Viewing course details for 2025 year of entry

How to apply

Code: PGW103
Attendance: Full-time, Part-time
Start: September 2025
Fees: £10,700 (UK)* | £17,100 (INT)*
Duration: 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time
Course Leader: Dr John Timberlake, FHEA
Study mode: On campus
Location: Hendon campus
Placement year: No
School / Department: School of Arts

Currently Reading: Course overview

The Fine Art MA at Middlesex University enables you to both develop your fine art practice, and orientate your art work in relation to London's exciting and thriving international contemporary art scene.

Through a series of guided gallery tours, meetings with curators and other art professionals, you are encouraged to make new work, and identify both contexts and conversations that are relevant to your artistic trajectory. This teaching will be complimented and supported with weekly seminars, developing your own art practice through critical dialogue and the use of Middlesex University's state of the art on campus technical workshop facilities. At the same time, you will be supported by experienced artists in the planning, curation and publicity for public exhibition. The course culminates in an extended in-depth period of artistic development, enabling you to refine your art practice, supporting you in the production of a professional standard body of work and the Fine Art MA exhibition, which will be open to the public.

Why study Fine Art MA at Middlesex University?

On our Fine Art MA, you will explore the creative, cultural, political and social questions of art practice. The course offers the opportunity to further your knowledge and skills by undertaking a systematic and comprehensive major body of work.

Our course is flexibly designed to also offer you the chose of studying Printmaking as a specialism. You will have the opportunity to explore a wide range of new and traditional print-making practices (silkscreen, etching, lithography, letterpress etc.) and enhance your skills though experimentation, research and critical analysis.

The fine art course welcomes students who work across a range of disciplines that include painting, sculpture, photography and film, printmaking, installation, sound, performance, 'event' making, and other relational and socially engaged practices.

At Middlesex, we take both a highly practical and a critical approach to fine art that ensures you spend the majority of your postgraduate study time in researching and making. This combination of in-depth analysis and hands-on experience will enable you to draw on a wide range of expertise and resources while questioning and developing your practice in a contemporary context to stimulate a successful career.

Studying fine art in London puts you at the heart of the ever-shifting nature of international contemporary fine art practice with direct access to London's art world. You'll have the opportunity to make regular visits to Tate Modern and Tate Britain, further world class museums and exhibitions, the vibrant, contemporary gallery scene, and to attend such international showcases as Frieze.

Course highlights

A dedicated teaching team of leading academics and practitioners who have recognised national and international experience in practice, teaching and research
The opportunity to study fine art (printmaking) and develop your own unique approach through practical work
Benefit from access to our traditional print workshop and innovative software and equipment including 3D printers, large format digital printers, dark rooms, photographic studios, laser cutters an metalwork workshops
When possible, you will have bookable access to studio space (even if you are studying part-time) and technical resources
Exhibition opportunities have taken place at Art Lacuna, Blyth Gallery, Imperial College, Gasworks, Ply Gallery and the Art Pavilion
Build industry links and explore how artist-run organisations operate by networking with a range of galleries, high-profiles artists, libraries and collections
Be part of a vibrant postgraduate research culture, working across many areas of art and design practice
As a student of this course, you'll have access to the extensive Adobe Creative Cloud suite and get free access to the resources, learning materials and software.

What will you study on the MA Fine Art?

Taught by some of the UK's leading fine art practitioners and academics, this course is divided into five modules taken over a calendar year (if studied full-time). Each module is designed to be flexible, allowing you to extend the boundaries of your current artistic practice through experimentation, research, and critical analysis.

You will study practical and theoretical approaches to fine art, completing your own creative projects based on your research and research methodologies.

About your course

What will you gain? You will gain the ability to conceptualise, plan and create your own work in various mediums. The course will develop your contextual understanding of fine art, both historical and contemporary. You'll gain confidence and insight into your own and others' practice while extending your range of skills and ambitions. You will also gain the knowledge and networking experience to forge your own path into industry. Our MA Fine Art course is designed to give you a professional grounding towards a career in fine art, printmaking or any other artistic or creative industry.

