Everything you need to know...
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What is the fee?
Home: See fees section below
International/EU: £17,155 per year -
How long will I study?
4/5 Years
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Where will I study?
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What are the entry requirements?
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What is the UCAS code?
A011
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When do I start?
September 2025
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Placement year available?
Yes

Come to an open day
Visit us to learn more about our gold-rated teaching and why we were awarded the highest possible rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework.
Course summary
- Join an interdisciplinary community of practising artists whose work investigates the present and shapes the future
- Grow your confidence to make art in an inclusive environment which encourages diverse perspectives
- Experiment with materials and processes, taking risks, investigating unfamiliar concepts and testing new ideas
- Collaborate in curating exhibitions, events and screenings and grow your networks locally, nationally and internationally
If you don't meet the entry requirements for our BA (Hons) Fine Art, 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.
Studying Fine Art develops the imagination, practical and critical skills needed for an ever-changing world. This course will help you develop your individual art practice and build your networks to open up future professional opportunities.
Creative UK membership
We are members of Creative UK, which means our art and design students are also members until they graduate. With 10,000 members in its network, Creative UK 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
This foundation course brings together students across all our art and design courses as one creative community. You’ll work and learn together in a dedicated studio space and have access to our top-class facilities.
Based in our bespoke studios, workshops, and digital spaces, you’ll become part of a dynamic and collaborative learning community. Together, you’ll undertake creative adventures, explore possibilities, and challenge conventions.
Through our teaching, we help you unlock your potential to contribute as a creative thinker and doer and apply your knowledge to art practice, culture and society.
You learn through:
- Studio practice
- Workshops
- Technical demonstrations
- Group and individual tutorials
- Creative reviews
- Lectures
- Guest talks
- External visits and field trips
Key themes
Your foundation year will help you get to grips with University life as you study alongside a creative community of Art and Design students. Expect to be hands-on in the studio, learning through doing as you explore the creative process with collaborative projects, workshops and field trips.
Find out more about your foundation year.
Throughout the course, you’ll develop your making and thinking skills using a diverse range of creative processes, media and software – and you’ll explore ideas and practices through workshops led by skilled tutors and technicians.
Activities include painting, print, sculpture, installation, photography, moving image, performance and interaction, art writing, site-specific and socially-engaged/participatory work, and other forms of contemporary art practice.
You’ll learn different methods for research, understanding how artists work and think, and how research supports the development of contemporary practice. By collaborating with others, you’ll build confidence in communicating ideas and sharing your work with audiences.
At every step, we’ll help you position your practice in relation to real-world opportunities and challenges, so you can create work for particular contexts and participants through exhibitions, screenings and other live projects with external partners.
Course support
We’re a dedicated, qualified, and highly experienced teaching team, with world-leading research and recognised professional creative reputations, who take the time to get to know you.
Throughout your learning journey, you’ll experience a range of dedicated personal, academic and career development support, such as:
- Access to our Skills Centre with one-to-ones and online resources to help with planning and structuring your assignments
- Access to office and studio space, expert workshops, freelancing opportunities and a vast business network to tap into
- Industry-specific employability activities and careers support for up to five years after you graduate
The course develops strategies of attention, empathy, imagination, courage and resilience in the face of an uncertain future. Our course prioritises care as a critical activity – care for global human contexts and for the more-than-human world.
Course leaders and tutors

Joanne Lee
Senior Lecturer in Graphic DesignI am a photographer, writer, researcher and publisher with a curiosity about everyday things and the ordinary places in which I live and work.
Applied learning
Your course has been designed to embrace real-world challenges and provide you with the practical skills and knowledge to be successful.
We do this by developing your expertise in collaboration with the professional creative and cultural sectors – with commercial and creative practitioners, commissioners, clients and arts organisations.
Work placements
You’ll have the opportunity to undertake a year-long work placement (25 weeks minimum) or multiple placements before your final year. This gives you valuable work experience to prepare you for your future career and allows you to graduate with an Applied Professional Diploma to add to your CV.
Previous students have worked in galleries with practising artists and in schools, while others have set up their own artist residency. You may also be able to work or study abroad with the possibility of funding through the Turing scheme.
Live projects
Take part in live projects in creative and critical arts practice where you work with external partners to respond to real-world challenges, projects and opportunities.
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 might include workshops, conferences or visits to practitioners’ studios, cultural institutions and special collections.
There’s also the option to enhance your studies further with our optional field trips. 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.
Students can also apply for funding through the Turing Scheme to support a study exchange or placement outside of the UK.
Networking opportunities
Many of our academics are professional art practitioners and world-renowned researchers who help you understand and access thriving art networks.
