ART AND DESIGN courses at Salford
Are you passionate about art and design?
From fine art to design for the stage and screen, from photography to graphic design – the areas of specialism within art and design are vast, and at the University of Salford, we’ve got them covered.
You’ll be able to specialise in the areas that interest you, undertake live briefs and real-world assignments, and at the end of it all; you’ll graduate with a portfolio of work and the confidence you’ll need to make an impact from day one of your new career.
Read on to find out what courses we offer, and where an art and design degree could take you.
The home of art and design at Salford
When you study art and design courses with us, you’ll call the £55 million New Adelphi building home. It’s where you’ll find industry-standard facilities and teams of experienced and dedicated tutors and technicians on hand to help you hone your skills and develop your creativity.
Undergraduate courses
Spend three years exploring the areas of art and design which interest you most. You’ll gain an understanding of the general skills you’ll need and, as you progress, you’ll get the chance to specialise in your area of interest.
All of our undergraduate degrees are also available as a four-year programme with a Foundation Year. The shared Foundation Year provides the perfect opportunity for people who want more time to explore the key principles of art, design and media. The course is designed to help you develop your creative skills, build a larger portfolio, and familiarise yourself with the School of Art and Media and life as a student at Salford.
Costume Design
Film, TV and Stage Design
Fine Art
Graphic Design
Interior Design
Photography
Postgraduate courses
These courses will allow you to build on your undergraduate study and work experience to further develop your skills and job prospects.
Do I need to prepare a portfolio as part of my application?
As part of your undergraduate application, we will need to see a portfolio of your work to provide an opportunity for you to share your creative practice with us. Any offers will be conditional upon our subject team having the opportunity to review your portfolio.
As part of a postgraduate application we may also want to see a portfolio and personal statement. You can find the details of these requirements on the individual course pages.
What social channels do your art and design courses have so I can follow you?
The below course areas have an Instagram account so you can keep up to date with what our students and staff are up to:
- Graphic Design
- Costume Design
- Fine Art
- Film, TV and Stage Design
- Interior Design
- Photography
- Art and Design Foundation Year courses
You can also follow the Salford School of Arts, Media and Creative Technology Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook accounts.
Do you have to specialise in certain media or techniques, or can you explore a range?
In year one, you’ll be taught the basics of various media, such as painting, sculpture, printmaking, photography, film, digital software and more. You can apply these processes to whatever ideas you are exploring in the studio.
Our students have the freedom to specialise in one particular media, or they can try out lots of different ways of working over the three years of study.
What materials or equipment do you recommend I bring to start the course?
We have a resource centre where you can buy a wide range of consumables like paper, paints, brushes, printmaking materials and much more.
When you come to study with us, we recommend that you bring a pencil case full of your favourite drawing materials and some essential tools, depending on your budget and the course you want to study.
We also have an equipment store located on campus for you to loan a range of cameras, tablets, lighting, and other specialist equipment.
Are your art and design degree courses suitable for students that commute?
Yes! At the University of Salford, we offer lots of support for commuter students. We have two Commuter Hubs, which are designated areas on campus for students who want somewhere to study away from the library, make and eat their own food, or even play some Xbox games.
We also have excellent transport links - there is reasonable parking on campus, a train station next to Peel Park Campus, and buses running every few minutes into Manchester and going into Greater Manchester.
What will my timetable in the first year look like?
This depends on the programme you are on. First-year students are often in three days a week. Typically, the contact hours are 09:30 - 16:30, although some days may be shorter. You will usually have one full day free a week to enable you to participate in extra-curricular activities or work part-time.
Are your art and design degree courses more practical, or do I need to write a lot of essays?
All of our art and design university courses will require you to explore theory and will involve writing essays or giving group presentations. This will help you become a better communicator and support your learning and development practices.
We do have a strong practical focus in our degrees though, which allows you to take advantage of our cutting-edge facilities, so you can refine your craft and learn new techniques and skills.
Are there internship options available, and what type of jobs could I get after finishing my art and design degree?
We have experienced staff teaching on all our courses, who have built great and long-lasting relationships with the creative sector. You'll be encouraged to apply for opportunities throughout your learning experience where you could gain practical work experience.
Graduates may be able to apply for internships in the School of Arts, Media or Creative Technology, or in the University Marketing and Communications teams.
Once you graduate, you'll gain the skills needed to apply for a job within the creative industry. You can find out more about the type of jobs you get once you complete a degree with us by attending our upcoming Open Days.
Do your courses have opportunities to meet professionals, artists, designers working within the field I will be specialising in?
Yes, we have many industry professionals involved in our art and design programmes and special guest lecturers talking about their work and professions throughout the year.
Does the University of Salford provide any awards for its graduates ?
We celebrate the achievements of our students and graduates each year at our annual Create Student Awards, and through the Degree Show, School Graduate Scholarship Award, and subject level celebrations.
Will I be able to develop my own ideas and interests on your art and design courses?
We'll encourage and support you to find your voice, take bold creative risks and get industry-ready. Depending on the course you choose, you'll take part in seminars where you'll present your own ideas to both our teaching staff and your peers to help you develop your ideas.
Do your art and design degree courses have any technical staff who can help me learn new skills?
We know that having great facilities is only half the story. We employ specialist technicians who will work with you on your chosen course to teach you the relevant skills needed to succeed, whether that's learning how to use industry-standard design software or how to use our specialist arts facilities.
Explore our facilities
When you study art and design with us, you'll get access to industry-standard facilities in our £55 million New Adelphi building, which opened in 2016. The facilities are geared towards helping you harness your creativity, with everything from flexible studio space to 3D printers. Not sure how something works? Don't worry; our team of experts will ensure you'll get the most out of using our Art and Design facilities at the university of Salford.
If you're viewing from a mobile or tablet, explore a 360 of our New Adelphi facilities by clicking 'tap here' below. If you're viewing from a laptop or computer, find a 360 of our New Adelphi facilities below.
Why study at Salford?
We're proud that Greater Manchester's design sector is etched on the world map. With iconic brands such as Adidas, JD Sports and Social Chain, and cultural venues like HOME and The Lowry on our doorstep, you'll be surrounded by a thriving creative sector.
Whatever you choose to study with us, you’ll be mentored and supported by experts. And once you graduate, it won’t end there. You’ll join a thriving alumni network meaning you’ll be supported professionally and personally whenever you need it.
The outstanding equipment, hardware and software we have can sometimes be daunting if you’re unfamiliar with what’s on offer. No matter what level of experience you start with, our team of tutors and technicians are here to support and guide you.