The course provides students with a wide knowledge of the visual arts as well as management knowledge and skills. The course contains modules on the visual arts and management studies as well as other options. After certain introductory studies, students take modules on the history of fine art and others, according to choice, in such areas as fashion, textiles, graphic design, ceramics, furniture, jewellery and interior design. General business and management studies include marketing, financial awareness, planning and systems. Management modules specifically related to the arts include coverage of funding, arts promotion and events, and art, crafts and design institutions.
Students take ten modules per level.
Each module comprises 120 study hours, which includes taught and private study time. Most modules involve one taught session per week. Timetabling is flexible to try to accommodate part-time students. To develop a wide range of skills a variety of assessment methods is used. These include essays, seminar papers, project reports, formal examinations and a dissertation.