The studio programme for the BA and BFA is structured around three studio subject areas: painting, sculpture and fine art media. After an initial period of orientation as a first-year group, students choose to be based in one of the areas. Students are expected to initiate and develop their own programme of work with tutorial guidance and technical support. Each subject area has a specialist team of academic staff supported by technical facilities and expertise and provides a focused environment in which students can address the practice and theory of the subject. Workshops enable students to develop their skills and technical abilities and each area runs a programme of seminars, visiting artists, gallery visits and other events pertinent to students' interests and the development of exciting and challenging debate.

During the first two years BA students attend courses in the history and theory of art and produce written assignments, culminating in an Independent Study in year three. They also take an additional course in another department of UCL. BFA students complete a studio-based critical studies component. All undergraduate students can apply for a period of study abroad on the exchange programme.

BA and BFA Fine Art Programme Aims:

• to develop the individual visual intelligence each student brings with them to the School
  
• to develop in each student a critical awareness and understanding of fine art and its contexts to provide the intellectual and practical resources
  
• to enable each student to realise his or her creative potential as a professional artist
  
• to provide studio-centred teaching and a forum for debate through which students become increasingly professional and articulate in their questioning

The tutorial system

Each student is assigned to a tutor group comprised of students from all three areas, which meets twice a term. One-to-one tutorials can be arranged with the tutor, as well as with other academic staff, through a system of sign-up sheets and appointments.

Subject-area seminars

Each area organises regular seminars where students present their work for discussion. The aim is to relate the work to debates specific to the subject area and develop critical awareness.

Cross-area seminars

The cross-area seminars provide a forum for students to present their work to students and tutors across the subject areas. The aim is to relate the work to a broader context beyond the subject area in which it is produced. Cross-area seminars also aim to develop students' understanding of how to locate, place and present their work for exhibition. History and theory of art staff regularly participate in both series of seminars.

Group work

Students work as a group across the subject areas in a number of different ways, including an introductory course to the contexts and histories of art practice in the autumn term of the first year.

Visitors’ programme

Each area has a programme of visitors including artists, critics and curators who give tutorials, lectures and participate in seminars.

Painting in the BA/BFA

Andrew Stahl Head of Undergraduate Painting

The undergraduate painting course aims to enable each student to pursue their ideas in and around painting in all its forms in the most committed, imaginative and experimental way. Work may manifest itself in a wide variety of different mediums and materials. Studio interaction is an essential aspect of the painting course. Each painting student is given studio space and the years are mixed together to provide a lively cross-fertilisation of ideas and practice. One-to-one tutorials are a crucial part of the course and regular seminars and crits take place where students are encouraged to discuss and present their work to fellow students and staff. Workshop programmes to introduce painters to stretcher-making and some materials of painting are available to students. An integral part of the course is the extensive programme of visiting artists and critics, who give tutorials and lectures and participate in seminars.

Sculpture in the BA/BFA

Melanie Jackson Head of Undergraduate Sculpture (Melanie Counsell, Autumn term only)

The undergraduate sculpture area embraces an expansive idea of sculpture towards the expression and exploration of ideas in space, using material or dematerialised processes. We encourage experimentation, invention and intervention which may incorporate object making, installation, the uses of appropriation and the found object, drawing, still and moving image, sound, text, printed matter and performance. Staff and students engage in rigorous, discursive conversation, exploring and developing the ideas generated by student activity, and the subject of sculpture and its possibilities. We consider production in its broadest sense, the contexts of space and place, audience, process, temporal and haptic encounter through the discussion of work, the contexts of art practice and relevant historical and contemporary models of thought. Field visits are made to galleries, studios, factories and sites. Technical support is provided in the use of wood, metal, plastic, ceramics, construction, casting, carving and moulding techniques, moving, still and 3D digital image, sound and printed media.

Fine Art Media in the BA/BFA

David Burrows Head of Undergraduate Fine Art Media

The undergraduate fine art media area encourages a diverse approach to exploring media and ideas. The area allows students to specialise and develop expertise in a chosen medium or a combination of approaches that test the boundaries and relationships of different media. Students can develop their practice through a broad range of technologies and approaches that include film, video, photography, print, electronic and digital media, drawing, performance, sound, object-making, installation and the production of texts and publications. An experimental and critical approach is encouraged and a wide range of conceptual and practical expertise is provided by staff who are practitioners specialising in the field. Technical tuition and theoretical and philosophical discourse relevant to the area are introduced to students through workshops, gallery visits and seminars.

