Creative Practice: Fine Art (Top-up) (Top-up)

at Burton and South Derbyshire College

BA (Hons)

Location

Burton and South Derbyshire College

Burton and South Derbyshire College

UCAS code

W103

Start dates available

  • September 2026

This course allows students who have completed a Foundation degree (or equivalent) to progress to a full honours degree. As a Level 6 student, you will learn relevant industry skills and processes and graduate with a refined and professional portfolio of work.

You will work practically through client-led and negotiated briefs that require the recognition and application of professional practice. You will also be aware of professional expectations and be able to develop an independent route towards your individual career or postgraduate goals.

Your tutors will act as facilitators, encouraging discussion and debate on subjects of social and cultural relevance, so that you can identify options and develop effective solutions to meet agreed objectives. Our staff maintain strong links with industry through membership and association with professional organisations. They are practitioners in their field and their aim will be to assist you to pursue new approaches to your subject, as well as develop the transferable and technological skills necessary for you to compete in the changing global environment of contemporary creative practice.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: BA (Hons) Creative Practice: Fine Art

This course allows students who have completed a Foundation degree (or equivalent) to progress to a full honours degree. As a Level 6 student, you will learn relevant industry skills and processes and graduate with a refined and professional portfolio of work.

You will work practically through client-led and negotiated briefs that require the recognition and application of professional practice. You will also be aware of professional expectations and be able to develop an independent route towards your individual career or postgraduate goals.

Your tutors will act as facilitators, encouraging discussion and debate on subjects of social and cultural relevance, so that you can identify options and develop effective solutions to meet agreed objectives. Our staff maintain strong links with industry through membership and association with professional organisations. They are practitioners in their field and their aim will be to assist you to pursue new approaches to your subject, as well as develop the transferable and technological skills necessary for you to compete in the changing global environment of contemporary creative practice.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: BA (Hons) Creative Practice: Fine Art

Course content

Lecturers use a range of teaching methods, including lectures, demonstrations, seminars, small group work and one-to-one mentoring. You will have access to specialist facilities which will enable you to experiment with a broad range of media, including digital, print, photographic, textiles, wood, metal, plastics, ceramics and glass. Furthermore, you will have access to our industry equipped Sign and Print Academy, featuring laser cutting, 3D printing, vinyl printing and cutting and fabric printing. You will have the opportunity to undertake real world work experience, live briefs and projects.

As you progress and your confidence grows, you will undertake increasingly complex, challenging and exciting projects. You will also receive advice and guidance on applying to jobs and masters level study.

Applications from mature candidates are welcomed and considered on an individual basis.

Lecturers use a range of teaching methods, including lectures, demonstrations, seminars, small group work and one-to-one mentoring. You will have access to specialist facilities which will enable you to experiment with a broad range of media, including digital, print, photographic, textiles, wood, metal, plastics, ceramics and glass. Furthermore, you will have access to our industry equipped Sign and Print Academy, featuring laser cutting, 3D printing, vinyl printing and cutting and fabric printing. You will have the opportunity to undertake real world work experience, live briefs and projects.

As you progress and your confidence grows, you will undertake increasingly complex, challenging and exciting projects. You will also receive advice and guidance on applying to jobs and masters level study.

Applications from mature candidates are welcomed and considered on an individual basis.

Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module where available.

Year 1 compulsory modules
Creative Enterprise 20 credits
Creative Futures After University 2 20 credits
Final Major Project In Fine Art 60 credits
Industry Investigation 20 credits

Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module where available.

Year 1 compulsory modules
Creative Enterprise 20 credits
Creative Futures After University 2 20 credits
Industry Investigation 20 credits
Year 2 compulsory modules
Final Major Project In Fine Art 60 credits

Location

You will study at Burton and South Derbyshire College but receive a qualification from University of Staffordshire.

Burton and South Derbyshire College is a great place to learn. There’s a real buzz here; inspiring teachers, engaged learners, fantastic state of the art facilities and career-boosting links with leading businesses.

Burton and South Derbyshire College website
Burton and South Derbyshire College logo

Entry requirements

FdA, HND (Level 5 progression route) in a relevant discipline.

FdA, HND (Level 5 progression route) in a relevant discipline.

Careers

Upon successful completion of this you could pursue a career in your chosen specialism. For example you could seek a career in areas such as Fine Art, Surface Pattern, Fashion, Textiles, Ceramics, Illustration, Graphic Design and 3D Design.

Your degree isn't just about securing that all-important academic qualification. It’s about gaining life and work skills to help you get ahead in the job market and gain employers’ respect. As a graduate of awarding body University of Staffordshire, you'll gain skills and attributes that will help you stand out from the crowd, and become an employable, enterprising and entrepreneurial individual.

