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Introduction

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Location

Headington

Course Length

Course length: Full time: 3 years, or 4 years

Why choose this course?

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Overview

Discover, test and experiment with contemporary fine art as you forge an independent creative practice.

You’ll be introduced to a range of artistic practices that link traditional skills and approaches with alternative media such as sound, video and installation. You’ll have access to excellent contemporary and traditional facilities to produce distinctive, challenging and imaginative artworks.

By studying the key concepts in recent critical theory and learning how they underpin contemporary art, you’ll develop an informed practice and the ability to analyse and discuss contemporary art.

You’ll have the opportunity to build rich professional and practical skills through modules that are routed in the real art world. A optinal third work placement/ internship will help you progress your learning and skills.

You’ll be taught by practicing artists, curators, writers, and technical specialists, and benefit from our relationships with galleries and arts organisations.

Many graduates establish themselves as self-employed artists or go on to careers within the creative industries.


Wherever possible we make our conditional offers using the UCAS Tariff. The combination of A-level grades listed here would be just one way of achieving the UCAS Tariff points for this course.

Standard offer

UCAS Tariff Points: 112
A Level: BBC
IB Points: 30
BTEC: DMM

Contextual offer

UCAS Tariff Points: 88
A Level: CCD
IB Points: 27
BTEC: MMM

We welcome applications from candidates with alternative qualifications, and from mature students.

Modules

Year 1

Compulsory modules

Practice 1: Experimental Projects (45 credits)

Practice 2: The Gallery and Beyond (30 credits)

Critical Theory 1: Introduction to Analysis in Contemporary Art (15 credits)

This module serves as an orientation on contemporary art and society while examining how artists respond to environmental and technological developments in the field. You will cover a number of topics relevant to the art world, including how artists respond to urgent environmental challenges, the influence of an increasingly digital environment, and the idea of the ‘canon’. Additionally, it aims to develop your critical writing abilities and introduce them to different forms of research, including contextual and topic research.

By the end of the module, you should be able to demonstrate knowledge of relevant artists and practices, understand critical theory related to your chosen subject, clearly articulate your point of view to the reader, and present your work in accordance with scholarly conventions. Overall, you will build a strong foundation for a future in fine art.

Critical Theory 2: Expanded Self and Beyond (15 credits)

This module is an orientation into global art practice and the impact that various environments can have on an artist. You will critically analyse changes in contemporary art practice across various contexts and cultures, using the process to begin developing an acute awareness of your own artistic identity. Furthermore, you will examine how art and artists engage with ideas and issues from around the world, such as gender politics, race and decolonisation and technology and the social world among many other current global issues.

On successful completion of this module, you will be able to demonstrate a sound understanding of a broad range of art practices and critical debates prevalent in the field. Overall, this module will introduce you to contemporary concepts that will be crucial in a future career in the art world.

Real Art World 1: Introduction to Creative Careers (15 credits)

Year 2

Compulsory modules

Practice 3: Extending Practice (45 credits)

Practice 4: Consolidating Practice (30 credits)

Critical Theory 3: Accessibility and Interdisciplinary Practice (15 credits)

In this intermediate module, you will embark on an in-depth exploration of contemporary art practice from an interdisciplinary perspective. By examining the intersections of critical theory, art, and various fields such as science, technology, psychotherapy, law, and architecture, you will gain insight into the expanded possibilities and innovative potential of interdisciplinary artistic collaborations. Through the study of critical theory relevant to your subject, you will enhance your understanding of core theoretical frameworks.

On successful completion of this module, the interdisciplinary approach will enable you to bridge the gaps between various fields and contribute to the advancement of accessibility in the arts. Overall, by delving into the connections between diverse disciplines, you will broaden your artistic perspective, enhance your critical thinking, and contribute to the pursuit of accessibility and inclusivity within the arts.

Real Art World 2: Expanded Creative Projects (15 credits)

Optional modules

Critical Theory 4: Art and Critical Environments (15 credits)

Embark on a theoretical exploration of various artistic practices, uncovering the inherent connections between theory and practice. This module offers an in-depth analysis of contemporary art and culture, focusing on the central issues prevalent in today's art world. By delving into diverse critical environments, this module provides a broader understanding of how your own artistic work can be contextualised within the realms of art, society, and culture.

By the end of this module, you will gain an enriched understanding of contemporary art, its cultural significance, and its interplay with critical contexts. By honing your research and critical analysis skills, you will equip yourself for academic pursuits and professional endeavours in the art world. This module will expand your artistic horizons, enabling you to situate your own work within the broader art, society, and cultural landscape.

