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CHOOSE A SUBJECT
2025/26
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Subjects A-B

  • Accounting
  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Architectural Engineering
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biochemistry
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Bioveterinary Sciences
  • Building and Surveying
  • Business and Management

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  • Chemistry
  • Classics and Classical Studies
  • Climate Science
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management
  • Consumer Behaviour and Marketing
  • Creative Writing
  • Criminology
  • Drama
  • Ecology
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Environment

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  • Film & Television
  • Finance
  • Food
  • Foundation programmes
  • French
  • Geography
  • German
  • Graphic Communication and Design

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  • Healthcare
  • History
  • International Development
  • International Foundation Programme (IFP)
  • International Relations
  • Italian
  • Languages and Cultures
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Marketing
  • Mathematics
  • Medical Sciences
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Microbiology
  • Museum Studies

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  • Nutrition
  • Pharmacology
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate Studies
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Psychology
  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Sociology
  • Spanish
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Surveying and Construction
  • Teaching
  • Theatre & Performance

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  • Wildlife Conservation
  • Zoology

We are in the process of finalising our postgraduate taught courses for 2026/27 entry. In the meantime, you can view our 2025/26 courses.

MA Fine Art

  • Year of entry
    2025/26
  • Course duration
    Full Time:  12 months
  • Year of entry
    2025/26
  • Course duration
    Full Time:  12 months

Our MA Fine Art programme, delivered by high-profile international artists, and an additional guest artist, focuses on exhibitions and professional practice.

Develop your creative inquisitiveness and prepare for the professional art world or further research at doctoral level at the Reading School of Art.

Choose MA Fine Art at the University of Reading

  • Reading is a top 10 university in the UK for Art and Design (ranked 10th in The Complete University Guide, 2025)
  • We rank in the top 100 for Arts and Humanities globally (=91 in QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2024) and top 150 for Arts and Design globally (101-150 in QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2024
  • 97% of our research is of international standing (REF 2021, combining 4*, 3* and 2* submissions – Art and Design: History, Practice and Theory; Art)
  • 100% of our research impact has been classed as ‘outstanding’ or ‘very considerable’ (REF 2021, combining 4* and 3* submissions – Art and Design: History, Practice and Theory; Art).

How you’ll study

Taught by a team of practising artists, curators and writers, our Master of Fine Arts degree offers you the time and space to engage with exhibition and curatorial initiatives, contemporary art practise, theoretical texts and publication projects.

As an MA Fine Art student, you’ll have your own dedicated space, accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You’ll become part of a vibrant postgraduate community, where you’ll broaden your artistic practice.

You will learn through critical understanding and reflection, through professional practice and criticism. Teaching is carried out in lectures, tutorials and small group seminars.

The themes covered in your seminars will include:

  • developing a research-based art practice plan
  • documenting and writing about your work
  • presenting exhibition proposals
  • risk assessments and cooperative working.

Exhibition and studio crits are at the core of your master's training, with your work reviewed and analysed by your tutors and peers.

You will also have the opportunity to be in taught in a major European city on our International Study Visit.

Our Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree places emphasis on student-centred learning and directed research and you will develop an independent approach to learning. The MFA will also enable you to improve your skills by analysing and understanding the current discussions in contemporary art.

For more information, please visit the Reading School of Art website.

Your learning environment

The Reading School of Art building, opened in September 2023, is the ideal place for you to explore activities and media, develop your practice and exhibit your work.

We pride ourselves on the quality and vibrancy of our 24-hour studio community. Our programme of events, performances, screenings and shared discussions across all disciplines provides a social and dynamic environment for you to practice in.

The MA Fine Art degree brings together postgraduate students from a diverse range of backgrounds, age and experience. You will work alongside our staff and PhD students, who pursue a wide range of research topics and practices. You will benefit from working closely with our PhD researchers through engagement with symposia and reading groups.

You will also benefit from the knowledge and experience of guest artists who work with students in the second semester and towards your final show.

Partnerships

Our postgraduate environment extends from Reading through external exhibitions, symposia and workshops. Our external partnerships offer professional opportunities with world-leading institutions.

You’ll also have the opportunity to participate in our Asia exhibition network, which offers opportunities to exhibit in Japan, China and South Korea.

Read more about our partnerships

Assessment

Your Master of Fine Art (MFA) degree focuses on developing your professional practice, exhibition making and the completion of an independent research project.

You will produce a portfolio of artwork through self-directed research and practice, demonstrating your artistic knowledge and your intercultural and global outlook.

Assessment is continuous throughout the year. You will receive feedback on presentations and work-in-progress during seminars and tutorials. At the end of each semester, we will assess your exhibitions and portfolio submissions.

Overview

Our MA Fine Art programme, delivered by high-profile international artists, and an additional guest artist, focuses on exhibitions and professional practice.

Develop your creative inquisitiveness and prepare for the professional art world or further research at doctoral level at the Reading School of Art.

Choose MA Fine Art at the University of Reading

  • Reading is a top 10 university in the UK for Art and Design (ranked 10th in The Complete University Guide, 2025)
  • We rank in the top 100 for Arts and Humanities globally (=91 in QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2024) and top 150 for Arts and Design globally (101-150 in QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2024
  • 97% of our research is of international standing (REF 2021, combining 4*, 3* and 2* submissions – Art and Design: History, Practice and Theory; Art)
  • 100% of our research impact has been classed as ‘outstanding’ or ‘very considerable’ (REF 2021, combining 4* and 3* submissions – Art and Design: History, Practice and Theory; Art).

