Faculty of Culture, Creative and Performing Arts

Department of Creative and Performing Arts

Undergraduate Programmes

BFA Creative Arts

About the Programme

 

The Bachelor of Fine Arts – Creative Arts programme is organised around a common core of knowledge and concepts derived from developments in art history, theory and practice of the arts; interdisciplinary arts, Caribbean studies; and cultural studies.  It seeks to educate artists, teachers of art, arts critics, arts administrators and arts managers who will advance the exploration and appreciation of the arts in the Caribbean. 

What Will I Study?

  • Specialise in TWO of three disciplines chosen from dance or film or theatre – exploring the creative process, closely examining the power of creative expression, developing ideas and creating knowledge through practice.
  • Studies are organized around a common core of knowledge and concepts derived from developments in art history, theory and the practice of the arts; interdisciplinary arts; Caribbean Studies; and Cultural studies.
  • Through the study and reflection of education and research, students will learn how to foster and promote creativity and innovation.
  • Students will learn about the development and application of new technologies in the arts.

Facilities and Resources

The Faculty boasts state of the art facilities, including an art gallery, cinematheque, rehearsal room, performance centre, dance studio, computer lab, and pedagogical centre. The Walcott Warner Theatre is a multipurpose facility suited for all types of events, and seating up to 252 persons.

Apart from teaching, our facilities can also be booked for film screenings, meetings, workshops, seminars, lectures, event rehearsals. Features such as grand or upright pianos, AV equipment, sound and lighting are available on request.  Learn how to book any of our facilities »

Career Opportunities

The BFA can help make your creativity flourish into a fruitful career in areas such as

  • researchers
  • theatre artists
  • filmmakers
  • dancers
  • choreographers
  • teachers
  • art administrators of galleries and museums
  • producers
  • production staff in print and audio-visual media
  • choreography
  • playwrights
  • screenwriters
  • production managers

Why Study in Barbados

An internationally accredited programme introduces our international students to the creative arts from a Caribbean perspective, while providing fundamental knowledge and developing skills suited for a professional career at the global level.

See why you should study in Barbados from our International Office
https://www.cavehill.uwi.edu/international/international-students/why-study-in-barbados.aspx

 

Get Started

At a Glance

  • Degree Level: Undergraduate
  • Qualification: BFA
  • Duration: 3 years Full-time, 4 years Part-time

Contact


Programme Details

90 credits are required for the award of the degree, including 54 credits of courses from the Creative Arts discipline. 

LEVEL I  (30 Credits – 10 courses)

1. HUMN1001 Critical Foundations in the Arts (3 credits)

Faculty Requirements:
2. FOUN1006 Exposition for Academic Purposes (3 credits)
3. Either FOUN1004 An Introduction to Argument  OR
FOUN1003 Introduction to Creative Non-Fiction (3 credits)
4. One (1) Level I Faculty elective (3 credits)
5. (i) One (1) Beginners’ Foreign Language (for all students without a CSEC or equivalent qualification in a Foreign Language (see Foreign Language Requirement)   OR
(ii) One level 1 Faculty elective for students who possess at least a Grade 3 in CSEC or equivalent in a Foreign Language.

Creative Arts Concentrations:
6-7. Students must complete a minimum of six (6) credits of Level I courses in the Creative Arts according to their concentration as outlined below:

Dance concentration (6 credits)
6. DANC1301 Introduction to Dance* (3 credits) 
7. Either FILM1000 Introduction to Film OR THEA1000 Introduction to Theatre (3 credits each)

Film (Moving Picture Arts) concentration (6 credits)
6. FILM1000 Introduction to Film (3 credits)
7. Either DANC1301 Introduction to Dance* OR THEA1000 Introduction to Theatre (3 credits each)

Theatre concentration (6 credits)
6. THEA1000 Introduction to Theatre (3 credits)
7. Either DANC1301 Introduction to Dance* OR FILM1000 Introduction to Film (3 credits each)
8-10. Three (3) Level I electives

* Not offered this year, please consult Faculty for replacement course
 
LEVEL II (30 credits)

Major Requirements:
1. One of:
i. FILM2010 History and Theory of Cinematic Forms OR
ii. THEA2002 History and Theory of Performing Arts

Faculty Requirements:
2. FOUN1201 Science, Medicine and Tech. in Society
3. FOUN1301 Law, Governance, Economy and Society in the Caribbean

Creative Arts Concentrations:
4-9. Students must complete a minimum of eighteen (18) credits of Level II courses in the Creative Arts as outlined:
Dance Concentration (18 credits)
4-5. DANC2301 Dance Technique* (6 credits)
6. DANC2303 Modern Dance* (3 credits)
7-9.  Any nine (9) credits of level II courses chosen from the Theatre or Moving Picture Arts concentrations

Film (Moving Picture Arts) Concentration (18 credits)
Any eighteen (18) credits chosen from the following Level II Motion Picture Arts courses:
4-6. Any nine (9) credits chosen from the following Level II Film courses:
 FILM2000 Caribbean Film (3 credits)
 FILM2110 Production Tools (3 credits)
 FILM2115 Cinematography (3 credits)
 FILM2103 Documentary (3 credits)
 FILM2104 Production Management (3 credits)
 FILM2801 Fundamentals of Story & Narration (3 credits)
 FILM2802 Writing for Stage and Screen (3 credits)
7-9. Any nine (9) credits of level II courses chosen from Dance, Film (not completed above) or Theatre concentrations.

