How to Apply

First you should make sure you know all about our MA Fine Art course by reading, Why Study Here and Course Details.

We strongly recommend you attend an Open Day for a tour of the Art School and discussions with tutors, who provide details and information about the course. Open Days are a great opportunity to meet students currently studying on the course and to hear about their experiences. MA Fine Art Open Days are usually on Tuesdays from early November each year and can be booked here.

For those of you who cannot attend an Open Day, you can download the Course Handbook and view videos. We are, of course, happy to discuss the course with you by phone.

We welcome applications from anyone committed to study with us with the aptitude to do so. If you have a disability that you are concerned might affect your chances of study, please read our Equality & Diversity and our Inclusive Learning & Participation policies describing our attitude to access. For further information and guidance please read What Student Support can I get? below.

It is important to remember we manage our own applications and do not currently participate in UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). If you have any enquiries about MA Fine Art, or any other of our courses, please contact us directly.

Tuition Fees

Fees for students joining MA Fine Art in 2019/20 have been set at:

• Full time Home/EU students £10,000 per year of study
• Full time International students £15,500 per year of study
• Part time Home/EU students £5,300 per year of study
• Part Time International students £8,250 per year of study

While the Part Time course cannot sponsor Tier 4 International students, those with appropriate Visa clearance can apply for the course.

If you are concerned or worried about your ability to pay the fees, please read How can I fund my studies? below.

Material expenses

To study Fine Art at this level will incur costs in addition to accommodation, travel and usual living expenses. The estimated annual cost of materials is between £500 and £1,800 depending on the specific ambitions of your practice.

The Art School shop stocks many of the materials. Tutors and technicians can advise you on where to purchase other specialist materials.

Study trips

During the course there are optional field trips: in 2016/17 the Cologne trip cost £350 per person; in 2017/18 the Munich trip cost £420 per person.

Whilst we encourage you to take these trips, we understand it is not always possible, so they are not compulsory nor essential. If you are not able to participate, the Fine Art team will prepare an alternative itinerary of museum and gallery visits that you can follow in London.

Successful Application Processing Fee and Deposit

A non-refundable Successful Application Processing Fee of £225 (Home/EU) /£325 (International) is charged on acceptance of a place.

A Deposit of £500 is also charged on acceptance of a place but forms part-payment of your fees.

Successful Application Processing Fees and Deposits are paid on acceptance of a place but should you change your mind before the course commences, deposits may be refundable. Successful Application Processing Fees are non-refundable.

Refund Policy

To be eligible for a full refund you will need to provide notification of your decision to withdraw from the course (cancellation of contract) in writing within, whichever is the later date of:

a) fourteen (14) days of your original formal acceptance of a place and your payment of the deposit; or

b) up to six (6) weeks before the start date of the course.

Should you decide to cancel the contract outside of this period (less than six (6) weeks before the course commences and after fourteen (14) days have passed since your original formal acceptance of a place) you will not be eligible for a refund of the deposit.

Please note:

• all refunds will be made to the individual or organisation that originally paid the fees; if a third party has paid the deposit on behalf of the student the refund is made to the third party;
• refunds can only be made to the account from which the original payment was made;
• if entitled, refunds will be processed within 21 days of receiving the request;
• all refunds will be made in GB pound sterling;
• any bank charges or currency conversion costs incurred in making a refund shall be borne by the student or the third party receiving the payment.
• For international students, tuition fees and deposit will become non-refundable after a CAS number is issued.

Below is a list of some of the bursaries that were available to MA Fine Art students. If you would like to apply for bursary support, please do not contact these organisations directly, as they distribute their funding through the Art School as part of the institution’s Student Support. Bursary support is allocated on the basis of need and merit, and according to the guidelines set out by each Benefactor.

• Art Memorial Trust (Skinners’ Company)
• Charlotte Bonham-Carter Charitable Trust
• Dyers’ Company
• Rodney Burn Bursary Fund
• Roger de Grey Bursary Fund
• Simon Birch Bursary Fund

Should you wish to be considered for Grant and Financial Assistance please download the following documents:

• CGLAS_Grant and Financial Assistance Application
• Grant and Financial Assistance Information

Applicants must have been offered a place in one of the Art School’s courses before submitting a bursary application.

