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BA Fine Art and Design (Placement Year)

Lancaster University

About this course

BA Hons in Fine Art and Design (Placement Year), a fine art and fashion design degree combining studio practice and contemporary design. Core topics include Laboratory Techniques, Critical & Analytical Thinking, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, and Design & Creative Practice. The programme includes an integrated professional placement year and a practical client-based consultancy module in the final year. The first year establishes foundations through Design Contexts, The Reflective Design Process, Visual Communication, and Art Histories and Contexts. The second year introduces Design Visualisation alongside optional modules covering topics such as speculative design, art theories, creative transformations, interaction and experience design, and sustainability. The third year consists of a dedicated work-based placement in the industry. The final year features core modules in Design Consultancy and Writing for the Arts, alongside optional study in design leadership, extended writing, or a self-directed Design Independent Project.

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
Lancaster University
Level
undergraduate
Subject
Fine Art and Design (Placement Year)
Duration
4 years
UCAS code
W1W3
Typical offer
A-level ABB, IB 32
Median salary
£27,000 after 5 years

Entry requirements

A level: ABB. Art and Design or a humanities subject would be considered desirable but not essential. IB: 32 points overall with 16 points from the best 3 HL subjects

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

Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)

Offer rate 91%: 10 offers from 11 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.

What students say

Based on about 17 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)

  • Teaching on my course: 87%
  • Learning opportunities: 81%
  • Assessment and feedback: 78%
  • Academic support: 89%
  • Organisation and management: 77%
  • Learning resources: 83%
  • Student voice: 88%

Do students stay on the course?

Based on about 30 students who started, across similar courses at this university

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

What graduates do next

Based on about 10 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)

  • Working: 80%
  • Working and studying: 10%
  • Further study: 10%

Most common jobs

  • Business and public service associate professionals: 20%
  • Web and Multimedia Design Professionals: 15%
  • Elementary occupations: 10%
  • Artistic, literary and media occupations: 10%
  • Leisure, travel and related personal service occupations: 5%
  • Find their work meaningful: 80%
  • Feel on track for their future plans: 55%
  • Use what they learnt on the course: 65%

Where graduates work (5 years on)

Based on about 55 graduates, across similar courses at this university

  • North East: 9%
  • North West: 36%
  • Yorkshire and the Humber: 14%
  • East Midlands: 1%
  • West Midlands: 9%
  • East of England: 5%
  • London: 16%
  • South East: 8%
  • South West: 2%
  • Northern Ireland: 1%

Who gets in

Based on about 35 students who started, across similar courses at this university

  • A levels: 90%
  • Baccalaureate: 10%
  • Other HE qualification: 5%

Accreditation & quality ratings

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

Modules

  • Design Contexts
  • The Reflective Design Process
  • Visual Communication
  • Art Histories and Contexts
  • Design Visualisation
  • Speculative Design
  • Art Theories and Contexts
  • Creative Transformations
  • Interaction and Experience Design
  • Design for Sustainability
  • Work Based Learning Year
  • Design Consultancy
  • Writing for the Arts
  • Design Leadership
  • Writing for the Arts (extended)
  • Design Independent Project

Questions about this course

How much do graduates of BA Fine Art and Design (Placement Year) at Lancaster University earn?

The median salary is £25,500 after 15 months, £22,500 after 3 years, £27,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £21,000 and £33,500. The £27,000 median after five years is £4,500 more than the UK median for Art.

What do graduates of BA Fine Art and Design (Placement Year) at Lancaster University do next?

95% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).

Are students happy with the teaching on BA Fine Art and Design (Placement Year) at Lancaster University?

87% 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 and Design (Placement Year) at Lancaster University?

The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 32 points in the IB. The average entrant had 133 UCAS points.

What is the offer rate for BA Fine Art and Design (Placement Year) at Lancaster University?

91% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 10 offers from 11 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.

Does BA Fine Art and Design (Placement Year) at Lancaster University include a placement year or year abroad?

The course has a compulsory placement year.

How many students continue on BA Fine Art and Design (Placement Year) at Lancaster University?

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