“I enjoyed having the full support of the fine art lecturers on the course.”
BA (Hons)Fine Art
Apply on UCAS
Starting in: 2025
Register your interest- 3 years
- 4 years with foundation year
UCAS code: FA01
Institution code: S30
UCAS points: 104-120Flexible entry options available
Campus: Southampton City CentreView on Google Maps
Why study a fine art degree at Solent University
Nurture your talent for painting, sculpture or applied art, guided by a passionate team of artists, curators and theorists, in a supportive, creative community.
- £0minvested in a dedicated art and design school
- 0thUK uni for sustained employment (Longitudinal Educational Outcomes 2022)
- 0thin the top 20 best student cities (StudentCrowd, 2023)
- Solent ranked in the top 20% of UK universities for teaching quality (out of 131 institutions) (The Times Good University Guide 2025).
- Access to a range of dedicated specialist workshops. You will also be allocated personal studio space.
- Showcase your work at on-campus and external exhibitions.
- Strong industry links to organisations in Southampton and beyond, including John Hansard Gallery, Showcase Gallery, City Art Gallery, Aspace Arts, God’s House Tower and Aspex Gallery.
- Learn from highly skilled industry professionals with recent and extensive experience in research, exhibition, publications and commission-based work.
- Regular guest speakers and live art events bringing artists and performers into the fine art studios to perform just for you.
- A creative, multi-disciplinary environment for world-leading research in media, culture and the arts – you will learn from experts in their field.
- 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
This course embraces all possible ways of making and thinking about fine art practice. You will be taught new skills and techniques and will learn how to use a variety of mediums in order to produce art to a very high standard. You will have the opportunity to pursue the mediums, ideas and processes that you are most passionate about. Students are supported to become artists but also learn skills that enable them to become entrepreneurs, teachers, art therapists and all other art related career paths.
We will nurture what is particular about you and your practice to support you to cultivate your artistic talent and grow into confident and original thinkers and makers.
Our dedicated fine art studios are equipped to enable you to reach your full potential. You will be allocated your own studio space and will have full access to a range of dedicated technical workshops, including a sculpture workshop with metalwork, welding, woodworking and casting equipment; a print-making workshop with intaglio, dry point, etching, silkscreen, woodcut and letterpress facilities; a digital print workshop with high-quality large-scale print facilities, high-end scanners and the latest software; and photography darkrooms and studios.
You will also have the opportunity to use our media academy facilities, boasting Mac suites with the latest design software, as well as a media store containing high-definition cameras, video cameras and sound equipment.
The course has strong industry and community links and you will be given the opportunity to engage in an ambitious programme of professional development alongside your own individual artistic practice. You will create an online profile and curate and show your work in group exhibitions at professional galleries within the city.
Any questions?
Contact international admissions
Email: admissions.international@solent.ac.ukCall: +44 (0)23 8201 5066Course features
Further studies
After successfully completing your studies, there's an opportunity to continue your studies at Solent
Foundation year available
If you're not quite ready for a full undergraduate degree, there's alternative entry through one of our foundation years
Specialist facilities
This course has access to specialist facilities
Top-up option
If you have an appropriate Level 5 qualification, you can top it up to a degree in just a year
Study abroad
You have the opportunity to study abroad in one of our partner universities for a semester on this course
Who is this course for?
The Fine Art course at Solent University is ideally suited to students who want to become strong and independent creative practitioners. It is an excellent choice for those who want to acquire and develop the practical and professional skills needed to succeed within the creative industries.
Applicants should demonstrate a basic level skill set in artistic mediums, and some level of contextual understanding of art practice.
What does this course lead to?
The course prepares you for a wide range of exciting career paths including, professional artist, painter, sculptor, printmaker, photographer, film maker, illustrator, art lecturer, school teacher, art therapist, curator, art critic, art journalist, art director and art entrepreneur.
Graduate stories
Hear from Solent alumni about where their careers have taken them and how studying at Solent prepared them for their future.
Read more storiesMeet 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
You will be allocated personal studio space within our specially designed and recently refurbished artists’ studios, and have access to a range of dedicated specialist workshops. Facilities include: our sculpture workshop, with metalwork, welding, woodworking and casting equipment; our print-making workshop, with intaglio, dry point, etching, silkscreen, woodcut and letterpress facilities; a digital print workshop with high-quality, large-scale print facilities, high-end scanners and the latest software; as well as photography darkrooms and studios.
You will also have access to our media academy, featuring Mac suites outfitted with the latest design software, and a media store containing high-definition cameras and video cameras, sound equipment and more.
International opportunities
Broaden your horizons by adding an international dimension to your CV – essential to achieving success in today’s fast-changing, global environment.
Studying, working or volunteering in another country could be the experience of a lifetime. Enhance your degree by developing important global skills such as knowledge of other countries, language skills, intercultural awareness, adaptability and confidence.
For more information, please email international.mobility@solent.ac.uk.
What you'll study
How you will learn and be assessed
You will learn by:
You may be assessed by a combination of:
- Practical activities
- Essays
Solent’s curriculum framework builds on our unique, creative and applied approach to teaching. The transformation of students’ lives is at the heart of our mission as a university, and our curriculum – informed by the latest theory – reflects this shared educational vision.
Find out more
Study support
The student achievement team are on hand to help you succeed during your studies at Solent. They aim to contact you at key times during your time here with personalised information, advice and guidance, by email or phone.
Access Solent provides information, advice and guidance for disabled students.
All students can access Succeed@Solent, Solent's online guide to getting better grades. It offers extensive, practical information and advice on topics such as academic writing, research and presentations.
Why choose the industry?
