Programme Specifications

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

The Fine Art programme at Loughborough University focuses on thinking through making, offering students the opportunity to engage with a range of contemporary and traditional art making processes, underpinned by analysis and debate in contemporary and historical fine art theories and practices. The programme aims to: 

• provide a supportive and intellectually stimulating environment through which to facilitate students’ acquisition of advanced practical, critical and professional skills in contemporary fine art practice; 

• embed the development of core practical skills, incorporating the latest technologies alongside more traditional and processes, within an innovative and conceptually challenging curriculum to develop independent and reflective learners; 

• deliver a broad understanding of art making and communication of ideas, which encourages sustainable cross-disciplinary practice and the use of imagination, innovation and experimentation; 

• foster critical engagement with art’s historical, theoretical, cultural, political, social and ethical dimensions; 

• enable the development of group, independent, professional and adaptable and sustainable working practices pertinent to a global art context; 

• prepare students for the diverse employment opportunities available in cultural and creative industries and other cognate fields.

2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external and internal reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

QAA Subject Benchmark Statement for Art and Design
The Framework for Higher Education Qualifications

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

K1. the uses and applications of traditional, contemporary, sustainable and emerging technologies within contemporary fine art practices;

K2. a variety of research methods to locate and critically analyse visual and textual sources;

K3. a broad range of contemporary and historical fine art practices, processes and theories;

K4. current debates and concepts in contemporary fine art and its wider social and political contexts;

K5. a wide variety of curatorial theories and practices relevant to the siting of contemporary fine art works.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

C1. engage with contemporary and historical art theories and practices to identify a critical and contextual framework relevant to their independent practice;

C2. formulate a critical position through the research and synthesis of practical and conceptual skills;

C3. critically appraise how the choice of media can affect the practical and conceptual development of practical work;

C4. reflect and respond to societal, political, and global challenges to develop responsive, sustainable and ethical art practices;

C5. locate their independent practice, alongside their peer group, within an appropriate contemporary curatorial context.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

P1. develop an ambitious independent and sustainable contemporary art practice through experimentation, technical innovation and the creative translation of ideas into artworks;

P2. use a range of media and processes, for example, drawing, moving image, painting, photography, sculpture, installation, sound and performance to create innovative contemporary professional standard artworks;

P3. apply fine art skills to develop a shared creative outcome in response to collaborative group work

P4. apply high level skills in both visual and textual analysis to present research findings in written, spoken and visual forms;

P5. plan and execute a professional standard exhibition of artworks.

c. Key transferable skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

T1. communicate concepts and processes appropriately and effectively using visual, verbal and written media;

T2. work independently and as part of a team to find creative solutions to complex problems;

T3. professionally manage long-term projects, organising time and workloads effectively, in order to produce work to deadlines;

T4. apply principles of good academic scholarship, ethical and sustainable practice and cultural diversity to their own work;

T5. apply their knowledge within a broad range of professional contexts.

4. Programme structure

INTRODUCTORY MODULES 

Part A 

Semester 1

Compulsory modules (60 credits) 

Semester 2 

Compulsory modules (50 credits) 

Optional modules (Students should select modules totalling 10 credits) 

DEGREE MODULES 

Part B 

Semester 1

Compulsory modules (60 credits) 

Semester 2 

Compulsory modules (50 credits) 

Optional modules (Students should select modules totalling 10 credits) 

Part I

Candidates will undertake an approved study placement leading to the Diploma in International Studies /Diploma in Professional Studies in accordance with Regulation XI. 

 Part C

 Semester 1

Compulsory modules (60 credits) 

Semester 2

Compulsory modules (60 credits) 

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

In order to progress from Part A to Part B, from Part B to C and to be eligible for the award of an Honours degree, candidates must satisfy the minimum credit requirements set out in Regulation XX.

6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the purposes of Final Degree Classification

Candidates' final degree classification will be determined on the basis of their performance in degree level Module Assessments in Parts B and C. The percentage mark for each Part will be combined in the ratio Part B 40% and Part C 60% to determine the final percentage mark.