With a diverse set of guest lectures, you’ll hear first-hand advice from leading artists, curators and thinkers. Previous guests have included:
- Uthra Rajgopal, winner of the prestigious Art Fund New Collecting Award
- ArtsCatalyst, a Sheffield-based visual arts organisation
- Harun Morrison, artist, writer, and former trustee of the Black Cultural Archive
- Shepherd Manyika, an artist-educator working with leading UK Art Galleries
- Bahbak Hashemi-Nezhad, a social designer whose work fosters collaborative culture
Exhibitions
You’ll exhibit your work in prestigious public galleries and exhibitions, such as The Post Hall Gallery, the Millenium Galleries, Bloc Gallery and S1 Art Space.
At the end of your final year, you’ll have the opportunity to exhibit your work in our annual Future Now Festival of Creativity – to which we invite VIP guests, employers, businesses, influencers, friends and family and the general public. The festival is widely attended and is hosted in the city centre. You’ll also be able to curate and exhibit your work on our online Gallery.
Future careers
This course prepares you for careers and future study in:
- Art practice
- Research
- Curation
- Museums and galleries
- Creative and critical writing
- Publishing
- Film direction
- Production and editing
- Set design
- Prop-making
- Art direction
- Animation
- Music and media industries
- Teaching
- Art therapy
Our graduates exhibit in diverse galleries and festivals, have been nominated for the Turner Prize, Jarman Award, Oscars and BAFTAs, written and starred in TV series, released critically-acclaimed music and published significant works of fiction.
Our graduates also lead major art galleries, teach and research at UK and international higher education institutions.
Previous graduates who have become successful in their field include:
- 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 lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as 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 | City Campus tour

Adsetts library
Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn moreLearn 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.
Equipment and facilities
We strive for an inclusive and equitable studio environment where divergent ideas, histories, and practices are encouraged to thrive.
Our fully equipped and purpose-designed studios, workshops and facilities include state-of-the-art equipment, such as:
- Painting and sculpture spaces
- Project space
- Dedicated TV and film studios
- Photography studios
- Industry-relevant hardware and software
- Performance spaces
- Creative media centre
- Professional gallery
- Printmaking
- Wood, metal and mixed media workshops
- Ceramics workshops
- Casting and metalwork facilities
- 3D printing
You'll also have access to a wide variety of facilities across the university campuses – including a 24-hour learning centre, Students’ Union, cafés and eateries, lecture theatres, exhibition spaces and more.
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.
• Pass overall from a T level qualification with C from core
• 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 the 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 receive an email inviting you to submit a link to your portfolio.
The portfolio helps us understand whether we are able to offer you a place on the course you’ve applied for. Your UCAS statement and portfolio provide you with the opportunity to demonstrate your creative experience, potential ability and enthusiasm for the course you’ve applied for. Visit our portfolio review guidance.
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.
For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.
Modules
Important notice: The structure of this course is periodically reviewed and enhanced to provide the best possible learning experience for our students and ensure ongoing compliance with any professional, statutory and regulatory body standards. Module structure, content, delivery and assessment may change, but we expect the focus of the course and the learning outcomes to remain as described above. Following any changes, updated module information will be published on this page.
You will be able to complete a placement year as part of this course. See the modules table below for further information.
Year 1
Compulsory modules
Module Aim:
This module aims to further your disciplinary knowledge and experience. Through a series of workshops and the development of a creative project, you will build on the basic practical skills you acquired in the Foundation Skills & Methods.
You will further develop your independent approach and confidence whilst employing practical skills in the production of creative project outcomes.
You will be encouraged to consider the wider influences of history, environment, society and culture on Art and Design disciplines as well as your own practice.
Indicative Content:
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Projects are set by staff but grounded in self-directed study and research; these form the basis of your practice work.
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Practical skills will be delivered in seminars and workshops. Workshop activities will compliment your practice.
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You will take part in peer review and crit sessions. During these crit sessions you will discuss your work and that of others. Complimenting the group crit sessions there will be a number of tutorials where you receive feedback, advice and guidance on the development of your practice at a more individual level.
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Projects are supported by your tutors while at the same time this module encourages increased independence and self-directed study and research.
This module introduces you to Art & Design practices alongside the core skills and techniques needed to develop your portfolio. The module promotes an experimental, risk-taking and creative outlook on project work to build your confidence about learning in Higher Education whilst introducing you to study resources and support available at university.
Project based learning encourages you to build your practical skills. At the same time you will learn skills in research, creativity and reflective thinking. You will begin to understand your strengths and identify areas to develop relevant to your continued study and professional awareness.
INDICATIVE CONTENT
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Creative core skills: studio practice, observational drawing, effective sketching, technical/perspective drawing, print, photography, laser cutting, sewing, collage, digital image capture & manipulation.
