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Everything you need to know...
International/EU: £14,415 per year
Course summary
- Develop your skills as an artist in state-of-the-art studios and workshops.
- Work with curators to exhibit your work and become part of the creative community.
- Learn about contemporary art and culture from leading experts.
If you don't meet the entry requirements for our BA (Hons) courses, or you’d like extra preparation before starting degree-level study, we recommend you join the foundation year – which has been designed to encourage exploration and experimentation.
This course develops artists and creative thinkers to attain practical skills while developing your critical and theoretical knowledge of fine art. In the studios, you'll explore and experiment through practice in a vibrant environment. We celebrate the breadth of possibilities contemporary art offers, supporting the development of the creative, critical and analytical skills needed for a range of professional art-related careers.
Creative Industries Federation (CIF) membership
We are members of the Creative Industries Federation (CIF), which means our art and design students are members as well until they graduate. With 10,000 members in its network, the CIF represents champions and supports the UK’s creative industries, advocating on the issues that matter the most to creative communities.
View our students' work
View our gallery of student work and learn more about the exciting projects they've been working on this year.
How you learn
All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.
This interdisciplinary course is based on your individual art practice in studios and workshops. Your work will be supported by the development of a theoretical and historical understanding of art. You'll also learn how to exhibit your work and develop relationships with industry professionals – preparing you for a fulfilling career in the arts. In the first ‘induction’ module you’ll learn to work confidently and creatively with a wide range of different materials. In the second ‘project’ module you’ll be taught by tutors from the BA (Hons) course supported by foundation tutors.
You’ll learn through
- practical workshops
- lectures and seminars
- group and individual tutorials
- exhibitions and presentations
- study trips
- independent study
- demonstrations
- applied industry (live) projects
- Blackboard online learning portal
- presentations and feedback sessions
- peer group activities
Take a look at the department's Instagram to see what innovations and creations our students have been working on.
Course leaders and tutors
Gary Simmonds
Senior Lecturer and Course LeaderGary is a Senior Lecturer and also the Course Leader for BA Fine Art.
Applied learning
Work placements
You’ll have the opportunity to arrange a single or multiple work placement/s in between your second and third years of the full course. Placements give you real-world experience to prepare you for your future career. Previous students have worked in galleries with practising artists and in schools, while others have set up their own artist residency in Greece. You may also be able to work or study abroad with the possibility of funding through the Erasmus+ programme (until 2023) or the Turing scheme.
Live projects
You'll have many opportunities to take part in live projects, including exhibitions and events in the public domain. In the second and third year of the full course, you’ll exhibit your work in a gallery, open to the public.
Field trips
We offer opportunities to go on study trips and visits in the UK and abroad – with free travel and accommodation for all mandatory field trips. These could include workshops, conferences or visits to practitioners’ studios, museums and special collections. You may further enhance your studies with optional field trips, though these will incur additional costs. Recently the course has visited the Venice Biennale and Berlin. These trips are valuable for the experience of seeing work first-hand and understanding the professional world of contemporary fine art.
Networking opportunities
As our academic staff actively work in the professional art world, you can benefit from their connections and networks. You'll be able to attend regular guest lectures with leading artists, curators and thinkers. We have strong links with many local venues including the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Site Gallery and artist-run studios and galleries such as Bloc Projects and S1, (some of which were set up by our graduates). These connections will help you gain experience by forging relationships and attending private views and events.
Future careers
This course prepares you for future study and careers in
- art
- curation
- film direction
- production
- editing
- set design
- prop-making
- novel writing
- scriptwriting
- art direction
- animation
- art therapy
Previous graduates who have become successful in their field includ
- Martin Clark, director of Camden Arts Centre
- Kid Acne, internationally renowned artist and illustrator
- George Shaw, Turner Prize nominee 2011
- Rosalind Nashashibi, Turner Prize nominee 2017
- Nick Park, Oscar-winning creator of Wallace and Gromit
- Hannah Duraid, The Great Escape Game entrepreneur
- Dawn Shadforth, British music video and documentary director
Where will I study?
You study at City Campus through a structured mix of online lessons and face-to-face teaching with access to digital and online resources to support your learning.