Placement in the Creative and Cultural Industries (15 credits)

This module can be taken as an alternative to Real Art World 2: Expanded Creative Projects.

The optional placement module in the second year may involve travel costs depending on location. Students are encouraged to identify opportunities for this experience, but are given full support to ensure a sound and effective placement. In past years students have worked in casting foundries, with arts management organisations and with public galleries. In most cases, these placements occur in and around Oxford. For this reason, travel costs usually amount to no more than approximately £50. In cases where students opt to go further afield, cost may be higher and may be close to £100. In all cases, these costs will be discussed and agreed in advance with the student.

Independent studies (15 credits)

Year 3 (placement year)

Optional modules

Career Development Placement

The aim of this module is to develop the professional profile and professional confidence of a student through experiential learning opportunities and engagement with external organisations by undergoing work placements, internships and industry experiences. It aims to enable students to manage their own learning and self-direction through identifying opportunities that align to their disciplinary ambitions, situating their practice in a professional context. It offers a range of options including an Enterprise Residency where students can operate as freelancers and develop ideas for a start-up business with the full support of Brookes Enterprise Support.

Year 4 (or year 3 if no placement)

Compulsory modules

Practice 5: Research and Development (30 credits)

Practice 6: Major Project (45 credits)

Real Art World 3: Independent Professional Projects (15 credits)

Critical Theory 5: Independent Research (30 credits)

In this module, you will take charge of your learning and explore a topic of your choice within contemporary art practice or cultural theory. This module empowers you to conduct thorough research, critically analyse works of art and cultural practices, and develop an extended critical essay that articulates your unique scholarly viewpoint. By engaging independently and critically with research materials, you will cultivate a sophisticated understanding of your chosen topic.

Through the process of conducting thorough research and critically analysing diverse theoretical resources, you will develop essential research skills that are transferable to future academic pursuits and professional endeavours. Furthermore, Critical Theory 5 enhances your communication and presentation skills, enabling you to articulate complex ideas, structure persuasive arguments, and present your work in a scholarly manner.


Learning and teaching

Teaching sessions include individual and group tutorials, workshops, lectures and seminars.

Through workshops you’ll be introduced to develop knowledge of and confidence in a variety of practical methods and techniques. Lecturers, seminars and tutorials offer you a platform to learn about and critically discuss historical, theoretical and contextual concepts and approaches. This will broaden your knowledge of contemporary art and help to inform your work as an artist.

You will have 24-hour access to studio space, enabling you to work independently on your artistic practice.

The Real Art World modules throughout the course offer you the opportunity to build your knowledge and experience of working within the creative industries.

Our teaching staff have a wide range of practice, research interests and expertise. They make work for galleries all over the world.

Entry Criteria

ENTRY REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Home Office Share Code
For EU students only.

IF no Qualification
Please provide CV with at least 2 years of work experience, and employee reference letter.

Entry requirements

Specific entry requirements

GCSE: Grade 4 (C) in Mathematics and English

Our standard entry requirement is three A-levels or equivalent qualifications. In some cases, courses have specific required subjects and additional GCSE requirements. In addition to A-levels, we accept a wide range of other qualifications including:

 the Welsh Baccalaureate
 the Access to Higher Education Diploma
 a BTEC National Certificate, Diploma or Extended Diploma at a good standard and in a relevant subject
 the International Baccalaureate Diploma
 the European Baccalaureate Diploma
 Scottish qualifications – five subjects in SCE with two at Higher level or one at Advanced Higher level, or three subjects in Scottish Highers or two at Advanced Higher level
 a recognised foundation course
 T-levels*.
 * T-levels are a relatively new qualification but are already included in the UCAS tariff. We welcome prospective students who are taking this qualification to apply. For some programmes with specific required subjects, particular subject areas or occupational specialisms may be required.

Selection process

Applicants are offered places through:

 submission of a digital portfolio of an appropriate standard; and
 an interview with a member of staff and a current student from the programme.

Most interviews take place between late January and the middle of March. Applicants who submit their application early may be invited for interview in December.

Portfolio guidance:

What are we looking for?

We want to find out what excites you as an emerging artist. Through your portfolio we will be looking to see your artistic ability and creative thought processes. Your portfolio should demonstrate a range of work, techniques and processes; this will help us to gauge your experience and abilities. We encourage you to include both finished and in-progress work that you're proud of. Don't be afraid to include unfinished work, it is all part of your process as an artist and will help us to understand the approach you take to your work.

