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Creative Practice

Manchester School of Art

BA (Hons) Creative Practice
Curriculum

Stage 1 Level 4

Introduce

  • Visual Research 1 20 credits (from September to Feb)
  • Visual Research 2 20 credits (from February to June)
  • Historical and cultural contexts 1 10 credits (runs the whole year)
  • Professional and critical contexts 1 10 credits (runs the whole year)

The first stage is designed for students who don't have a lot of experience in Art and Design, so if you have it may be possible to go straight into stage 2. You should ask for advice at the stage of application and we will assess your prior learning experience and qualifications, we will also look at your portfolio and suggest the best entry stage for you.

The projects introduce you to some basic skills, practices and methods in Art and Design and help you identify your interests and strengths.

Stage 2 Level 4

Develop

  • Specialist Practice 1 20 credits (from September to Feb)
  • LAB 1 20 credits (from February to June)
  • Historical and cultural contexts 2 10 credits (runs the whole year)
  • Professional and critical contexts 2 10 credits (runs the whole year)

The first half of the year is spent in a specialist area of your choice form the participating programmes. You will learn some of the skills methods and approaches involved in that discipline within a set project.

The second half of the year you come together with all the part time students to work in the LAB (see details above)

Stage 3 Level 5

Explore

  • Specialist Practice 2 20 credits (from September to Feb)
  • LAB 2 20 credits (from February to June)
  • Historical and cultural contexts 3 10 credits (runs the whole year)
  • Professional and critical contexts 3 10 credits (runs the whole year)

The structure of stages 3, 4, and 5 will remain the same so you will get a mixture of specialist input and a chance to put it into practice within the LABs

Stage 4 Level 5

Expand

  • Specialist Practice 3 20 credits (from September to Feb)
  • LAB 3 20 credits (from February to June)
  • Historical and cultural contexts 4 10 credits (runs the whole year)
  • Professional and critical contexts 4 10 credits (runs the whole year)

Stage 5 Level 6

Consolidate

  • Specialist Practice 4 20 credits (from September to Feb)
  • LAB 4 20 credits (from February to June)
  • Historical and cultural contexts 5 10 credits (runs the whole year)
  • Professional and critical contexts 5 10 credits (runs the whole year)

Stage 6 Level 6

Reaching Conclusions

  • Realisation 1 20 credits (from September to Feb)
  • Realisation 2 20 credits (from February to June)
  • Historical and cultural contexts 6 10 credits (runs the whole year)
  • Professional and critical contexts 6 10 credits (runs the whole year)

In the final units of the programme students can select whether to attach themselves more firmly within a specialist discipline for the whole year or whether to opt in to the LAB again as part of Realisation 2. Students will have a chance to discuss choices and negotiate the most appropriate route for them.

At the completion of 360 credits graduating students will have a chance to exhibit practical outcomes alongside fulltime students at the end of year exhibitions which are open to the public.