Foundation Diploma in Art & Design

Who is this course for?

Students who:

• have completed a programme of A levels or other level 3 qualifications
• are interested in expanding and developing their creative practice.

It is also for students who:

• are serious about a career in the creative industries
• are ambitious and want to secure a place on a competitive university course

What do students go on to do afterwards?

The majority of our students go on to study creative subjects at university. Recent students completing the course have successfully gained places at, amongst others, the Ruskin School of Art at Oxford University, Goldsmiths, Glasgow School of Art, Slade School of Fine Art at UCL, Falmouth School of Art, Central St Martins, London College of Fashion, Chelsea College of Art and the Architectural Association School of Architecture.

Others have used the course to develop a portfolio, make contacts and have moved straight into employment in the creative industry.

Course Summary

The course is in 3 parts:

Part 1 (Sept – Nov) – Exploratory

Students are introduced to a series of short projects across all disciplines, taking part in a number of practical workshops designed to increase their skill set. These may include printmaking, textile processes, animation, 3D processes using clay and plaster, as well as support with developing digital skills. The emphasis in this phase is on exploration and experimentation. Students also begin building their portfolio throughout Part 1, a process that continues throughout the year.

Part 2 (Nov – Feb) – Specialise

In Part 2 students identify and focus on their chosen specialism; fine art (including painting, performance, sculpture and installation), 3D (including architecture, product design, interior design, jewellery), fashion and textiles, lens-based media (including photography and moving image), graphic communication (including advertising, illustration, animation, web and game design). Through writing their own project briefs, they investigate themes relevant to their specialism, and develop and refine appropriate practical processes.

Part 3 (Feb – May) – Final Major Project

This represents the culmination of students’ development and specialism across the year. It allows them to apply their new found creative practice to a self-initiated major practical project. It concludes with students designing and installing their display in the final end of year show. This is the only part of the course that counts towards the final grade.

Throughout each part of the course students are required to keep a written journal of ideas and research to record progression. Our aim is to help students develop effective, intellectual-based enquiry in their studies, take part in group discussions and investigate historical and contemporary artists and designers relevant to their own work. There is also an emphasis on students developing an understanding of the ethical issues surrounding their practice.

* Please note that candidates offered a place on this course have a responsibility to inform the college of their grades on A level results day. Those with the necessary grades are automatically accepted; candidates who have narrowly failed to meet the UCAS points but were offered a provisional offer based on their portfolio will have their case re-examined and be informed of the outcome within 48 hours of receipt of grade details.

Download

• Download the Course Outline (PDF)

Past Catalogues

• 2020 Catalogue
• 2019 Catalogue
• 2018 Catalogue
• 2017 Catalogue
• 2016 Catalogue

Online Exhibition

View our Online Exhibition, celebrating the work students completed across their time on the course.

Pathways available in:

• Lens-based media
• Fine Art
• Sculpture
• Textiles
• Fashion
• Graphic Communication
• Illustration
• Animation
• 3D Design
• Architecture

Preparing your portfolio

• Portfolio guidance – preparing your portfolio for interview (PDF)

Course Fact File

• This is a post-A Level course endorsed by University of the Arts, London (UAL) which comprises Central St Martins, Chelsea College of Arts, London College of Fashion, London College of Communication, Camberwell College of Arts and Wimbledon College of Arts.
• Successful candidates will be expected to have a a minimum of 96 UCAS points (2017 tariff) including 32 points from at least one relevant creative A level or vocational course in either Arts or Media. Students must also have a portfolio demonstrating suitable potential for the course and a satisfactory reference from their previous school or college.
• A UAL Foundation Diploma in Art & Design qualification is the equivalent of three A Levels. Being a Level 4 course, it does not attract UCAS points but is still recognised and accepted by universities across the UK.
• Recent students completing the course have successfully gained places at, amongst others, the Ruskin School of Art at Oxford University, Goldsmiths at University of London, Glasgow School of Art, Slade School of Fine Art at UCL, Falmouth School of Art, Central St Martins, London College of Fashion, Chelsea College of Art and the Architectural Association School of Architecture.
• The Foundation Diploma is mainly practical and vocational. You will be required to keep a written journal of ideas to record your progression and also notes from Art History lectures.
• There are no fees for students aged 18 or under on the 31st August prior to the start of the course. If you are 19 or above the course fees at the time of going to press are £3000, to cover tuition and exam entry.

A payment plan is available on request.

Facilities

Students have access to five dedicated Art Foundation studio spaces:

• Main studio
• Digital design suite – with both Macs and PC’s
• Ceramics and sculpture studio
• Printmaking and textiles studio
• Research room and tutor base
• They also have use of a dark room and 3D workshop.