Historically art has occupied a crucial role in driving knowledge, technology and ideas forward. Art can take a significant role in communicating progressive ideas to envision and shape societies.
As a fine artist, you may specialise in a type of art, for example, landscapes, portraits or abstract art. You may work cross different subjects and mediums such as painting, sculpture, print-making, video or photography.
Through expressive and communicative means, artists contribute to the social bodies such as museums, galleries, schools and communities. You could be exhibiting your work in professional art galleries, or running curatorial projects, delivering educational workshops or after further training even provide arts-based therapeutic workshops within the local community.
You could earn:
Fine artist
Per comission £1000 - £2000
Values can vary depending on the size and intricacy of the piece. You can expect to increase your prices with experience. The increase could vary between 10 and 20% with every major achievement, such as a sell-out show or winning an award.
Arts administrator
Starting salary: £15,000 to £20,000
Salary scales are often related to local government administrators. Experienced arts administrators could earn £20,000 to £30,000. Typical salaries at senior management or chief executive level range from £30,000 to £60,000+ depending on the size of organisation.
Community arts worker
Starting salary: £16,000 to £20,000
This can rise to £30,000 once you've built up experience. Senior executives at local government or arts agencies can earn salaries of over £40,000, but these roles require significant experience and are mainly strategic.
The stated salaries are published on prospects.ac.uk.
Graduate stories
Hear from Solent alumni about where their careers have taken them and how studying at Solent prepared them for their future.
Read more stories“I enjoyed having the full support of the fine art lecturers on the course.”
Solent Futures
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
Further study
Thinking about studying further than an undergraduate degree? Alumni can get 20% off their postgraduate study.
MA Visual Communication
Do you have an eye for design? Would you like to help influence the future of visual communications? Our MA Visual Communication degree is ideal for creatives keen to refine their practice, working as part of an interdisciplinary group of students.
MA Creative Direction for Fashion and Beauty
Take charge and lead a wealth of fashion and beauty brands to success with your innovative and creative vision on this practice-based master's degree.
Tuition fees
The tuition fees for the 2025/26 academic year are:
- UK, EU (settled status) and Channel Island full-time fees: £9,250 per year
- International full-time fees: £17,750 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.
The 2025/26 other costs are not yet available. For guidance, the 2024/25 costs were:
Compulsory costs
- Year three
Printing and binding a dissertation: £400
Optional costs
- Year one
Materials and study trip: £300 - Year two
Materials: £200
Bursaries, 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
Student finance Video transcript, with a description of visuals available.Student funding - the essentials Video transcript, with a description of visuals available.
Entry requirements
Please select an option below:
Key entry requirements
104-120 UCAS tariff points
- A minimum of two completed A-levels in an relevant subject, a BTEC Extended Diploma at DMM or BTEC Diploma at D*D*, or equivalent qualification, or a combination of qualifications which comply with the minimum entry requirement of 104 UCAS points.
- UK applicants are required to attend a portfolio viewing.
- Applicants from outside the UK will be required to send an electronic portfolio.
- Direct entry into years two or three may be considered for this course.
- Applicants over the age of 21 may be considered based on relevant experience, without having the required tariff points.
- For further information about UK qualifications, please contact admissions.
Key entry requirements
As a general guide, we look for qualifications that are equivalent to the British high school A-levels.
Applicants from outside the UK will be required to submit an electronic portfolio for consideration.
If you are applying from outside the UK, find information about entry requirements, visas and agents for your country here.
For further information about EU qualifications, please contact admissions.
For international students who do not meet the direct entry requirements for this undergraduate degree, our trusted partner, QA Higher Education offers the following pathway programme designed to develop your academic and English language skills:
- International Foundation Year - for progression to the first year of an undergraduate degree
Key entry requirements
As a general guide, we look for qualifications that are equivalent to the British high school A-levels.
Applicants from outside the UK will be required to submit an electronic portfolio for consideration.
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.
For international students who do not meet the direct entry requirements for this undergraduate degree, our trusted partner, QA Higher Education offers the following pathway programme designed to develop your academic and English language skills:
- International Foundation Year - for progression to the first year of an undergraduate degree
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.
104-120UCAS points
Any questions?
Contact international admissions
Email: admissions.international@solent.ac.ukCall: +44 (0)23 8201 5066How to apply
Full-time
Any student applying for the first year of a full-time/sandwich undergraduate course must apply through UCAS (University and Colleges Admissions Service). This includes mature, overseas and EU students.
Nearly all schools and colleges offer their students the facility of applying electronically through the UCAS website using 'Apply'; it may also be used by those applying independently in the UK and overseas. This facility and all course information can be found on the UCAS website: www.ucas.com.
Your application should reach UCAS by 31 January if you hope to enter a course the following autumn. Early application is advised for the most popular subject areas. Late applications may be made until the end of June. The UCAS Code for the University is S30, code name SOLNT.
Find out what happens after you apply
Contextual offers
Solent endeavours to offer learning opportunities to students from all backgrounds. When we receive and review an application, we take into consideration the context and personal circumstances of applicants when making a decision, which means our advertised entry tariff could be reduced.
Alternative entry options
Top-up route:
We welcome applications from students currently studying a Foundation Degree, DipHE, HNC, HND or modules of an undergraduate degree course at another university, who wish to enter directly into Years 2 or 3 of one of our undergraduate degree courses. Please contact our admissions team for more information: contact us
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 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each individual component
- TOEFL IBT minimum 80 with a minimum of 20 in each individual component
- Duolingo English Language Test - 115 overall with minimum of 95 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.
Make your application
- 3 years
- 4 years with foundation year
