MFA in Fine Art
Kingston upon Thames, United Kingdom
Master degree
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
GBP 21,800 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
* there is no application deadline for postgraduate courses
** international full-time | home full-time: 12,400 GBP/year
Key Summary
About: Take your artistic practice to the next level with the Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Fine Art at Kingston School of Art. Study contemporary fine art through studio-based practice, theoretical modules and practical workshops in new workshops and the Stanley Picker gallery. Develop a portfolio, curatorial strategies and research-led practice supported by tutorials, seminars and guest speakers.
Career Outcomes: Graduates gain skills in concept development, exhibition production, public engagement and arts management. Use Kingston's London links and gallery networks to pursue roles as independent artists, curators, educators or arts managers, and positions in curation, gallery management, art production.
Take your artistic practice to the next level with a Fine Art MFA from Kingston School of Art.
Study contemporary fine art through theoretical and studio-based training, at our renowned, TEF Gold ranked school of art.
You will work across a range of media, taking advantage of the School's new cutting-edge workshop spaces located next to the dedicated MFA Fine Art studios.
Our world-class technical facilities within the Stanley Picker public gallery create an inspiring space to study and work. Join an engaging events programme and thrive on a campus shared by artists, designers and theorists alike.
Through a combination of studio-based learning, practical workshops and art theory modules, you’ll create meaningful artwork and prepare for a successful career in the art world.
Why choose this course?
The MFA in Fine Art at Kingston School of Art offers a dynamic combination of studio-based practice and theoretical exploration. Students refine their artistic vision while engaging critically with contemporary social, political and cultural contexts. The programme offers an immersive experience, allowing students to develop their portfolio through practical research and critical engagement.
The course includes opportunities to collaborate with the renowned Centre for Research in Modern European Philosophy (CRMEP) and access cutting-edge workshops, fostering creativity across a range of media.
This programme emphasises the development of a significant body of work, supported by individual tutorials, seminars and practical workshops. It encourages both independent and collaborative approaches to art-making and curatorial strategies. Through a robust schedule of lectures and studio seminars, students connect with a diverse network of artists, curators and thinkers.
Located just 20 minutes from central London, Kingston School of Art provides world-class facilities and links to leading cultural institutions, like the ICA and Chisenhale Gallery. The Fine Art MFA is led by accomplished staff and features esteemed guest speakers. Successful articles, such as Helen Cammock, Mark Leckey and Zoé Whitley, offer insights and rich exposure to contemporary art discourse and practice.
Course content
This course will help you enhance your research and analytical skills, which are an integral aspect of your studio practice.
Your own research is augmented by collaborative work, seminars and talks. Within a diverse cohort of students, you'll challenge one another's world views, towards an in-depth understanding of cultural production.
You will amass a substantial body of work, develop and apply highly attuned analytical skills, practice innovative exhibition strategies and hone your confidence as an artist.
Typically, students must complete 120 credits at each level, totalling 240 credits by the end of the degree.
Please note: Optional modules only run if there is enough demand. If we have an insufficient number of students interested in an optional module, that module will not be offered for this course.
Year 1 modules
The teaching in the first year supports students to establish their studio practice and critical skills. Sessions with key professionals in contemporary art will then assist students in developing the research and professional skills they need to sustain a career. This is followed by a period in which students (in dialogue with their peers) explore their strengthened individual practice and research through making and reflecting on modes for disseminating art.
Core module (plus the modules in option 1 OR option 2)
- Practice and Critique
Option 1
- Extended Research and Professional Skills
Option 2
- Research and Professional Skills
- Art Theory: Modernist, Avant-Garde, Contemporary
Final year modules
In the second year of the MFA, you are given the time, teaching, support and discursive framework to consolidate your independent practice and research. You will work towards the completion of a final major exposition of work that signals a critical engagement with notions of dissemination and publication in the field of contemporary art. The final major exposition is the culmination of the technical, critical, professional and organisational skills learnt earlier in the course.
Core modules
- Extended Practice
- Final Major Exposition
Being awarded a scholarship is a great achievement
A scholarship not only provides financial support. It also offers a rich student experience unlike any other.
At Kingston, you'll become part of our international scholars community, giving you the opportunity to:
- attend our annual scholars' event alongside senior staff and academics
- boost your career prospects through valuable networking opportunities
- meet other scholars from around the world
- enhance your CV and impress future employees with your award
- work as a TAP ambassador for Kingston University, with opportunities to contribute to marketing material and in-country activities.
Prepare for a range of career paths
Graduates of Kingston University's Fine Art MFA are equipped with the skills necessary to succeed in the contemporary art world. The course provides a blend of studio-based practice, critical reflection and professional development, ensuring you are prepared for a range of career paths.
Many graduates go on to become independent artists, curators, educators or arts managers.
Gain a range of transferable skills
Through collaboration, research and public exhibitions, you’ll hone your ability to communicate your ideas effectively across diverse media and professional contexts.
The skills you develop will prepare you to navigate the complexities of the art world, from conceptual development to the logistics of exhibition curation and art production.
Benefit from real-world connections
Kingston’s strong industry connections, including partnerships with major galleries, museums and institutions in London, further enhance your prospects.