Description:
The two-year programme in Fine Art Painting emphasises both classical and new methods and techniques that artist painters use to create their works. Focuses on conceptual work together with the students’ practical work, is underlined with theoretical aspects of the programme to deepen students’ professional knowledge, broaden their horizons, and their abilities to contextualise their work concerning society and culture. In addition, the programme encourages students to further research and experimentation. Towards the end of the programme, students have options to pursue a BA degree at tertiary levels. Institutions and universities of their choices will evaluate the extent of their acquired credits from this programme.

Admission requirements:
* Have a secondary school matriculation certificate in the arts or equivalent
* Applicants must submit sketchbooks or folders with samples of their works
* The admissions board may invite potential applicants for an interview.

Structure:
The Fine Art Painting programme consists of 120 secondary school credits, in which the student acquires fourth level competence according to the Icelandic Qualification Framework for Education. Each term introduces a thematic subject matter. It steers students to examine the subject matter from different perspectives, explore novel approaches to material s and methods, and do experiments. In addition, students participate in forums where scholars and professionals from different areas of study join them for fruitful debates and discussions—to engage with the students and highlight the subject’s relationship with history and society. Teachings in conceptual and practical work run concurrently, but there is also a great deal of flow in which the development of projects and ideas go hand in hand. Towards the end of each semester, students work independently on their projects. The basis of the programme is practical, but about a quarter of all modules are academic. Academic modules include art history, philosophy, and seminar topics that set a platform for a wide range of discussions on painting and fine arts—an endeavour to let students view the subject’s history in a broader and more informed context. Some modules run throughout the term, and others for shorter periods.

Course assessment:
The course assessment considers the learning objectives set out in the course description. The course description stipulates frameworks of the projects and grading criteria of the students’ work. The curriculum may contain a prescribed assessment framework; however, a continuous evaluation of various assessment methods to meet students’ diverse needs determines the final appraisal. Practical modules assess both students’ competence in their relevant fields and their ability to express themselves critically on the subject by narrating their ideas. In addition to grades, students receive guideline reports at the end of most modules. For students with learning difficulties, modules are reviewed and revised in consultation with the school’s educational counsellor.

Course progress regulations:
To complete a module, students must attain a minimum grade of 5. The school curriculum contains further information on the studies and programme development.

Course objectives:
At the end of the course, students shall have the ability to:
* Work independently on specific projects
* Work systematically on the development of ideas
* Apply professional working procedures
* Have sound communication skills and the ability to work in close collaboration with others
* Be able to communicate detailed information about their ideas and work
* Participate in and follow discussions in their fields
* Know the working and business environment of their profession
* Know a variety of ways for presenting their work
* Work in a socially and environmentally responsible manner
* Handle hazardous materials responsibly
* Handle tools and equipment and maintain the work environment responsibly and sensibly.