Fine Art (blended delivery) MFA (PG)
West Dean College of Arts and Conservation
Key Course Facts
Course Description
Develop your passions and reach your potential in a small, welcoming environment within a community of like-minded people.
Why choose West Dean?
An international reputation for excellence in conservation and arts education.
94% of students studying at the College felt the programme had enhanced their skills and abilities (2019 student survey)
A rich arts environment and a focus on craft skills with vocational application.
Be inspired by the unique historic character and beautiful South Downs setting.
Located close to Chichester on the South Coast, with easy access to London.
The Course
The MFA (blended delivery) at West Dean provide a stimulating and supportive environment for you to develop your capacities in practical, theoretical and professional domains, with an emphasis on specialist studio practice. Students are provided with generous studio space, weekly tutorial support, access to a broad range of visiting artists and lecturers, and year-round access to exhibition spaces. Programmes are delivered through a combination of seminars, lectures, workshops, individual and group tutorials, critical sessions and self-directed research.
Students can choose to specialise in one of three main disciplines of Painting and Drawing, Sculpture, Tapestry and Textile Art, or to explore interdisciplinary practice. With access to excellent workshop facilities and unique opportunities to engage with other college departments, you will develop your practical, theoretical and professional skills in relation to a variety of different materials, methods and ideas.
Students have the opportunity to engage with West Dean House, Collection, Archive and Estate, are given support from highly skilled technical staff and a range of specialist facilities, plus assistance for visiting exhibitions, events and developing professional opportunities.
MFA students can expect
Support in consolidating studio practice to a level of accomplished practitioners
Access to facilities, workshops and expertise
Opportunities to employ innovative approaches to studio practice
To develop originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in the Visual Arts
To consolidate a systematic understanding and critical awareness of current debates in contemporary art practice
To develop aptitude for professional practice, independent research or employment, inc. opportunities for public exhibition
To possess independence, self-reliance, as well as promotional enterprise skills
Teaching
You are taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, practical workshops, individual and group tutorials, critique sessions, oral and written presentations, and external visits. The division of learning hours, on-site and online periods are:
Three one-week, on-site blocks each term (10 per year inc. induction week)
Online delivery
Independent study
On each of the study blocks you will have around 11-12 contact hours per week, typically consisting of:
2.hrs lectures
1.hr seminars
2.hrs of one-to-one/group tutorials
1.2 hrs of critique sessions
4.hrs of practical workshops
1.hr of external visits (average)
Independent learning
When not attending lectures, seminars, workshops or other timetabled sessions you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-directed study. Typically, this will involve:
working in your own studio (or the on-site studio during study blocks)
developing supporting material and research portfolios
undertaking research in the library
reading journal articles and books
working on specific unit assignments
preparing presentations and self-assessments.
Overall workload
33% of your time is spent in scheduled teaching and learning activity
Scheduled teaching and learning: 785 hours
Independent learning: 1615 hours
Entry Requirements / Admissions
The following qualifications will be considered for entry on to the MFA:
A good Honours Degree or equivalent qualification in Fine Art or a related discipline.
Relevant work experience in an arts-related field which demonstrates the ability to study at postgraduate level.
Portfolio: including evidence of current practical work, sketchbooks and evidence of critical writing.
An appropriate level of engagement with current debates in contemporary arts and making is required.
English language: CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) Level B2 or IELTS 6.5 or above.
Costs
Tuition Fees Fine Art (blended delivery) MFA (PG)
EU | £7880 | year 1 |
---|---|---|
International | £7880 | year 1 |
England UK | £7880 | year 1 |
Northern Ireland | £7880 | year 1 |
Scotland | £7880 | year 1 |
Wales | £7880 | year 1 |
Channel Islands | £7880 | year 1 |
Ireland | £7880 | year 1 |
EU | £8670 | year 1 |
International | £8670 | year 1 |
England UK | £8670 | year 1 |
Northern Ireland | £8670 | year 1 |
Scotland | £8670 | year 1 |
Wales | £8670 | year 1 |
Channel Islands | £8670 | year 1 |
Ireland | £8670 | year 1 |
Additional fee information
Cost includes study trip costs of £400 which typically includes tailored visits to collections/exhibitions of specific interest to the programme of study. Lunch, accommodation and other living expenses are additional.
**
Scholarships and bursaries are available from £500
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.
About West Dean College of Arts and Conservation
West Dean College of Arts and Conservation is an independent learning centre dedicated to teaching skills related to artistic and artisanal crafts, and can be found on the scenic West Dean Estate, close to the English city of Chichester.
Student composition of West Dean College of Arts and Conservation
-
Total number of students enrolled at West Dean College of Arts and Conservation by level Academic year 2021/22 - Full-time equivalent student enrollments published by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) on February 2022
- undergraduates:
- 170
- postgraduates:
- 25
- Total:
- 195
Where is this programme taught
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