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

The Graphic Design programme at Loughborough University focusses on offering students the opportunity to develop innovative, professional and intellectually rigorous graphic design practices. The programme aims to:

• provide a creative, critical and intellectually stimulating environment to support students to develop accomplished and rigorous graphic design practices;
• enable students to engage with complex problem solving through the application of research, design methods, creative strategies and experimentation;
• provide practical, technical and theoretical expertise to enable students to develop visual practices across a diverse range of design and communication contexts;
• enable students to engage with their peers, stakeholders and society to develop skills in entrepreneurship and creative risk-taking;
• enable students to critically evaluate graphic design practices in relation to economic, vocational, ethical, sustainability and global contexts;
• prepare students for diverse employment opportunities by developing agile, independent and resilient graphic design practitioners that are able to respond to changing professional, societal and technological challenges.

2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external and internal reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

The Benchmark Statement for Art and Design

The Framework for Higher Education Qualifications

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of: 

K1. how graphic design methods, processes and techniques are utilised to articulate concepts and achieve intended outcomes;

K2. the principles of creative, iterative, evidence-based and reflective processes in complex problem solving;

K3. contemporary, historical and theoretical perspectives on graphic design; 

K4. persuasive communication of design ideas, research and rationales;

K5. the position of graphic design practitioners within networks of stakeholders, collaborators, organisations and society;

K6. the nature and value of ethical and sustainable graphic design practices within social, economic, cultural, political, technological, global and ecological contexts.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

C1. evaluate the relevance of graphic design methods, processes and techniques for different objectives and specialisms;

C2. synthesise research outcomes and creative development in the articulation of visual solutions;

C3. critically appraise contemporary, historical and theoretical design research for its relevance to specific design applications and specialisms;

C4. analyse methods for communicating design activity to external audiences;

C5. situate their design activity within a network of stakeholders, collaborators and organisations;

C6. reflect on societal and global challenges and interpret these in the context of their role as an ethical practitioner.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to: 

P1. apply appropriate graphic design methods, processes and techniques to achieve independent and collaborative design outcomes;

P2. generate visual outputs for diverse design and communication contexts suitable for application within a chosen specialism;

P3. generate innovative design proposals and solutions in response to briefs;

P4. employ appropriate research methods to inform empathic, contextually appropriate and evidence-based design decisions;

P5. communicate key design outcomes persuasively and meaningfully;

P6. develop and apply a contextually aware, sustainable and responsible approach to practicing graphic design.

c. Key transferable skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to: 

T1. effectively and independently manage projects to achieve intended outcomes within deadlines; 

T2. visually, textually and orally communicate complex information to specific audiences;

T3. use creativity and innovation in problem solving to generate proposals and solutions;

T4. identify, retrieve and analyse information relevant to a proposition, discussion or issue;

T5. demonstrate ability to work independently and as part of a team.

4. Programme structure

Part A 

Semester 1 

Compulsory modules (60 credits)  

Semester 2 

Compulsory modules (50 credits) 

Optional modules (Students should select modules totalling 10 credits) 

DEGREE MODULES 

Part B 

Semester 1

Compulsory modules (60 credits) 

Semester 2

Compulsory modules (50 credits) 

Optional modules (Students should select modules totalling 10 credits) 

 Part I 

Candidates will undertake an approved study placement leading to the Diploma in International Studies /Diploma in Professional Studies in accordance with Regulation XI. 

Part C 

Semester 1

Compulsory modules  (60 credits) 

Semester 2

Compulsory modules  (60 credits) 

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

In order to progress from Part A to Part B, from Part B to C, and to be eligible for the award of an Honours degree, candidates must satisfy the minimum credit requirements set out in Regulation XX.

6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the purposes of Final Degree Classification

Candidates' final degree classification will be determined on the basis of their performance in degree level Module Assessments in Parts B and C. The percentage mark for each Part will be combined in the ratio Part B 40% and Part C 60% to determine the final percentage mark.

