Fine Art HND (Drawing, Painting & Printmaking) 2027 Entry
The purpose of this qualification is to develop students as professional, self-reflecting individuals able to meet the demands of employers in the fine art sector as well as feel confident in their own abilities, adapting to a constantly changing world, to assert themselves as a freelance arts practitioner.
The qualification aims to widen access to higher education, as well as the potential of a career in the creative industries. The course is about finding who you are creatively. This course is for curious minds, passionate about the arts. There is a strong emphasis on ideas and making. The course, spread over 2 years of full-time study, encouraging independent development and intrigue into all manners of creative output – installation, painting, sculpture, printmaking, drawing, performance, and writing.
Year 1 is a journey of discovery. Year 2 is developing that discovery.
You will be taught by expert tutors in the field of arts from an academic level as well as a practical level. All tutors exhibit their work and have experience within the freelance and funded art world. North Star Campus is part of a rich history of the School of Art founded over 100 years ago. The Campus has a professional standard print room, ceramics room and darkroom as well as high-standard subject specific library catalogue.
The objectives within this qualification are to:
Give students the skills, knowledge and understanding they need to achieve high performance in the national/international fine art environment
Develop students with enquiring minds, who have the abilities and confidence to work, adapt and succeed in tackling a range of complex, fine art situations.
Provide the core skills required for a range of careers in the creative sector.
Offer a balance between employability skills – including technical proficiency – and the knowledge essential for developing students' creativity and application to the wider context of fine art employability and careers.
Develop students’ understanding of the major impact that new digital technologies have on the fine art environment as well as emphasising the importance of sustainability, the drive towards change, and an acknowledgement of traditional, endangered crafts such as marbling, lithography, and letterpress.
Equip students with knowledge and understanding of culturally diverse organisations, cross-cultural issues, diversity, and values, and to allow flexible study to meet local and specialist needs.
Trips, guest speakers and engagement with organisations within the sector are important facets of understanding the wider context of the art sector. It is encouraged to attend any trips, guest speakers and engage with networking opportunities in the area with local art organisations as part of the acknowledgement of the community of arts and the engendering of the social responsibility of artists. The course itself provides the skills that will not only develop students work through lessons in (but not exclusive to) printmaking, painting, drawing, collaboration. It will also provide the opportunity to learn important employability skills inherent in HE studies;
Problem-solving (the use of critical thinking through discussion/critiques)
Independent skills (self-management and reflection)
Interpersonal skills (presentation) and
General sector skills (awareness of sector and funding/networking
Modules
Year 1:
Module A: Process & Practice
Unit A1: Concept & Development (85 credits)
Unit A2: Creative Project (35 credits).
Year 2:
Module B: Professional Creative Practice
Unit B1: Personal Professional Development (75 credits)
Unit B2: Professional Project (45 credits)
Note: The range of units available and the content of any individual module may change.
Entry requirements
Typically, one of the L3 qualifications below would meet our academic entry requirements:
A BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Art and Design or Media
2 A Levels at grade A* to D (one of which should be art related)
An Access to Higher Education Diploma or L3 Diploma in Foundation Studies Art & Design
An international equivalent to the above qualifications.
Additionally, you should have 3 GCSEs at grade 9-4 including English Language.
Mature Applicants:
Mature applicants without formal qualifications, but with evidence of sufficient, relevant industry experience will be considered on an individual basis.
English Language requirements:
Students who are non-native English speakers must be able to demonstrate capability in English at a standard equivalent to the levels indicated below
IELTS Academic – An overall score of 6, with a minimum score of 5.5 in all 4 components.
International applicants:
We require evidence of international qualifications at point of application. Unfortunately, we are currently unable to consider applicants that require a Student Visa to study in the UK.
Future career and study opportunities
On successful completion of the Level 5 HND, students can develop their careers in the sector through:
Entering employment/self-employment
Continuing existing development
Linking with appropriate professional body
Committing to Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
Progressing to University (BA Top Up).
Fees Information
Fees for 2026 entry: £7,000
Fees for 2027 entry: £7,175
Fees for 2027 continuers: £7,000
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