Theatre Concentration (15 credits)
4-5. THEA2210 Acting for Stage and Screen (6 credits)
6. THEA2203 Production and Stagecraft
7-8. Any 9 credits of level II courses from the Dance or Moving Picture Arts concentrations

10. One (1) Level II elective

* Not offered this year, please consult Faculty for replacement course

LEVEL III (30 credits)

Major Requirements:
1-2. HUMN3001 Aesthetics, Theory & Criticism (6 credits)
Faculty Requirements:
3-4. HUMN3901 Capstone/Thesis Project (6 credits)
Creative Arts Concentrations:
5-9. Students must complete a minimum of fifteen (15) credits of Level III courses in the Creative Arts as outlined:
Dance Concentration (15 credits)
5. DANC3301 Choreography* (3 credits)
6. DANC3302 Dance Education (3 credits)
7-8. DANC3303 Dance Ensemble* (6 credits)
9. Any 3 credits of level III courses from the Moving Picture Arts or Theatre concentrations or HUMN3900 Internship (3 credits)
Film (Moving Picture Arts) Concentration (15 credits)
5-8. Any 12 credits chosen from the following FILM courses
FILM3105 Directing (3 credits)
 FILM3102 Post-Production Editing and Sound (3 credits)
 FILM3115 Digital Media Workshop (6 credits)
 FILM3801 Playwriting (3 credits)
9. Any 3 credits of level III courses taken from Dance, Film (not completed above) or Theatre concentrations OR HUMN3900 Internship (3 credits)
Theatre Concentration (15 credits)
5. THEA3202 Directing Performance (3 credits)
6. THEA3206 Musical Theatre (3 credits)
7-8. THEA3210 Theatre Ensemble (6 credits)
9. Any 3 credits  of level III courses from the Dance OR Moving Picture Arts (Film) concentrations OR HUMN3900 Internship (3 credits)
10. One (1) Level III elective

* Not offered this year, please consult Faculty for replacement course

See Course descriptions for Creative Arts courses

For full details on programme costs, follow the link https://www.cavehill.uwi.edu/financial/fees.aspx

A. University Matriculation Requirements

The University Matriculation requirements for entry to a degree programme —

EITHER:
(a) Full Matriculation: 

  •  (i) Passes in either two 2-unit CAPE/GCE A-Level subjects OR an Associate Degree of at least a 2.50 GPA,  AND
  • (ii) at least five (5) passes in CSEC (CXC) General Proficiency of at least Grade III (at least Grade II if done before 1998), OR GCE O’ Levels of at least Grade C or BGCSE examinations.  Subjects passed must include  English Language AND one of the following: a Foreign Language, Mathematics, Geography, or an approved Science subject.

OR:
b) Lower Level Matriculation:

  • At least five (5) acceptable passes at CSEC/GCE/BGCSE examinations which MUST include English Language and any one of the following: a foreign language, mathematics, geography, or an approved science subject;

AND:

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT:
English Language is compulsory for admission to all programmes of The University of the West Indies. Candidates who do not possess one of the following are required to take the English Language Proficiency Test (ELPT) before entry:

  • (i) Grade I in CSEC,
  • (ii) English A,
  • (iii) a Grade A in GCE O’ Level English Language,
  • (iv) a Grade 1 in CAPE Communication Studies OR
  • (v) a Grade A or B in the GCE General Paper, OR
  • (vi) Grade B OR higher in the BCC course CORE 100 English & Communication

 
B. Faculty Entry Requirements
3. The entry requirements of the Faculty of Culture, Creative and Performing Arts are:
(a) a minimum of five (5) passes in CSEC General Proficiency Grade I, II or Grade III (Grade III if done after 1998), or GCE ‘O’ Levels at least Grade C, or BGCSE examinations including English Language;
(b) the entry requirements of the particular academic department in which they propose to take courses.  These are as follows for the Creative Arts undergraduate programmes:

Interview/Audition: All qualified applicants to the BFA will also be invited to an interview and or/audition:

  • DANCE: Applicants intending to specialize in Dance will be assessed with (i) a short Ballet center and Modern dance sequence, via an improvisation, and (ii) a one to two minute self-choreographed or repertory solo danced to instrumental music.  Other dance styles (Hip-hop, Break dance, African dance, etc.) are welcomed in the solo audition. Prior to interview/audition, applicants are required to submit a new piece of work that they created in any medium (e.g. film, poetry, prose, music, visual art etc.).  Additionally, the following should be submitted:
    – a formal resume OR a brief summary of Dance Study.
    – a written Goals Statement narrative. 
    – a Dance Reel featuring you or a piece you choreographed. 
  • FILM: Applicants specializing in Film are required to submit a creative work (film/video) of one to three minutes’ length, in which they played a key creative role (writer, director, editor). Alternatively, applicants may submit three film clips which have inspired them with brief notes as to why they have selected each clip.  A photo-essay, photo-story and/or portfolio of photographs are also accepted with the submission.
  • THEATRE: Applicants specializing in Theatre, are required to audition. They are expected to prepare and present (i) two prepared actor’s pieces, including a monologue and/or (ii) A song or a segment of a song of no more than two minutes’ length.

The Faculty boasts state of the art facilities, including an art gallery, cinematheque, rehearsal room, performance centre, dance studio, computer lab, and pedagogical centre.

The Walcott Warner Theatre is a multipurpose facility suited for all types of events, and seating up to 252 persons.
Apart from teaching, our facilities can also be booked for film screenings, meetings, workshops, seminars, lectures, event rehearsals. Features include grand or upright pianos, AV equipment, sound and lighting are available on request.