Anything designed by human beings exhibits visual qualities that are specific to the place and period in which it originates. History of Art aims to arrive at a historical understanding of the origins, meaning and purpose of art and artefacts from a wide range of world cultures, asking about the circumstances of their making, their makers, the media used, the functions of the images and objects, their critical reception and – not least – their subsequent history. As well as educating students in the historical interpretation of art in its cultural contexts, a degree in History of Art provides skills in the critical analysis of objects through the cultivation of visual literacy. The acquired skills have broad applicability in a wide range of professional settings, as well as serving the needs of enduring personal enlightenment.
 

The Painting programme focuses on developing confident, enquiring, resilient students.

You will be able to research and articulate your practice, and question your position, and that of painting, within the wider context of contemporary visual culture.

We put emphasis on drawing and research through visual thinking at all levels. Work can also be realised through practices such as:

• printmaking
• artists' books
• installation
• digital and lens-based media

This programme is centred on the studio. You will identify, reflect on and develop your personal, visual vocabulary through the languages of painting. The nurturing and development of the individual is a priority.

You will be allocated your own personal space and you will be able to access exhibition spaces in and outside the College. Students can install work individually or in small groups. Such events then create a platform for discussion.
 

This programme provides high-quality teaching and learning in a supportive and productive environment which encourages self-awareness, reflective practice, and cross-discipline awareness. The course is delivered through a mixture of lectures, tutorials/workshops, and practical classes.

Typically, lectures provide key information on a particular area and this is consolidated through tutorials and/or workshops and practical classes where appropriate, particularly for laboratory skills. The course provides up to 12 contact hours per week, but further consolidation takes place through independent study and/or voluntary workshops provided outside the course’s formal contact hours. Emphasis is placed on developing confidence and classes are generally small, to ensure individual learning needs can be met.

Students who require additional writing and academic support are normally provided with additional contact time and opportunities to take part in small group and individual tutorials.

Towards the end of the year, greater emphasis is placed on independent study, not just in preparation for classes and reading around the subjects, but also with students completing an individual project related to their progression route.

Throughout the course, all students also have access to an academic adviser who will provide them with academic support and guidance. Students will meet formally with their adviser two to three times a year. However, in addition, academic advisors and teaching staff are normally available to meet with students at certain times each week on a ‘drop-in’ basis.

Studying Liberal Arts at Keele allows you to explore a diverse range of subject areas in the Humanities and Social Sciences. Our flexible approach allows you to tailor your degree programme to your individual interests and career aspirations.

Liberal Arts promotes a deep understanding of a variety of subjects, and develops strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills. This will involve exploring major societal challenges in a critical and open-minded manner.

Human knowledge in the modern world is commonly divided into disciplines such as literature, art, history, politics and the sciences. The BA Liberal Arts embraces the different perspectives of these disciplines to help you gain deeper knowledge about the world and its interconnections. It allows you to design your own truly interdisciplinary programme according to your interests and strengths.

From a solid spine of critical skills modules taught in the Department of English, Theatre and Creative Writing, you will branch out into a breadth of subjects in the Schools of Arts, Social Sciences, History and Philosophy and Law. You can choose from literature, theatre studies and creative writing, film and media, modern languages, art, history, geography, law and criminology, management, philosophy, politics, psychology of education and psychosocial studies, to build a degree which will fulfil your intellectual potential and develop your employability.

This program will equip you for working life in the arts and cultural industries, with a specific focus on working in and managing the arts.

Culture and the arts are vital to the global economy. You'll develop a powerful combination of theoretical insights and professional practice skills to help you navigate these important and expanding sectors.

 

You’ll learn how to understand arts and creative organizations, from small community endeavors through to world renowned flagship organizations. This will prepare you for a career in this fascinating subject, in settings such as museums, galleries, theatres, dance and live music venues, festivals, and cultural centers.

 

The program includes talks from experts and visits to cultural organizations, so you’ll gain direct experience of professional practice. You may also benefit from a work placement as part of your studies in, for example, an audience development, fundraising or event management context. 

This programme combines an innovative and research-driven curriculum grounded within the distinct, established areas of academic specialisation and excellence found within the constituent schools of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.

The programme provides distinct tracks or 'majors' that facilitate greater flexibility in module choice and a broader basis than in degrees in single or joint subjects, alongside the development of an intellectual and disciplinary focus as you progress through your degree. You will benefit from engaging with a range of subjects from different disciplinary perspectives, including the study of a foreign language during your first year (whether as a beginner or building on existing competence). As well as practical language study, you will work on related aspects of literature, culture, history, society and linguistics.

The three themes include:

1. Language and Culture. This area involves the continued study of a modern language in each year. As a compulsory part of the programme for all students taking this major or minor, you spend a year abroad, in a country or countries where the language you are studying is spoken - you can study at a university, or take up a work placement (opportunities vary).
2. Global Cultures. This area spans comparative cultural and intercultural studies, as well as area studies of specific regions and nations from all over the world, both contemporary and historical.
3. Interactions: Societies and Cities. This area takes in social science and ideological and critical approaches to human activity, together with metropolitan studies including modules in which you can use London as a resource for exploring contemporary issues, from a range of disciplines.

This unique four-year fine art degree focuses on developing your professional, practical and theoretical skills alongside your own exciting body of work. You'll graduate ready for a career in the field or progression to postgraduate study. 

You will have space and time to experiment and develop your ambitious ideas in the studio, as well as forming a deeper understanding of art history and contemporary art through taught modules.

Throughout your degree, you can choose from more than 20 specialist workshops, such as ceramics, photography, 16mm film, oil painting, performance and experimental printmaking. 

You'll become a confident fine art professional, with the skills and knowledge of what it takes to thrive in the contemporary art world through live projects, placement opportunities, exhibitions and your final-year degree show. Your degree show gives you the chance to display your work to hundreds of visitors. 

BA Hons Textile Art, Design and Fashion explores the breadth of skill, technology, knowledge, heritage and cultural significance associated with contemporary Textiles and Fashion. Through the five specialist areas, embroidery, knit, garment construction, print and weave you will be challenged to explore both tradition and innovation supported be expert technical and academic staff. In well equipped workshops we support you to work ambitiously and creatively, selecting the pathway most suited to your strengths and future ambitions as either a Textile Artist, Textile Designer or Fashion Designer. Employability is very important to us so we support you to make the right decisions throughout the course by identifying clear career goals and strategies in professional practice modules, placement opportunities and competitions. The Course also provides the (optional) opportunity to take a placement year due to our excellent industry connections.

How can we spot fake news? What is the future of democracy? How do we tackle climate change? Our goal is to empower the next generation of communicators, creators and culture-shapers to find solutions to complex questions and global challenges.

We’re proud to offer the only Liberal Arts course in the UK designed in partnership with specialists from activist organisations, think-tanks, NGOs, journalism, broadcasting, PR and communications. The BA combines theory with practice, across the arts and humanities. You’ll develop academic skills such as essay writing, visual analysis and independent research. And your practical work could range from community organising to media production. 

A variety of options allows you to shape your degree around your interests. This could include developing skills in creative writing, producing documentary video or learning a language.

You’ll develop the tools and skills to respond to real-world problems. As a graduate, you’ll have:

• a strong network
• first-hand knowledge of a range of professions
• the ability and attitude to take your career in the direction you choose.