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BA Art
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UCAS code
W102 -
A level offer
CCC -
Year of entry
2025/26 -
Course duration
Full Time: 4 Years
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Year of entry
2025/26 -
Course duration
Full Time: 4 Years
Develop as an artist, refine your own practice, explore new and emerging art forms, and take part in a wide variety of exhibitions and events with our BA Art degree.
This University of Reading four-year programme is designed for students who have A levels or other post-16 qualifications but have not studied a foundation diploma in Art and Design. Beginning with a foundational year, you’ll have the time, focus and resources to explore ideas, take risks and develop expertise in your subject. The University of Reading ranks in the top 100 for Arts and Humanities globally (=91 in QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2024) and top 150 for Arts and Design globally (101-150 in QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2024).
Under the guidance of our teaching staff at Reading School of Art, you'll have the opportunity to:
- build on your practical skills
- explore the practice, theory and history of art
- benefit from our approach to the subject, and particular focus on contemporary art.
The course provides you with the tools to develop, make and present your artwork. It fosters your investigative, critically reflective and independent learning through the study and discussion of contemporary art and its histories. The combination of making and critical reflection enables you to develop and articulate your own creative position.
At Reading, we also offer a three-year BA Fine Art degree. Please contact us if you require advice on which course is most suitable for you.
What will you learn?
During your first, foundational year, you’ll explore the processes and practicalities of an artist’s studio while starting to develop an independent project leading to an exhibition. You’ll also be introduced to the field of art history and its study, as well as wider contexts in which contemporary art practices operate.
As your studies progress, you’ll have the opportunity to expand your interests and knowledge. While familiarising yourself with global art discourses and the critiques in which contemporary art is situated, you’ll carry out increasingly independent studio work. With additional time, space and support to further develop, refine, and establish your intellectual and technical skills, you’ll consolidate your interests into independent research and inquiry, preparing for your final year dissertation and comprehensive exhibition.
Your learning environment
Our new School of Art building opened in September 2023. It’s the perfect spot for exploring different media in our workshops and exhibiting your work whist being near the centre of our Whiteknights campus. Our facilities feature:
- flexible studios open 24 hours a day, seven days a week
- specialist workshops in wood, ceramics, metal and printmaking
- darkrooms for photography
- digital workshops and facilities for film and video editing, imaging, sound, virtual reality and web building tools, and a dedicated audio-visual recording room.
The studios offer a creative, lively and stimulating environment in which to develop your skills with events, workshops to help you explore different media, screenings, performances and exhibitions taking place regularly. You can also explore our student-run gallery and experimental project spaces.
Our staff are actively involved in the arts and highly connected with the creative world beyond the University, meaning you’ll be exposed to a wide range of experience, expertise and career opportunities.
Your learning journey
Studying at the Reading School of Art allows you to explore a vast range of media and experiment with emerging art forms.
Over the course of your four years of study, you will:
- work with academics who include artists, curators and researchers
- be encouraged to participate in exhibitions, public art commissions and events
- receive dedicated studio space, accessible 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, and a studio tutor to help develop your individual and professional practice.
You will complement your practical art with modules in contemporary art theory and the history of art. Through the lectures, seminars and studio teaching – as well as weekly visiting artist talks – you will be exposed to the language, vocabulary and debates that have emerged historically and evolved to forge contemporary art.
For your art modules, you will have access to our range of facilities. These include:
For your art modules, you will have access to our range of facilities. These include:
- studios for construction, printing and casting
- darkroom for photography
- digital tools for film and video editing, imaging, sound and web building.
Regular field trips to national and international museums, art institutions, exhibitions and galleries will give you the chance to consider the diverse conditions in which art is created, displayed and received.
You’ll also gain professional experience by taking part in your own exhibitions, public art commissions and events. Open debate and constructive criticism are actively encouraged, and you’ll learn to confidently discuss your work with peers and teaching staff.
The degree is structured into three parts. Throughout each, you’ll receive training and academic guidance to help you grow as an artist and deepen your expertise. In particular, Parts 2 and 3 allow you to focus on your own individual study path and play to your interests and strengths, as you engage in a choice of complementary modules, a comprehensive exhibition, and a written dissertation.
Professional development
You may have the opportunity to undertake a placement forming all or part of an optional module.
Past students have:
- interned at Studio Voltaire and the Frieze Art Fair
- performed at the Institute of Contemporary Arts
- taken part in an Arts Council-supported film project at the Museum of Rural Life
- participated in an international exhibition at the Seoul Institute of Arts in South Korea.
Study abroad
You may have the chance to experience life in another country and apply to study abroad for a semester during your third year. To see which institutions participate in this scheme please use our “Find a University” tool. Please note our partners may change and the tool is updated each year.