Is a Fine Art Degree right for YOU? A Complete Guide

#fineart #artdegree #university
If anyone is wondering who I am, I’m a graduate from University of the Arts London (I did a Painting BA at Wimbledon, graduated in 2018) and I’m here to simply communicate as much useful information as I can to the masses and document my career as an artist. I try my best to speak about only what I know of and a thank you to all those supporting the channel so far, it has literally been built mostly from the interactions with the KZbin community.
Feel free to comment down below or message me on Instagram about any of my content, I’m all ears to both positive and negative criticism so don’t shy away! As I said above this channel is built from my interaction with everyone, SO KEEP THOSE COMMENTS AND MESSAGES COMING!
My current equipment -
Canon EOS 80D DSLR amzn.to/2Aqx405
Canon 24MM Lens for DSLR amzn.to/3dO3i3T
Canon EF 50MM Lens (Macro) amzn.to/2YZJ6rr
Panda Clip on Microphone
Winsor and Newton Artist Quality Oil Paint (For my paintings you see in the videos)
My Social Media (DM me for any questions, commissions or enquiries about my work)
Instagram / tomasfolanhasici @tomasfolanhasici
TikTok @tomasfolanhasiciart
(Other social media may be coming soon)

[@nicoletrasmanasllosis622]

I love that you say, "It's okay to feel lost when you're young." 😞 Thank you :>

[@TomasFolanHasici]

It's the reality for most of us I think, just needs to be said and young people should just be trying out loads of different things 💪🏻

[@kleefairy]

I've been watching this video from time to time just so I know I'm sure that shifting from a pre-med degree to a fine arts degree will be a good decision. And so far, I'm quite optimistic about a creative career. I appreciate the guide a lot.

[@TomasFolanHasici]

Really glad I could help a bit 👍🏻 I think the key factor is just being self aware and knowing what you're going in to. All the best for your future!

[@mielivre9427]

I’m thinking about switching too, this video is more insightful but I’m a little nervous and unsure. But this is something I’m really passionate about.

[@Simplicitywithme22]

Hey did u really shift already ?

[@kleefairy]

@@Simplicitywithme22 I actually did!

[@Simplicitywithme22]

@@kleefairy omg same

[@ejsbxbeiaskd1770]

Thank you! Currently having a big re-evaluation of what degree I want to study - I'm worried about my financial and career prospects if I study art... I am pretty terrified rn, but this managed to calm me down a little.

[@TomasFolanHasici]

Have a look into atelier schools and alternative options to the traditional art degrees, bare in mind that in terms of exposure a masters degree show is far more important than a BA level show 👍🏼

[@dutchiestudio]

i was ready for u to be sponsored by skillshare when you mentioned it😂

[@TomasFolanHasici]

I wish 😂 one day, one day haha

[@sangeethputhoorjose6232]

I get more clarity now listening to the key aspects you have mentioned for an art career. Thanks a lot.

[@cheriesspacecraft6046]

Yep! It's always about what to expect and the direction of personal development. thanks for this nice guide!

[@TomasFolanHasici]

And thank you for watching 😎

[@gavine2363]

“Here is my awkward goodbye” 😂I love this guy

[@TomasFolanHasici]

😂❤️

[@poflaco6988]

thanks for this video , now i have a idea what i have to do , you are the best

[@princessleai]

thank you for this, im going to start classes in aug '24. at least i have questions to ask my advisor to help me chose the correct path:)

[@joyceafonso4853]

I’m starting at CSM this year in September and your videos have been extremely helpful!

[@TomasFolanHasici]

Glad to hear 😄 thanks for watching! Hope you enjoy your time at CSM 👍🏼

[@lindseygodwin3875]

Thank you for the tips !

[@TomasFolanHasici]

You're welcome 😄

[@SoxrPxdding]

this video was extremely calming TT

[@mominaijaz8780]

Your voice is so soothing, video was super helpful too

[@TomasFolanHasici]

Glad it helped, thank you for watching! 😄

[@bratzliplogical]

What is the difference between Fine art degree and art degree?

[@Okayletsg0]

Thank you for the help, you have made me feel more secure and self assured in my path. Turned off Adblock for your channel lol

[@TomasFolanHasici]

Appreciate it haha, all the best for your art journey!

[@kingvelk8945]

Thank you for this video, it's very informative to an insight of a fine art degree. I'm currently in year 13 getting ready to do my A Level exams. I do DT product design, computer science and maths. Initially i wanted to do robotics or engineering but this year i have a sudden realisation that i want to head to a creative direction instead of engineering and feel that it would be ideal for me as i always enjoy drawing and my DT coursework stands out from my other subjects due to its creative aspects such as sketch work and modelling. Therefore i'm applying to an art and design foundation where i can try a range of courses out before making an informed decision. Fine art seems like a course for me but i'm just concerned about the career prospects. I might also lean towards 3d design, i will have to find out.

