What’s My
Next Step?
Progressing your fine art tuition
Many of our evening and short course students progress onto our fine art academic programmes, such as our Certificate, Foundation Degree or BA. This gives you the benefit of hands-on tuition from expert artists, and a study programme that challenges and inspires you to become the best artist you can be.
And as an academic student, you can attend lectures and talks by eminent visiting artists, and enrich your study with free* places on our other evening, weekend and short courses (subject to availability).
Book a one-to-one chat with our Academic team
We’re accepting applications to our academic courses on a rolling basis until September, so don’t worry if you have missed our open days. You can use this form to book a one-to-one chat with our Academic team to discuss the next steps in your studies and the best pathway for you.
*Free places are only available on those courses which have not achieved full enrolment. Places are allocated on a first come first serve basis and the Academy cannot guarantee any place.
What’s my next step?
Certificate
“I enrolled in the Monday Mix evening class, which teaches a different medium every evening. During the sculpture class, time stood still…so I followed with the Introduction to Sculpture evening course. With the support of my wonderful evening class teacher Zoe Toolan, I applied for the Certificate in Sculpture and it has completely changed my life.”
Georgia Koliandri, student
This course is a bespoke, flexible way to study. It’s an ideal next step if you’ve completed intermediate short courses with us and want to further develop your technical skills, but have limited time to commit to studying. You can start your Certificate at the beginning of any term throughout the year, and we’ll work with you to tailor a course that delivers the skill set you want.
The Certificate takes place one day a week over two years. You can opt to take a general Fine Art Certificate or choose to specialise in Painting, Drawing, Sculpture or Printmaking.
The Certificate is made up of six Elective Skills Workshop Courses, which you’ll choose from a wide range available each term. These will teach you in-depth technical skills in your chosen discipline(s), increase your confidence and help cultivate your art practice. And as a second-year Certificate student you’ll have the opportunity to exhibit work at our annual Graduate Show.
Foundation Degree
“My first time painting from life and using oils was at the Academy, through a wonderful 10-week Portrait Painting evening class. And believe me, there was no way back! I fell in love with the medium, with how supportive everyone was and – I have to confess – with the building itself. The following September I became a full-time student on the Contemporary Portraiture programme.”
Suzon LaGarde, student
Our Foundation Degree* allows you to specialise in one of two distinct pathways: Contemporary Portraiture or Sculpture. Our FD* has two stages and runs for two years (full-time) or four years (part-time).
You’ll explore a range of techniques and be challenged to define your own creative approach, giving you the tools to become a practising portrait artist or sculptor. You’ll be taught by some of Britain’s top practising portrait artists and eminent sculptors, including members of leading arts organisations, winners of the BP Portrait Award and those with work in national collections such as the National Portrait Gallery.
*Subject to Validation
BA (Hons) Fine Art
““I’ve been at the Academy for just over two years now. I began with the Certificate, then the Fine Art Foundation, and am currently about to wrap up the first year of the full-time fine art programme. I feel very fortunate that the first course I did was Materials & Mark Making taught by Alison Hand. The idea of ‘making marks’ as art was new to me but resonated deeply, and the whole course redefined my concept of drawing.”
Martin Pirongs, student
Our BA* is designed for those aiming to establish an artistic practice. It gives you the freedom to pursue your own interests and aptitudes through a bespoke programme of study. There are three stages to our BA*, which you can choose to study full-time (over three years) or part-time (over six years).
As well as helping you develop the in-depth technical skills needed to take your art practice forward, you’ll be encouraged to think critically about the wider theoretical and historical contexts of your discipline(s), and apply that knowledge to your practical work. By the time you graduate, you’ll have the confidence and ability to exhibit your work, take on commissions, apply for further study and find work in the creative industries.
*Subject to Validation
