UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL LANCASHIRE
Programme Specification
This Programme Specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme
and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and
demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.
1. Awarding Institution / Body
University of Central Lancashire
2. Teaching Institution
AAS (Applied Arts Studies)
Thessaloniki, Greece
3. University Department/Centre
Northern School of Design
4. External Accreditation
Not Applicable
5. Title of Final Award
BA (Hons) Contemporary Fine Art
6. Modes of Attendance offered
Full Time / Part Time
7. UCAS Code
Not Applicable
8. Relevant Subject Benchmarking
Group(s)
Art & Design
9. Other external influences
Not Applicable
10. Date of production/revision of this
form
June 2009
11. Aims of the Programme
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To facilitate the acquisition of knowledge, understanding and skills in creative thinking and
innovation in Fine Art practice.
To foster critical evaluation and contextual awareness and the development of a unique creative
identity.
To prepare students who are able to operate as practising artists, arts workers or students who
wish to go on to post graduate study in related fields.
To gain experience of a range of art material processes, techniques, and media.
To develop a range of transferable skills including communication, presentation, team working
and organisational abilities.
12. Learning Outcomes, Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods
A. Knowledge and Understanding
A1. Describe contextual themes and be able to discuss their relevance and significance toward
historical and contemporary practice
A2. Understand and employ a range of creative problem solving techniques
A3. Demonstrate an ongoing personal dialogue with drawing and fine art practice
A4. Develop and realise ideas and concepts from drawing-based research, question perceived
notions and gain confidence in extending their own work
Teaching and Learning Methods
Acquisition of knowledge is achieved through workshop sessions and directed student-centred
learning through practical demonstrations and exercises, research visits to exhibitions, technical
induction and informed tutorial guidance. Understanding is reinforced through tutorial seminar or
group critiqued work using a range of briefs to further the students’ personal practice.
Assessment methods
Knowledge and understanding will be assessed through project work, both practical and written.
There is assessment at the end of each module or project, as specified in the Brief. Submission of
written work and seminar presentations are highlighted where applicable.
B. Subject-specific skills
B1. Adopt appropriate drawing conventions and use of expressive mark-making
B2. Organise and communicate ideas and solutions and develop analytical and critical abilities
B3. Develop and realise ideas and concepts from drawing-based research, own source material and
the work of other artists
B4. Manage project work in an effective and professional manner
B5. Understand and utilise the range of media and techniques used in Fine Art and related areas
Teaching and Learning Methods
Skills acquisition will be developed throughout the programme using practical briefs as a vehicle for
both delivery and assessment. Basic skills development will be the focus of Level 1 modules with
students being encouraged to develop and enhance these skills further at Level 2. Students will be
required to listen to and take part in individual and group critiques and to complete evaluations of the
work they have done for each brief.
Assessment methods
A variety of assessment methods will be used to assess these skills including completion of work by
set deadlines, presentations, degree show assessment of work presented for exhibition. Individual
tutorial sessions will encourage students to carefully consider the critical comments that have been
made and received. Students will be encouraged to reflect on their individual acquisition of these
skills through their Personal Development Plan.
C. Thinking Skills
C1. Integrate theory and practice
C2. Demonstrate the creative thinking skills necessary to plan generate and develop ideas and
concepts and present creative art work.
C3. Apply the skill to criticise constructively
C4. Demonstrate a personal dialogue, concept development and presentation techniques
C5. Utilise critical evaluation and visual literacy
Teaching and Learning Methods
Intellectual skills are developed through practical work, tutorial seminar work and coursework
assignments. Practical and project work is designed to allow students to demonstrate achievement of
all the learning outcomes in this category
Assessment methods
Cognitive skills will be assessed through project work, both written and practice based. Assessment
will evaluate student’s understanding of ideas, briefs, their ability to think creatively and problem
solve, and their ability to make connections and contextualise their practice work. Group and
individual critiques will provide students with feedback on their skill acquisition.
D. Other skills relevant to employability and personal development
D1. Work safely and confidently and be able to follow current and appropriate guidelines and
legislation on Health & Safety
D2. Produce individual body of work
D3. Work independently
D4. Communicate effectively
D5. Document ongoing practice and be able to present this in an orderly format in line with
understanding professional conduct and codes of practice
Teaching and Learning Methods
Transferable skills are embedded in the programme curriculum and are intrinsic within each module.
Course assignments and associated work seek to encourage to develop personal transferable skills
and related competencies. Presentations, case studies and problem solving exercises, and research
help this process along. Assignments in a module will provide opportunities for practical project work,
research appropriate to the level of study, the development of problem solving skills and critical
thinking.
Assessment methods
Assessment of these skills will be through the project briefs, written assignments, case studies,
problem solving exercises, and presentations linked to the module aims. The successful achievement
of the learning outcomes will be evaluated through the students ability to articulate their aspirations,
function independently, safely, considerately, and professionally.
