Study Fine Art, why & how to study

CONTENTS

1. What’s Fine Art?

2. What Fine Art degrees can you study?

3. What do you need to get onto a Fine Art degree?

4. What topics does a Fine Art degree cover?

5. How will you be assessed?

6. Why study Fine Art?

7. Are scholarships and bursaries available to students studying a Fine Art degree?

8. What do Fine Art graduates earn?

9. What jobs can you get as a Fine Art graduate?

10. What are the postgraduate opportunities?

11. Similar subjects to Fine Art

12. Have any questions?

What’s Fine Art? 

Fine art is about creative expression that is intended to be visually appealing and/or thought provoking. It encompasses a wide range of media including painting, sculpture, drawing, photography, printmaking and more.  

Fine art is used to communicate ideas, emotions and modern culture. A fine art degree will usually cover art history, art theory and criticism as well as opportunities to develop in one or more art forms.   

What Fine Art degrees can you study?

Undergraduate Fine Art degrees on offer in the UK include: 

• Fine Art BA 
• Fine Art and Creative Writing BA 
• Fine Art with History of Art BA 
• Fine Art: Drawing BA 
• Fine Art: Painting BA 

Options may include an integrated foundation year, professional placement year or year abroad. 

What do you need to get onto a Fine Art degree?

Must have  

Entry requirements for a Fine Art degree at a university typically range from 96–160 UCAS points. This could include: 

• A Levels: A*A*A - CCC 
• BTECs: DDM - DD 
• Scottish Highers: AAAAA – ABCD (Advanced Highers: AAA) 
• International Baccalaureate: 44 - 36 
• Most universities will ask to see a portfolio of your work  
• Some courses will ask for a foundation diploma in the subject area; others will include a foundation year as part of a longer undergraduate course 

Good to have  

• Evidence of how your artistic skills and knowledge are developing through research, courses or online learning  
• Reading books or arts journals, going to galleries and exhibitions or using Google Arts & Culture or national gallery websites to find influential practitioners that inspire you  
• Finding out about careers through the websites of professional bodies like the Crafts Council, Artquest or the Artist's Information Company (a-n) 
• Entering exhibitions or taking part in competitions 
• Volunteering or work experience/shadowing related occupations, such as in a gallery, design agency, print workshop or supporting art clubs for children or families 
• If eligible, attending an art summer school run by the Sutton Trust

What topics does a Fine Art degree cover?

Typical modules for courses in this subject include:

• Drawing 
• Painting 
• Printmaking 
• Sculpture 
• Photography 
• Video and Film 
• Digital Art 
• Installation Art 
• Art History and Visual Culture 
• Critical and Contextual Studies 
• Professional Practice and Career Development 
• Art and Design Theory 
• Exhibition and Curatorial Practice 
• Creative Writing 
• Arts Management and Marketing

How will you be assessed?

Depending on your modules, you could be assessed through: 

• Coursework  
• Placement assessments   
• Exams  
• Group work  
• Oral presentations    
• Project or portfolio work  
• A dissertation is usually a final year option 

Why study Fine Art?

Career-specific skills: 

• Technical and practical ability in a range of techniques and mediums to develop an area of expertise 
• Knowledge of historic and contemporary practice that influence creative direction 

Transferable skills: 

• Creative and critical thinking  
• Communication  
• Entrepreneurial and business skills  
• Research  
• Time management  
• Collaboration  
• Presentations  

Professional accreditations: 

• Some universities may have links with professional organisations in the arts, such as the Royal Academy of Arts or the Contemporary Art Society rather than accredited degrees 

Are scholarships and bursaries available to students studying a Fine Art degree?

Some universities offer students specific scholarships, bursaries, or grants so it’s worth checking if you are eligible, how to apply and what it covers such as materials, tuition fees and/or living costs.

What do Fine Art graduates earn?

According to the UK's Office for National Statistics, the average annual salary for artists in the UK is £28,785 as of August 2025. However, this figure includes artists from a range of disciplines and experience levels.

Some fine art graduates choose to go into arts administration, community arts worker, or follow further trainint to become an art therapist. Starting salaries for an arts administrator are low – from £15,000–£20,000 – but with experience may increase to £35,000, or more if you take on a managerial role. It's similar for community arts workers, particularly if you have an admin-related role. More often, community arts projects have project-based contracts for freelance artists.

If you train as an art therapist, you may earn more – particularly if you are employed within the NHS. The entry salary is usually on band 6, which is currently £38,682. This could increase to around £46,580 with experience.

Many fine art graduates set up as self-employed and build up their business and reputation using their networking skills and industry contacts. Income will therefore vary depending on the projects they take on and the fees they charge.  

Read more on what graduates do and earn.

What jobs can you get as a Fine Art graduate?

There are a range of possible career opportunities open to you with a Fine Art degree. Depending on your interests and specialism, you might choose to become:  

• Artist  
• Art teacher  
• Art administrator  
• Art therapist  
• Illustrator  
• Graphic designer  
• Curator  
• Gallery officer/manager  
• Exhibitions manager  
• Printmaker  
• Interpretation officer

What are the postgraduate opportunities?

Examples of postgraduate courses available at universities in the UK: 

• History of Art and Visual Culture MSt  
• Fine Art MFA  
• Contemporary Art Theory MA 
• Design Informatics Master of Fine Art MA 
• Global Premodern Art MSc 
• Conservation of Fine Art MA 
• History and Philosophy of Art MA  

Similar subjects to Fine Art

Other subject areas that might appeal to you include: 

• Art and Design  
• Animation  
• Photography  
• Music  
• Fashion  
• Film making  
• Drama, Dance and Cinematics 

Have any questions?

Get in touch with our experts by emailing ask@thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk.

We’ll be happy to hear from you!