This module aims to provide the student with the knowledge and skills required to undertake independent academic research in Visual Arts and Design at postgraduate level. By introducing the students to contemporary and emergent research resources in the discipline; essential frameworks and tools for navigating research ethics in creative fields, linking to Middlesex University’s Research Ethics guidelines; and consolidating advanced knowledge of referencing conventions for academic integrity, the students will be able to propose and structure a relevant research proposal for independent enquiry and investigation at Master’s level.

This module aims to develop your knowledge and skills in the research methods and materials pertinent to the contexts of your creative practice. Designed as a set of specialist elective seminar courses, led by a variety of researchers within the university, this module allows the student to experiment and learn first-hand about the methods and materials used by the researcher and to gain and apply insights into knowledge at the cutting edge of Visual Arts and Design, and relate this to your own emerging research interests.

This module aims to deepen your knowledge and skills in the critical review of influential research pertinent to the contexts of their creative practice. Designed as a set of specialist elective seminar courses, led by a variety of researchers within the university, this module allows you to experiment with new areas of knowledge and deepen their critical understanding of the wider contexts for their creative practice.

This module aims to develop you into a confident researcher and communicator and to provide a showcase opportunity for the student to engage in peer review and public debate as a means for professional development and consolidation of the research scope, methods, context, and practice of their Master’s project.

This module aims to:

Enable students to define their aspirations and set personal and professional goals
Support students in developing a new body of their own art work
Facilitate an engagement with the structures, economies and practices that constitute London’s contemporary Fine Art scene.

On successful completion of this module, the student will be able to show a body of work-in-progress, and have an understanding of how and where they might promote it in order to continue their professional development.

This module aims to:

Enable the student to further engage with the structures, economies and practices relevant to their work
Empower students to set realisable goals appropriate to their development as London based artists
Identify steps for reaching those goals, in the context of dialogues with an expanding network of contacts and interlocutors.

On successful completion of this module, the student will be able to devise and describe a plan of action specific to the continued development of their practice and research, as well as be able to identify and negotiate opportunities for progress.

This module aims to:

Enable students to reflect on, consolidate and further extend their understanding of their practice, based on their learnings throughout the course
Enable students to fully engage in the further development of their practice over an extended period
Facilitate the realisation of the student’s identified specialist goals
Support students in perfecting delivery of their artist’s talk.

On successful completion of this module, the student will be able to demonstrate technical expertise and research skills appropriate to their art practice, give a sophisticated live presentation about their work in the form of an artist’s talk and describe a career development strategy to achieve their goals.

Optional modules are usually available at levels 5 and 6, although optional modules are not offered on every course. Where optional modules are available, you will be asked to make your choice during the previous academic year. If we have insufficient numbers of students interested in an optional module, or there are staffing changes which affect the teaching, it may not be offered. If an optional module will not run, we will advise you after the module selection period when numbers are confirmed, or at the earliest time that the programme team make the decision not to run the module, and help you choose an alternative module.

To find out more about this highly-regarded course, please download the Fine Art MA Programme Specification (PDF).

Register your interest

Teaching

You'll be taught by an experienced teaching team with a wide range of expertise and professional experience.

Designed to facilitate your development as a professional artist, MA Fine Art is taught through a combination of site visits, meetings with curators and other art professionals, seminars, crits and 1:1 tutorials. This approach is designed to enable you to develop your individual art practice, whilst identifying vectors for further professional development.

As part of your learning, you'll be required to actively participate in activities and engage with your fellow students, both individually and collaboratively, working and learning as part of a small group at times. You will participate in lectures, seminars, reading groups and practical workshops. Full-time students are expected to dedicate 36 hours per week to their studies and part-time students 18 hours. Tuesday and Wednesday are the core teaching days.

Seminars and lectures facilitate discussion on key material or approaches, explore questions, concepts and theories, or introduce case study materials. Seminars are group sessions in which you will learn about the structures and economies of the contemporary art world, alongside wider cultural debates. Tutorials and crits are structured sessions in which you will receive feedback from tutors on work in progress or ideas for specific assignments.

Learning structure: typical hourly breakdown in 2022/23
1.	Live learning	Contact time per week, per level:	5 hours (part-time) 10 hours (full-time)
2.	Self-paced learning time	Average hours per week, per level:	5 hours (part-time) 10 hours (full-time)
3.	On demand resources	Average hours per week, per level:	2 hours

This information is likely to change slightly for 2024/25 entry as our plans evolve. You'll receive full information on your teaching before you start your course.

