Bachelor of Fine Arts BFA
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Introduction
UC's Bachelor of Fine Arts is a prestigious qualification that gives you a broad base in visual arts, multimedia and design before you go on to specialise in a particular field. Fine Arts graduates go on to employment in a range of creative professions as photographers, designers, illustrators, artists and art teachers, and in a range of industries including film, television, art galleries and museums.
Features of the BFA at UC
- Four-year professional degree
- Prestigious qualification
- First art school in New Zealand and one of the oldest in the English-speaking world
- Teaching staff are artists, designers and curators of international standing
- Purpose-built environment
- On-campus art gallery
- Students benefit from being exposed to a rich variety of creative arts within the Centre for Fine Arts, Music and Theatre
Specialisations
Entry requirements
Entry to the Intermediate Year (first year) of the BFA degree is limited. Intending applicants need to complete a separate application form in addition to the Application to Enrol and send it with a submission of their work to the School of Fine Arts. If possible, prospective students are encouraged to obtain an application form well in advance of the due date and to visit the School of Fine Arts prior to making their application.
The form is available on the School of Fine Arts website or from the School of Fine Arts from August. Students must send it with the submission of their work to the School of Fine Arts by 15 November 2011.
From school
To apply for admission to the Intermediate Year of the BFA degree directly from school, students need to have met the requirements for University Entrance and achieved the achievement standard Visual Arts 3.3 (NCEA Level 3) in preferably two of the following practical art subjects: design, painting, photography, printmaking and sculpture (graphics is not a practical art subject).
At least 14 credits in each of two other NCEA Level 3 subjects (not practical art subjects) is strongly recommended.
Applicants should also provide 12 A4 colour photographs or colour photocopies from each NCEA folio. They should include three examples of work from each of the folio panels plus images of three additional works – preferably in drawing – which will relate to the other examples.
Students who have achieved only one practical art subject at NCEA Level 3 will need to provide an equivalent portfolio of work in a second subject area.
By submission of work
Those who have University Entrance but have not achieved two NCEA Level 3 practical art subjects (eg, an adult student) are required to make a submission of work.
For more information on entry requirements and the application process see the School of Fine Arts.
Degree structure
The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree requires a total of 480 points made up as follows:
- Fine Arts Intermediate
- Your specialist studio subject
- Courses from the Bachelor of Arts or other degrees.
The Fine Arts Intermediate Year consists of FINT 103 Drawing and Methods and 30 points of Art History and Theory. FINT 103 provides an introduction to the six advancing studio courses offered in the School and includes two studio electives in the second half of the year.
In the second, third and fourth years of the BFA degree students specialise in one of six studio subjects. On passing the Fine Arts Intermediate, most students are able to gain places in one of their two studio electives. The choice of some students may be limited, however, by their overall grade in FINT 103.
Some students choose to build on the 30 points of Art History and Theory taken for the Intermediate and others choose to pursue a variety of courses, such as languages, Management, Sociology or Philosophy.
For the full degree requirements see the Regulations for the Bachelor of Fine Arts (University Regulations website).
Double degrees
It is possible to combine the study of a Fine Arts degree with the study of another degree, such as Arts or Science. Students considering a double degree should seek advice from a College of Arts Student Advisor.
Further study
The Bachelor of Fine Arts with Honours (BFA(Hons)) degree involves a year of further study in the graduate's specialist area of practice and a research project. A further year of study after the BFA(Hons) leads to the Master of Fine Arts degree, which requires the production of a major body of practical work.
The Postgraduate Diploma in Art Curatorship is a professional, one-year qualification for graduates with a background in Arts or Fine Arts and some practical experience in art curatorship.
A UC Fine Arts degree is accepted as an entry qualification to postgraduate studies in other tertiary institutions in New Zealand and overseas. UC graduates have been accepted into the best graduate programmes in Britain, Germany, Switzerland, France, Canada, the United States and Australia.
Career opportunities
Alongside the creative and practical skills learned, Fine Arts graduates develop excellent skills in organisation and time management during their four years of self-motivated study. These skills prepare Fine Arts graduates for a wide range of employment opportunities.
In particular, graduates who have taken courses in Photography, Film and Graphic Design have clear career prospects in rapidly expanding industries in these areas. Other Fine Arts graduates have access to a wide range of vocations within an expanding art world both in New Zealand and overseas.
Recent graduates have gained employment as professional artists, art gallery directors, photojournalists, film directors, design consultants, art conservators, commercial photographers, illustrators, fashion designers, art critics, graphic designers, lecturers and art teachers.
Contact
For more information email info@canterbury.ac.nz or freephone in NZ 0800 VARSITY (827 748).
For assistance with planning your programme of study contact a College of Arts Student Advisor (advancing students) or Student Liaison (new students) or visit Student Liaison's course planning page (new students).