Postgraduate profile: MA in fine art

Doing a masters in fine art allowed Sandrea Simons to focus on researching and producing a substantial art piece. She was also able to take advantage of networking opportunities and land herself paid employment as an artist.

I decided to do a masters in fine art because a year on from my undergraduate degree I realised I didn't have a clear enough understanding of professional practice to make a living as an artist. I hoped that the MA would give me more experience of working independently so that there would be an easier transition to working life. I also hoped that I would gain access to a new network of people involved in the art world and that gaining the qualification would help me to get involved in teaching.

On the course

The course was split into three stages, each of which had to be passed to continue onto the next. The purpose of the masters was to specialise in one area and produce a substantial art piece at the end of it. I arrived at the course with a good idea of what I wanted to do. As a single parent, I had been internet dating and had been the victim of a Nigerian scammer and I decided to make a film about it. Significant research was required to justify the project and give it some context: for example, I investigated the effects of colonialism on present-day Nigeria. I called the film 'Switch' because I took on the role of scammer myself, contacting men on the internet who I suspected were scammers and playing along to see what would happen. I eventually got one man to admit what he was doing on camera. The film was fairly controversial and attracted substantial media coverage.

Working life

After the course, an opportunity arose through contacts in my department to do a week's paid work creating a painting in a large hotel in Belgium that was being refurbished. This led to a semi-permanent contract: I travel to Belgium for a week every six weeks to offer technical support to a team of international artists who are working on the refurbishment. Once the contract finishes, I'd like to get some teaching work, but I would also consider part-time employment in a gallery to support my work as an artist. Looking further ahead, I'd like to write a book based on my research into internet dating, and the idea of a PhD appeals!

Advice on postgraduate study

A one-year course goes very quickly, so it's a good idea to have a plan of what you want to do before you begin - I went in with a good three months' preparation and three hours of film, which helped me immensely.

Sandrea studied a BA in fine art at Nottingham Trent University followed by an MA in fine art, also at Nottingham Trent University. After her masters she found a short-term job with a hotel group.