History and theory of art courses in the first two years are thematic, looking at both historical and contemporary art. They provide a grounding in histories and theories of art which contributes to students' overall development as artists and their awareness of the relevance of these critical studies to the contemporary practising artist. The programme helps students to contextualize their studio work and to understand and negotiate the complex relationships between making art and the ways in which contemporary and historical art is interpreted, displayed and understood. The programme takes the form of lectures, seminars, individual tutorials, written papers and gallery and museum visits. It is structured to encourage increasing independence of thinking and the third year Independent Study is an in-depth research project on a subject chosen by the student and developed through regular supervision. Students are expected to participate actively in the programme: reading set texts in preparation for seminars, visiting exhibitions and generating discussion through informed questioning and debate. Through a range of assessed assignments, seminars, tutorials and more informal discussion, students develop and refine their skills in articulating ideas in spoken and written forms and their powers of criticism and self-criticism.

BA students take one additional course from a vast range of options offered in other UCL departments, normally in their second year. This may relate to their studio work, for example, a course in anthropology, psychology, architecture or film, or it may provide an additional skill such as a foreign language or computing.

The critical studies component of the three-year BFA programme is integrated into the undergraduate studio course and the tutorial system. Students’ understanding of critical studies will be developed through their participation in seminars, tutorials, lectures, the visiting artists’ programme and gallery and museum visits. Critical studies is designed to provide students with the ability to reference their work within a relevant contemporary and historical cultural context, to enable students to develop verbal, written and practical skills in relation to the development of their work and to enable them to develop effective methods for the presentation of their work. It is supported in the first year by an introductory core course into the contexts and histories of art practice.

Studio work in the BA and BFA

Tutorial reports are written twice a year and together with the student's own evaluative comments, form an individual academic record. There are assessments of studio work at the end of each year. The assessment process requires students to demonstrate, through the development of their studio work, critical awareness and their participation in and contribution to the programme. It is a constructive process and helps students become aware of what is required for the final degree examination and exhibition and their future development as artists. Final-year students present work in the form of an exhibition or another form of presentation, such as a screening or performance, at the end of their final year. After the examination process is complete, the final degree exhibition is open to the public, attracting around 3,000 visitors each year.

History and theory of art in the BA

Through coursework, seminars, tutorials and more informal discussion, students develop and refine their skills in articulating ideas in spoken and written forms and their powers of criticism and self-criticism. Assessed essays and the third year Independent Study help students to develop skills that are valuable to their professional life as artists and or for further study. The programme as a whole promotes independent research and the critical contextualisation of studio work. Marks for elements of the history and theory of art programme contribute a total of 20% towards the final BA degree.

Critical studies in the BFA

Critical studies is assessed each year and must be passed in order for the student to progress to the following year of the programme. Students are required to identify and articulate their work’s critical context and practical concerns by presenting a text and by making a presentation of their work at their end of year assessments.  In the final third year the critical studies text is slightly longer and is presented before the degree exhibition.

Visit the Slade

Applicants for our undergraduate programmes are encouraged to visit the Slade during the autumn term on an organised tour where they can meet a member of academic staff and tour the studios and facilities with a current student. Alternatively, you can visit us during our Open Studios in December or the Degree Shows in the summer term.

Application Procedure for BA and BFA in Fine Art

All applications to the BA and BFA in Fine Art at the Slade must be made through UCAS by 15 January.

UCAS codes UCL: U80 / BA in Fine Art: W100 / BFA in Fine Art: W101

Portfolio Inspection

All applicants are required to submit one portfolio for inspection by the entrance examiners. Applicants must complete the Portfolio Label and follow the instructions below. The Portfolio Inspection will take place at the Slade Research Centre, Woburn Square, London, WC1H 0AB in early February 2013 and can be booked by completing the Portfolio Booking Form.

Portfolio Handling Fee

All applicants must pay a handling fee of £15. Payments should be made using the UCL Online Payment Service. Select ‘Miscellaneous Payments’ and then the option to pay the Slade portfolio handling fee. The £15 handling fee is not returnable.

Students living in the UK should submit one portfolio comprising a selection of current and recent work which may include drawings, photographs, paintings on paper or board (but not stretched canvases), sketchbooks and notebooks. Larger paintings or 3D works should be shown as photographic prints. Videos or films should be in QuickTime on DVD. A showreel of five minutes’ duration is recommended for these. Each piece of work should be named and dated and where work is reproduced the dimensions of the original should be provided. The portfolio may include coursework, for example from A'level or Foundation, but should also include self-initiated work. The portfolio must not measure more than 40”x30” (100cm x 75cm) and must not weigh more than 12kg. Work will not be accepted unless packaged in a durable portfolio. Do not exceed the maximum size and weight. Complete the Portfolio Label and attach it to the outside of your portfolio. Do not stick it to the wrapping paper or the inside of the portfolio.