Definitions of terms

Live in-person on campus learning – This will focus on active and experiential sessions that are both:
- Led by your tutors including seminars, lab sessions and demonstrations We'll schedule all of this for you
- Student-led by you and other students, like small group work and presentations.
Tutor set learning activities – This covers activities which will be set for you by your tutor, but which you will undertake in your own time. Examples of this include watching online materials, participating in an online discussion forum, completing a virtual laboratory or reading specific texts. You may be doing this by yourself of with your course mates depending on your course and assignments. Outside of these hours, you’ll also be expected to do further independent study where you’ll be expected to learn, prepare, revise and reflect in your own time.

Studio modules are assessed by exhibited work and critical reflection. Theory and research modules are assessed by presentations and a portfolio of critical writing.

You have a strong support network available to you to make sure you develop all the necessary academic skills you need to do well on your course.

Our support services will be delivered online and on campus and you have access to a range of different resources so you can get the help you need, whether you’re studying at home or have the opportunity to come to campus.

You have access to one to one and group sessions for personal learning and academic support from our library and IT teams, and our network of learning experts. Our teams will also be here to offer financial advice, and personal wellbeing, mental health and disability support.

Four students walking through the Hendon campus

North London campus

Our north London campus is 23 minutes away by underground train, travelling from London Kings Cross.

Learn more

Entry requirements

Qualifications

To be accepted to study on the MA Fine Art, you would normally be a graduate from a fine art based degree with a grade of 2:2 or higher.

3 years minimum of relevant work experience required.

We will consider mature applicants with good, relevant knowledge and skills that wish to return to education.

Those without formal qualifications need to demonstrate relevant work experience and the ability to study at postgraduate level.

Further requirements

DBS (disclosure and baring service) is required for student placements*. (only if the placement is in the UK. If it is outside the UK, a police check will be required).

These checks will be explained and conducted during the first semester. Obtaining a successful DBS will enable you as a student to undertake a placement or work experience hours as agreed by the programme or module leader. An unsuccessful DBS or lack of a DBS, could hinder a student’s ability to achieve any placement hours and prohibit you from graduating with a full degree.

*May be required for MSC SPA and MSC S&C (DE).

If you have relevant qualifications or work experience, academic credit may be awarded towards your Middlesex University programme of study.

Interview and portfolio

Entry onto this course requires an interview and a portfolio. You can find more information in the adjacent tab.

Qualifications

We accept the equivalent of the below requirements from a recognised overseas qualification.

To be accepted to study on the MA Fine Art, you would normally be a graduate from a fine art based degree with a grade of 2:2 or higher
We will consider mature applicants with good, relevant knowledge and skills that wish to return to education
Those without formal qualifications need to demonstrate relevant work experience and the ability to study at postgraduate level.

Find out more about the qualifications we accept from your country support page.

If you are unsure about the suitability of your qualifications or would like help with your application, please contact your nearest regional office for support.

Interview and Portfolio will be a part of the process.

Visas

To study with us in the UK, you might need a Student visa. Please check to see if this applies to you.

Part-time study

Changes to the Immigration Rules introduced in January 2018 now allows international applicants to apply for Student route (formerly tier 4) visas for part-time postgraduate study (courses leading to a qualification at RQF level 7 or SCQF level 11 and above).

Student route visa students studying part-time are subject to certain restrictions:

no work (paid or unpaid)
no work placements as part of the programme
no dependants
no extending under Student route visa in the UK. This includes Student route visa applications to work as a Students' Union Sabbatical Officer or for the Foundation Programme for postgraduate doctors and dentists
not eligible for the Student route visa Doctorate Extension Scheme

*Please note that, if the course of your choice involves work experience, unpaid work, placements or internships, we will be unable to sponsor you to study a part- time course under the Student route (formerly tier 4) visa.

English language

You will need to meet our English language requirements. And, don’t worry If you don't meet our minimum English language requirements, as we offer a Pre-sessional English course.

Entry onto this course requires an interview and a portfolio.

