Foundation Diploma in Art & Design Level 3 & 4

About this course

This course is a unique year long period of study designed to engage the individual with diverse art and design educational experiences. It starts with a broad approach allowing you to discover your individual way of working and form of expression. During this initial period you should experiment widely and diversely with ideas and materials. We have a range of expert teaching staff that design workshops to inform and enthuse.

For the middle part of the course you will make a choice of specialism working on projects aimed at producing outcomes to be presented in portfolios at interviews. At this stage you are given guidance on interview technique and portfolio presentation. During the course there will be trips to various galleries and exhibitions to gain an awareness of the visual world and related contexts. Ultimately, as the course develops, self-initiated learning becomes paramount enabling an independent, mature approach to learning. Intellectual curiosity through critical understanding and analysis are encouraged using appropriate methods such as a reflective journal.

During the last part of the course you will be engaged in a self-led project of your own choice leading to an exhibition that is externally assessed and open to the public.

Examples of Pathway Specialist areas:

• Painting

• Ceramics Sculpture

• Jewellery Design Printmaking

• Set Design Illustration

• Interior Design Photography

• Furniture Design Applied Art

• Fashion Photography Graphic Design

• Architecture Fashion

• Fine Art Textiles Textile Design

• Animation

This course is also offered as a part-time route over 2 years.

Entry requirements

Admission is by interview with a portfolio containing drawings, sketchbooks, paintings, preparatory studies, 3D work or photographs. The portfolio may contain A-Level coursework as well as pieces developed independently.

Successful applicants will already have, or be expecting to gain, at least one appropriate A-Level (or 2 two appropriate AS levels), supported by a minimum of three GCSE passes at grade C or above.

Minimum age is normally 18 years or reaching 18 during the first term of the course. Applications are welcomed from mature students, including those who lack formal qualifications.

Assessment

The Foundation Diploma is unit based and the first component parts are continuously internally assessed throughout the year. The last part of the course forms the 'Final Major Project', which is externally examined. The assessment grade awarded for this final project is the qualification grade for the Foundation Course.

What next?

· Fine Artist

· Illustrator

· Product Designer

· Interior Designer

· Jewellery Designer

· Film Maker

· Animator

· Photographer

· Museum Curator

· Web-designer

· Graphic Designer

· Textile Artist/designer

· Fashion Designer

· Make-up Artist

· Costume Designer

· Set Designer

If you want to develop your ideas and skills beyond this course, you could progress to the L3/4 Foundation Diploma in Art & Design which is available full-time or part-time or you may be interested in:

· BA(Hons) in Art, Design or Media

· Foundation Degrees in Art, Design or Media

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For help applying call 01905 743456