A paint palette and brushes arranged on a table, essential tools for Creative Arts courses and artistic expression.

Contemporary Fine Art Practice - HND

Summary

Having built the foundational knowledge of art and design on our HNC, you will now be in a position to specialise in modules which will take you to the next level as a practitioner.

As well as developing your skills as an artist and designer, this Level 5 programme will look at how you apply those skills in a commercial context allowing you to acquire the necessary knowledge to work successfully in the creative industries and build a career as a creative practitioner.

Understanding professional practice, developing collaborative working skills and learning how to manage creative projects successfully all form part of this key stage in your evolution as working artist/designer.

Additionally, you will work to further develop your creative practice building on the understanding of materials, media and techniques from your HNC to refine your personal approach to art and design.

  • Course code DA1HE004
  • UCAS code W990
  • Duration 1 Year
  • Day/s of week Tuesday Wednesday and Thursday
  • Time 09:45 - 16:30

Next course dates

Start date Location Duration
08 Sep 2025
University Centre
1 Year
  • £28,950 average annual salary in this sector
  • A stunning public gallery space - offering students the opportunity to see professional artists' current work and exhibit their own
  • Access to state-of-the-art equipment and art studios

What Uni Reviews

Love it, best decision I've ever made. The course, tutors, and peers have all helped to make the experience enjoyable. I'm really enjoying the creative freedom on the course and how freely I am able to express my own ideas, but also enjoy taking inspiration from my peers. *****
- Anonymous
Excellent facilities and tutors. *****
- Leanne Booth
It felt like a place I could fit in and the people there were helpful in my experience at the university. ****
- David Cleasby
A creative arts student with red hair passionately painting on an easel, showcasing her artistic talent and dedication.
A creative arts student meticulously shapes a clay sculpture, showcasing their artistic skills and dedication to their craft.
An arts student stands before his painting in a studio, contemplating improvements to his artwork.
A creative arts student with red hair passionately painting on an easel, showcasing her artistic talent and dedication. A creative arts student meticulously shapes a clay sculpture, showcasing their artistic skills and dedication to their craft. An arts student stands before his painting in a studio, contemplating improvements to his artwork.
A creative arts student with red hair passionately painting on an easel, showcasing her artistic talent and dedication.
A creative arts student meticulously shapes a clay sculpture, showcasing their artistic skills and dedication to their craft.
An arts student stands before his painting in a studio, contemplating improvements to his artwork.

Where can this subject lead?

Career progression

The Level 5 Higher National Diploma is recognised by Higher Education providers as meeting admission requirements to many relevant Art and Design courses, for example:

  • University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN)
  • University of Salford
  • Manchester School of Art
  • UAL CSM

Live art and design production covers several careers in the art and design industries and there are different routes to follow. Artists and designers create work for a range of creative outputs and may be involved exhibitions, publications, commissions and in support of the wider creative industry.

Key information

Entry Requirements

Successful completion of the HNC in Art and Design (Art Practice) is a pre-requisite of entry onto the programme.

You may be considered as an applicant if you have completed the first year of an Art and Design degree elsewhere, but this will be at the discretion of the course tutors.

Qualification obtained

BTEC Higher National Diploma in Art and Design

Fees and funding

Please click here to find out more about tuition fees for this course.

Extra costs and equipment

You will need to spend approximately £250 p.a. on basic materials, as well as an SD card and hard drive. A full list of material requirements will be issued to you after enrolment. You should also be aware that there may be additional costs to consider such as optional educational visits and photocopying/printing.

There will be a variety of trips and other activities that may incur a small fee, as well as the cost of materials and basic equipment listed above.

Regulation and Accreditation

Accrediting Institution: N/A

Awarding Body: Pearson

Regulatory Body: Office for Students (OfS)

Terms and conditions

Read our full terms and conditions for more information.

What will I learn?

Industry placement, field trips and guest speakers

The programme provides work-related learning opportunities which are designed to embed and develop a range of transferrable skills to prepare you for employment opportunities in a range of related creative professions. These include skills in spoken, written and visual communication, the ability to manage collaborative and independent projects, creative problem-solving. Assessments are designed and created with industry professionals, meaning they are all related to scenarios that occur in the industry.

The curriculum team are also working professionals engaged in various aspects of the industry, alongside the expertise of the team, local employers are engaged in certain aspects of the course which will be tailored to your development, skill set and knowledge. External engagement with industry representatives may include:

  • Field trips to local destinations and environments
  • Inviting members of the local creative communities to present guest lectures
  • Using employers to judge the quality of assessed presentations and/or products
  • Establishing a panel of experts who students can pitch an idea to

  • Modules at level 5

    Module title Code Credits Optional
    Advanced Art Practice Studies DA5MD001 30 No
    Applied Practice Collaborative Project DA5MD015 30 No
    Advanced Life Drawing DA5MD016 15 No
    Branding and Identity DA5MD017 15 No
    Material Selection and Specification DA5MD023 15 No
    Professional Practice DA5MD026 15 No

Study Support - at a glance

We offer a range of services to support you across all areas of student life, with specialist support available for students with disabilities.

  • Higher Education Learning Mentors (HELMs)
  • One-to-one and group study support sessions
  • Pre-degree preparation workshops
  • IT Support
Discover available Study Support

Programme Specification

Download our Programme Specification for this course.

How will I learn?

Throughout this programme, you will take an active role in your learning through a combination of enquiry, project and problem-based learning by working collaboratively and in partnership with your fellow students, lecturers and specialist practitioners to take ownership of your personal and professional development. Working in partnership will support your learning processes and enable you to develop as an independent creative practitioner, peer to peer review, class discussions and seminars encourage the development of analysis, reflective thinking and self-evaluation.

Collaboration with other programmes across Blackpool School of Arts, formally and informally, will enrich the learning environment, supporting the discursive approach to learning. You will acquire an insight into industry through lectures, seminars and live briefs, this will support you in the transition from student to industry practitioner. Sessions will be delivered through tutor led demonstrations, one to one development workshops and group work.

Learning Methods

Learning Method Level 4 Level 5 Level 6
Scheduled 0 480 0
Independent 0 720 0
Placement 0 0 0
Total 0 1200 0
Ready to take the next step? Navigate to the top of the page and click Apply Now to continue your degree-level journey.

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Take a look at some of our other degree-level study options and see what sparks your imagination.

How will I be assessed?

How will I be assessed?

One of the elements that makes this course unique, is that all assignments have been designed and co-created with industry specialists, so you know you are gaining the technical skills to support a strong career.  

Assessment types will be varied, so that you are able to develop transferable skills such as independence, collaborative working, digital and communication skills as well as subject specific knowledge for preparation into a successful and long-term employment sector.

For the majority of practical units you will be asked to submit a portfolio or sketchbooks, which comprise of a body of work including the planning and development stages as well as the final output. Written evidence should also be submitted containing references, creative development and written reflections. you will be assessed using a variety of methods:

  • Professional Development
  • Practical skills assessment
  • Critical self and peer-evaluation
  • Individual online portfolios / promotion of work
  • Group and individually produced artefacts
  • Written essays and reports
  • Reviews and evaluations
  • Individual and group presentations
  • Tasks aimed at the assessment of specific skills (e.g. digital skills, production skills, research skills and the skills of application)

How will I be assessed?

Assessment Method Level 4 Level 5 Level 6
Coursework 0% 100% 0%
Exam 0% 0% 0%
Practical 0% 0% 0%