Please note our bursary applications will open from 01 February 2019. 

Email all the required documents to admin@cityandguildsartschool.ac.uk with your full name, course and year. The grant application deadline for incoming students varies according to the course; however, as some of the applicants will depend on a grant in order to accept our course offers, these applications are normally reviewed as soon as they are received by the administrator and processed thereafter. Otherwise, the deadline is usually by end of May or end of November each year.

The Art School also operates a Hardship Fund that enrolled students can apply to if they are facing financial hardship. Please note that the fund cannot be relied upon, nor is it sufficient, to finance a student’s course of study.

For further information, following an offer of a place on the course, or to apply for a grant for next year, please contact: admin@cityandguildsartschool.ac.uk 

Student Loans

Students on this course are eligible for funding from the Student Loans Company .

If you are a UK national and studying a postgraduate degree with the Art School you are most likely eligible for support from the SLC. Student loans can provide up to £10,609 towards your fees and maintenance. Currently the course is only designated for the Student Loan Company England. General information on all aspects of student funding is available from: www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance . If you are a resident of England please check herefor further specific information.

Hardship Fund

The Art School also operates a Hardship Fund that enrolled students can apply to if they are facing financial hardship. Please note that the fund cannot be relied upon, nor is it sufficient, to finance a student’s course of study.

Professional & Career Development Loans

Professional & Career Development Loans can help pay for learning that enhances job skills or career prospects. This is a bank loan which is paid back when a course has been completed, however, you do not pay interest for the period while you are in learning. A number of our full-time courses are registered with the Learning Skills Council for such loans. Please note that the loan only covers a maximum of two years. The National Careers Service can provided further information by telephone on, 0800 100 900.

The MA Fine Art course is suitable for applicants who can meet the entry requirements and have an appetite to develop their fine art practice within an intensive studio-based teaching environment.

Entry requirements

All applicants have to meet the minimum entry requirements for admittance to the course, including the English Language Requirements (If you do not speak English as a first language) though there are three different ways of doing so:

1) Standard educational

Applicants who have achieved a BA (Hons) degree in Fine Art or a related subject.

2) International educational

Applicants who have achieved an international qualification equivalent to a BA (Hons) degree in Fine Art or a related subject.

3) Other experiential

Applicants who can demonstrate equivalent prior practice and experience, such as extensive work in administration; or perhaps minimal GCSE qualifications plus a number of years working in an arts context.

Using a process called Recognition /Accreditation of Prior Learning (R/APL), Art School Admissions Tutors consider how various work-life and (in)formal educational experiences meet the educational level of the entry requirements.

Please see our Recognition/ Accreditation of Prior Learning Policy here.

English Language Requirements

All applicants who do not speak English as a first language are required to provide evidence of their English language skills. The Art School cannot accept any applicant who scores lower than the equivalent of Level 6.5 from the International English Language Testing Service (IELTS), with a minimum of 5.5 for listening, reading, writing, and speaking.

If you do not require a Tier 4 visa and wish to take The Cambridge English Exams, your score requires to be in the range of 176–184 or higher.

Selection Criteria

To distinguish between all the applicants that meet our entry requirements we select those that we believe have the current ability and potential to:

• demonstrate commitment and motivation for the subject and the course;
• explore, articulate and develop their ideas as visual and material outcomes;
• creatively research information and visual material to support the development of their ideas;
• demonstrate a range of skills and technical abilities appropriate to their developing art practice;
• communicate ideas visually, verbally and in writing;
• self direct and evaluate their own work.

Application deadlines, interviews and outcomes

If you are applying for the MA Fine Art please note the following:

Applications received by 01 February, will be interviewed between 11 and 22 February, the outcome of which will be communicated by 01 March.

Applications received by 29 March, will be interviewed between 29 April and 10 May, the outcome of which will be communicated by 17 May.

Subject to availability, applications received by 24 May, will be interviewed between 03 and 07 June, the outcome of which will be communicated by 14 June.

