What is it like studying a fine art degree at Brighton?
Make your own study pathway
I studied an art foundation which helped me narrow down the specialism within the field a bit more, and after finding this painting course (one of only a few which offer it in the UK), it felt tailored to everything I wanted to learn about and explore!
Find your people in Brighton
The main reason I chose Brighton is the sense of community it had, I remember walking around the studios on the open day and talking to the students who described it as a ‘painting family’. For me, being surrounded by a creative, supportive environment was just what I needed.
Set your own style
My course is basically a three-year long project assisted by practicing artists and technicians. While we have workshops, there is no house style, we aren’t told what to do, which I think is a really good way of approaching a course like this. It definitely feels like it is setting me up for a future as an artist, I decide what is important to me and what I want to explore and then am supported by the course to achieve it.
Try new things at university
The course encourages a more flexible approach to the term painting. In my own work I have explored extended-painting, printmaking, photography and sculpture and been to lectures and workshops outside of my course to assist this. In second year you have a module where you choose a subject which is different from your course; this has definitely been one of my favourite parts as I picked Land and Sea which has consisted of loads of trips where I have drawn on location alongside environmental scientists.
I am more adaptable and resilient
Since starting the degree, and studying throughout a pandemic, I think my confidence has increased. I feel more capable and proud of my work as I continued making art even through difficult situations. I also have a lot more appreciation of life outside of my house, creative friends, the landscape, swimming in the sea, going on walks, having a studio and how privileged I am to be able to study here.
Word from the uni…
Interested in this course? Read the full course description for our fine art painting degree BA(Hons).
Interested in this subject? Here’s more fine art degrees.