Course Overview
The Level 3/4 Foundation Diploma in Art & Design is a Full-time Further Education course designed for students wanting to work in the Creative Arts industry, providing progression opportunities to exciting and rewarding higher level courses and careers. These include Fine Art, Graphics, Photography, Fashion, Textiles and 3D Design and many more. This is located in the Creative, Visual and Performing Arts (CVP) Department.
The course is mainly a visual and practical programme, which allows students the time, support and environment to discover their individual strengths.
Delivered in an enthusiastic, friendly and supportive atmosphere where students develop an individual approach with confidence. Students are encouraged to explore fresh, exciting ideas and to challenge and develop their existing skills and abilities.
The programme is delivered through, lessons, workshops, live projects, individual study, group discussions, group critiques; demonstrations (technical and practical) and lectures will be underpinned by tutorial support and seminar presentations. During the programme students will be supported to successfully identify future directions, higher level courses and careers.
This course is characterised by broad ranging, radical and experimental approaches to Art & Design, enabling post Level 3 Art, Design or Media courses, such as AS/A2 or Extended Diploma, and mature learners to make informed choices about career and progression pathways.
If you are under 21 you must have one of the following: 5 GCSE passes at grade A*- C, (or equivalent) plus an Extended Diploma (Art and Design related) or two AS subjects OR one full A level and be over 17. All students need to submit a portfolio of practical work at interview. We welcome applications from mature students.
If you are over 21, have few qualifications but are interested in the Visual Arts, please get in touch with us to talk about how we can help you.
Progression from this course is often a place on a degree program in Art, Design or Media area. Some students also progress straight to f/t employment or freelance work in an Art & Design area or other.
Successful students have been offered places at many different universities across the UK; Cardiff, London, Glasgow, Falmouth, Liverpool, Wrexham, Swansea, Aberystwyth, Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester and many more.
Stage One - Level 3: This stage helps the students to identify their potential and preference for areas of specialist study. Students are encouraged to experiment with a variety of materials and methods and are introduced to a wide range of curriculum areas such as Fine Art, Graphics, Fashion, 3D Studies, Photography and Textiles etc. Stage One also introduces contextual studies which is continued throughout Stage Two and Three.
Stage Two - Level 3: Students are encouraged to identify for further study a specific sector within the Art and Design industry and build a portfolio targeting that area. Areas of study can include; Painting, Print, Illustration, Jewellery, Textiles, Sculpture, Installation, Surface Pattern, Crafts, Video, Photography, Animation, Graphics, furniture, Ceramics, Fashion, Interior, and Theatre Design.
Stage Three - Level 4: Students complete a Final Major Project, which is presented for assessment and certification in the form of a public exhibition and portfolio.
You will learn through a variety of theory and practical workshops.
Assessment will be done using a range of assessment strategies including presentations, exhibitions, reports, essays and practical portfolio; digital and traditional.
The Final Major Project is graded at PASS, MERIT or DISTINCTION and this is confirmed by an External Examiner who will visit the College to view an exhibition of the work.
There will be additional course-related costs, mostly for basic personal equipment such as brushes, pencils, crayons, memory stick etc.
Other costs might include trips to exhibitions and museums.
