Fine Art BA (Hons)
Course code W100
What is special about this course?
If you want to study contemporary art and would like to develop your creative skills in a vibrant and challenging environment, the BA (Hons) Fine Art degree is for you.
You’ll be taught by a highly-experienced team of visual practitioners, who will support you to explore and experiment with a range of fine art media such as painting, digital imaging, photography, drawing, spatial studies, printmaking, and textiles. You will also have support from academics who will help you to write about your own work and that of other artists, whilst also establishing an awareness of industry and sector professionalism.
With access to your own studio space and specialist equipment, you can be confident that you will have all the necessary resources at hand. In addition, small class sizes mean that you will always have regular contact with staff and can tap in to their professional knowledge and expertise so that you can develop to your full potential.
Special features
- You will study at: Moray School of Art (UHI Moray); UHI Orkney; UHI Shetland; or Taigh Chearsabhagh (UHI North, West and Hebrides), in North Uist in the Western Isles
- Each site has its own distinctive appeal. Moray School of Art was the first art school in the north of Scotland, situated in the distinctive and varied natural and cultural landscape of Moray. Orkney, Shetland and North Uist are island sites, each with their own unique landscape and rich natural and cultural heritage.
- Your experience will be enriched with frequent cultural and environmental trips
- You will have your own individual studio space from level two onwards
- Small student numbers means there is a close working relationship between staff and students, working across the network over four locations
- We have strong links with the cultural sector including galleries, museums and arts organisations and you will benefit from visiting artists and professionals
- You will exhibit your work as part of professional practice in the third year and also during the final year degree show
- You can study full-time or part-time to suit your personal circumstances
- We have a growing number of postgraduate course options within the creative industries
Accommodation
We offer modern student accommodation at a number of our locations.
Entry requirements
- 3 Scottish Highers at grade C or above including English OR
- 2 A levels at grade C or above including English OR
- UAL Art and Design Diploma Level 3 at Merit or above OR
- A recognised Art Access course with evidence of ability in written coursework, for example, a unit in contextual study or art history
- You will be required to submit a portfolio of visual work, which clearly demonstrates your capacity to cope with the demands of the course, and attend an interview as part of the selection process
Advanced entry to year two:
- may be possible with the HNC Contemporary Art Practice or HNC Photography (15 credits) with a B or above in the Graded Unit; alternatively, a CertHE in a relevant subject will also be considered
Advanced entry to year three:
- may be possible with the HND Contemporary Art Practice or HND Photography with a B or above in the Graded Unit; alternatively, a DipHE in a relevant subject will also be considered
Access routes
SWAP Access courses
If you are eligible to undertake Scottish Wider Access Programmes (SWAP), please visit our SWAP access list for further information on grade profiles and available subjects.
Alternatively, there are portfolio access courses available at:
- UHI Inverness
- UHI Moray
- UHI Orkney
- UHI North, West and Hebrides
- UHI Perth
- UHI Shetland
Year 1 - CertHE
You will study the following core modules:
- Drawing (SC)
- Critical and contextual studies 1 (SC)
You will also choose 4 of the following optional modules:
- Painting (S1)
- Lens based media (S1)
- Spatial studies (S2)
- Printed image (S2)
Year 2 - DipHE
You will study the following core modules:
- Creative practice 1 (S1)
- Creative practice 2 (S2)
- Workshop (SC)
- Critical and contextual studies 2 (SC)
- Professional practice 1 (SC)
You will also choose one optional module which may include the following:
- Art and social practice
- Art and archaeology
Year 3 - BA
You will study the following core modules:
- Creative practice 3 (S1)
- Theory and practice (S1)
- Professional practice 2 S1)
- Creative practice 4 (Double credit) (S2)
- Research project (S2)
Year 4 - BA (Hons)
You will study the following core modules:
- Degree show (SC)
- Dissertation (S1)
How will I study my course?
- Full-time
- Part-time
- Part-time modular (standalone modules)
- You will study practical and studio-based subjects in-person, on campus
- Theoretical and non-practical modules are taught online with scheduled sessions and tutorials
- Online study will be done via the university's virtual learning environment (VLE), with support from your tutors
- You will also take part in a mandatory in-person induction at your partner site in the August before your course starts
How long will my course last?
- Full-time: 4 years @ 35 hours per week
- Part-time: 6-8 years @ between 10-30 hours per week
- Part-time modular (standalone modules): 12-24 weeks @ 2-3 hours per week plus self-study time*
Number of hours per week indicates the total number of hours you should dedicate to the course, which includes time spent in lectures and your own time spent on individual study and research.
*Durations/times are approximate
Where can I study my course?
