MAFine Art
Apply direct
- 1 year full-time
- 2 years part-time
Why study a fine art master's degree at Solent University
Develop and refine your practice to professional standards and extend your experience and skills in a creative environment that encourages exploration and experimentation.
- You'll have access to Solent's specialist art facilities, including the fine art studio, photography darkrooms, and print room.
- You'll be taught by a team of experts who are artists in their own right.
- The course has strong industry links with the creative community in Southampton and surrounding region.
- You can study this course part-time.
- You’ll be assigned a personal tutor who can assist you with pastoral support to help you make the most of your learning.
Course overview
Delivered in outstanding specialist facilities that provide a creative environment in which to explore and experiment, Solent's MA Fine Art is taught entirely by artists who are highly experienced experts in the field.
The course aims to develop students' fine art practice to the highest professional standard to enable immediate entry into the creative industries. By supporting technical excellence and skills training alongside a thoughtful and critically engaged approach to art making, Solent's Fine Art master's degree facilitates considered debate surrounding contemporary art practice across the disciplines of painting, sculpture, drawing, printmaking, photography, conceptual art and performance.
As a student on the Fine Art master's degree, you will also be part of the Solent postgraduate community. This offers a wide range of opportunities to enrich your work with input from tutors and students from other disciplines.
Course features
Apply direct
You can apply direct to Solent University for this course
Part-time option
You can study this course part-time
Specialist facilities
This course has access to specialist facilities
This course is for
Solent’s Fine Art master's degree is ideally suited to students who want to hone and refine their skills as an artist, gain a focused set of skills and create a strong portfolio of practice.Â
What this course leads to
Our graduates and alumni are an active community. They take part in exhibitions and participate in residency programmes, as well as practice in the community. Our creative graduates are regularly featured in alumni exhibitions and have opportunities to access next steps through professional mentoring schemes from our partner art organisations within the city.
- Artist
- Art critic
- Writer
- Curator
- Art therapist
- Art teacher
Meet the team
The University cannot guarantee any particular members of staff will teach specific aspects of the course in the future, but will endeavour to ensure the teaching team maintains their balance of experience and qualifications.
Facilities
Specialist technical instruction will be available in painting, printmaking, sculpture, drawing, video, photography, textile and ceramics using the specialist facilities in the print room, 3D workshop, photography studios and darkrooms, digital suites and fine art studios
Away from studying, why not try out the gyms, fitness studios and sports halls in our £28 million Sports Complex, or watch a blockbuster film at our student-run cinema with Dolby Atmos audio.
Year one
Core modules
Fine Art Practice 1
This module will enable you to experiment and explore your creative potential, preparing you for a career in the visual arts or wider creative industries. To develop your ideas to a professional standard, you'll have the opportunity to experiment across a wide variety of mediums or to focus upon one specific discipline, for example, painting, drawing, sculpture, printmaking, photography, performance, video, or installation. In addition you'll be expected to have a rigorous understanding of the theoretical contexts that underpin your practice and a strong knowledge of other artists who are working in similar ways.
Fine Art Practice 2
In this module, you'll consolidate your creative potential, honing and refining an artistic practice in preparation for a career in the arts or wider creative industries. Ideas and artworks must be produced to a professional standard that may incorporate multiple of singular mediums and disciplines, for example, painting, drawing, sculpture, printmaking, photography, performance, video or installation.
Master's Project
In this module students will design, execute and present an individually demanding piece of work that deploys a systematic and in-depth understanding of the skills and debates relevant to their particular discipline of study.
Professional Development
This module has been specifically designed to equip master's students with an in-depth knowledge of their chosen sector and give them the insight and understanding to enable them to support their long-term career plans. The module will be enhanced through student engagement with an industry speaker programme. Students will also be supported by the Solent Careers team and the Solent Research Hub where relevant.
Learning resources
At Solent, our aim is to deliver innovative, inclusive and intellectually stimulating teaching to develop self-confident and highly employable graduates. All our courses are designed with employability in mind, which makes industry-based learning a priority.
Learn transferable skills
Fine art is a highly skilled subject and is an excellent way to learn how to work independently and as part of a team - to be flexible, resourceful and to find effective solutions to practical problems as they arise.
Why choose a career in fine art?
The course has many strong links and partnerships with cultural organisations in the region including Aspace Arts and their RIPE project which is a graduate ‘next steps’ programme for emerging artists in Southampton.
Solent Careers
The Solent Careers team is committed to getting students into great careers.
While you are studying, the team can help you with finding work experience or placements, link you with a mentor, check your CV, or offer one-to-one guidance.
If you're in your final year, we also have graduate job opportunities just for Solent graduates.