[@TomasFolanHasici]

I think a foundation course is a good idea, just beware of the complete lack of structure when it comes to fine art. Also remember that being a practicing artist doesn't require any form of degree, other creative (but more structured) routes with more straight forward career prospects might actually make it easier for you to make art (making a reliable income to support your personal practice).

[@kingvelk8945]

@@TomasFolanHasici True, i agree. I will begin experimenting the courses to find out which one is the most suitable. I might even do product design.

[@hannahrobertson_art]

I’m currently in a foundation art course in a college and I’m deciding what to do for university-I don’t know if it’s worth doing an art degree if the career outcome is uncertain or if I do languages instead

[@anjalisingh-bh1gi]

that must have been disappointing, to go to the tp uni for painting and realise that no one's going to teach/build the foundation of techniques.. i believe that to reach the freedom in technique you need to first master the traditional technique.

[@unisangalaxystudio]

Am not sure if I should get a Bachelor of Arts in Visual Art Studies as a person who just wants to learn animation. Like 2D and maybe 3D in my channel I display many forms of 2D media, ,most where all self taught. I wanted to see if BA will improve my skills so I could work in Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon or Crunchyroll. But I don't care for Photography, Ceramics,Glass or Painting. Don't want to waste time like what community college did where I got my associate's degree and it's useless.

[@Amy-sl1bc]

Last year I dropped out of Goldsmiths Fine Art and History of Art BA because of a lack of structure and the course just wasn't very good (and covid). I wondered if you knew of any interdisciplinary art courses or art courses with a little more structure with maybe specific classes (even if they are academic). I can't decide whether to try to do a practical course again or a more theory based liberal arts course and try to do arts on the side?? Or if you know of any that blend the two???

[@TomasFolanHasici]

Sorry I just saw this comment now! Unfortunately it seems that Fine Art Degrees just don't seem to provide what a lot of students are looking for. I would expect a History of Arts course at Goldsmiths to have structure lol but apparently not. If you're looking for some short courses to engage in while you make your mind up, I'd really recommend the courses from The Royal Drawing school - both online and in person are fantastic.

[@karaikalnizarbazil8211]

Hey! Do u have any advice on Mdes / MFA

[@CollyWobbles._3]

I always wanted to opt for arts degree but i was terrified about tye financial aspects. Somehow, my parents kinda got in my head, i am straight A student and got into a good university to study nursing maybe. Not even 2months have been barely passed, the depression hit ke really bad. I cried so much not liking my course even a slightest bit. Im thinking to drop out finally

[@TomasFolanHasici]

It makes sense to be scared about finances, it's the biggest stress coming out of a degree in the arts. I do think it makes sense to do something more practical for a degree (unless the arts in your area actually give you an education that's worth it). I also don't think you should do something that makes you miserable (I also dropped out of healthcare), but on the other hand the stress of having an arts degree with no direction is another issue 😆 In an ideal world I'd go back and look at practical degrees that had creative elements and do that instead of Fine Art.

[@A93640]

If you think you’re stressed now, imagine being a broke artist for the rest of your life and can’t afford food for your family let alone your self. Imagine living paycheck to paycheck debating if you should buy food or pay your light bill and you only have enough money for one. Imagine your child getting horribly sick and you don’t have the money to care for them. Yeah, that’s what your parents are trying to save you from. Unless mommy and daddy have a copious amount of money set aside for you when they pass away, then it isn’t for you. Inb4 someone says “u can technically make 10 million a year with an art degree if all the moon and stars align.” Okay? Don’t go with what’s possible, go with what’s probable. Your parents don’t want you to struggle in life like they did. You’re in for a rude awakening when you get out of school and hit real life.

[@CollyWobbles._3]

@@A93640 there is no being "broke artist " For the rest of your life, if it's going to take time making profit out of your art, you can also go study any other degree which will ensure you a job(online or offline), and get a job. Sure, there will be some hurdles to pass through but you won't fail. But I don't want to opt for an art degree lol. I'll study art separately and take a good degree, probably in the business sector. And lastly, I understand that there are people who's lives are way way way horrible than mine, I am grateful to have my life. What I want to say is that, that fact still doesn't take away my pain away from me. My life is in my own hands and I want to enhance it beautifully. Stress is inevitable

[@lyanneroberts7936]

Is this good for going into art valuation or an art specialist in a museum. I've heard people say they do it to further their art skills when I'm looking at it from the buisness side.

