Art - Fine Art

The MFA Fine Art is a two year course (Full Time) and four years (Part Time) of 240 credits and is practice based and supported by a studio environment.



The academic years runs from late September to mid June.



The MFA was established 1979, is based in Belfast and has a long and proven track record of providing a rigorous studio-based programme with access to the expertise of a core staff of nationally and internationally recognised visiting artists. Within the studio and wider environments the diversity of teaching input by staff and visiting artists reflects the range of approaches and contexts embraced.



We recognise contemporary Art practice as being open and pluralistic and encourages dialogue between diverse disciplines. A multi-disciplinary/ inter-media approach enables students to work in a flexible manner that offers the maximum opportunity for individual practice. Students are asked to engage with systems of enquiry that explore and embrace traditional exhibition formats alongside wider lateral models of production, distribution and dissemination. Critical discourse on practice with an emphasis on analysis and self-reflection contributes to an understanding of contemporary art located within a larger cultural, social and political context.



The MFA supports committed, critically engaged and sustainable professional practice.



The 2010 Turner Prize was won by MFA graduate Susan Phillipsz (1994). Other nominated graduates include Phil Collins, Cathy Wilkes and Christine Borland. Graduates of the MFA have been substantially represented over the years in other high profile events and prizes, including the Venice Biennale, Becks Futures, The Nissan Art Award, New Contemporaries, The John Moores Prize and the Glenn Dimplex Award. Two graduates have been awarded the highly competitive Paul Hamlyn Award. Film production, art writing, gallery management and curation are allied areas where graduates have also been internationally successful.



More comprehensive, up to date and accessible information on the MFA Fine Art programme can be found at:

https://mfabelfast.wordpress.com/



Foundation Year

A foundation diploma year gives you the opportunity to explore a range of art and design approaches and disciplines to help you choose your undergraduate specialism.



The MFA programme is offered in full-time mode over 2 academic years. There is an exit qualification of Postgraduate Diploma after one academic year, with a further one academic year for MFA completion.



Attendance: Full-time independent studio practice. Classes Monday – Friday 9.30 am - 5.00 pm.



The programme is also offered in three part time pathways. All of the part-time modes require the student to have their own studio space independent of the institution.

Year one

• Art & Theory

• Strategies for Professional Development

• Studio Practice 1

• Studio Practice 2



Year two

• Practice & Exhibition

Applicants must hold a degree with at least 2:1 Honours standard or equivalent or demonstrate their ability to undertake the course through the accreditation of prior experiential learning (APEL).



Applicants must be able to satisfy the panel via portfolio and/or interview that their work is of a required standard that will allow them to deal with the creative, intellectual and material rigours of the course.



English Language Requirements

English language requirements for international applicants

The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.



Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.

Full-time mode over 2 academic years

Start Date: September 2025

Career options

As practising artists, many of our graduates go on to establish their own studios, successfully exhibiting nationally and internationally, gaining public art and gallery commissions, residencies, fellowships, awards and prizes. Others develop careers in other sectors of the arts, such as curatorial practice, arts writer, art critic, community arts, education, academic art research, art facilitation and administration, while others have built reputations in the wider creative fields where innovative artists are highly valued as problem solvers.



Alumni lists and example career profiles are available at: http://mfabelfast.wordpress.com/alumni/