Ranked among the Top 100 universities in the world, the University of Southampton is an ideal place to learn fine arts. Its Winchester School of Art is one of 25 schools at the university and is fully integrated with the University of Southampton.

Set in the lovely city of Winchester, the School of Art has a rich history which can be traced back more than a century. It was incorporated into the University of Southampton in 1996. The School is reputed for its great infrastructure and interdisciplinary research.

The School is committed to becoming a major international centre for research in global art and design, culture and communication. Its research encompasses fine art, graphic arts, fashion and textile design, marketing, branding, management and contemporary arts, curatorship, and researchers disseminate creative practice in all these areas through internationally-recognised publications and exhibitions.

Winchester School of Art - University of Southampton

Winchester School of Art - University of Southampton. Pic: WSA.

Academics
Creative talent is nurtured and honed in order to bring out the best in students. A focused approach helps improve each individual’s performance and provide learning which fits well with industry demands. Group work is a major part of studying at Winchester School of Art which gradually gives way to autonomous analysis and research of projects. This way, students learn to be team players as well as leaders and independent thinkers. Soft skills such as time management (through meeting deadlines), team work (through group studies) and presentation skills (through projects) prepare students for a confident start in their career.

The School offers an impressive range of courses in design, fine arts, photography, digital media, textiles, fashion, and more.

Undergraduate Courses
The School offers three-year BA(Hons) degrees in Fashion and Textile Design, Fashion Marketing, Fine Arts and Graphic Arts. The undergraduate programmes follow a modular structure where the core modules focus on career-building areas such as enterprise, branding and marketing. With the exception of the Fashion Marketing degree, all the undergraduate programmes offer the opportunity to specialise in a chosen field. Students are motivated to give their best throughout the year since assessment of performance is done on a continuous basis rather than through an end-of-year exam. A number of work placement opportunities and student exchanges give students essential professional and international exposure. During the second semester of the second year, undergraduates spend time abroad and are marked for the work that they do there.

Postgraduate Programmes
MA (taught) degrees in the areas of design, fine arts and media are available here, as is the opportunity to interact and grow with about 170 other postgraduate students. Being a research-intensive institute, the School encourages its students to participate in workshops and seminars while being guided by the specialists in the field.

Research Programmes
Four-year full-time PhD degrees are offered in fine arts, design, painting, visual art, media, communications and so on. The vast circumference of a cross-disciplinary research allows students to join forces with historians, biomedical scientists, computer experts and sound engineers in order to gain insights for their thesis.

Winchester School of Art - University of Southampton

Winchester School of Art - University of Southampton. Pic: WSA.

Employability
The Winchester School of Art places a lot of emphasis on the employability of graduates and curriculum modules are planned in a way which maximises their work-readiness. The faculty comprises of practicing industry professionals willing to help students with practical issues of art and design. Ventures such as the Student Agency help match students with prospective clients and employers, while Career Services provide all the necessary guidance to the students. A number of work placement opportunities, as well as student exchange programmes, ensure students have the right skills to launch successful careers.

The School’s campus offers space in galleries to showcase the works of its students to the public. At the Winchester Gallery, students are not only exposed to the works of contemporary artists from time to time but also get a chance to display their own creations.

International
Students travel from all over the world to take advantages of the high standard of teaching and state-of-the-art facilities that Winchester School of Art has to offer. The vibrant and diverse campus allows students to learn and grow in an enviable environment. The School provides continued support to its International students throughout their time there. Services range from advice and information on day-to-day matters, to visa information and financial help. English Language support is also available to all International students.

Campus Life
As a major tourist attraction with its historical 11th century Cathedral, restaurants, coffee shops, museums, Winchester is an interesting place to study. The School takes care of the comforts of the students. Facilities such as swimming pool, sports halls, and gyms are available for students at a nominal price within the campus. The School offers accommodation in halls of residence which are purpose-built for students only.

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