13. Programme Structures*
14. Awards and Credits*
Level
Level 3
Module
Code
DD3000
DD3992
FA 3001
DD 3003
Level 2
Level 1
Module Title
Contextual Studies – Design
Futures
Honours Project
Fine Art Studies
Professional Contemporary Fine Art
Practice
Credit
rating
20
40
40
20
DD2000
FA2001
FA2002
Contemporary Contextual Studies
Image and Context
Experimental Studies
20
40
40
TI 2012
DD2177
PH2020
FA2004
PH2100
Elective (Free Choice from the
following selection)
Surface Design
Student Initiated Module
Photographic Critical Theory
2D Studies – Drawing
Fashion & Photography
20
20
20
20
20
DD1000
DD1101
DD1601
Historical Contextual Studies
Creative Thinking
Art Studio Practice 1
20
40
40
FS 1111
DD1133
PV1022
PH1000
PH1060
FA1004
Elective (Free Choice from the
following selection)
Fashion Illustration and
Presentation Techniques
Student Initiated Module
The Photographic Print
Introduction to Editorial
Photography
Documentary Photography Practice
And Theory
Drawing
Bachelor Honours Degree
Requires 360 credits
including a minimum of 120
at Level 3
Bachelor Degree
Requires 320 credits
including a minimum 180 at
Level 2 or above and 40 at
Level 3
HE Diploma
Requires 240 credits
including a minimum of 100
at Level 2
HE Certificate
Requires 120 credits at level
1 or above
20
20
20
20
20
20
15. Personal Development Planning
Art and Design courses are increasingly tailored to the individual student as they progress through
levels one, two and three. You will be asked to keep a portfolio of work to track your development as
an artist or designer towards the goals you set for yourself in consultation with your personal tutor. We
aim to train you to take responsibility for your own learning and career development, to be able to
evaluate your strengths and weaknesses and conduct a skills audit to develop a critical practice. This
would cover an analysis of your general key skills base, for example: use of English, literacy and
writing skills, numeracy, communication skills and use of IT. You will be encouraged to evaluate your
strengths and weakness on a continual basis as you progress through different points during the
course. Students will be directed by the tutor to resources/workshops as appropriate.
PDP is designed to: enable you to work towards a point you would like to be at on graduation; to help
you require the skills needed for your chosen career; evaluate your strengths and plan to deploy them
in a range of situations at AAS and after graduation.
In the first year [level one] you will be asked about your long term aspirations through the use of the
studio/resources tutorials and the first year induction week questionnaire.
In your second year [level two] these will be tracked and revised as appropriate, the Module content
of FA2001 and FA2002 are designed to develop a range of personal and professional skills, career
development and direction
In your third year [level three] your personal aspirations will form the basis of project work and
planning and the module DD3003 is specifically designed to develop professional practice and
appropriate career ambitions.
PDP is not assessed but will be monitored by scheduled tutorials with your the personal tutor. There
will be one tutorial per semester, a Departmental pro-forma to complete, a copy of this will be kept by
the member of staff, you will be encouraged to collate a personal file based on the reports and
reference material you collect throughout the course modules and studio discourses.
16. Admissions criteria
Programme Specifications include minimum entry requirements, including academic
qualifications, together with appropriate experience and skills required for entry to study.
These criteria may be expressed as a range rather than a specific grade. Amendments to
entry requirements may have been made after these documents were published and you
should consult the University’s website for the most up to date information.
Students will be informed of their personal minimum entry criteria in their offer letter.
Entry to the Degree Programmes validated from UCLAN will require:
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A successful Art & Design foundation year or equivalent professional experience
Minimum requirement is evidence of a proficiency level of English Language to IELTS 6
An interview
A portfolio presentation
17. Key sources of information about the programme
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Student course handbook
Course Factsheet
AAS Website
AAS Prospectus
18. Curriculum Skills Map
Please tick in the relevant boxes where individual Programme Learning Outcomes are being assessed
Programme Learning Outcomes
LEVEL 1
LEVEL 2
LEVEL 3
Level
Note:
Module
Code
Module Title
Contextual Studies-Design
DD3000 Futures
Other skills
relevant to
employability and
Core (C),
Knowledge and
Subject-specific
personal
Compulsory
understanding
Skills
Thinking
Skills
development
(COMP) or
Option (O)
A1 A2 A3 A4 B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 D1 D2 D3 D4 D5
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Core
DD3992 Honours Project
Core
FA3001 Fine Art Studies
Professional Contemporary
DD3003 Fine Art Practice
Contemporary Contextual
DD2000 Studies
COMP
FA2001 Image and Content
COMP
FA2002 Experimental Studies
ECTV (Elective)
COMP
OPT
DD1000 Historical Contextual Studies
Core
DD1101 Creative Thinking
Core
DD1601 Art Studio Practice 1
ECTV (Elective)
COMP
OPT
COMP
Core
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Mapping to other external frameworks, e.g. professional/statutory bodies, will be included within Student Course Handbooks
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