The information on this course page is for the 2025/26 academic year, starting in September 2025. If available, you may also apply for a January 2025 start by following the link on the course page.

Contemporary Art Practice HND

Course code 309W

What is special about this course?

Join these stimulating, project-based, interdisciplinary courses and respond to a range of creative briefs designed to challenge, motivate, and inspire.

Explore a variety of media, processes, and techniques, including drawing, painting, sculpture, film, and photography. Develop your personal work and projects, with modules in portfolio-building and personal development planning. These courses form the first two years of our BA (Hons) Art and Contemporary Practices.

Special features

  • You will develop practical and transferable skills in contemporary art practice and develop a broad visual language
  • You will develop an open-minded, critical and evaluative approach to study, investigation and research
  • This course will allow you to develop an understanding of the influence and contribution made by art practice and practitioners within the 20th and 21st centuries
  • With this recognised qualification and on successful completion of this course you could have the potential to gain employment in galleries, work with design companies and agencies or as a freelance graphic designer

Accommodation

We offer modern student accommodation at a number of our locations.

Entry requirements

  • 2 Highers at grade C or above OR
  • 2 A levels at grade D or above OR
  • NC Art and Design
  • HNC Contemporary Art Practice may provide direct entry to year 2
  • Prospective students without the standard entry requirements as listed above are encouraged to apply
  • You will be required to submit a portfolio of work and may be asked to attend an interview
  • This is a Category 2 PVG course: PVG Scheme membership is required for specific optional modules/unit(s), where there is guaranteed contact with vulnerable groups in optional module/unit(s), but an alternative pathway exists to achieve target qualification. For further information visit our PVG scheme webpage

Access routes

  • NC Art and Design
  • Direct entry to year 2 may be possible with an HNC Contemporary Art Practice

 

As well as developing my artistic ability the course has taught me business skills such as marketing, and planning as well as providing an insight into what being a freelance artist could be like.  The course helped me to develop new photography skills which I never would’ve thought to try and has given me the confidence to enter local exhibitions and competitions and attend pop-up markets with both my photography and artwork. 

Sophie studied the HND Contemporary Art Practice at UHI Inverness.

Apply for Contemporary Art Practice HND

I want to start in Aug/Sep 2025

We are delighted that you are thinking about studying at the University of the Highlands and Islands. We operate a fair and open admissions system committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination. We consider all applications on merit and on the basis of ability to achieve, without discrimination on grounds of gender, age, disability, ethnicity and socio-economic background. We welcome applications from all prospective students and aim to provide appropriate and efficient services to students with disabilities.