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Group projects: to open your curiosity and develop your ability to experiment and take risks, whilst fostering strong working relationships with your peers.
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Creative methodologies: generating ideas: mind maps, (responding to creative research techniques).
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A range of study skills: to support your practice such as planning and managing your time, effective writing & communication, and understanding the value of constructive criticism, working independently and in groups.
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Using the Learning Centre, your SHU email account and the virtual learning environment (Blackboard).
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How to access the range of student support services offered by the university.
Year 2
Compulsory modules
This is the level 4 work experience module and will enable you to work on an Applied Project.
Module Aim:
This module will develop different methods through which ideas can be progressed in order to extend the conceptual and practical possibilities for art practice.
You will continue to investigate contemporary Fine Art methods, materials and processes, deepening your understanding of the approaches through which artists can work. More sustained critical examination of the concepts and contexts for practice will challenge you to think about your intentions and outcomes. You will be supported to work with designated external partners and collaborators from the cultural sector to develop work for public presentation in specific professional contexts.
Indicative content:
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practical and conceptual workshops in different media
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methods to sustain and develop practice
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lectures, seminars and workshops developing theoretical and critical strategies
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research methods
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develop practice and present artworks in different contexts
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applied project management, including; proposal development, time management, project planning, ethics and risk assessment
This module builds on the foundations for practice and the theoretical knowledge established and begins to set challenges for continuing development.
Module Aim:
This module introduces you to key practical and theoretical approaches in contemporary Fine Art.
You will investigate the materials and processes that underpin practice building your confidence to use studios and workshops. The module will enable you to work with ideas, learning about the ways in which artists explore concepts, developing research skills and techniques. Your practice will be supported by an introduction to theoretical approaches current in Fine Art.
Indicative content:
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workshops and inductions in Fine Art media
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methods to develop, record and visualise ideas
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forms of attention and observation
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investigation through making
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lectures, seminars and workshops examining theoretical approaches
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developing curiosity and establishing methods for research
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learning to reflect and interpret
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beginning to present artworks
This module provides a foundation from which you will build your own art practice.
Year 3
Compulsory modules
This is the level 5 work experience module and will enable you to work on an enhanced Applied Project.
Module Aim:
This module will develop knowledge and understanding about the professional contexts in which contemporary artists work. You will negotiate a more challenging professional project working with external partners and collaborators.
You will examine the sites in which art is made and shown and consider the methods through which artists work with different audiences and participants. You will learn about the critical models underpinning these activities and apply your understanding to the further development of your own position as a creative and critical practitioner.
Indicative content:
- further development of individual practice.
- activities working with others in particular sites and contexts
- collaboration, cooperation, co-production, participation
- proposals, curation, and communication
- producing projects in different contexts
This module applied the skills and knowledge developed through art practice to real world contexts, enabling the necessary focus for final-year study and including the Applied Diploma.
Module Aim:
This module will develop the methods and capacity for artistic experimentation.
You will be supported to develop and sustain art practice through a series of creative and critical challenges. Having established your confidence in making and thinking, you will renew creative exploration by testing ideas and approaches in different contexts and media. You will engage with critical and theoretical perspectives to explore your own position as an artist and use research methods current in the discipline, as appropriate to your practice. You will apply this to consider professional opportunities and routes for your future career.
Indicative content:
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practical and conceptual experimentation
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creative workshops in different media
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testing and articulating critical strategies
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further development of research methods
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making, showing and testing artworks in different professional contexts
This module builds the capacity to encounter new concepts and approaches, laying the ground to consider possible contexts for practice.
Module Aim:
This project-based module will facilitate you to collaborate with others to tackle sustainable development challenges creatively. With the support of academics and external stakeholders, you will develop your collaborative, creative, communication, and presentation skills. Through multi-disciplinary project work, you will develop an informed and imaginative response to local and global sustainable development challenges.
Learning will be blended and delivered through teaching, workshops, doing, and independent study individually and in groups.
Indicative content:
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Study and consideration of Sustainable Development
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Exploration and utilisation of collaborative skills
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Exploration and utilisation of design thinking and creative thinking tools
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Project management
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Creative research methods
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Understanding audiences
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Communication and presentation skills
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Working with others, building relationship including with external stakeholders
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Critical thinking and reflection
Elective modules
This module is for undergraduate students to study abroad in their second year, Semester 2 (only for courses that offer this option). With this module, you can spend a semester at one of the University’s approved partner institutions worldwide – from Europe to the Americas, Asia Australia or Canada.
Study Abroad plays an important role in the University's commitment to an engaging, challenging, and thriving learning culture. It offers opportunities to experience other academic cultures and foster intellectual maturity while enhancing co-curricular skills and students' long-term employability.
