UAL Level 4 Foundation Diploma in Art & Design
If you are keen to develop your creative skills, explore a wide range of specialist areas, learn new techniques and challenge your imagination to discover where your creative talents lie, the Foundation Diploma in Art & Design is for you. The course provides a year of practical study, enabling you to make informed decisions about your prospects as an artist or designer, as well as possible applications to degree courses.
Top Course Highlights
- Small Classes
- Experienced Tutors
- Industry-standard facilities
- Fully equipped studios
Learn From Practitioners
All lecturers are creative practitioners from across art and design fields and you will be able to learn and share in their knowledge and experience.
Excellent Campus
Work at our Tregye campus, set in stunning mature gardens and a specialist Art and Design building with photo studio, darkroom, print workshop, 3D workshop and computer suites.
Develop a portfolio
Work with lecturers to develop a coherent body of work that reflects your creative preferences and specialist skills.
From Newquay to Indonesia
We caught up with Barney, a student from Newquay studying the UAL Level 4 Foundation Diploma in Art & Design. Barney makes his own surfboards and chose the course to develop his creative practice and explore what a career in art could look like.
Since starting the course, Barney has taken his creativity even further — travelling to Indonesia, gaining inspiration from new cultures, and discovering that it’s possible to build a future doing what he loves.
The UAL Art & Design Foundation Diploma gives students the freedom to experiment, explore different disciplines, and develop their own artistic direction before progressing to university or creative careers.
WHY CHOOSE THIS COURSE?
Successful creative practitioners often have a broad range of technical skills, an ability to think laterally and a desire to evolve their practice. These are all important factors of the Foundation Diploma in Art & Design. The course will break down the boundaries between disciplines to highlight the importance of using a wide range of media and processes.
The course is multi-disciplinary, starting with a series of workshops that embrace a wide range of materials, processes and techniques. As the year progresses, you will aim to specialise in a particular discipline of your choice. The emphasis throughout will be on research experimentation and creative exploration.
Through lectures, you will study the work of other artists and designers relevant to your own studio practice. This will be supported by an (optional) study trip abroad to visit museums and contemporary galleries. Life drawing and printmaking are taught on a weekly basis in order to develop your observational skills and knowledge of various materials.
You will be fully supported through the degree application process with preparation for specialist presentations and the development of portfolios of work.
WHAT WILL I LEARN?
The course is delivered over three units:
Diagnostic Investigation into Creative Practice: You will be introduced to a range of practitioners, concepts and specialist techniques. The lecturers will guide you through individual workshops covering a wide range of areas, these include experimental / alternative photography, printmaking, life drawing, illustration, painting, textiles, graphic design, sculpture, 3D design, animation and film. You will develop a toolkit of skills that you’ll be able to draw upon for the remainder of the course and into your continuing practice afterwards.
WHERE WILL IT TAKE ME?
Progression: Most learners progress on to a degree or similar higher education course after completing the Foundation Art course.
Careers: Upon successful completion of this course, you may choose to find internships or work in the creative industries. Your tutor will help you explore the options available.
Each of the three units is assessed internally. Consolidating Practice (the final unit) determines the grade overall; this will be a pass, merit or distinction. This unit is assessed and verified internally and moderated externally by UAL. There are no exams.
You must have a L3 qualification. If you are 18 years old when starting the course, you must also have English and Maths GCSEs at Grade 4, otherwise these will need to be studied alongside.
Working within the Student Services area, the Student Support team will see you on a one-to-one basis and offer advice and guidance on financial, personal and emotional issues. A professional team of staff work together with your personal tutor to support you so that you can successfully complete your course and recognise pathways to progression after leaving College.
Awarding Body: University of the Arts London
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