Introduction

Fine Art is a dynamic subject that it can be showcased through collectives, galleries and public spaces. Contemporary art generates powerful new ideas and platforms for debate. Working as an artist is social, practical, and theoretical, and can involve you in an exciting range of cultural and educational activities everywhere.
 

Programme Features

High ranking
UWE is ranked 38^th in the UK for Art & Design (The Guardian University Guide 2025)
 

Broad development areas
Fine Art develops your practice in a wide array of areas such as painting, sculpture, installation, performance, video and digital media.  Graduates can become artists, designers, curators, arts administrators and educators.

Practical research project
Through the project, you can craft your skills as a researcher, working with academics helping to shape new thinking in the field. Our academic staff include fine artists, curators and writers with national and international profiles. You will be able to build a strong sense of your own practice and develop as a confident practitioner, defining your own vision and journey. You'll learn to present and promote yourself, apply for jobs and funding, and set yourself up as a creative business. You will also build a body of material that will help you transition into further studies, employment and future art practice.

Modules^

Preparation for Extended Study in Fine Art

This module is designed to give you the opportunity to define a short programme of study on a self-initiated basis in preparation for the major “Extended Study in Fine Art” module. You will learn through experience how to identify and articulate personal aims and how to plan and manage a period of self-directed work. It also requires you to focus on the relationship of your art/design/media interests to individual career aspirations.

Independent Research Project

Students design and produce a research project that develops a specialised interest in contemporary critical debates and contexts for contemporary creative production.  There will be workshops and lectures to support you in developing your ideas, designing and implementing research projects, and provide guidance on independent study. Supervision tutorials will support your on-going research, critical reading and writing.

Extended Study in Fine Art

During the module, you will compile a Research File that contains contextual and cultural reference material that is informing your work, and which may include a written commentary explaining the relevance of this to your own practice. A professionally produced individual publication presented with the final body of work demonstrates an understanding of individual creative practice in relation to contemporary critical, cultural and professional contexts. This publication also requires you to critically reflect on research sources, application of methodology and the success of the outcome in relation to your original intentions.

Professional Practice: Graduate Strategies

This module enables you to consolidate your knowledge and understanding of your area of practice in relation to the professional context, and develop strategies for graduation and progression to employment or further studies. The module is designed to contribute to the refinement of your contextual understanding of your discipline, and enable you to focus this towards identified personal career aspirations and the opportunities offered, directly and indirectly, by the industry.

^ Under review and subject to change

Assessment
Portfolio(s) and project. 

 QF Level

QF Level : Level 5 QR Registration No. : 23/000050/L5 Validity Period : 01/09/2023 - 31/08/2027

Importance of choosing a non-local top-up with QF Level 5 Employment Degree qualifications pitched at QF Level 5 are formally recognised by the HKSAR Government for employment purposes within the Civil Service for graduate posts. Further Studies Having been recognised at QF Level 5, this top-up degree programme meets the standard of locally-accredited bachelor's degree programmes. Upon graduation, students can pursue their further studies at Master’s degree level in Hong Kong or Overseas.   Financial Assistance and Scholarships Various HKSAR Government financial assistance schemes and scholarships are only made available to eligible students enrolled into programmes with QF recognition.

Entry Requirements^

Holders of the following VTC Higher Diploma programmes:

• HD in Illustration
• HD in Visual Arts and Culture; and

Review of the applicant’s portfolios.  

OR

Holders of Higher Diploma or Associate Degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant subject areas (such as Jewellery Design and Technology) awarded by recognised institutions will also be considered.

Review of the applicant’s portfolios and a written task. 

^ Under review and subject to change

English Proficiency Requirements

• Applicants successfully completed a Higher Diploma or an Associate Degree taught and assessed in English from a recognised institution in Hong Kong or equivalent.

OR

• At least an overall IELTS score of 6.5 with 5.5 in each component, or an overall IELTS score of 6.0 with 6.0 in each component, or equivalent.

Fees 

• Application Fee : HK$200 (No application fee before the deadline!)
• Registration Fee : HK$3,500
• Tuition Fee : HK$95,550 by 2 instalments

Scholarships

A variety of attractive scholarships are available to current and graduating SHAPE students.

Financial Aids 

The following HKSAR Government financial assistance schemes are available to eligible students who pursue this programme at SHAPE:

Financial Assistance Schemes		Amount (HK$)
	Non-means-tested Subsidy Scheme (NMTSS)	Up to $35,120 per year  [AY2025/26]
	Financial Assistance Scheme for Post-secondary Students (FASP)	Up to $93,130 (Tuition fee grant) Up to $9,010 (Academic expenses grant) Up to 58,890 (Living expenses loan) [AY2024/25]
	Non-means-tested Loan Scheme for Post-secondary Students (NLSPS)	Up to the annual tuition fees payable in the academic year

For details including eligibility and subsidy amount, please refer to the hyperlink of each scheme.

Career Prospects
Graduates of this programme can join a wide range of professions in the fine art and visual arts industries such as can become artists, designers, curators, arts administrators and educators.

Further Studies

Graduates can apply for master’s degree programmes in subjects such as Fine Art, Visual Arts, Art History, Visual Art Education, Creative Practice, at universities both in Hong Kong and overseas.  You can also further your studies at UWE Bristol in the UK and pursue master’s degrees such as MA Curating, MA Design, MA Multidisciplinary Printmaking, MA Photography, and MA Creative and Cultural Leadership, depending on your interests and strengths.

Enquiries

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