Fine Art - Contemporary Dialogues (Full-time) (MA)
MA Fine Art – Contemporary Dialogues at Swansea College of Art is an exciting opportunity for those who wish to explore contemporary fine art practice. This course responds to the interdisciplinary nature of modern art, allowing students to engage in a practice-based context where they can apply their skills in various forms of creative expression.
We celebrate all types of artistic expression, including painting, sculpture, installation, performance, photography, and film. This broad approach encourages students to explore artistic experimentation, helping them to discover which mediums resonate with their creative vision. The course examines the role of the artist, emphasising both independent and collaborative modes of study.
Throughout the programme, students will adopt an analytical approach to art practice, which involves a thorough critical evaluation in fine art. This approach enables them to think deeply about their work and engage in critical debate regarding contemporary issues in art. Students will learn to ask important questions that challenge their ideas and push the boundaries of their creativity. This essential skill of visual and conceptual thinking allows them to refine their artistic practice.
The programme encourages students to extend their practice across different disciplines, media, and platforms. This flexibility fosters artistic development and supports students in their pursuit of new ideas and techniques. Active participation in dialogue between creative practitioners, agencies, and institutions is a crucial part of the course. Such collaborative opportunities in art help students build valuable connections and enhance their understanding of the professional art world.
In addition to hands-on practice, students will benefit from guest lectures in fine art and workshops led by experienced artists and experts. These sessions will cover modern art techniques and engage students with contemporary art theory. Students will also have opportunities to present their work in exhibitions, providing them with real-world experience in showcasing their art.
The Fine Art (MA) programme aims to develop confident artists who can navigate the complexities of the art world. By the end of the course, students will have refined their artistic skills and gained insight into their creative motivations and identity. They will leave equipped with the knowledge and experience to contribute meaningfully to the field of art.
Whether you are an aspiring artist or someone who simply wishes to deepen your understanding of art, our Fine Art (MA) programme offers the ideal environment for growth and exploration. Join us in this journey to push the boundaries of artistic experimentation and develop a robust understanding of your practice within a supportive community.
Course details
- On-campus
- Full-time
- English
- Bilingual
Why choose this course?
What you will learn
At the heart of our Fine Art (MA) programme is a philosophy that prioritises creative exploration, critical thinking, and collaborative learning. We believe that students flourish when they are encouraged to push the boundaries of their practice while engaging in meaningful dialogue with peers and professionals in the art world.
The master’s Contemporary Dialogues portfolio at Swansea College of Art offers a unique postgraduate experience. Graduates and professionals from a wide range of specialities benefit from multidisciplinary learning together with expert lecturers and a broad range of facilities. You will have the opportunity to draw upon experiences and knowledge from across the different pathways and reflect this in your own personal study.
The research environment benefits greatly from the input of our teaching staff and visiting lecturers, most of whom are research-active artists, designers, and theoreticians of national and international significance. In the first part of the programme, you will complete a series of taught modules. You will participate in multidisciplinary exchanges, through seminars and lectures involving students from all programmes within the Contemporary Dialogues portfolio, to stimulate new perspectives and challenge directions. The cross-fertilisation of ideas through such dialogues is expected to promote a rethinking of the perceptions and production techniques appropriate to your discipline. Throughout the taught part of the programme, you will be expected to undertake material investigations and research into contemporary themes, with consideration given to environmental, economic, social, and cultural issues.
Throughout the course, you will engage in various artistic techniques and media, focusing on developing your personal artistic voice. The course is designed to be student-led, encouraging you to propose and direct projects that reflect your individual interests and perspectives. You will participate in critical discussions that challenge your thinking and promote a thorough analytical approach to art practice.
Compulsory
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(60 credits)
(60 credits)
Course Page Disclaimer
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We listen to student feedback and insights from industry and from professionals to ensure that course content is high-quality and up-to-date, and that it offers the best possible preparation for your future career or study goals.
For this reason, there might be modifications to the content of your course over time, to keep up to date with changes in the subject area or in the sector. If a module is no longer running, we’ll make sure to keep you informed, and work with you to choose a different suitable module.
Ratings and Rankings
Staff
Our People
You will be taught and supported by a wide range of professional staff and teams here to help you get the university experience you are looking for. Our teaching staff were ranked 2nd in Wales for Teaching, Assessment and Feedback and Academic Support (NSS 2024) meaning that the support and feedback you get will help you learn and develop strong academic skills. Our students have placed us 1st in Wales for Learning Opportunities and Student Voice (NSS 2024) meaning that there are a wide range of opportunities available to enhance your studies and that students play an active role in shaping their learning experiences. Our commitment to your learning has seen our students place us as 1st in Wales and joint 3rd in the UK for student satisfaction (Times Higher Education, 2024, ‘Overall Positivity’ measure). Find out more about our academic staff who teach across our courses.
Accommodation
Further information
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Applicants are expected to have a good first degree (a first or upper second), although every application is considered in its own merit, so places may be offered on the basis of professional qualification and relevant experiences.
Candidates with a lower degree classification or no degree may be admitted at Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma level, with an opportunity to upgrade to Master’s level if satisfactory progress is made.
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Assessment is carried out through coursework, both written practical and presented.
There is a 4,000-word theoretical essay with a poster presentation in Semester 1, and a 5,000-word report in Semester 3, which accompanies the practical work.
There are no exams on this course. Students are formatively assessed throughout a module. Summative assessment takes place at the end of a module, which includes a presentation of the work to the assessment team.
A variety of teaching and learning methods are used throughout the course, which includes, among others:
Tutorials
These tutorials are held on a regular basis.In Semester 1, full-time/Year 1, part-time, each student sees and discusses his/her work with a member of staff as part of each module. In Semesters 2 and 3, full-time/Years 2 and 3, part-time, students work more independently and sign up for tutorials within, or across, their discipline, in addition to those scheduled when their work requires support.
As a team, we ensure that every student in the final semester/year of the course is seen by at least one member of the academic staff each week.
Group Tutorials/Seminars
These are held on a regular basis, across all stages of the course, with one member of staff. They provide an excellent opportunity for students to share and exchange ideas with their peers in a structured manner, in addition to valuable input from staff.Informal & Formal presentations
Some of the modules have a presentation of ideas as part of the module outcome and are an essential way of sharing ideas across the course. Presenting work informally to peers is also part of the seminar teaching and a way of getting valuable feedback on the progress of the work.Exhibiting work
At the end of the course, there is an opportunity, if appropriate, to show outcomes from the course in a curated exhibition. Students are also supported to create their own exhibitions during the middle part of the course if they wish to do so. -
Our students have access to a diverse range of equipment and resources which, in most cases, is sufficient to complete their programme of study. We provide the basic materials necessary for students to develop their practical work within our extensive workshop and studio facilities.
However, it is likely that art and design students will incur some additional costs in the extension of their personal practice. Examples include purchasing their own specialised materials and equipment, joining optional study trips, and paying for printing.
Depending on distance and duration, optional study visits can vary in cost from approximately £10 to visit local galleries and exhibitions, to £200 plus for overseas or longer UK study visits. These costs cover such things as transport and entry to venues and accommodation. There are normally reduced rates for our students.
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You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available, please visit our Bursaries and Scholarships section.
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There are numerous opportunities ahead of our Fine Art students, where their multi-skilled approach allows them to develop into a number of professional artistic avenues, including the following:
- Art therapy
- Curator/museum and gallery management
- Professional practising artist
- Project leader in community art
- Teaching/lecturing