Upon successful completion of this you could pursue a career in your chosen specialism. For example you could seek a career in areas such as Fine Art, Surface Pattern, Fashion, Textiles, Ceramics, Illustration, Graphic Design and 3D Design.

Your degree isn't just about securing that all-important academic qualification. It’s about gaining life and work skills to help you get ahead in the job market and gain employers’ respect. As a graduate of awarding body University of Staffordshire, you'll gain skills and attributes that will help you stand out from the crowd, and become an employable, enterprising and entrepreneurial individual.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

We know that our students learn in different ways. To help everyone get the most out of their studies, we teach through a combination of lectures, workshops, and practical sessions. In addition, you will have timetabled meetings with your personal tutor (or equivalent) at least twice a year to help support you in your studies. You will be taught in high-quality learning spaces throughout your course, and of course will have access to virtual learning environments to enhance your learning opportunities. Many of our courses are accredited or recognised by professional, statutory or regulatory bodies.

Assessment

Your course will provide you with opportunities to test your understanding of your subject informally before you complete the formal assessments that count towards your final mark. Each module will give you a variety of opportunities to receive informal feedback from your tutor. These may include classroom discussions, discussions in the virtual learning environment, presentations, milestone assessments, and practice assessments. Informal feedback is developmental and any grades you may receive for these do not count towards your module mark. There is a formal or ‘summative’ assessment at the end of each module. This includes a range of coursework assessments, such as essays, reports, portfolios, performance, presentations, final year, independent project and written examinations. The grades from formal assessments count towards your module mark.

Feedback

You will normally receive feedback on formal coursework assessments within 20 working days following the date of submission. Examination feedback may take a variety of formats, including one-to-one discussions with your tutor. However, as a minimum, generic feedback will be made available to all students who take written examinations.

Staff

You will be taught by a staff team with extensive experience within the creative industries.

Teaching

We know that our students learn in different ways. To help everyone get the most out of their studies, we teach through a combination of lectures, workshops, and practical sessions. In addition, you will have timetabled meetings with your personal tutor (or equivalent) at least twice a year to help support you in your studies. You will be taught in high-quality learning spaces throughout your course, and of course will have access to virtual learning environments to enhance your learning opportunities. Many of our courses are accredited or recognised by professional, statutory or regulatory bodies.

Assessment

Your course will provide you with opportunities to test your understanding of your subject informally before you complete the formal assessments that count towards your final mark. Each module will give you a variety of opportunities to receive informal feedback from your tutor. These may include classroom discussions, discussions in the virtual learning environment, presentations, milestone assessments, and practice assessments. Informal feedback is developmental and any grades you may receive for these do not count towards your module mark. There is a formal or ‘summative’ assessment at the end of each module. This includes a range of coursework assessments, such as essays, reports, portfolios, performance, presentations, final year, independent project and written examinations. The grades from formal assessments count towards your module mark.

Feedback

You will normally receive feedback on formal coursework assessments within 20 working days following the date of submission. Examination feedback may take a variety of formats, including one-to-one discussions with your tutor. However, as a minimum, generic feedback will be made available to all students who take written examinations.

Fees

For the course starting on 21 September 2026 the tuition fees are:

Study option International
Full-time £6,350 per year of study

UK and Channel Island students: This tuition fee is agreed subject to UK government policy and parliamentary regulation. If the UK government passes appropriate legislation, the fee for subsequent years of study may increase in each academic year. But this increase will not exceed the rate of inflation as measured by RPIX**. Any change in fees will apply to both new and continuing students. The University will notify students of any change as early as possible. Further information about fee changes would be posted on the University’s website once this becomes available.

**RPIX is a measure of inflation equivalent to all the items in the Retail Price Index (RPI) excluding mortgage interest payments.

Apply now to Creative Practice: Fine Art

Location Award Study option Start date
Burton and South Derbyshire College BA (Hons) Full-time, top-up 21 September 2026 Apply now

Apply now to Creative Practice: Fine Art

Applications are not currently open for this course.

Rules and regulations

If you are offered a place at University of Staffordshire, your offer will be subject to our rules, regulations and enrolment conditions, which may vary from time to time.

Students of University of Staffordshire enter into a contract with us and are bound by these rules and regulations, which are subject to change. For more information, please see: University Policies and Regulations.

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Fashion BA (Hons)

Optional pathways in Fashion and Textiles, Design and Technology, Marketing and Communication.

Study options
Full-time
Placement year
for Career Prospects

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2025

for Social Inclusion

The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026

for First Generation Students

The Mail University Guide 2026

in the UK for Games Education

Rookies Games Design and Development 2023, 2025 & TIGA Best Games Intuition 2024, 2025

of Research is “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading”

Research Excellence Framework 2021

of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

Research Excellence Framework 2021