Portfolios may be delivered by hand to the Slade Research Centre, Woburn Square, London, WC1H 0AB on weekdays only from 4 - 7 February between 9.00am and 10.30am. You can book a date and time online. You will be given a receipt for your portfolio and asked to collect it between 4.00pm and 5.00pm the same day. Portfolios can be returned by post if you are unable to collect by hand on the same day. Indicate this on your Portfolio Label. Alternatively they can be collected by hand on Monday 11 February between 9.00am and 1.00pm.

Portfolios may be sent by post from the UK and should arrive at the Slade Research Centre, Woburn Square, London, WC1H 0AB on 5 or 6 February. After the Inspection portfolios returned by post can be expected to arrive by 19 February. Applicants collecting portfolios by hand from the Slade Research Centre may do so on Monday 11 February between 9.00am and 1.00pm.

Applicants living outside the UK should send one portfolio on CDRom (CD-R) or DVD with up to twenty images (each not more than 1mb) as a PowerPoint presentation. Notes should be included for each image including the title of the work, size, date and materials. Applicants with time-based or performance elements to their work may include a showreel with a maximum duration time of five minutes in QuickTime on DVD, no bigger than 2Gb. The showreel should be included on the same disc but must be uploaded as a separate file. It must not be embedded in the PowerPoint presentation. Write your name on the CD or DVD and attach the portfolio label to the case. Do not attach labels to the disk.

Portfolios posted from overseas should arrive at the Slade School of Fine Art, UCL, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT by the end of January. Portfolios on CD-R or DVD can not be returned and will be disposed of after the admissions process is complete so make sure you send duplicate material only.

Conditions

If portfolios are not sent in the specified format, they will not be viewed and your application will be rejected. Portfolios will not be viewed without payment of the Portfolio Handling Fee. While all reasonable care is taken of work submitted at all stages of the selection process, work is accepted only on condition that neither UCL, nor its agents, undertake any responsibility for any loss or damage that may be incurred. The £15 handling fee is not returnable.

Interviews

Shortlisted applicants will be invited for interview at the Slade. If you are selected you will be notified by 26 February. Interviews will take place during the week of 4 March. You will be expected to bring further examples of your work, including larger pieces of work as well as your portfolio. Interview dates can not be rearranged. If you are shortlisted but unable to attend, you must ensure that your portfolio is at the Slade for the examiners to view again when they are making their final decisions. Interviews can not be conducted by telephone. Applicants who are not shortlisted at the Portfolio Inspection will be notified through UCAS that their application has been unsuccessful.

Entrance Requirements

The BA and BFA programmes are of equal academic standing and have the same entrance requirements.

In order to be admitted to UCL students must normally be at least 17 years old by the start of the programme. Please list your previous qualifications clearly and completely on the UCAS application form, plus details of any courses you are currently taking. Your qualifications must satisfy the specific degree programme requirements as outlined below.

Normally, three GCE A levels at Grades A,B,B, plus a pass in an additional Advanced Subsidiary level subject will be required. AS level General Studies or Critical Thinking are not recognised for admissions purposes. A level General Studies or Critical Thinking are only acceptable as an alternative to the additional Advanced Subsidiary level subject that is required.

In addition candidates must possess GCSEs (or the equivalent) in English Language and Mathematics at Grade C or higher and show evidence of a broad general education. For UK-based students, UCL also requires a Modern Language GCSE at grade C or above for all of its programmes. If you are not studying a Modern Language GCSE this will not prohibit the consideration of your application. For students who do not have a Modern Language GCSE, UCL will provide opportunities to meet the language requirement once enrolled at UCL.

A range of other UK as well as international qualifications is recognised and full details can be found in the application and entry section of the UCL website.

Special Entry

In exceptional circumstances, a candidate who does not satisfy the above requirements may be admitted to the programme on the recommendation of the Slade Director and the Dean of Students (Academic).

Mature Applicants

Applications from 'mature' candidates (aged 21 or over), who may not have a standard educational background, are welcome and are considered individually on their merits.

Deferred Entry

Applications for deferred entry are not normally considered.

Application procedure for Undergraduate Affiliate Study

Applicants for the Undergraduate Independent Studio Programme must discuss their course selection with their academic adviser in their home university to ensure that the Independent Studio Programme will provide them with an appropriate credit load and course content. Applicants should complete the Affiliate Student application form and send it with two references and a transcript to the International Office, UCL. Applicants should also send a portfolio of art work. The portfolio should be formatted according to the guidelines above for BA and BFA applicants. It should be sent together with the application form to the International Office, UCL. Further information can be found in the Affiliate Students section of the UCL website

English Language Requirement

Any student applying for the BA, BFA or Affiliate Study whose education has not been conducted in the English language will be expected to demonstrate evidence of an adequate level of English proficiency. This is to ensure that their academic progress is not hindered by language difficulties and that they are able to benefit fully from their time at UCL.