Please note, applications for 2020/21 will not be processed before 01 November 2019 at the earliest.

What to submit

If you would like to apply for MA Fine Art, you must submit by email:

• a PDF application form, completed in full, which must include:
• a personal statement of up to 500 words explaining your motivations for your application; and
• a link to your Flickr, digital portfolio.

You must also arrange for at least one academic reference to be emailed direct to the Art School from your referee(s). Please use the reference form.

If you do not speak English as a first language, please provide proof of English Language Skills with your application.

Application Form

Please note, the Application Form must be downloaded and cannot currently be completed online. To prevent problems when completing the form, please ensure you are using the latest version of Adobe Reader.

The application form is your first opportunity to tell us about yourself, as well as being a vital source of the information we need to make a decision. Please take your time to complete the form accurately, consulting the guidance and the website as necessary: remember that if your application is successful you will need to provide proof of your identity and entry requirements.

When you have completed the application form remember to check you have provided all the information required, including the link to your digital portfolio. Ensure the accuracy of your responses and remember, if successful, you will be required to evidence your claims. We suggest you save a copy of your application form, for your own records and please don’t forget to send the Reference Form to your chosen referee(s).

Please submit your completed application form to admissions@cityandguildsartschool.ac.uk

The Art School only accepts applications on the form it provides for that purpose, and reserves the right to reject incomplete or alternative applications.

Digital portfolio 

The digital portfolio should comprise 15 to 20 images, compiled on Flickr. You should choose what you consider to be your strongest work undertaken within the last two years, which also represents the range of your interests and practice.

Each image in your Flickr portfolio should include the title, media, dimensions, date and, if necessary, no more than 50 words of description.

Your Flickr portfolio must be publicly viewable without need for password or login.

Application Processing

Once we have received your application, the Admissions Office will check your submission to:

• ensure that you meet the minimum entry requirements;
• and, to make an assessment of your fee status.

Assuming that your application is complete and that you meet the minimum entry requirements, you will then be invited to interview.

Interview invitation

The interview invitation details the date and time of your interview at the Art School. If you are living overseas, online-video interviews can be arranged.

If you are at all concerned that a disability might interfere or inhibit your interview, please let us know in your application: we will make any reasonable adjustment, which is within our capacity, so that you might fully participate in an interview.

The actual Interview

Comprising a conversation between you and senior tutors from MA Fine Art, the interview explores your application and interview portfolio. All the tutors involved are trained in the fair and equitable conduct of interviews and are fully conversant in the Art School’s Admissions Policy.

Fine Art MA applicants come from a wide range of backgrounds, from professional practicing artists to recent Fine Art graduates and those who have been working or studying in related fields such as architecture or design. We therefore ask you select relevant material to bring with you such as examples of undergraduate course work, documentation of relevant professional projects, drawings, photography, sketchbooks or notebooks and anything else that you think will support your application. We are not expecting you to present a portfolio in any particular format – we want to see anything that you consider relevant that helps you to show us your knowledge of and commitment to the subject and your experience in Fine Art and/or related fields. We also ask you to bring an example of an essay or other piece of academic writing, to the interview. If some of your work is very large or fragile, making it impractical to transport, please bring good quality photographic reproductions or high-quality digital images on a USB stick instead.

We encourage you to inform us in advance if the arrangements for your interview require adjustment due to an existing condition or disability. For example if you might require more time or specific access arrangements or other support. Our aim is to ensure that all eligible applicants are given a fair opportunity to demonstrate their potential to study on the course.

Interview Questions for Applicants 

To help us get an initial over view of your work you will be asked to leave your portfolio and work with the interview team 5 to 10 mins before you join them. The interview itself will be relatively informal and we want you to feel comfortable and confident.

To ensure fairness and to help you prepare we have agreed upon a set of key questions that all applicants for MA Fine Art will be asked at interview. These are set out below.

We advise you to consider how the work that you plan to bring can best support your responses to these questions.

Please remember that the purpose of the interview is to enable you to demonstrate, and help us to see, your potential to study on the course. You should also use your interview visit as an opportunity to get a good idea about the Art School: our values and ethos, the course, and what studying here would be like and we encourage you to ask questions and see the interview as a 2 way process.

