The Fine Arts Department offers graduate courses leading to the Master of Fine Arts Degree (MFA). The program is in studio art and its areas of specialization are:
- Drawing
- Painting
- Sculpture (including ceramic sculpture)
- Computer Imaging
The MFA degree is intended to lead students to a thorough mastery of both material and conceptual skills, and is used as a guarantee of professional competence in the visual arts. It is accepted as the final degree in studio art, and is now generally required for those intending to teach in this field at university level. It implies professional mastery of at least one medium, as well as a thorough grounding in art history, and an understanding of contemporary critical issues. It provides the time and circumstances to develop one's work in individual directions and also requires the successful completion, exhibition and defence of a coherent body of work in a comprehensive solo exhibition. The seminar course includes the writing of a major research paper in the first year, while the thesis exhibition will be accompanied by an extended artist's statement. As it serves as a requirement for teaching art, a supervised opportunity to learn to teach will be provided.