- Moray - Moray School of Art
- North, West and Hebrides - Taigh Chearsabhagh, North Uist
- Orkney
- Shetland
Start date
- September
Fees
For students normally domiciled in Scotland, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:
This includes
- EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status in the UK,
- EEA/Swiss nationals with settled status in the UK
- EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
| Degrees | 2024-25 | 2025-26 |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time (120 credit modules) per year | £1,820 | £1,820 |
| Part-time (structured) (3 x 20 credit modules) per year | £915 | £915 |
| Part-time (unstructured per module) (per 20 credit module) | £305 | £305 |
Rest of UK students
For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland, including Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) and with a term time address in Scotland studying this course full time, the following fees apply:
| Full-time | Level | 2024-25 | 2025-26 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | CertHE | £9,250 | £9,250 |
| Year 2 | DipHE | £9,250 | £9,250 |
| Year 3 | Degree | £9,250 | £9,250 |
| Year 4 | Honours | free | free |
4th year free only for students studying full-time, on continuous study, who have paid for the previous three years at the University of the Highlands and Islands.
Part-time (per 20 credit module) - £1,542.
Fees are payable in advance each academic year unless otherwise agreed.
There are a number of funding options available to UK students to help you pay for your studies and your cost of living while studying.
EU/EEA and Swiss nationals without settled or pre-settled status in the UK
Following the UK’s departure from the European Union, the Scottish Government confirmed that EU/EEA and Swiss nationals, who do not have settled or pre-settled status, will be considered as international for fee purposes. Students will get an automatic scholarship of £3,000 per annum and the 4th year of study will be free for those studying full-time, on continuous study, who have paid for the previous three years at the University of the Highlands and Islands.
This includes EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
| Year | Level | 2024-25 Full-time | With scholarship | 2025-26 Full-time |
With scholarship |
| Year 1 | CertHE | £14,988 | £11,988 | £15,870 | £12,870 |
| Year 2 | DipHE | £14,988 | £11,988 | £15,870 | £12,870 |
| Year 3 | Degree | £14,988 | £11,988 | £15,870 | £12,870 |
| Year 4 | Honours | £14,988 | Free | £15,870 | Free |
Students will need Student Route visa sponsorship to study on the UK.
International students
For students who do not normally reside in the UK or European Union and with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:
| 2024-25 | 2025-26 | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time (120 credit modules) per year | £14,988 | £15,870 |
| Part-time (structured) (3 x 20 credit modules) per year | £7,494 | £7,935 |
| Part-time (unstructured per module) (per 20 credit module) | £2,498 | £2,645 |
Part-time study is not open to international students requiring Student Route visa sponsorship to study in the UK.
Further information on international course fees.
A no fee increase guarantee is available for self-funding full-time and structured part-time rest of the UK, EU and international undergraduate students for continuous study for the same award, up to the permitted standard time limit for the relevant award.
Funding
The university has a £1000 award available to one Fine Art student annually, to assist with the purchase of items and/or materials necessary to do their course - Barns-Graham Assistance Award.
In addition, the Barns-Graham Travel Scholarship is an annual scholarship worth £1,500, awarded to a BA (Hons) Fine Art student or graduate (within one year of graduation), for project research requiring travel abroad.
UHI has a number of scholarships, bursaries, awards, and discretionary fund opportunities available to new and current students. Please use the A-Z of funds or use the filter to see which ones may be relevant to you. All students are welcome to apply.
Further information on funding your studies is also available, please see the attached link or contact the relevant UHI partner.
What can I do on completion of my course?
Once you have successfully completed your BA (Hons) Fine Art course, you might like to consider a career as a commercial artist, community practitioner, lecturer, or teacher. Your skills will also be highly desirable in the arts and creative-related employment sectors.
Can I progress into further study?
You may be able to progress from the BA (Hons) Fine Art to a relevant Masters course, such as our MA Art and Social Practice, MA Contemporary Art and Archaeology, or MA in Creativity, Leadership and Enterprise. Alternatively, you may wish to embark on further training in the fields of art therapy or entrepreneurship.
Is there more information available online?
You can use the above QR code to connect directly to the course details.
-Fine-Art-UHI-Shetland.png "Elouise Spooner")
This course was right for me because I could work in a self-directed way, allowing me to combine my university work and personal practice. I think the lecturers were the best, they really paid attention to each student's needs and always went above and beyond. Lecturer's wealth of knowledge and experience was only ever a question or email away.
I feel my studies propelled me forward and made me love academia through my love of art! Studying with UHI changed my life for the better, I started studying school, and I’m here 8 years later with a first class degree. I would absolutely recommend UHI to anyone! It’ll give you direction that feels true to yourself and change your life forever.Elouise studied the BA (Hons) Fine Art at UHI Shetland.
Apply for Fine Art BA (Hons)
We are delighted that you are thinking about studying at the University of the Highlands and Islands. We operate a fair and open admissions system committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination. We consider all applications on merit and on the basis of ability to achieve, without discrimination on grounds of gender, age, disability, ethnicity and socio-economic background. We welcome applications from all prospective students and aim to provide appropriate and efficient services to students with disabilities.