdeen On campus Full-time
Fine Art (Digital Media, Drawing and Painting, Printmaking, Sculpture) BA (Hons) University of Dundee 64% 5% 0% £9250 £19500 179 Dundee On campus Full-time
Painting and Drawing BA (Hons) University of Chichester 42% 10% 5% £9250 £14500 126 Chichester On campus Full-time
Fine Art Painting BA (Hons) University of Brighton 63% 3% 10% £9250 £13842 156 Brighton On campus Full-time
Fine Art Painting & Drawing BA (Hons) The University of Northampton 60% 0% 15% £9250 - 110 Northampton On campus Full-time
Painting Drawing and Printmaking BA (Hons) Plymouth College of Art 94% 0% 10% £4625 - 130 Plymouth On campus Part-time
Scenic Painting for Stage and Screen BA (Hons) Royal Central School of Speech and Drama 56% 0% 7% - - 130 London On campus Full-time
Fine Art: Painting BA (Hons) University of the Arts London 48% - 4% £9250 - 160 London On campus Full-time