This degree is for those who wish to focus on drawing and painting to become reflective artists with the skills necessary to effectively develop a personal artistic vision or voice. A range of options at Level Four provides the opportunity to explore another visual art discipline to enrich and broaden the range. That the nature of painting is subject of continual debate will be confronted throughout the BA painting programme. While the programme asserts the importance of the development of traditional technical skills in drawing and painting as the basis for your enquiry and practice, that development process may result in your work growing in either traditional or more conceptual terms and you will be encouraged to pursue the route you desire. The aims of the degree are to: Widen access to education in painting at undergraduate level through Open and Flexible Learning. Ensure you gain the traditional skills associated with drawing and painting to form a solid foundation for further development. Provide an intellectually stimulating programme of study based on high quality study material delivered by experienced artists. Develop your creative capacities and ability in the interpretation and application of imagery. Develop your critical understanding of the theoretical and conceptual issues central to the practice of painting and the social, historical and cultural context in which it is practiced. Provide an environment in which you have the possibility of changing your view of the world and your interaction with it both visually and intellectually. Foster high-level ethical and professional standards and an awareness of the possibilities offered by existing and new developments in art and painting to expand your application areas. On successful completion of the degree, you will have skills for employment, professional standards, an understanding of the vocational context within which the discipline sits, an ability to communicate information and justify your art work, and be a resourceful and independent learner. You will have a breadth of creativity and inventiveness, as well as a range of painting and drawing techniques. You will be able to articulate and comment upon underpinning art theory and concepts through writing and speech. You will also have a broad knowledge and critical understanding of the principles of fine art and knowledge of emerging aspects of the discipline and those at the forefront of debate.