Introduction

Although built around a strong Fine Art ethic, this programme will be of considerable interest to those who have graduated from other areas of the visual arts who are seeking the intellectual challenges associated with postgraduate study and who wish to develop greater professional status as creative practitioners.

The emphasis of the programme is on developing high level skills in creative production and related theory through investigative learning strategies driven by personal interests and concerns. Within the boundaries of available resources, the programme encourages experimentation with traditional and new methods, modes and technologies that are deemed appropriate to the student’s creative intentions. The programme aims to produce graduates who are highly competent, confident and creative practitioners who will be able to make a positive contribution to our culture.
 

Content

In line with other similar postgraduate provision in the visual arts, the programme recognises that individuals may approach creative activity in often unexpected and widely different ways and that there is a legitimate and desirable variance of individual creative practice. In this respect, while conforming to the University’s postgraduate framework, the programme favours a holistic and integrated approach to programme delivery. There are however, four key elements built firmly into the programme’s structure:

• Personal practice – this refers to each student’s individual and ongoing self-directed creative practice
• Peer review – a scheduled programme through which students present their work to their peers and tutors for critical discussion
• Master classes and professional workshops – a scheduled programme of inputs by visiting practitioners and others working in the creative industries. These fall into two types:
  a) master classes that enable students to extend their practical skills and expressive vocabulary
  b) workshops that address the demands of wider professional practice, including exhibiting, marketing, financial support and management etc.
• Critical theory and contextual reflection – a programme of lectures, gallery visits and seminars designed to stretch and test students’ understanding of their own practice in relation to wider historical and cultural contexts.

The University’s Department of Art has painting studios at the Sidney Cooper Centre in the middle of Canterbury while Sculpture, Printmaking and Ceramics workshops are housed ten minutes’ walk away at the Augustine Art Centre. The Department benefits from its location in Canterbury and its staff all run working studios either locally in Kent or in London and contribute to national and international exhibitions, commercial galleries, educational venues, arts festivals, professional bodies and museum work. The high level of professional activity of full-time and visiting staff is among the Department’s greatest assets, and its reputation and credibility are rooted in the seriousness of their creative endeavour.

Assessment

Most assessment is ongoing and takes the form of helpful feedback through peer reviews and personal tutorials. Final assessment takes the form of a public exhibition and dissertation. Although the full MA programme requires students to successfully complete modules to the value of 180 credits, students can choose to exit with the award of Postgraduate Diploma by successfully gaining 120 credits.

Entry Requirements and Selection Procedure 

Candidates will normally attend an interview with a portfolio of artwork. In addition, candidates will be expected to provide evidence of the following:

• a good honours degree in a subject that would provide an appropriate academic platform for creative, visual, practice based exploration at Master’s level
• an initial outline of the issues and methods that the candidate wishes to explore at Master level as evidenced through a brief written proposal. Applications from students possessing alternative qualifications and/or appropriate professional experience will be considered.

Applicants from the European Union and overseas may submit digital images of their work and should be able to demonstrate an ability to reason and express arguments both in spoken and written English sufficient to satisfy the University’s regulations. Full-time students will be accommodated in the Departmental studios while part-time students must have established, or be prepared to establish, their own working studio.

Fees

Up to date fee information is available here.

How to Apply

An application form can be downloaded here.

Copies are also available from:
Student Recruitment (Postgraduate Admissions)
Canterbury Christ Church University
North Holmes Road
Canterbury
Kent
CT1 1QU

Telephone: 01227 782900
Fax: 01227 782888
Email: admissions@canterbury.ac.uk

Department of Art Website