← All courses at University of Derby

BA Fine Art

University of Derby

About this course

BA (Hons) in Fine Art. Core topics include Ethics & Professional Practice and Design & Creative Practice. The programme is available full-time over three years or part-time over six years, with an optional placement year between the second and final year. The final year centres on a Resolution and Synthesis module focused on sustained, independently initiated studio-based practice.

Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.

Institution
University of Derby
Level
undergraduate
Subject
Fine Art
Duration
3-6 years
UCAS code
W100
Typical offer
A-level BBC
Median salary
£23,500 after 5 years

Entry requirements

UCAS tariff: 112 A level: BBC T Level: Merit BTEC: DMM GCSE: GCSE Maths and English Grade 4/Grade C (or above) or equivalent qualification Access to HE: Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 30, Merit: 15, Pass: 0 English language: IELTS: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area)

See the highest paying Art, Design, Music & Drama degrees in the UK →

What students say

Based on about 12 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)

  • Teaching on my course: 89%
  • Learning opportunities: 89%
  • Assessment and feedback: 92%
  • Academic support: 87%
  • Organisation and management: 53%
  • Learning resources: 43%
  • Student voice: 78%

Do students stay on the course?

Based on about 20 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)

  • Continued on course: 95%
  • Left higher education: 5%

What graduates do next

Based on about 6 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)

  • Working: 75%
  • Working and studying: 25%

Most common jobs

  • Elementary occupations: 20%
  • Web and Multimedia Design Professionals: 10%
  • Administrative occupations: 5%
  • Artistic, literary and media occupations: 5%
  • Managers, directors and senior officials: 5%
  • Find their work meaningful: 65%
  • Feel on track for their future plans: 65%
  • Use what they learnt on the course: 45%

Where graduates work (5 years on)

Based on about 335 graduates, across similar courses at this university

  • North West: 4%
  • Yorkshire and the Humber: 8%
  • East Midlands: 55%
  • West Midlands: 19%
  • East of England: 4%
  • London: 3%
  • South East: 4%
  • South West: 1%
  • Wales: 1%

Who gets in

Based on about 35 students who started

  • A levels: 95%
  • Other HE qualification: 5%

Accreditation & quality ratings

TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.

Modules

  • Placement Learning and Professional Development
  • Introduction to Studio Practice
  • Experimentation and Curiosity
  • Extended Contexts
  • Contextualising Practice
  • Locating Practice
  • Staging: Engaging Audience
  • External Professional Contexts
  • Practising Theory
  • Resolution and Synthesis
  • Professional Practice
  • Critical Enquiry

Questions about this course

How much do graduates of BA Fine Art at University of Derby earn?

The median salary is £25,500 after 15 months, £18,500 after 3 years, £23,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £18,500 and £27,500. The £23,500 median after five years is £1,000 more than the UK median for Art.

What do graduates of BA Fine Art at University of Derby do next?

100% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).

Are students happy with the teaching on BA Fine Art at University of Derby?

89% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.

What grades do I need for BA Fine Art at University of Derby?

The typical offer is BBC at A level. The average entrant had 115 UCAS points.

Does BA Fine Art at University of Derby include a placement year or year abroad?

The course has an optional placement year and an optional year abroad.

How many students continue on BA Fine Art at University of Derby?

95% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.