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

The Textiles BA programme at Loughborough University offers a diverse and inclusive curriculum to inspire and train multi-disciplinary textiles practitioners through the study of materials, processes and design thinking methods. The programme aims to: 

• provide an intellectually stimulating environment in which students can develop the necessary critical, conceptual and practical skills to develop their independent textiles practice; 

• deliver a broad knowledge of the materials, processes and specialist techniques involved in contemporary textiles across a diverse range of creative industries, such as Fashion, Interiors, Textiles Art, Research and Textile Technology;  

• promote the development of core practical skills, incorporating the latest technologies alongside more traditional media and processes, in relation to appropriate contemporary and historical textiles design practices; 

• foster critical engagement with theoretical, historical, cultural, political, ethical and sustainability issues; 

• develop relationships in appropriate industrial and commercial contexts to support the development of enterprising and highly employable individuals; 

• promote a progressive culture in which students are active participants in the School’s learning community and are encouraged to approach their work with a sense of enquiry, individuality and strong critical awareness.

2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external and internal reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

QAA Subject Benchmark Statement for Art and Design
The Framework for Higher Education Qualifications

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of: 

K1. a variety of textiles design research methods to investigate ideas, concepts and solutions in response to a set or self-initiated brief; 

K2. a broad range of contemporary and historical design practices, theories and material culture; 

K3. the diversity of textiles materials, processes and environments employed within textiles design; 

K4. the uses and applications of current and emerging technologies relevant to the development of independent and innovative approaches to textile production; 

K5. the integration of professional, enterprising, ethical and sustainable practice in textiles and other design and craft related specialisms; 

K6. the breadth and variety of opportunities within the textiles discipline.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to: 

C1. carry out a critical and speculative enquiry of design history, theory and material culture, contemporary design, and future scenarios; 

C2. appraise and select appropriate contextual and theoretical research sources to inform their sustainable textile design practice; 

C3. interrogate a variety of design methodologies for their relevance in achieving textile design outcomes; 

C4. critically analyse and articulate the aesthetic and functional dynamics of their textile design outcomes; 

C5. synthesise concepts through discovery, creativity, experimentation, imagination and problem solving to identify new ideas and approaches within the existing knowledge framework.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to: 

P1. undertake independent research into relevant concepts, processes and contexts to develop an independent sustainable and ethical textiles design practice; 

P2. apply high level skills in both visual and textual analysis to create textiles practice, written assignments, verbal and visual presentations; 

P3. effectively use a range of textile processes and specialist equipment, such as silk-screen printing, digital embroidery, digital textile printing, weaving, stitching, ceramics, laser, 3D and metals to construct textile samples or manipulate and apply surface imagery; 

P4. evidence innovative and advanced use of appropriate materials, processes, tools and technologies to generate textile outcomes and final applications; 

P5. produce specifications sufficient to reproduce fabric samples through an understanding of the calculations involved in the use of specialist equipment; 

P6. create a coherent portfolio of work that evidences aspiration and calculated levels of risk-taking to advance the production and application associated with their practice.

c. Key transferable skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:           

T1. undertake individual learning and development, organise and plan work schedules to manage workloads and meet deadlines; 

T2. reflect on and evaluate areas of personal strength and areas for development in relation to academic, professional and personal skills; 

T3. deliver a professional presentation and demonstrate abilities to collaborate, work within a team and utilise negotiation skills; 

T4. co-ordinate the use of shared resources, collaborate and share responsibility with others; 

T5. identify opportunities for continuous development through further study, employment, or enterprise and be able to apply their knowledge within a broad range of professional contexts.

4. Programme structure

INTRODUCTORY MODULES 

Part A 

Semester 1 

Compulsory modules  (60 credits) 

Semester 2

Compulsory modules  (50 credits) 

Optional module (Students should select modules totalling 10 credits) 

DEGREE MODULES 

Part B 

Semester 1 

Compulsory modules (60 credits) 

Semester 2 

Compulsory modules (50 credits) 

Optional modules (Students should select modules totalling 10 credits) 

Part I

Candidates will undertake an approved study placement leading to the Diploma in International Studies /Diploma in Professional Studies in accordance with Regulation XI. 

Part C 

Semester 1 

Compulsory modules (60 credits) 

Semester 2

Compulsory modules (60 credits) 

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

In order to progress from Part A to Part B, from Part B to C and to be eligible for the award of an Honours degree, candidates must satisfy the minimum credit requirements set out in Regulation XX.

6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the purposes of Final Degree Classification

Candidates' final degree classification will be determined on the basis of their performance in degree level Module Assessments in Parts B and C. The percentage mark for each Part will be combined in the ratio Part B 40% and Part C 60% to determine the final percentage mark.