How you’ll study

Taught by a team of practising artists, curators and writers, our Master of Fine Arts degree offers you the time and space to engage with exhibition and curatorial initiatives, contemporary art practise, theoretical texts and publication projects.

As an MA Fine Art student, you’ll have your own dedicated space, accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You’ll become part of a vibrant postgraduate community, where you’ll broaden your artistic practice.

You will learn through critical understanding and reflection, through professional practice and criticism. Teaching is carried out in lectures, tutorials and small group seminars.

The themes covered in your seminars will include:

  • developing a research-based art practice plan
  • documenting and writing about your work
  • presenting exhibition proposals
  • risk assessments and cooperative working.

Exhibition and studio crits are at the core of your master's training, with your work reviewed and analysed by your tutors and peers.

You will also have the opportunity to be in taught in a major European city on our International Study Visit.

Our Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree places emphasis on student-centred learning and directed research and you will develop an independent approach to learning. The MFA will also enable you to improve your skills by analysing and understanding the current discussions in contemporary art.

For more information, please visit the Reading School of Art website.

Learning

Your learning environment

The Reading School of Art building, opened in September 2023, is the ideal place for you to explore activities and media, develop your practice and exhibit your work.

We pride ourselves on the quality and vibrancy of our 24-hour studio community. Our programme of events, performances, screenings and shared discussions across all disciplines provides a social and dynamic environment for you to practice in.

The MA Fine Art degree brings together postgraduate students from a diverse range of backgrounds, age and experience. You will work alongside our staff and PhD students, who pursue a wide range of research topics and practices. You will benefit from working closely with our PhD researchers through engagement with symposia and reading groups.

You will also benefit from the knowledge and experience of guest artists who work with students in the second semester and towards your final show.

Partnerships

Our postgraduate environment extends from Reading through external exhibitions, symposia and workshops. Our external partnerships offer professional opportunities with world-leading institutions.

You’ll also have the opportunity to participate in our Asia exhibition network, which offers opportunities to exhibit in Japan, China and South Korea.

Read more about our partnerships

Assessment

Your Master of Fine Art (MFA) degree focuses on developing your professional practice, exhibition making and the completion of an independent research project.

You will produce a portfolio of artwork through self-directed research and practice, demonstrating your artistic knowledge and your intercultural and global outlook.

Assessment is continuous throughout the year. You will receive feedback on presentations and work-in-progress during seminars and tutorials. At the end of each semester, we will assess your exhibitions and portfolio submissions.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements: Normally a suitable undergraduate honours degree (Second Class or above), or equivalent from a university outside the UK. You should include a portfolio of current work, a written statement about your practice, and a programme of research you wish to pursue.

IELTS: 6.5 overall with no element less than 6.0 (or equivalent).

Pre-sessional English language Programme

Our Pre-sessional English Programme is for international students who need to meet their degree programme English language requirements.

Our courses equip you with the skills and language needed for academic success, including critical thinking, self-reflection, learner autonomy, research skills and integrating sources. The Pre-sessional English Programme is accredited by the British Association of Lecturers in English for Academic Purposes (BALEAP), which guarantees you will receive a high-quality student experience.

To find out more, visit Pre-sessional English.

Structure

  • Modules

Compulsory modules

Critical Art Practice 

Develop your creative practice and refine your critical position as an artist as you engage with theoretical concerns of production, exhibition and reflection of artwork. You’ll build on your existing expertise and interests, learn about developments in the field of contemporary art, and gain the skills to adopt an informed, individual approach to art practice.

Art Dissertation

Conduct an extended independent research project into an area of personal interest, critically reflecting on relations between art practice and discourses surrounding contemporary art. Enhance your skills in investigation, analysis and organisation, and gain key insights into established practice.

These are the modules that we currently offer for 2024/25 entry. They may be subject to change as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

 

 

Fees

New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £11,750

New international students: £25,850

Tuition fee information

The fees listed are for full-time study, unless otherwise stated. Fee information will be confirmed in offer letters sent out to successful applicants. You can find further information, including information for part-time study, through our dedicated fees and funding page.

EU student fees

With effect from 1 August 2021, new EU students will pay international tuition fees. For exceptions, please read the UK government’s guidance for EU students.

Additional costs

Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.

Financial support for your studies

You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.

Careers

Our Master of Fine Art is designed to prepare you for either a professional career or further research at doctoral level. It also provides you with the time and expertise necessary to pursue a career as an artist.

Overall, 96% of graduates from Art are in work or further study within 15 months of graduation (based on our analysis of HESA data © HESA 2024, Graduate Outcomes Survey 2021/22 includes all Art responders.)

Our postgraduate teaching assistance scheme provides teaching experience and mentoring for master’s students interested in teaching, museum and gallery education. A number of our students also continue their research interests in contemporary art through PhD study.

For me, the most important part of the MFA is its international scope. There has been a whole range of opportunities where we have had the chance to go abroad and learn from other people. My MFA at Reading has not only taught me to be an aspiring artist, but also how to be a professional practitioner ready for the demands of the industry.

Adam Stead
MA Fine Art

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