Core Programme Overview

Core Programme Course Duration:

9 Terms (typically completed in 3 years)

Tuition Cost per Term:

£ 2,200

Our core programme is designed to teach the fundamental practices of representational drawing and painting over the course of three years of study. Comprised of a series of carefully designed exercises, our programme begins by teaching the most basic principals of drawing representationally from life, and then progresses in a series of stages that increase in complexity and transition the student into painting over the course of the three years. Each individual exercise is predicated upon the skills gained from the preceding projects; thus, students reach their goal of technical mastery in small, manageable steps. 

At the Glasgow Academy of Fine Art, students learn through a combination of theory and applied practice. All course projects are done in the studio under the direction of our tutors. Our curriculum caters to both the individual student, and to the group through a combination of group lectures and individualised, one-on-one critiques. Students learn both from their instructors and from their peers, in a highly collaborative and creative classroom environment.

“Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.”

-Chinese Proverb

We aim to teach students not only how to create masterful works of art whilst studying with us, but also how to self-critique and self-analyse so that they will continue to develop and improve upon their skills throughout their lifetime. Our approach to teaching helps the student solve the problem at hand, whilst also elucidating the underlying principles behind their particular conundrum. Thus we empower our graduates to find success beyond the confines of the classroom. 

Interested in learning more about our core programme?

Learn more about applying to study with us here:

Read an in-depth description of each year of our core programme here: