The MA Fine Art at Chelsea is amongst the longest established postgraduate fine art courses in the UK. Graduates from MA Fine Art at Chelsea include internationally renowned artists and Turner Proze nominies and winners such as: Anish Kapoor, Mike Nelson, Peter Doig, Stephen Pippin, Rebecca Warren, Kimio Tsuchiya, Mariella Neudecker and Andreas Oelhert.

This is an intensive taught course providing a valuable bridge between studentship and professional practice. The course is distinctive thanks to its commitment to developing the dialogue across the whole spectrum of fine art practice.

We aim to provide a stimulating and challenging learning environment for ambitious students drawn from a wide international application. One of the central aims is to promote and generate discourse between students, encouraging re-evaluation of practice.

Underpinned by a challenging theoretical curriculum and instruction in approaches to research methodology, the course demands a high level of commitment to independent productive activity. Students are supported by a strong postgraduate community.

The course, tutors and peers encourage students to re-evaluate and contextualise their work. This enables them to locate their work in relation to contemporary fine art practice and develop potential to operate as professional artists and conduct further research.

The course is primarily aimed at graduates of fine art, who wish to develop their practice to a professional level within a studio base environment. We welcome applications from students who see the practice of fine art as central to their professional aspirations and individual development.

The MA Fine Art course has three main phases:

Phase 1: Analysis of Practice and Exploration of Methodologies

Phase 2: Development and Consolidation

Phase 3: Resolution

These phases are set within a credit framework of three assessed units: Studio Practice, Advanced Studio Practice (which run sequentially), and Theoretical Studies, running throughout the course.

Studio practice involves evolving and developing a personal programme of studio work and related research. Theoretical Studies provides a framework for you to develop a critical research paper, enabling you to locate your ideas and practice in relation to contemporary debate on cultural and theoretical issues.

Throughout the course you participate in individual and group tutorials, develop skills through Personal Professional Development workshops and on-line resources while the postgraduate talks are organised to introduce youto a range of visiting artists and practitioners.

The course develops your potential to operate as a professional artist within an international art community, or to progress to further academic research at PhD level. Many students go on to setting up their own studio practice, developing strong professional links with galleries and curators at a national and international level.

• An Honours degree or equivalent academic / professional qualifications.
• A study proposal.
• Portfolio of supporting work.
• Details of 2 referees.
• Applicants whose first language is not English must show proof of IELTS level 6.5 and a minimum of 5.5 in reading, listening, writing and speaking. The University also accepts other tests. Please see the University English tests page for the equivalent scores required in these tests.
• The College takes into consideration prior learning, alternative qualifications and experience.

Applicants are called for interview if their work demonstrates:

• Originality in relation to their peers.
• A high degree of engagement with fine art practice.
• The potential for development of their research to Master's level.

Did you know that the Chelsea College of Art & Design also teach Short Courses in Fine Art? Many postgraduate applicants use Short Courses to familiarise themselves with the College and use it as a refresher in education. See the full range of Fine Art Short Courses here.

How to Apply

Home/EU Applicants
You can download an application form and guidance notes below:

CCW Graduate School Application Form 13 - 14.

Guidelines for electronic submission

Completed forms, including your study proposal, reference & portfolio (if required) can be returned by post to: 

CCW Graduate School Admissions
16 John Islip Street
London
SW1P 4JU

Or you can submit your form electronically to ccwgraduateschool@arts.ac.uk

International students

Please visit the CCW International Apply page to download an application form or contact the CCW International Office.

T: +44 (0)20 7514 1852
E: ccwinternational@arts.ac.uk

Application Deadlines

The deadline for applicants who will be applying to the AHRC (or other funding bodies): 1 March 2013
All other UK & EU applicants: 1 July 2013
International: No official deadline, but you are advised to apply as soon as possible.

What happens next?

Applications will be reviewed against the entry requirements and selection criteria for the course. You may then be invited to attend an interview at the College on a set day, with your full portfolio if applicable.

Applicants have the right to ask for feedback if their application is unsuccessful. Requests must be made in writing to the Student Administrator, and we will respond within 20 working days. 

Scholarships and bursaries

The Caspian Arts Foundation Scholarship - for students from the Middle East and North Africa.

Details of any scholarships and bursaries will be posted on the University MA Funding page 

Deatils about AHRC can be found here