MLitt Fine Art Practice (Painting)

Programme Overview

The M.Litt in Fine Art Practice is a one year taught programme which runs for 12 months between September and September.

Painting Pathway

The specialist pathway is primarily focused on the study and practice of painting. The course aims to provide a stimulating environment that both fosters discourse between students and encourages critical reflection and experimentation. A series of lectures and seminars, reflecting a variety of theoretical and historical perspectives on both painting and the other pathway specialisms, are designed to inform debate. Other issues the course will engage with include the significant realignment of painting in response to the proliferation of fine art media that has occurred in recent decades. Students are provided with dedicated, shared studios and will have access to the School's technical workshops. An introduction to research concepts and skills will enable students to approach their studio projects with assurance, founded on a coherent, personal methodology. On completion of the course students are expected to have achieved a high level of maturity, confidence and professionalism that will sustain them in their future careers.

The programme is studio-based and centred on practice, and is intended to provide opportunities for students to pursue in-depth subject-specific study in fine art practice at postgraduate level. Students applying to the programme identify in advance which pathway they intend to study from the six on offer. Students will be based within, and supported by staff from, the appropriate Pathway within the School of Fine Art. The staff who teach on the various Pathways are all experts and practitioners in that particular specialism, ensuring students can engage in dialogue pertinent to their individual learning through their specialism.

Students on the MLitt in Fine Art Practice Programme oscillate between operating within their pathways (in the studio, in tutorials and group critiques, and specifically focused lectures and seminars), and across them - especially in lectures and talks that deal with more generic conceptual and philosophical issues. Efforts are made to ensure that students on the programme are enabled to fully devote themselves to their chosen field of practice, whilst facilitating their learning through the provision of a range of interdisciplinary opportunities for critical reflection and personal development.

Assessment

Peer and staff review, formative and summative assessment, with continuous feedback from tutorials. Lecture courses are assessed by essay, coursework and formal written examinations. Applicant's project proposal at point of application forms the basis for the student's final project of practice and research. Students will also achieve PgCert and PgDip exit awards during this course.