Our MA Fine Art programme gives you the time and space to develop a meaningful, distinctive, and substantial body of work, to propel you forward on your artistic journey. You will have time over the first two Semesters to expand your practice through new ideas and ways of working, testing these out in a range of exhibition contexts, with feedback from expert tutors and peers. During the Summer Semester, MA students will take over the spacious studios to complete an ambitious final degree show project for exhibition in early September.
Time and Space
Research skills
University of Reading is a research-intensive university with a wealth of unique collections of global significance; our academics in Art, specialist librarians, and curators will work with you to develop your skills and approach to research tools, methods, ethics, and protocols across a range of forms, exercises, and resources.
You will learn how to ground your studio practice in original research through experimentation, innovation and by aligning your dissertation research with your studio practice to inform the direction of your work, for your MA and beyond.
Critical thinking & growth
Critical thinking allows us to analyse information, form independent judgments, and articulate reasoned arguments. It encourages us to question and evaluate, consider diverse perspectives, and reflect on personal growth. At Reading School of Art, we foster an environment of mutual respect, encouraging students to question their own work and challenge assumptions, building a strong practice within a supportive space.
Audience and community development
Our MA Fine Art programme helps you define your artistic identity and build your audience, with insights from visiting art professionals.
At Reading School of Art, students and staff form collaborative networks, supported by specialist workshops and 24-hour access to open studios.
You’ll also join a wider postgraduate community, connecting with peers across the School of Arts and Communication Design, university networks, and student-led clubs and societies.
Professional placement
Our MA Fine Art offers a professional placement at the Museum of English Rural Life, working with university curators to create public artwork and develop interpretation panels, marketing, and audience engagement.
You’ll also learn from the university conservator about material impact, safe installation, and conserving historical and contemporary works.
Work experience and career progression
We’re developing a public drawing programme across the university’s museums, collections, campuses, and botanical gardens, with MA Fine Art students involved in its planning and delivery to gain project management, teaching, marketing, and engagement skills. Additional work experience is available, from student ambassador roles to content production for events and social media.
Our goal is to help you build a sustainable art practice, community, and audience for a professional career, further research, or future roles in the cultural sector, teaching, or management.
Overall, 96% of graduates from Art are in work or further study within 15 months of graduation.*
*Based on our analysis of HESA data (c) HESA 2024, Graduate Outcomes Survey 2021/22, includes all Art responders).
Focused Support
Our smaller MA cohort size means you will be noticed and afforded individual attention. We bring together and share our diverse backgrounds and ages, wide ranging artistic, professional, and academic skills, knowledges, experiences, and doubts. We will work with you to identify areas for development early on, and measure your progress at critical stages of the course, to ensure that you are on track to meet both the course assessment criteria, and your own goals.
Meet our experts
Lean more about our academic teaching staff. You will be taught by leading artists, writers and curators throughout your degree.
Life in Reading
Step off campus and you'll find yourself in a bustling town centre offering a variety of shops, restaurants and activities. We're also well-connected – you can reach London Paddington within half an hour by train.