Key questions:

1. What attracts you to study Fine Art at MA level and why did you decide to apply for this particular course?
2. What do you hope to achieve after completing the course, do you have any specific ambitions?
3. Please select an example of a recent work and tell us about:
   • your initial ideas and motivations,
   • what your research was based upon and how the research influenced the work’s development,
   • where you think it is most successful,your material choices and decisions and their impact on the development of the work,
   • what you would do differently now?
4. Please select another example of a work that you think indicates your future direction and tell us how you might approach making work if offered a place on the course.
5. How would you plan to make use of the opportunities that studying on the MA Fine Art course would offer you and why is this the right time for you to take up a place on the course?
6. Do you have any questions for us?

Supplementary questions may also be asked about your portfolio or to follow on from your responses to the key questions.

Interview portfolio 

While no two portfolios will be the same, we do expect to see:

a) both work in progress and finished items; either actual or photographic;

b) sketchbooks and or notebooks that demonstrate working methods, visual and textual research and the exploration of ideas; and

c) an essay or short written piece that demonstrates your interest in contemporary and or historical art.

Portfolio advice

While we do NOT wish to be proscriptive, the following guidance may be of assistance in compiling your interview portfolio.

You should choose what you consider to be your strongest work undertaken within the last two years, which also represents the range of your interests and practice.

We are not only interested in seeing finished projects so include work in progress as well.

It is best to mount your work on plain, white cartridge paper, not black, and don’t use card that is both heavy and expensive.

While the focus of our MA Fine Art course is not moving image, we are happy to view such work: if you have a showreel, do let us know before the interview. However, as time restraints usually prevents viewing, please also present the work in the form of storyboards.

Large and heavy three-dimensional work should be presented in photographic form, mounted and labelled with the title, media and dimensions.

Arrange your portfolio so that the interview panel can easily follow the way you’ve developed an idea from initial research through to finished piece.

Clearly label your portfolio with your name, inside and out.

Communicating interview decisions

We email the outcomes of interviews by the dates outlined in the application timelines.

Interview decisions

There are four possible interview decisions.

1) Unsuccessful indicates that the Art School will NOT be offering a place on the course; OR

2) Deferred places your application in reserve to be considered alongside the next round of interviewees; OR

3) Conditional is the offer of a place on the course, provided the demonstration of additional academic requirements; OR

4) Unconditional is the offer of a place on the course without  demonstration of any further academic requirements.

Please note that all successful applicants, even those with an unconditional offer, MUST provide documentary evidence by enrolment to support the claims made in their application, eg, proof of identity and prior academic achievement.

Offer letter

Offer letters detail:

a) any academic condition of the offer;

b) the fees liable along with how and when to pay them; and

c) the Terms & Conditions relevant to the year of study.

Accepting an offer

The offer letter includes a Registration Form that must be signed and dated and returned to the Art School to confirm acceptance of both the offer and the Terms & Conditions.

Applicants usually have three weeks to accept an offer of a place, though this time may be shorter, later in the application cycle. The exact deadline to accept offers will be detailed in the offer letter.

Failure to accept an offer

Any offer of a place that is neither accepted nor declined by the required deadline, will automatically become deferred.

Registration and after

The return of the registration form, along with any fees required, confirms Registration with the Art School and a place on the course.

An official welcome letter is sent in July, which provides important enrolment and course information.

Withdrawal following registration

To withdraw following registration but prior to enrolment, the Art School must be informed in writing, for which the Model Cancellation Form can be used.

To be eligible for a full refund  notification must be provided within, whichever is the later date of:

a) fourteen (14) days of the original formal acceptance of a place and the payment of deposit; or

b) up to six (6) weeks before the start date of the course.

Please note:

• all refunds will be made to the individual or organisation that originally paid the fees; if a third party has paid the deposit on behalf of the student the refund is made to the third party;
• refunds can only be made to the account from which the original payment was made;
• if entitled, refunds will be processed within 21 days;
• all refunds will be made in GB pound sterling;
• any bank charges or currency conversion costs incurred in making a refund shall be borne by the student or the third party receiving the payment.
• For international students, tuition fees and deposit will become non-refundable after a CAS number is issued.