City Campus
City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.
City Campus map | Campus facilities | Keeping safe on Campus
Adsetts library
Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn moreEquipment and facilities
You'll have access to a wide variety of facilities across the university campuses – including a 24-hour learning centre, Students’ Union, cafes and eateries, lecture theatres, exhibition spaces and more. You'll be based in a fully equipped and purpose-designed studio, with state-of-the-art facilities including
- painting and sculpture facilities
- dedicated TV, film and photography studios
- industry-relevant hardware and software
- performance spaces
- a creative media centre
- professional galleries
- print, wood, metal and ceramic workshops
- 3D printing
Learn more about your department
Art and Design facilities tour - shared workshops
Take a look around the shared workshops in the Department of Art & Design at Sheffield Hallam University.
Entry requirements
All students
UCAS points
- 80
This must include at least 32 points from at least one A level or equivalent BTEC National qualifications (to include a relevant subject, such as Art, Design and Technology, Textiles or Graphics). For example:
- CDD at A Level with a grade C in a relevant subject.
- MMP in BTEC Extended Diploma in a relevant subject.
- A combination of qualifications which must include an A level grade C or BTEC grade M in a relevant subject and may include AS levels, EPQ and general studies
- Access to HE Diploma from a QAA recognised Access to HE course. Normally we require 15 credits at level 2 and 45 at level 3. At least 15 level 3 credits must be at merit grade or above from a QAA-recognised Access to HE course, or an equivalent Access to HE certificate.
You can find information on making sense of UCAS tariff points here and use the UCAS tariff calculator to work out your points.
GCSE
- English Language or Literature at grade C or 4
We may also accept you, if you have limited qualifications but can show evidence of ability and a genuine commitment to studying Art and Design.
We treat the foundation year as part of the Art and Design degree programme. Offers made to students will be for four years of study (or five years of study including a placement). This is made up of the foundation year plus one of our Art and Design degrees.
If English is not your first language, you will need an IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills or equivalent. If your English language skill is currently below IELTS 6.0 we recommend you consider either the International Foundation Programme: Art, Design and Media or Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve an equivalent English score.
Portfolio review
If your application is successful, you will be invited to attend a portfolio review, this is where you can showcase your relevant work and highlight any pieces you are particularly proud of.
In light of the updated advice from the Government about the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, we are not currently offering face to face portfolio reviews but are instead accepting portfolios through digital submission. Find out about what happens at a portfolio review and how you can prepare to produce a strong portfolio.
Please note the University will only admit students who are aged 18 at the point of enrolment.
Additional information for EU/International students
If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page. You can also watch a video guide on how to apply.
For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.
Modules
Module and assessment information for future years is displayed as currently validated and may be liable to change. When selecting electives, your choices will be subject to the core requirements of the course. As a result, selections may be limited to a choice between one of two or more specified electives in some instances.
You will be able to complete a placement year as part of this course. See the modules table below for further information.
Year 1
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Foundation Induction | Credits: 60 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Foundation Projects | Credits: 60 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Year 2
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Art Context 1 | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Art Practice One | Credits: 100 |
Assessment:
Practical |
Year 3
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Art Context 2 | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Art Practice Two | Credits: 100 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Art Exchange | Credits: 60 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Year 4
| Module | Credits |
|---|---|
| Module: Placement Year | Credits: - |
Final year
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Art Practice 3 (Art & Critical Practice 3) | Credits: 120 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Ordinary Fine Art Studio | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fees for UK students starting full-time undergraduate study in 2022/23 are regulated by the UK government and are yet to be confirmed. For an indication, our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time undergraduate study in 2021/22 is £9,250 per year. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200.
† If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.
International students
Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2022/23 is £14,415 per year. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200.
Financial support for home/EU students
How tuition fees work, student loans and other financial support available.
Additional course costs
This link allows you to view estimated costs associated with the main activities on specific courses. These are estimates and, as such, are only an indication of additional course costs. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
Additional costs for Art and design courses (PDF, 260.3KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
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Come to an open day
Find out more at our undergraduate open days. Book now for your place.
