Everything you need to know...
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What is the fee?
Home: £13,750 for the course
International/EU: £22,940 for the course -
How long will I study?
20 Months
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Where will I study?
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When do I start?
September 2024
Course summary
- Complete a body of artwork, a professional strategy and refine your critical skills.
- Build your art portfolio in one of the most highly-rated research communities in the sector.
- Develop advanced skills in critical research methodologies.
- Gain specialised fine art knowledge and experience individual studio practice.
On an advanced programme of study you’ll explore, refine and develop your artistic practice. You can take part in numerous activities and explore your practical skills – from painting, sculpture, digital making and printmaking to drawing, metalwork, writing and curating.
Come to an open day
Find out more at our postgraduate open days. Book now for your place.
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
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 course will help you develop the skills you’ll need for a multi-stranded art career. We’ll provide a flexible learning environment where you can develop your abilities, gain real-world experience and build the confidence to proactively discover fulfilling career opportunities.
You learn through
- Lectures
- Tutorials
- Practical workshops
- Group projects
- Exhibitions
- Public events
Take a look at the department's Instagram to see what innovations and creations our students have been working on. For more content from our MA and MFA Design programmes, please visit our official Instagram.
Course leaders and tutors
Penny McCarthy
Reader in Fine ArtPenny is a Reader in Fine Art at Sheffield Hallam University. Her work has been supported by the Wellcome Trust, Arts Council England and AHRC and exhibited extensiv … Read more
Applied learning
Live projects
Sheffield has a dynamic and vibrant creative community. We work collaboratively with artists and curators, as well as researchers and students in other areas. You’ll also have access to a network of public galleries, art organisations and artist-run spaces.
Throughout the course there are many opportunities to take part in live projects, including exhibitions, publishing and public events. You can also exhibit your work in a local professional art gallery, which contributes towards your final degree show.
Fine art students work and exhibit in the heart of Sheffield's Cultural Industries Quarter. Our course has links with the Sheffield Contemporary Arts Forum, the Yorkshire Artspace Society and the Showroom Cinema, as well as the Site Gallery and studio groups such as S1 Artspace and Bloc.
Networking opportunities
We regularly invite external practitioners to contribute to workshops and tutorials. Throughout the course you’ll be introduced to professional practitioners as part of the weekly lecture programme. We invite well-known specialists – including high-profile international artists, curators, arts managers and art writers.
The course also works closely with Sheffield's arts community, encouraging you to build a career by taking part in regular exhibitions, private views, public debates & events, internships and formal & informal dialogues.
Student work
MFA Fine Art student Chris Johnsey works as a Creative Arts Workshop Leader at a local charity ArtWorks South Yorkshire. Johnsey runs a Drawing Together workshop that is part of a broad range of creative workshops for adults with learning disabilities, supporting them to play an active role within their community.
Future careers
This course prepares you for a career in
- Design
- Design management
- Making or manufacturing
- Company-employed design
- Independent design practice
- Postgraduate study at PhD level
- Education
- Retail/marketing
- Design research
- Academia
Previous graduates of this course have gone on to work for international design companies and consultancies, as well as gaining PhD scholarships.
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 moreEquipment and facilities
On this course you work with
- Sculpture
- Painting
- Live art
- Drawing
- Computer programming
- Metalwork
- Dideo editing
- Dark rooms
- Sound studios
- Film production equipment
- Printmaking
- The city's professional artist studios
- Flexible classrooms
- Specialist workshops and IT facilities
Entry requirements
All students
Normally an honours degree in an Art and Design subject at 2:1 standard (2:2 may be accepted in exceptional circumstances such as related experience and/or high standard of portfolio). You will have to submit evidence, in the form of an identifiable body of work, of significant creative ability and a commitment to theoretical issues in fine art.
For information on applying and your portfolio, see MFA Fine Art application support
Overseas applicants from countries whose first language is not English must normally produce evidence of competence in English. An IELTS score of 6.0 with 5.5 in all skills (or equivalent) is the standard for non-native speakers of English. If your English language skill is currently below an IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills we recommend you consider a Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve an equivalent English level.
If you do not have such academic qualifications we may consider your application individually, based on your personal, professional and work experience, and other formal qualifications. You may also be able to claim credit points which can reduce the amount of time it takes to complete your qualification at Sheffield Hallam. Find out more
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
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.
Year 1
Compulsory modules
Art Contexts
Art Practice
Studio Methods
Final year
Compulsory modules
Art
Art And Its Publics
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time study in 2024/25 is £13,750 for the course. The tuition fee displayed above is for the full course. If the full course is more than one year in duration, the fee will be divided into annual payments which will then be rounded. This may mean the total fee you pay is slightly higher than the fee stated above. If you take a break in study or have to re-take part of the course, you may also be charged an additional fee and will be notified of this at the time. Our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time study in 2024/25 are: Year 1: £6,875 Year 2: £6,875.
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 2024/25 is £22,940 for the course. The tuition fee displayed above is for the full course. If the full course is more than one year in duration, the fee will be divided into annual payments which will then be rounded. This may mean the total fee you pay is slightly higher than the fee stated above. If you take a break in study or have to re-take part of the course, you may also be charged an additional fee and will be notified of this at the time. Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2024/25 are: Year 1: £11,470 Year 2: £11,470.
Postgraduate student loans
Up to £11,222 available for Home students on most masters courses.
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, 290.8KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
