BA (Hons) Creative Visual Practice (Applications for 2025-26 will be open in Nov 2024)
What is the Course About?
Faculty: Creative and Leisure Industries
Department: Art, Design, Media and Music
Creative Visual Practice will enable you to develop individual practice through a flexible and multidisciplinary programme of study. Our BA Hons Creative Visual Practice degree encourages you to explore creative and original ways to produce visual creative work that communicate a message to any given audience.
You will be encouraged to apply a synthesis of materials, methods and thinking, fostering inquisitive, experimental and playful making that will challenge yourself and established notions of art and design practice. The degree provides opportunities to work with a range of creative mediums/media in 2D, 3D, time-based and innovative media. By weaving your way through the various projects that form this degree exploring and innovating across disciplines, you will learn the key skills, techniques and theory needed to become professional visual artists and designers. Some projects are individually focused, others are collaborative, some are prescribed, others demand self-directed learning – and all projects are situated within the context of the local, national and global visual arts and design world. You will produce an interdisciplinary portfolio of artwork which will culminate in a specialised arts discipline which will enable you to make work that is both professional and personally satisfying.
Throughout the programme you will specialise in your preferred creative area while also developing broader skills by enabling you to experience artistic disciplines. The degree is a well-rounded qualification that gives you transferable skills to boost your job prospects and help you stand out from the crowd.
Our programme encourages innovation and enables you to achieve depth of understanding in your specialist area of interest within traditional media as well as in digital technologies and practices. You will have opportunities to experiment with multiple creative disciplines broadening your knowledge, skills and understanding. The programme will teach you a wide range of technical skills that are essential to successful practice in the creative industries today.
You will build your skills, so you are able to effectively communicate your ideas. You will be challenged to develop your powers of creative thinking and idea generation. In the second and third years of the degree your specialist tutors will give support enabling you to drive your creative direction with increasing independence. Staff will give insight into the creative industries, helping you to expand your career options as a creative professional. They will enable you to flourish in your future career endeavours and support you to be ready for the world of visual creativity
You’ll benefit from support and encouragement from dedicated staff who are practitioners in their specialist fields.
The course will be delivered through a blended learning to allow students to tailor their learning experience and manage their time. Through live projects, collaborations with external institutions, exhibitions, competitions and lectures by visiting practitioners, you will be given the opportunity to develop your professional confidence and skills. These outward facing projects encourage collaborative working, problem solving and entrepreneurship, preparing you for work as a professional artist/designer or as an employee within the creative industries.
What subjects will I study?
There are three modules in each year. The tiles and content will be shared with you when the validation process is complete, staff will be able discuss this with you when you come in with your portfolio of work.
Will I need a DBS check for this course?
No
How can I find out more about the course?
If you apply for this course, you will be invited to an Information Sharing Appointment (ISA) when you will be given more detailed information about the course and when you’ll be able to ask any questions you may have.
Will I need any specialist uniform and/or kit?
Students must have their own laptop with the Adobe Creative Suite installed.
When will I get a timetable?
You will receive your completed timetable during induction, which takes place in September, however you may receive a draft timetable before then.
Useful links
What are my progression and career options?
Graduates may expect to gain employment as freelance practitioners or pursue careers that cross the traditional boundaries of graphic design, illustration, contemporary arts, photography, advertising, corporate identity, animation, multimedia, social media marketing, web-design, publishing, and art direction.
Graduates often go on to postgraduate study, progressing to a wide range of Masters’ subjects or teacher training qualifications.
For graduates starting out in the creative industries, there are opportunities for internships with UCM, IOM Arts Council, Unesco Bisophere and Department of Enterprise Step programme. These allow you to build up your skills, practice and network with other emerging creatives in a thriving creative community.
How will I be assessed?
The Creative Practice Visual Communication programme runs over three academic years. Students normally register for modules amounting to 120 credits each year.
Work is assessed through documented tutorials, presentations, and written assignments. Some modules include an element of peer assessment. Assessment includes coursework for each module. This could be logbooks, sketchbooks, written assignments, contextual journals, artwork in many formats, portfolios, presentations, and dissertations.
Entry requirements
Applicants should ideally have a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design, an Extended Diploma in related art, design and media subjects, or have completed an Access to Higher Education course in Art and Design. Students applying directly from A-level will be considered. However, a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design may be recommended as a prerequisite to entry onto the degree.
A minimum of 96 UCAS points is generally required, as is a good GCSE profile, including English Language, minimum grade C/4.
All applicants must present a comprehensive portfolio of art, design and/or media work that demonstrates their creative and practical skills, as well as an intellectual and enthusiastic engagement in the practice of art, design and/or media.
In addition to entry criteria for new applicants, please advise on the entry criteria for current students. Please advise on STRICT entry criteria.