6th
UK uni for sustained employment
Longitudinal Educational Outcomes, 2022
Alumni network
As part of our global alumni community, you can take advantage of a range of benefits.
Whether it's been days or decades since you left us, or you're soon to don your cap and gown, things are constantly changing at Solent. We're always innovating, but we're also immensely proud of our heritage. And that means you.
Research and knowledge exchange
Research doesn't just live in publications and journals - the effects of groundbreaking research can be found everywhere you look. That's why research at Solent has always been firmly rooted in industry needs and real-world application.
Solent University prides itself on carrying out not only pioneering research, but also research that addresses real world problems. We offer opportunities to study for a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in a number of areas.
At Solent, we want to help you achieve your best and discover new insights. Whether you're thinking about applying for a PhD, or already underway with your research studies, you'll find useful guidance and information in our research pages.
Research at SolentTuition fees
The tuition fees for the 2025/26 academic year are:
- UK and Channel Island full-time fees: £9,125 per year
- International full-time fees: £17,780 per year
For further information, please visit our tuition fees page.
Extra course costs
While most course costs are covered by your tuition fees, some essential resources and optional extras may need to be paid for separately. These additional costs are listed below. For advice on budgeting and managing your money, please contact student.funding@solent.ac.uk.
Additional costs may be incurred by the materials with which students make their artworks. This will be specific to the individual and their art practice.
Alumni discount
Solent alumni are eligible for a 20% reduction of tuition fees if returning to study a postgraduate course.
Find out moreBursaries, scholarships and financial support
Solent University offers a range of bursaries and scholarships that provide financial assistance or waive fees for tuition or accommodation. Each bursary or scholarship has specific eligibility criteria. Check out our bursaries and scholarships pages to find out more.
Cost of living support
At Solent, we understand that the cost of living crisis may be of some concern. To help, we've put together some detailed information to show what support is available and how to make your money go further.
Graduation costs
There is no charge to attend graduation, but you will be required to pay for the rental of your academic gown (approximately £45 per graduate, depending on your award). You may also wish to purchase official photography packages, which range in price from £15 to £200+. Graduation is not compulsory, so if you prefer to have your award sent to you, there is no cost. Extra guest tickets will go on sale after results publication and will be sold on a first-come-first-served basis. The cost per ticket is currently £15. Please note, we do not guarantee there will be any extra tickets available to purchase.
Student finance videos
Discover Solent University Video transcript, with a description of visuals available.Find out what Southampton has to offer Video transcript, with a description of visuals available.
Entry requirements
Please select an option below:
Key entry requirements
2:2 or higher, or relevant industry experience
Applicants should have previously studied a creative subject.
Key entry requirements
If you are applying from outside the UK, find information about entry requirements, visas and agents for your country here.
For further information about UK, EU and international qualifications, please contact admissions.
Key entry requirements
If you are applying from outside the UK, find information about entry requirements, visas and agents for your country here.
For further information about UK, EU and international qualifications, please contact admissions.
Note to all international students requiring a visa
All international applicants need to be aware that the English language requirements to attend Solent University, and the English language requirements to obtain a visa from the Home Office, may be different. This means that if you meet the Solent University language requirement to gain a place on the course, you may still have to meet additional requirements to be granted with a visa by the Home Office.
We strongly advise all applicants to visit the Home Office website which outlines all the requirements for a successful visa application and to take a look at our 2023 course entry statement document.
An honours degree at2:2 or higher
Your application checklist
Applications for postgraduate courses can be made at any time prior to the start of the course. However, we strongly recommend you apply at your earliest convenience.
Please ensure you upload the following mandatory documents with your application:
- Two academic references.
- Certified transcripts of qualifications, including English language proficiency if non-UK student.
- Copy of passport.
- Copy of current visa (if applicable).
- A personal statement.
- Employer sponsor form, where appropriate.
Language requirements
Applicants who do not have English as their first language will be required to demonstrate an approved level of proficiency in the use of the English language. The agreed minimum requirements for this course are:
- IELTS minimum 6.5 overall with minimum of 6.0 in writing and a minimum of 5.5 in reading, listening and speaking.
- TOEFL IBT 92 with a minimum of 22 in writing and a minimum of 20 in reading, listening and speaking
- Duolingo English Language Test - 115 overall with minimum of 100 in each component
or equivalent.
Qualifications are checked before enrolment, and international students must bring their original certificates or certified copies when coming to study at the University.
Pre-Sessional English programme
The University also offers a pre-sessional English programme for international students who wish to improve their level of English before starting a degree course.
Study options
Make your application
- 1 year full-time
- 2 years part-time