[@TomasFolanHasici]

A Fine Art degree teaches you practically 0 business skills, so skills-wise definitely no. As for the routes to becoming a specialist/art evaluator I'm not really aware of the routes to take - they probably vary.

[@lyanneroberts7936]

@@TomasFolanHasici oh I know it doesn't teach buisness, but I need the degree to get an internship or an apprenticeship that will teach me all that. But it does say a fine arts degree is very useful to get into gallery work as a specialist. It might not teach much but it will be on my cv. Thankyou for the advice your videos are really helpful and calming.

[@norseajax5279]

Bro I'm Nigerian 🇳🇬 am my passion for art isn't as strong as before haven't done anything related to it since 2018💔 felt insecure and lost about it and I'm conflicted weather or not I should go for it in right now

[@TomasFolanHasici]

Bro if you really love art you'll do it regardless of whether you study it or not 👍 Focus on creative skills that can make you some kind of a stable income alongside doing some art. It takes a long time to get really good, we all get insecure as artists you just gotta keep going 💪

[@nishmanihma6170]

Hi I’m nishma and i have a question currently iam studying fashion designing in national institute of fashion technology india but what if i get a scholarship to learn fine arts in other famous institution,cause i really love art and want to learn about it further more..and also another thing is that the college that now iam going is so expensive even though i got admission there through entrance exam.and they don’t teach you much its all about learning by our self but with the scholarship i can learn fine arts for free,and i really need to learn about light,colours ,colour theory ,anatomy and aesthetic do they teach these in fine arts how about I shifting to fine arts is it a great idea?pls can you answer this question

[@TomasFolanHasici]

So for London schools no, as I said there's no technical lessons in most mainstream degree courses here. The "Fine Arts" don't have any sort of traditional teaching whether it be learning about colour, light, drawing etc. It would be better to look into atelier schools or schools that advertise themselves as technical schools. A fine art degree here is mostly self-lead studio time.

[@gavan8422]

When i got admission for bfa, my parents forced me to do bba instead, now im lost worked and travelled with wrong tribe and people whom runs behind money. The demotivating opinions from home made me confused and created an art block, even now im freaking confused to choose a path while pursuing my masters towards right or left, my brain says go for a stable career and go for ur sub passions oriented course but my heart says go to sharpen and learn the skills

[@TomasFolanHasici]

If I had to do everything again, I'd choose a creative career path that makes money and then paint on the side. I don't think fine art or a masters teaches you much about being a successful artist or painter in my case. That's my perspective from the UK anyways.

[@gavan8422]

@@TomasFolanHasici namaste, thank you for your reply. I am from india and here education system is job oriented. I am planning to move to UK by January for perusing masters. I had worked as an accountant at Dubai, when its started eating my briain to live with the matrix, i moved to himalayas few years back,managing an organic farm stay and an adventure expedition club. I had received offer letter for mba tourism mgt at university of Cumbria, ambleside as im from bba background, to learn & work at a beautiful place like lake district, which less than an 1% of migrant students used to do instead of going to London and meanwhile joining for short term courses to learn illustrations, painting & tattooing. Therefore i can secure a career at one of my hobby related field as well as can learn art aside or else i had also applied for MA fine arts at teeside university, Middlesbrough for 2 year program with advance practice, risking everything & investing time and money for gaining knowledge to sharpen the skills to work in an interesting field to live happily. Any ways, to eroll in University at uk is a kind of a huge investment program and comfused to conclude with a decision. Hope you might understand what i am going through to give me a suggestion, ✌️♥️

[@anonymouslyknownravegirl2945]

Im an artist no doubt, I was thinking about taking the fine arts degree but I’m also interested in medical degree

[@TomasFolanHasici]

If you want stability and you enjoy the idea of being a Doctor choose medicine 😂 you can always make time for art, but a fine art degree doesn't get you much

[@rodrigocarmelo9070]

Even not non fine arts can sell paints out there, thanks

[@Nightsoul115]

I got a fine arts assoicates but now I regret it I should of choose industrial design or computer programming I’m ashamed of myself to be a person At least my college give me a design studies option to learn about industrial design, graphics, and digital, packaging design, understanding to code and build websites. At least is 2 years

[@AvsFan32]

Why assume it’s only young people that question things?

[@Oh_hey_there]

My cute little 16 yr old brain enrolled myself in years of debt 😂

[@williambarrett1234]

CHINA

[@nienkerosethijssen1226]

no

[@irenemichael1154]

You have to study what the society needs not what you like.. It might what you like.. Your society doesn't need. You will not find job