A variety of qualifications is acceptable, including: GCSE English Language, Grade C; British Council International English Language Testing System (IELTS), overall grade 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each of the subtests and Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a score of 94 plus 24/30 in the reading and writing subtests and 23/30 in the listening and speaking subtests. A list of all the qualifications accepted and the grades required can be found in the application and entry section of the UCL website.

The UCL Centre for Languages and International Education offers pre-sessional summer courses for students who already have a fairly good knowledge of English but need further tuition to meet the English Language entrance requirements.

This should be read in conjunction with the UCL Scholarships and Funding web pages.

Tuition fees

UCL’s tuition fees are set annually and cover registration, tuition and supervision for each academic year, or part of an academic year that you are enrolled. Tuition fees are subject to an annual increase. The fee does not cover artists' or other academic materials. Current fees and further information about fee status, how to pay and living expenses can be found on the UCL Money pages.

Scholarships

Slade Scholarships are awarded by nomination.

The Euan Uglow Memorial Scholarship is an entrance scholarship, open to any degree student. The value of the award is £2,500 and is payable in equal instalments at the beginning of each year of the programme.

The Grocers' Company Queen's Golden Jubilee Scholarship is open to UK nationals entering the undergraduate degree programme at the Slade School in alternate years. The value of the scholarship is around £2,000 per year, for the duration of the programme, subject to satisfactory academic progress. The next award will be made in 2013.

The Herbert Seaborn Memorial Scholarship of £1,000 is awarded annually for achievement to an undergraduate or graduate student entering their final year of study.

The James Lewis Foundation Scholarship is an entrance scholarship in memory of James Lewis, for a UK national entering the undergraduate degree programme at the Slade School. The value of the scholarship is £4,500 per year for the duration of the programme, subject to satisfactory progress.

The Nancy Balfour Trust Scholarship is open to any undergraduate or graduate student. The value of the award is £2,500 paid in equal instalments at the beginning of each year of the programme.

The Painters’ Company Scholarship is open to undergraduate students, normally UK nationals, specialising in painting or drawing entering the second year of their programme. The value of the scholarship is £5,000 per year for the remaining years of the programme, subject to satisfactory progress.

The Sue Jamieson Memorial Award of £4,000 is open to undergraduate students entering their penultimate year of study and is paid in equal instalments at the beginning of each of the last two years of their programme.

The Thomas Scholarship is open to any undergraduate or graduate student. The value of the award is £5,000 paid in equal instalments at the beginning of each year of the programme.

Bursaries

Each year the Slade Bursary Committee awards a large number of £500 Bursaries, funded by donations from the Friends of the Slade and other benefactors to students with particularly difficult financial circumstances. All students are eligible to apply.

Travel Scholarships

The Boise Travel Scholarship is open to students who have completed their studies and are normally resident in the UK. The scholarship is usually worth between £4,000 and £9,000.

The Dolbey Travel Scholarship for £3,000 is awarded annually to a Slade student in their final year.

The Duveen Travel Scholarship is open to Slade students normally resident in the UK. The scholarship, for travel and research during the summer vacation, is for approximately £3,000.

Prizes

The Anthony Dawson Prize and Award will be gifted annually for the next five years in memoriam of Mr Anthony Dawson.  The two prizes will be awarded to students who exhibit excellence in printmaking as follows:

• The £1,000 Anthony Dawson Print Award will be awarded to one continuing student, either undergraduate or graduate, at the end of their first year.

• The £1,500 Anthony Dawson Print Prize will be awarded to one final year student, either undergraduate or graduate, as a graduation prize.

The Berenice Goodwin Prize of £500 is awarded annually to a graduating student for achievement in performance. 

The Clare Winsten Memorial Award is for a Slade graduate or graduating female UK student to enable them to develop their creative talents. One or two awards of £10,000 are available each year.

The Jeremy Cubitt Prize of £500 is an annual award for excellence in painting, for a student preferably from the east end of London.

The Julia Wood Prize for Excellent Use of Space of £100 is awarded in recognition of excellence in articulating spatial constructs.

The Julian Sullivan Award of £500 is awarded annually in June for achievement in fine art media.

The Kenneth Armitage Sculpture Prize of £1,000 is awarded to a Slade student periodically by the Kenneth Armitage Foundation for achievement in sculpture. It is for a graduating sculpture student or a continuing graduate sculpture student.

The William Coldstream Prize of £1,000 is awarded annually in June as a purchase prize for outstanding achievement.

A number of small Sessional Prizes are awarded annually, on the recommendation of the Slade Professor. They include the Alfred W Rich Scholarship; the Henry Tonks Prize, the Prankerd-Jones Memorial Prize; the Slade Prize and the Steer Medal and Prize.