Your portfolio can contain a variety of different types of work:

• Free-hand / observational drawing
• Sketchbooks and workbooks (both project based and those containing sketches from trips you may have taken / contextual studies etc.)
• Life drawing (pencil, charcoal etc.)
• Collages / montages / mixed media
• Maquettes and models
• Evidence of experimentation
• Photography
• Video and film
• Website design

Large works including paintings, sculptures, installations, time based media should be included through photographic documentation which makes the scale of the work clear. When photographing your work, also consider whether you could enrich our experience of the piece by including details.

Compiling and sharing your portfolio

You can present your portfolio as a PDF file or you can use an online service to put your portfolio together. When putting your portfolio together, ensure that it is well organised and that your work is clearly labelled. It's your work so give it the best possible chance of making a good impression. Feel free to include text labels and indicators so we know what materials and creative methods were involved.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language then you will need to show that your English language skills are at a high enough level to succeed in your studies.

The entry requirement for your course will be expressed as an IELTS level and refers to the IELTS Academic version of this test. We are now also accepting the IELTS Indicator test, you can find out more about the test on the IELTS Indication site. The University however does accept a wide range of additional English language qualifications, which can be found below.

The university’s English language requirements in IELTS levels are as follows:

Course IELTS level
All other undergraduate courses 6.0 overall with 6.0 in reading and writing, 5.5 in listening and speaking
Law, Architecture, Interior Architecture, English Literature (including combined honours), English Literature and Creative Writing 6.5 overall with 6.0 in reading and writing, 5.5 in listening and speaking
Health and Social Care courses 6.5 or 7.0 overall with 6.5 or 7.0 in all components (see individual entries for course details)
Nutrition BSc (Hons) 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in each component
Built Environment Foundation,
Computing Foundation,
Engineering Foundation 6.0 with 6.0 in reading and writing, 5.5 in listening and speaking
International Foundation Business and Technology,
International Foundation Arts, Humanities and Law 5.5 overall with 5.5 in all skills
International Foundation Diploma 5.0 overall with 5.0 in all skills
If you need a student visa you must take an IELTS for UKVI test.
International Foundation Diploma (Extended pathway) 4.5 overall with 4.5 in all skills
If you need a student visa you must take an IELTS for UKVI test.


Assessment

ASSESSMENT METHODS

1. INTERNAL ENGLISH TEST if you don't have an English accredited certificate
2. Academic Interview
Learning and assessment

In Year 1 we will introduce you to a range of technical skills, such as:

 printmaking
 3-D construction
 photography and film
 painting
 digital image manipulation
 theoretical perspectives
 creative strategies for generating experimental contemporary artwork.

Year 2 will support and develop your individual working. You'll explore your own ideas and begin to establish means of expression through the core of Fine Art Practice modules. The Real Art World (RAW) modules enable you to put the creativity and skills into practice in external projects of your choice, while other compulsory modules develop your engagement with the study and theories informing contemporary art.

In Year 3 you will research and develop a body of independent artwork, which will culminate in the end-of-year show. You will write an extended research essay on a topic of your choice, deepening your understanding of the context of your own creative practice. You'll attend individual and group tutorials, lectures and seminars, and continue to work independently in your own studio space at Oxford Brookes.



Assessment

Practice modules are assessed by the presentation of completed artworks, including the submission of your research and development work, sketchbooks, and a written self-evaluation of the project. Slide presentations of your work also help you to gain confidence in speaking publicly about your practice.

Theory modules are assessed by written assignments or essays and Professional Practice modules are assessed by written assignments or oral presentations.

Study abroad

You may be able to go on a European or international study exchange while you are at Brookes. Most exchanges take place in the second year. Although we will help as much as we can with your plans, ultimately you are responsible for organising and funding this study abroad.

Career Opportunities

Throughout this course you’ll shape your own independent practice. A supportive and intellectually challenging environment is provided to enable you to:

 develop into a confident, reflective and self-motivated graduate
 become a skilled and practical maker, exhibiting high levels of professionalism
 acquire skills that will enable you to thrive in the art world and wider society
 learn to articulate your views and ideas, and to communicate clearly about your work and the work of others.

The professional strand of the course will enable you to maximise these skills for employment, postgraduate education or self-employment and will provide you with opportunities to engage with a range of arts-related professionals.

Many of our graduates continue to work as artists, generating their own projects as well as working for others through commission or on community-based projects. Others go on to careers as teachers, curators or gallery managers, art therapists and arts journalists, or continue their studies at postgraduate level.

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