Portfolio review

The application is just the first step in our selection process. You will need to submit a portfolio of your art and design work. We may also invite you to an interview. We’ve put together some simple notes to help you prepare:

Be selective about the work you show while continuing to show a range of skills and ability
Show mostly recent work that you are most proud of
Consider how to present your work and the impression the overall look of your portfolio will have on the viewer
We like to see lots of work but don't overfill your portfolio - you should be able to carry it by yourself!
You do not need to bring large pieces of 3D work, photographs are sufficient.

How to apply

Applications for postgraduate study should be made directly to the university. Please visit our postgraduate application page for further information and to apply.

Careers

How will the MA Fine Art support your career?

This course will prepare you for a diverse range of careers within the art and creative industries, both in the UK and internationally. Our MA Fine Art graduates are recognised worldwide for their exceptional skills and achievements with many going on to exhibit, participate in residency programmes, practise as artists in the community, and pursue careers as teachers and curators or progress into further study.

MA Fine Art students have a more mature outlook on how their practice is located, developed and received, allowing them to have confidence in exhibiting widely and perhaps preparing for a research degree (PhD).

Some of our most successful fine art alumni include:

Hayley Newman
Siobhán Hapaska
Bethan Huws
Alison Goldfrapp

Students sat working in study space at Sheppard Library.

Over 1,000 study spaces including rooms for group study and over 500 computers available.

Learn more

Student using computer help from library support

We have one of London's biggest and best university campuses with everything you need in one place.

Our facilities

Student support

We offer lots of support to help you while you're studying including financial advice, wellbeing, mental health, and disability support.

Additional needs

We'll support you if you have additional needs such as sensory impairment or dyslexia. And if you want to find out whether Middlesex is the right place for you before you apply, get in touch with our Disability and Dyslexia team.

Wellness

Our specialist teams will support your mental health. We have free individual counselling sessions, workshops, support groups and useful guides.

Work while you study

Our Middlesex Unitemps branch will help you find work that fits around uni and your other commitments. We have hundreds of student jobs on campus that pay the London Living Wage and above. Visit the Middlesex Unitemps page.

Fees

The fees below refer to the 2025/26 academic year unless otherwise stated.

UK students¹

Full-time students: £10,700
Part-time students: £70 per credit
Part-time students: £35 per dissertation credit

International students²

Full-time students: £17,100
Part-time students: £114 per credit
Part-time students: £57 per dissertation credit

*Course fees are subject to annual inflation so the total costs for part-time study are shown here as a guide.

For more information and to answer your frequently asked questions, please visit our postgraduate funding page.

Course costs

The following course-related costs are included in the fees:

All printing and copying required for your study
Self-service laptops available for loan for a maximum of 24 hours
Audio-visual equipment available for loan, including digital stills cameras, digital video recorders, digital audio recorders

Scholarships and bursaries

As an undergraduate alumnus continuing postgraduate studies at Middlesex, you are eligible for an alumni award worth 20% off your fees.

Fees disclaimers

1. UK fees: The university reserves the right to increase undergraduate tuition fees in line with changes to legislation, regulation and any government guidance or decisions. The tuition fees for part-time UK study are subject to annual review and we reserve the right to increase the fees each academic year by no more than the level of inflation.

2. International fees: Tuition fees are subject to annual review and we reserve the right to increase the fees each academic year by no more than the level of inflation.

Any annual increase in tuition fees as provided for above will be notified to students at the earliest opportunity in advance of the academic year to which any applicable inflationary rise may apply.

Get answers from our Unibuddy student ambassadors

Next steps

We’ll carefully manage any future changes to courses, or the support and other services available to you, if these are necessary because of things like changes to government health and safety advice, or any changes to the law.

Any decisions will be taken in line with both external advice and the University’s Regulations which include information on this.

Our priority will always be to maintain academic standards and quality so that your learning outcomes are not affected by any adjustments that we may have to make.

At all times we’ll aim to keep you well informed of how we may need to respond to changing circumstances, and about support that we’ll provide to you.

Open Days

Join us on campus to discover more about our range of courses, and get a feel for life at Middlesex for yourself

chevron_right

Research

The university promotes research and encourages students to participate in research projects

chevron_right

Accommodation

We’ll help you find your new home in London while you study at Middlesex

chevron_right

Student Life

Find out more about what life is like on Campus

chevron_right