Study abroad for credit is permitted on existing university-approved courses only. Students are awarded credits and grades at the partner institution, which are converted into Sheffield Hallam credits and grades on return and included in the Sheffield Hallam degree classification.
Please check and refer to the webpage How study abroad works. You must submit a Learning Agreement outlining the modules you will be taking at the partner institution. The Learning Agreement will be signed off by your academic tutor to ensure that the Learning broadly covers the Learning Outcomes set out in your course curriculum during your study abroad.
Year 4
Compulsory modules
Module aim:
The aim of this module is to enhance students’ professional development through the completion of and reflection on meaningful work placement(s).
A work placement will provide students with opportunities to experience the realities of professional employment and experience how their course can be applied within their chosen industry setting. The placement will:
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Allow student to apply the skills, theories and behaviours relevant and in addition to their course
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Enable students to enhance their interpersonal skills in demand by graduate employers – communication, problem solving, creativity, resilience, team work etc.
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Grow their student network and relationship building skills.
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Provide student with insights into the industry and sector in which their placement occurs
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Help student make informed graduate careers choices.
Indicative Content:
In this module students undertake a sandwich placement (min 24 weeks / min 21 hours per week) which is integrated, assessed and aligned to their studies.
Their personal Placement Academic Supervisor (PAS) will be their key point of contact during their placement and will encourage and support students to reflect on their experience, learning and contribution to the organisation they work for.
To demonstrate gains in professional development, students will be required to share their progress, learning and achievements with their Placement Academic Supervisor and reflect on these for the summative piece of work.
Final year
Compulsory modules
This is the level 6 work experience module and will enable you to work on a professional and scholarly research project.
Module Aim:
This module will focus on independent practice situated within a relevant critical and professional framework.
You will negotiate an independent research inquiry within the specific professional and scholarly contexts informing your practice and your own career aspirations. This inquiry will be developed through practice-based research where you will make work in/for particular professional contexts. It will engage with current critical thinking in the discipline and with the ways in which these findings can be applied or tested in your practice.
You will determine the application of practical and technical skills required to realise your ideas. You will deepen your engagement with personal and professional development in support of your career routes.
Indicative content:
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Continuing art practice
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Skills development
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Project proposal and development
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research and articulation of critical ideas
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testing of work in different professional contexts
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personal and professional development
This module uses the knowledge and experience established on previous levels of the course to enable autonomy and self-directed practice.
Module Aim:
This module will focus on the resolution of critical and conceptual ideas and positioning practice within a relevant public domain.
You will determine the relevant context/s in which your practice is positioned, addressing the trans-local domain in which contemporary art can exist and demonstrating how your work emerges from and relates to specific local, national and international contexts. You will be supported to resolve work for presentation, engaging in sustained making practices and skills development relevant to the specific needs of your practice. You will be prepared for professional life after university through a continuing engagement with relevant external contexts and partners.
Indicative content:
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resolving art practice in relevant context
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understanding and operating in trans-local domains for practice
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deepening skills development
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sustained critical reflection and self-evaluation
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communicating intentions and outcomes
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development and presentation of work for public context/s
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personal and professional development
This module is the culmination of the course, allowing the integration of previous practice and research as work is resolved and presented within self-defined professional contexts.
Elective modules
The Module sees you create and develop a substantial body of work. Importance is given to the use of research to explore ideas, monitor your on-going development and form a critical document of your yearlong study. Your critical skills when discussing your work or that of your peers should become astute and accomplished through regular discussion and debate with tutors, peers and leading art practitioners. Workshop surgeries sessions will enable you to apply sophisticated practical resolutions to your work.
INDICATIVE CONTENT
The core teaching activity of this module is the Group Critiques that takes place weekly at which a number of students present their work in progress for critique to other students and an academic facilitator. Crits enable you to apply your skills of reasoning and judgement when discussing the work of others and employ the views of others in the development of your own practice.
Workshops surgery sessions taught by experts from a range of specialist skill areas such as Photography, Printmaking, Performance, Video or Fabrication will provide you with expert advice and knowledge to deepen your practice.
Individual tutorials deepen and enhance your understanding of your personal practice and suggest areas of further development.
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fee for UK students on full-time undergraduate degree courses in 2025/26 is £9,535 per year (capped at a maximum of 20% of this during your placement year). These fees are regulated by the UK government and therefore subject to change in future years.
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 2025/26 is £17,155 per year (capped at a maximum of 20% of this during your placement year)

Financial support for home/EU students
How tuition fees work, student loans and other financial support available.
Additional course costs
The links below allow you to view estimated general course additional costs, as well as costs associated with key activities on specific courses. These are estimates and are intended only as an indication of potential additional expenses. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
General course additional costs
Additional costs for Sheffield Creative Industries Institute (PDF, 268.6KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.