Fine Art Welcome Guide

Preparing for your course

We're delighted that you've chosen to join our creative community at Arts University Bournemouth. We can't wait to see what you'll create.

Welcome to BA (Hons) Fine Art

This welcome pack is designed to give you an idea of what to expect during the first few weeks of your course. Please take the time to read it carefully.

A message from your Course Leader

Welcome to BA (Hons) Fine Art. You'll soon be joining an exciting degree course with an excellent reputation for student achievement and presenting your artwork professionally. When you arrive, there will be several essentials which have to be covered during the first week, such as enrolment and various introductions. But we intend to make that first week an interesting and enjoyable introduction to the course and Arts University Bournemouth.

During Welcome Week, the staff team will show you around the campus and introduce you to the course. Some members of staff will also speak about their art practice.

We hope you have a very enjoyable summer. Please try to visit contemporary art exhibitions and any other places of interest, make notes, and reflect upon significant things you've seen and done, and, of course, keep your hand in with your art practice. Keep enjoying your hobbies, as these can often become your interests and source of inspiration for your art practice.

– Richard Waring, Course Leader

Current student work

Have a look through some of the work our current students are producing to get an idea of the type of work you may be making on our course.

Man sitting on a chair with black and colour circle background

Three colourful abstract paintings handing on a white wall with a table in the foreground.

Small and dimly lit room with four stools in the foreground and the word 'Paranoid' on the wall in big letters.

Three brightly coloured balaclava masks on stands.

Wooden sculpture with two bicycle wheels fixed to it, sitting in a room with paint spattered on the walls.

A long room with white walls umbrellas on the ceiling and a console table in the foreground. There is a small vase and a pair of shoes on the table.

Before you join us

It's important for you to understand your work within the context of contemporary fine art. Spend some time using the internet to browse through this current big exhibition; there'll be lots of information about the artists included:

Venice Biennale 2024

From this research, choose two artists from this exhibition, one you like and one you don’t and break this down into judgement values – why some things engage you, why some things don't. This is the basis for analysis. Collect digital images of the works and you'll be told when to bring these to your first seminar (after induction week). Find out as much information on these artists and artworks as you can as this will be useful for your seminar discussions.

What to bring on your first day

On your first day, bring along:

A notebook and something to write with
Your ID and documents for face-to-face registration (see the "Next Steps" tab for more details)
Your Temporary ID card from your Welcome notebook inside cover if you have one

Digital capabilities

This course uses Apple computers.

You're encouraged to bring your own laptop and mobile device to support online learning, collaboration and communication while at university.

Course trip

Venice Biennale Fine Art Residential Study Visit 2024

Dates: Sunday 3 – Thursday 7 November 2024

There will be a residential study visit to the Venice Biennale, which is considered the most important exhibition of contemporary art on the planet.

Deposit of £300, due by 6 September.
Remaining balance of £240, due by 11 October.

The trip includes buses, flights, hotel (B&B), entrance to the Biennale, and a vaporetto pass. Information can be found in attached PDF.

Please note that this is a trip for current all years of BA (Hons) Fine Art students only.
There are limited number of places available – secure a place with a deposit.
Please note that payments are non-refundable, so you should check you can go before making a payment.

If you have any questions, email Colin Perry cperry@aub.ac.uk.