Art Degrees Online

Key features
A new and exciting opportunity to study ideas in depth while developing your fine art studio practices
A supportive environment in both classroom and studio.
Internationally recognised staff and excellent facilities.

What our students say

“Tutors put great effort is put into making links among the subjects’ Richard Boulton, current student.

‘Enjoyable and Rewarding’ Tom Northcote, former student and Procurement Specialist with the Department of Health.’

What it’s about

Philosophy, fine art and photography are all important and complementary ways of understanding the world around us. It is rare, however, to have the chance to study these subjects together, in a genuinely interdisciplinary single honours degree.

On the philosophy side, you will have a series of taught modules that will explore the underpinnings of human thought, experience, ethics, perception and expression. These are taught by staff who are active researchers in the field but who also provide a welcoming and supportive environment. If you are tired of being pigeon-holed as either an ‘arty’ or a ‘thoughtful’ type then one of these new programmes is for you.

What you do

Both of these degree programmes are interdisciplinary — that is, they are not two halves of a degree sitting side by side. Instead, the modules you take are designed to ‘talk’ to each other by encouraging reflection on the inter-relation between philosophy, fine art and photography; several modules, including the final year project, are co-taught by members of staff from the different departments. The philosophy part of your award includes modules on ethics (how should I live my life?), metaphysics (ie the nature of reality, freedom), epistemology (what can be known, and how?), and the nature of the self (who am I?). In addition, you will be taking modules specifically on visual modes of thinking, such as ‘Philosophy Goes to the Movies’ and ‘Thinking with Hands and Eyes.’ Here, it is our practice to learn philosophy by doing it: by talking, writing, debating and reading the important original texts. Assessment of modules is normally by written work, such as essays – there are no examinations.

Students in Photography and Philosophy will be involved in the production of practical work from the beginning of the first year. The core approach of understanding ‘visual communication’ is developed through study of the many and varied conceptual and analytical approaches to photographic practice. You will be learning how to use the latest technology from high-end digital equipment to the studio environment, but with access to traditional processes as well. You will also participate in lectures and seminars that encourage lively discussion of ideas in photography. This work will enable you to become a skilled and creative photographer, with an in-depth awareness of how photographs communicate.

Where next

As a graduate you will be able to think clearly and critically, be adaptable and open-minded and able to communicate and collaborate with others in analysing and solving problems. All these are skills highly prized by employers and have led past philosophy students to careers in business, law, teaching, management and the Civil Service, among others. The photography or fine art side of your degree means you are eminently employable and entrepreneurial in a whole range of creative industries, including promoting your personal or professional practice, or working in publishing, museums, galleries or visual industries such as advertising. Production skills, communication skills,
team-working skills, initiative and an innovative approach to problem solving are desirable attributes to employers and individuals alike.

Fact FileQualification:
BA(Hons)
Faculty/School:
Faculty of Arts, Media and Design
Location:
Stoke Campus
Course Length: Normally three years full time
Entry Requirements: All applicants will be invited for interview to include a discussion about your portfolio of practical materials. All applicants are individually assessed on their qualifications, skills and experience. However a typical three A level or BTEC National Diploma offer will be 200 UCAS tarriff points.
UCAS Code:
Route A VW56, Route B Awaited

Cost of course
£3,225pa
Payable
You can take out a tuition fee loan to cover the cost of your fees. This tuition fee loan does not have to be re-paid until you are earning £15,000pa. However, if you wish to pay your fees as you study, it’s possible to pay each year in full on enrolment or in three instalments.
Maintenance loans available?
Maintenance loans up to £3,673 if living at parental home, up to £4,745 if living elsewhere.
Grants available?
Maintenance grants up to £2,906.
Supplementary grants may be available for people with children or a disability.
Bursaries available?
Edge Hill bursary of £500 if your family earns less than £25,000pa.
Fees for siblings of those studying at Edge Hill and paying the variable fee reduced by £1,000.
£200 Learning Support bursary.
£750 bursary for care leavers
Four £1,000 bursaries for disadvantaged students available through the Helena Kennedy Foundation.
Tuition Fees

Tuition fees at Edge Hill University will be £3,225pa for full time BA/BSc students but the institution is offering the following financial support packages:
No compulsory up-front contribution to fees for any students.
You can take out a loan (available through the Student Loans Company) to cover tuition fees, paying the money back through the tax system after you graduate. Repayments won’t start until you are earning £15,000pa. Alternatively, if you wish to pay your fees as you study, it’s possible to pay each year in full on enrolment or in three instalments.
Parents are not expected to contribute towards tuition fees.

Tuition fees for nursing, midwifery and operating department practice students are currently paid for by the Department of Health. Please refer to www.nhsstudentgrants.co.uk for up to date information on the payment of tuition fees.
Maintenance Loan

This means-tested loan is to help with living expenses. The amount you’re entitled to depends on your family income and whether you’ll be living at home. If you’re living at home, the maximum you’re entitled to is £3,673 for programmes starting in September 2009. If you’re living away from home, the maximum amount is £4,745. You’ll be able to get 75% of the maximum amount that applies to you whatever your household income.

As with tuition fee loans, you pay the money back through the tax system after you graduate. Repayments won’t start until you’re earning £15000pa.
Maintenance Grants

Maintenance grants up to £2,906 are available.
Bursaries

Edge Hill is offering extra funding for full-time undergraduate students through financial support including bursaries.

Students with a family income of less than £25,000 will be entitled to an Edge Hill bursary of £500.

All students on programmes carrying the full £3,225pa tuition fee will also be eligible for a £200 Learning Support bursary, loaded onto your Unicard at enrolment, irrespective of other bursary eligibility. This can be used for buying course texts through Edge Hill University, purchasing photcopying credits and paying for meals around the campus.

If you have a brother or sister studying at Edge Hill University on a course that charges the full tuition fee, your tuition fees and those of your sibling will be reduced by £1,000 per annum.

Care leavers on any full-time undergraduate programme are eligible for an additional bursary of £750pa. The University is also sponsoring four £1,000 bursaries for disadvantaged students through the Helena Kennedy Foundation. If you’ve suffered hardship, illness or challenging circumstances, for example extreme financial difficulty, bereavement, bullying, coping with dyslexia or a disability, you may be eligible for this award. Applications for Helena Kennedy Foundation bursaries can be made from January 2009. For more information on the Helena Kennedy Foundation, visit www.hkf.org.uk.

Please note, the above fees, loans and bursaries information applies to home students only. For students deferring entry to Edge Hill University, the bursaries and fees applicable are those which prevail in the year of entry and not the time of an offer or acceptance of a place.
Nursing, Midwifery and ODP Students

Operating Department Practice, BSc Nursing and BSc Midwifery students may be entitlted to receive an NHS-funded, means-tested bursary. DipHE Nursing students may be entitled to receive a non-means-tested bursary.

To receive this support, you need to meet UK residency regulations, including ‘Settled Status’ and any other statutory requirements that become necessary. The bursary is usually paid on a monthly basis by the Student Grants Unit.
BA (Hons) Social Work Students

Eligible students on our accredited BA (Hons) Social Work degree are entitled to bursaries which can be used to pay fees and other expenses. These bursaries are non-income assessed, in other words the amount you receive does not depend on an assessment of your family income. The bursary does not normally need to be repaid.

Please note, this information is provided for guidance only and applicants must confirm bursary arrangements directly with the awarding body.
EU Students

EU students on full-time BA/BSc/LLB courses pay the same tuition fees as home students and are eligible for tuition fee loans and Edge Hill bursarie.
Overseas Students

See our guide to Fees and Finance for International Students for further information.