Fine Art top-up Higher National Diploma - HND

Push your creative ideas further and develop your own artistic voice with our new Level 5 HND Fine Art course.

Building on the skills and experience already developed at Level 4, this is a highly creative interdisciplinary course which explores traditional and contemporary fine art practices.

Whether you work with physical materials or prefer a more conceptual approach, we’ll encourage you to experiment with a wide range of materials, methods, and processes, such as drawing, painting, ceramics, textiles, sculpture, printmaking, illustration, photography, installation, performance and digital technology.

This new course is currently subject to validation with our first students planned for September 2027.

Entry Requirements:\
Applicants for this course will have already passed (or expect to achieve) a full Level 4 qualification in a related subject area. This could be a Higher National Certificate, Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE) or similar qualification worth a minimum of 120 academic credits at undergraduate level.

About the course:\
Designed to reflect the demands of the creative industries and the flexibility needed in modern life, this course model lets you develop your studies step by step, one year at a time. You can continue, pause, or change direction, while still achieving a recognised, industry-relevant qualification at each stage.

Level 5 (120 academic credits)

Module B – Professional Creative Practice

The module is made up of two units.

·        B1 – Personal Professional Development (45 credits) - a substantial part of the year’s delivery, this is mostly practical and studio-based.

·        B2 - Professional Project (75 credits) - a design brief that allows you to explore and further develop your creative practice, encouraging your growth as a holistic practitioner.

For each unit you will be assessed against the following criteria:

* Contextual Studies

* Ideas Generation and Development

* Technical Knowledge and Skills

* Professional Practice

* Communication Skills

Our tutors are experienced and highly qualified practising creatives with national and international profiles. You’ll also be supported by specialist technicians and purpose-built workshops to help you develop and progress.

Facilities\
The course is based at the Adams Campus, a Victorian heritage building in the "Lace Market" Creative Quarter of Nottingham City Centre.  Purpose-built accommodation features seminar rooms and top-floor studios with amazing natural daylight.  We are proud to offer each student their own personal workspace.  Other features include:

* dedicated fine art studio

* industry‑standard Adobe software

* traditional printmaking facilities and darkrooms

* photographic studios and equipment

* 3D design and technology suites

Teaching and Assessment\
This course will be delivered through blended learning with demonstrations, lectures and practical activities.  Assessment is evidence-based including: practical work, portfolios, group work, presentations, written assignments and exhibitions. There are no examinations.

Qualification\
Pearson Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Fine Art (subject to validation)

Careers and Progression\
The Level 5 HND in Fine Art is designed to enable students to build on the firm foundations established in the Level 4 HNC programme, taking the next step in their creative practice and – if desired - advance to the final year of a degree programme.

The creative industries offer many career options with an increasing proportion of graduates freelancing and setting up their own small businesses, locally and online. Some choose to venture into other sectors and are equally successful in gaining employment due to the range of transferable skills acquired.