(Full time) 2020 start
Art and Design BA
Overview
Our Art and Design degree allows you to advance your creative potential whilst developing key academic skills.
You'll gain practical skills and learn how to apply tools and techniques in order to produce high-quality work which you'll have the chance to exhibit at showcase events. You'll have the chance to gain a working knowledge of a range of practices from drawing, painting and sculpture to photography, digital media and printmaking. In addition, core modules will allow you to gain a knowledge and understanding of design theory, history and key contemporary issues.
Our teaching staff are practising art and design professionals and have expertise in a wide range of specialisms which allows us to offer a wide range of optional modules, meaning you can tailor your degree to your interests and career aspirations. We also allow you the flexibility to choose the focus of your work from practical projects to your final year dissertation.
Specialist facilities
In addition, the world class Brotherton Library holds a wide variety of manuscript, archive and early printed material in its Special Collections– valuable assets for your independent research. Our additional library resources are also excellent, and the University Library offers a comprehensive training programme to help you make the most of them.
Course content
In your first year you’ll explore a range art and design practices with chance to apply new skills and knowledge through studio work. You’ll also be introduced to key issues in the history, culture and technologies informing art and design to help you put your practice into context.
In your second year, you’ll develop an awareness of professional standards within art and design as you expand your portfolio of practical work whilst using your academic knowledge to conduct undertake critical analysis and evaluation. You’ll also have the opportunity your understanding of design business and marketing as well as gaining skills in research.
All of this will prepare you for your final year, in which you’ll apply the practical skills you have gained as you work towards your final project work, specialising in areas of your choice. This will culminate in preparing for and showcasing your work at the degree show exhibition. You’ll also demonstrate your knowledge of art and design theory and demonstrate your critical thinking and analytical skills as you develop a research dissertation on a topic which is of interest to you.
The Programme Leader for this course is Dr Deborah Gardner.
Course structure
The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.
Discovery modules
Throughout your degree you will benefit from a range of opportunities to expand your intellectual horizons outside or within your subject area.
This course gives you the opportunity to choose from a range of discovery modules. They’re a great way to tailor your study around your interests or career aspirations and help you stand out from the crowd when you graduate. Find out more about discovery modules on our Broadening webpages.
Learning and teaching
Depending on the modules you choose to study, learning and teaching can take a variety of forms, however, both theoretical and studio modules combine lectures, seminars and tutorials. There is also technical support available in our workshops and the University Library offers comprehensive training programmes to support your academic learning. Independent study is an important part of the mix, as you’ll spend much of your time in the studios and libraries– but help is on hand from our tutors and technical staff.
On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.
Assessment
Much of your degree will be assessed through submission of coursework; this might be through a portfolio of studio work or through essays, and there are some written exams depending on your choice of modules. Each project you complete will test your critical and creative abilities and ensure you have the technical skills to implement your ideas.
Entry requirements, fees and applying
Entry requirements
A-level: ABB including an art or design related subject
If you have not studied art/design at A level, we may also consider your application based on a high grade at GCSE along with a portfolio of recent and relevant work.
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Access to HE Diploma
Pass: 60 credits including 45 at level 3, with grades specified for individual subjects.
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BTEC
DDM in art/design
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Cambridge Pre-U
D3, M2, M2 including art or design.
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International Baccalaureate
34 overall (16 higher, with 5 or 6 in art/visual art/design)
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Irish Leaving Certificate (higher Level)
(Leaving Certificate): AABBBB including art or design
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Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers
AABBBB OR AAABB (B at advanced level) OR AABBB (BB at advanced level) including an art or design subject.
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Other Qualifications
Art Foundation course: Whilst we welcome art foundation students, this is not a formal requirement for entry and doesn’t usually count towards entry requirements.In exceptional cases, we may make you an offer conditional on achieving an Art Foundation qualification: we may consider your application if you’re taking a validated Art Foundation course and have ABB or above at A-level not including Art or Design.If you’re taking the EPQ, we may make you an alternative offer in addition to the standard offer. In this case that would be BBB, plus EPQ grade A.
Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications or contact the Schools Undergraduate Admissions Team.
Alternative entry
We’re committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.
Access to Leeds is a contextual admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.
Find out more about Access to Leeds and contextual admissions.
International Foundation Year
International students who do not meet the academic requirements for undergraduate study may be able to study the University of Leeds International Foundation Year. This gives you the opportunity to study on campus, be taught by University of Leeds academics and progress onto a wide range of Leeds undergraduate courses. Find out more about International Foundation Year programmes.
English language requirements
IELTS 6.0 overall, with no less than 5.5 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.
Improve your English
If you're an international student and you don't meet the English language requirements for this programme, you may be able to study our undergraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.
How to apply
Apply to this course through UCAS. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.
International students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK students. Our network of international representatives can help you with your application. If you’re unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.
Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.
Documents and information you’ll need
If you don’t have an A-level in a related art or design subject, you’ll need to submit a portfolio of recent and relevant art/design work. Please email at least six images of recent work to texug@leeds.ac.uk at the time of your application to UCAS – the email subject line should include your name and UCAS ID number.
Admissions policy
University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy 2024
Fees
UK/EU: See fees section below
International: £20,750 (per year)
Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2024/25
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students are set by the UK Government and will be £9,250 for students starting in 2024/25.
The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation only, as a consequence of future changes in Government legislation and as permitted by law.
Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2025/26
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students starting in 2025/26 have not yet been confirmed by the UK government. When the fee is available we will update individual course pages.
Tuition fees for international undergraduate students starting in 2024/25 and 2025/26
Tuition fees for international students for 2024/25 are available on individual course pages. Fees for students starting in 2025/26 will be available from September 2024.
Tuition fees for a study abroad or work placement year
If you take a study abroad or work placement year, you’ll pay a reduced tuition fee during this period. For more information, see Study abroad and work placement tuition fees and loans.
Read more about paying fees and charges.
There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.
Financial support
If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.
Career opportunities
Our Art and Design degree will equips you with a wide range of skills. As well as specialist art and design practice skills, You’ll develop sound professional awareness and be able to research different topics independently.
As a result graduates have pursued a wide range of careers. Many continue with their own practice as either artists or designers, and a selection of exhibitions by recent graduates includes the London Original Print Fair – Royal Academy of Art, Baltic Gallery, Jerwood Drawing Prize, Saatchi’s New Sensations, Arts at Trinity Leeds and Art in Unusual Places, Leeds.
Others have gone into careers related to art and design in a variety of roles including art gallery manager, fabricator, illustrator, editorial assistant, graphic designer, journalist, theatre prop designer, lecturer, learning support worker, artist in residence and study centre assistant. Graduates have worked in Damien Hirst’s studio and assisted artists like Tracey Emin, Gillian Ayres and Ian Davenport.
Some graduates have decided to move onto postgraduate studies in disciplines such as fine art, advertising and architecture, illustration, set or furniture design, museum studies and curating while others have entered teacher training. Yet more go into completely different careers in accounting, law, marketing, journalism and retail.
Careers support
We fully support you to prepare for your future throughout your degree. The School runs regular workshops with employers and have a popular visiting speaker programme which involves established artists and researchers from the field presenting their experience which is a great opportunity to gain an insight into possible career options that may be available to you.
We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.
Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website.
The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more about Careers support.
Study abroad and work placements
Study abroad
On this course you have the opportunity to apply to spend time abroad, usually as an extra academic year. We have over 300 University partners worldwide and popular destinations for our students include Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Africa and Latin America.
Find out more at the Study Abroad website.
Our optional Year in Industry is a fantastic opportunity for your personal and professional development, and some students have even been offered permanent roles at their placement companies.
Students have worked in in designing, buying, pattern cutting, PR, visual merchandising and other roles for companies like ASOS, Amanda Wakeley, Monsoon, Christopher Kane, WGSN, Mark Jacobs, River Island, Alexander McQueen and French Connection. Many companies are so impressed with Leeds students that they request them every year.
Read more about our Year in Industry in the School of Design.