Take a walk through Barcelona and you cannot fail to notice the stunning buildings left behind by revered Spanish architect Antoni Gaudi. Paris offers fabled art galleries such as The Louvre and the Musee' D'Orsee, each packed with masterpieces by French, Italian and Dutch artists. Milan is home to some of the finest fashion houses and celebrity-dotted catwalks of the world. London and Manchester are packed with concert halls and gig venues that play host to the UK's celebrated classical and contemporary music scene. Berlin has a thriving culture of dance and drama.
The good news is that the visual and creative arts are not just for the internationally known artist or the globally renowned pianist. Universities and colleges in the UK offer many Arts courses in everything from animation, 3D design and architecture, through to fashion, music and film studies. And these courses are available at pre-degree, first degree and postgraduate level. There is so much choice that the big question is: How do you to find the course that is right for you?
This month we will be focusing on studies in Art, so if this is your area of interest then read on…
What sort of areas can be studied?
Animation, art and design, ceramics, crafts, fine art, history of art, illustration, sculpture.
Course examples
The BA in Fine Art at the University of Leeds mixes art history with studio practice, and lets students work across several areas of art, including painting and printmaking. The University of Paris runs a respected history of art course and also one in archaeology.
How are the courses taught?
Many art degrees involve students putting on their own exhibitions, but it varies from university to university. Fine Art at Leeds is hands-on, with plenty of studio time, but also involves a visiting speaker seminar programme. Students can study abroad for a year at a European or North American university.
What qualifications are required?
It also depends on the degree. Many institutions will want students to have sat an art foundation course, and may ask to see a portfolio of work. To study the BA in Fine Art at Leeds, students need either three A-levels (BBC), five Scottish Highers, an International Baccalaureate score of 30 points, or any equivalent international qualifications.
Big achievers
Celebrated British artists Damien Hirst and Lucien Freud studied at Goldsmiths at the University of London.
Career prospects
Art is a notoriously competitive area, but graduates have also found work in areas such as curating, teaching, the media and public relations.