It is inevitable that, on occasion, someone will want to change their course of study. If you find yourself in such a situation, you should talk to the Art School as soon as possible to consider your options.

Withdrawal following registration

Following Registration but prior to Enrolment a place on a course can be forfeit, and a refund of any tuition fees received are permissible, provided the Art School receives in writing a Cancellation of Contract request, for which the Model Cancellation Form can be used.

The written notification must be received by the Art School at least six (6) weeks before the start of the course, unless the Art School offer of a place was received eight (8) weeks or less before the start off the course, in which case the written notification must be received within fourteen (14) days of the original formal acceptance of a place.

Please see the Art School’s Student Fees, Refunds & Compensation Policy for full details.

Full time Term dates 2019/20

Full time Autumn Term: 23 September – 13 December 2019

Full time Spring Term: 06 January – 27 March 2020

Full time Summer Term: 14 April – 14 September 2020

Part time 1st year Term dates 2019/20

Part time 1st year Autumn Term: 23 September – 13 December 2019

Part time 1st year Spring Term: 06 January – 27 March 2020

Part time 1st year Summer Term: 14 April – 12 June 2020

Part time 2nd year Term dates 2019/20

Part time 2nd year Autumn Term: 23 September – 13 December 2019

Part time 2nd year Spring Term: 06 January – 27 March 2020

Part time 2nd year Summer Term: 14 April – 14 September 2020

A student guide to accessing help and further advice

For students enrolled at City & Guilds of London Art School, the Access to Learning Department provides advice, help and support in the following areas:

• Support for learning
• Support for disability
• Advice and support for health conditions
• Advice and support for mental health
• Advice and support with anxiety and depression
• The learning Mentor
• Counselling
• Course based needs assessments
• Personal Learning Plans
• Assistance with DSA applications
• Advocacy
• Pastoral support
• General advice and information

Don’t worry if you can’t immediately find what you want, there is an email address below if you need to contact us with any queries.

Any student, at any point in their program, can register with Access to Learning.

Registering your information allows us to observe our duty of care and the effective safeguarding of your rights to disclosure and confidentiality.

If you have any particular needs or support issues, early disclosure is essential to ensure the timely provision of any appropriate advice or assistance.

Access to Learning Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How can I inform the Art School of my situation/needs?

A: If you have enrolled, and know that you will need some help with writing, or are worried that a long-term condition means you need to make regular doctors’ appointments and you might be late, what should you do?

You should first inform the Art School of your situation or specific needs in one of the following ways:

• disclose your situation on your Application or Enrolment Forms;
• complete the forms at the end of this leaflet and send to:

Access to Learning, City & Guilds of London Art School, 124 Kennington Park Road, London SE11 4DJ or email access@cglas.ac.uk

• make an appointment with Access to Learning, Mondays 09:30-16:30, term time only: access@cglas.ac.uk
• talk to your Pastoral Tutor, who will, with your permission, advise you and/or refer you to Access to Learning
• talk to your Personal Progress Tutor, or your Head of Department who will also advise and/or will, with your permission, refer you to Access to Learning.

Q: Will my information be treated as confidential?

A: The Art School respects your right to confidentiality in relation to your disclosure.

We will not give out information about your situation or your needs unless you give us permission to do so.

Q: What happens after I have disclosed/ completed registration with Access to Learning?

A: On receipt of the information you have provided, Access to Learning, will email you to arrange a meeting in the first few weeks of the term. The meeting will discuss and identify the type and level of assistance required and what the Art School may be able to provide.

There will be a formal assessment following the meeting to confirm arrangements for assistance, if it is required.

There may be another meeting with you to complete a Learning Plan or an Access Plan, (depending on your situation).

This Plan will set out any specific requirements agreed with you and will be used to ensure that you are provided with the agreed adjustment or support identified.

