Glasgow School of Art Programme

The Glasgow School of Art Studio Art Programme for Study Abroad Students (SASAP) has been designed to give Study Abroad students the opportunity to take classes with the Glasgow School of Art, internationally recognised as one of Europe's leading institutions for the visual creative disciplines. The School has a long history of producing innovative, creative and successful artists, designers and architects, including Charles Rennie Mackintosh, one of modern history’s most influential designers.

The Glasgow School of Art, founded in 1845 and is one of the few remaining art schools in the UK, located in the city centre of Glasgow. Study Abroad students at the University of Glasgow, you have the opportunity to take one or two classes with the Glasgow School of Art in:

  • Figurative Sculpture
  • Introduction to Acrylic Painting
  • Introduction to Black and White Photography
  • Introduction to Graphic Design
  • Life Drawing – Rendering the Human Form
  • Stained Glass.

All these courses are open to the University of Glasgow Study Aboard and Exchange Students and are designed for beginners and those with limited experience. See more details below.

The section below has more detail on each area.

Further information

Teaching style and courses available

Organisation of study

An integral part of these courses is the researching and development of ideas and techniques relating to the subject through independent sketchbook work, which will extend students’ practice out-with studio hours. Students will also be encouraged to broaden their awareness and knowledge of both traditional and contemporary art practices. This will enable students to place their work within a broader context and assist the development of their own practice as an artist.

The courses are conducted by means of practical studio and workshop sessions, complemented by seminars, critiques and tutorials. Study Abroad students can take one or two classes (subject to availability) with the Glasgow School of Art in the following:

Figurative Sculpture

Course details to be confirmed.

Introduction to Black and White Photography

Course details to be confirmed.

Introduction to Acrylic Painting 

Introduction to Acrylic Painting will introduce students to the key terminologies, concepts and applications of Acrylic Painting. Students will receive one to one tuition on the choice of subject matter, the rendering of their drawing, the application of paint and their approach to layering paint.

Introduction to Graphic Design 

This course provides students with the opportunity to gain an understanding and awareness of graphic design the theory and context associated with the subject. The course will also provide the opportunity to explore a range of strategies applied effectively for recording and developing visual communication, exploring conceptual ideas to be documented in a sketchbook or visual research journal, supported by contextual secondary references where appropriate.

Life Drawing – Rendering the Human Form

The aim of this course is to offer a variety of approaches to the practice of drawing the figure through the study of both technical and expressive skills. Students will make studies from the nude figure (male and female) promoting a basic understanding of human anatomy and look at different aspects of drawing such as line, tone and structure. Learning about methods of measurement and analysis, materials and techniques, providing a solid foundation of knowledge, skill and confidence on which you can build in your chosen way. Suitable for beginners and those with limited experience.

Stained Glasss

This course aims to introduce students to a range of glass techniques, including glass cutting, painting, leading, soldering and finishing, to enable the production and completion of a leaded glass panels. Students will develop practical and theoretical skills in the practice of glass through set projects and through research, designing, planning and making, leading to a final bespoke piece. Students will also develop an awareness of the historical and contemporary practice associated with Stained Glass.
Materials will be provided as well as all safety equipment.

Evaluation, credits and timetable

Evaluation and credits

Assessment of your work takes place regularly throughout the course on an informal basis and once during the course on a formal basis. Assessments take the form of individual tutorials and group reviews.

After the final assessment students will be issued with a letter-band grade in accordance with the University of Glasgow Study Abroad guidelines. The grade will indicate the level of your performance and the work made during the course.

You will receive 10 Glasgow credits which is approximately equivalent to 2.5 US credits. You can take a maximum of 2 GSA classes (subject to availability).

Timetable 

  • Each class is three-hours long.
  • All teaching is conducted on the Glasgow School of Art campus.

Timetable for semester 1

  • Mondays:
    Introduction to Acrylic Painting, 10am to 1pm or 2pm to 5pm.
  • Tuesdays:
    Life Drawing – Rendering the Human Form, 10am to 1pm or 2pm to 5pm.
    Introduction to Graphic Design, 10am to 1pm or 2pm to 5pm.
  • Wednesdays:
    Figurative Sculpture, 10am to 1pm or 2pm to 5pm.
  • Thursdays:
    Stained Glass, 10am to 1pm or 2pm to 5pm.
  • Fridays:
    Introduction to Black and White Photography, 10am to 1pm only.
    Introduction to Graphic Design, 10am to 1pm or 2pm to 5pm.