Q: What should I do if I am planning to apply for Government DSA funding? *

A: Please contact Access to Learning so that we can advise you on making an application. You will need to supply specific information to apply for DSA funding:

• For a specific learning difference such as dyslexia:

Evidence in the form of a post-16 diagnostic assessment, in English, from an educational psychologist or suitably qualified specialist teacher.

• If you have a disability:

Provide a diagnostic assessment from a relevant professional

• If you have an ongoing situation or health condition that impacts upon your access to learning, making, your well-being or attendance:

Provide diagnostic and/or valid documentary evidence of your situation or condition,(such as a letter from your GP or specialist).

Remember not all students are able to apply for DSA funding:

Foundation Diploma students, International students and students enrolled on Diploma courses are usually not funded by Student Finance DSA.

* Student Finance England Disabled Student Allowance: We encourage and assist students with a recognised condition and valid supporting documentation, to apply for government funding wherever possible. Students with a valid diagnosis for conditions such as Dyslexia, M.E, Depressions, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and many others, are recognised as eligible for DSA. Students enrolled on BA or MA courses can apply online at:

http://www.yourdsa.com

Q: I have never been diagnosed with a learning difficulty, but feel that I need some extra advice, support or help, what should I do?

A: Email or visit Access to Learning to discuss your concerns and speak to your Pastoral Tutor for advice.

Q: I need confidential advice that isn’t listed above and I would rather discuss it before registering with Access to Learning what should I do?

A: Email or visit Access to Learning to discuss your concerns.

Q: I have a situation or condition that impacts upon my experience /learning /wellbeing what should I do?

A: We always recommend you share this information with your Pastoral Tutor Email or visit Access to Learning to discuss your concerns.

Q: Would tutors and technicians need to know about my situation?

Some staff members may need to know about your situation so that they can provide you with the appropriate assistance or support. It may be necessary to inform other tutors of any relevant information regarding your Learning or Access Plan to ensure you receive what you need to engage with the course.

Disclosure is discussed and agreed with you in advance.

Q: How will staff be told about my situation?

A: Where required staff members will be informed about your needs via the Learning or Access Plan made after your first meeting. We may also e-mail, phone or meet with them, if appropriate.

With your permission we might email your tutor and arrange a meeting to discuss your Learning or Access Plan.

Q: What if I don’t want anyone to know about my situation?

A: You may choose to keep all information about your situation, condition or Learning/Access Plans entirely confidential so that information cannot be disclosed to any other person.  It is your right to do this – but please be aware that the School will be restricted in its ability to meet your needs if you do so.

Q: Is there ever a time when disclosure may occur without my permission?

A: In the case of an emergency, or if there are concerns about the health safety and/or well-being of you, another student or student group, our Duty of Care will be observed and this may result in disclosure to an appropriate person.

Here you can download the MA Fine Art course handbook from 2017/18 together with some of the City & Guilds of London Art School’s key policies related to the student experience.

Handbook

• MA Fine Art Student Handbook 2018-19

Art School Policies

Below is a selection of relevant Art School Policies

• Admissions
• Student Fees, Refunds & Compensation
• Equality and Diversity
• Inclusive Learning and Participation
• Tutorial Policy
• Learning and Teaching Strategy
• Safeguarding
• Professional Practice

Q: What are the application deadlines?

A: We have four different applications deadlines and currently we do not receive applications through UCAS. The application deadlines for entry in the 2019/20 Academic Year are detailed above, in the ‘What about the actual Application?‘ section.

Q: Can I apply this year for entry the year after?

A: Each November the Art School opens applications for Entry in the following academic year. Selection of applicants and an offer of a place, is for the specific cycle of Entry and an offer of a place on the course cannot be held over until the following year.

Q: How do I send my application form?

A: Once completed, please submit your application form as an email attachment to admissions@cityandguildsartschool.ac.uk . If the application form is too large to attach, we will accept applications received via file transfer websites, but please ensure the file is available to download without a password or login.

Q: Can I apply for second or third year entry ?

A: Depending on both available space in the year group along with the relevancy of your previous experience, it may be possible to enter into the second year of the course. Direct entry into the final year is exceedingly rare and has to be planned well in advance.