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Home » Full Time Courses » Foundation Studies Art & Design Level 3/4 Diploma

Foundation Studies Art & Design Level 3/4 Diploma

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At a glance

  • Course level: Level 3 and 4
  • Campus: Aireville Campus
  • Course length: 1 year
  • Awarding body: Edexcel
  • Approximate Study hours: 16 hours per week taught hours, 8 hours per week of private study will be expected.

What stands out about this course?

  • Designed to secure you a place on a higher education course in a related subject area.  Our approach is pluralistic.
  • The chance to explore ideas and means of expression in a range of ways, inspiring either a specialist, or multi disciplinary approach as appropriate.
  • Tutors who are highly respected practitioners
  • A Foundation Studio where you have the space and time to develop your concepts.

What will I study?

The Diploma in Foundation Studies in Art & Design is an exciting and intensive one year (post Level 3), pre-degree course. Designed to give you the opportunity to experiment with a broad range of art and design disciplines and ways of expressing ideas in art and design, it will take you through a journey of experimentation, skills building and creative research, moving towards a specialism in a particular area. After the first term you decide which particular discipline you wish to specialise in and develop the skills required for study in higher education.

The course culminates in a major project and exhibition that demonstrates your ability and independence. The stages of the course are as follows:

The Exploratory Stage

  • During this stage you will learn about and experiment in a wide range of art and design disciplines including: Fine Art, Graphic Design, 3D Design, Fashion & Textiles, Photography, Printmaking, and Digital Animation

The Pathway Stage

  • This stage allows you to specialise in your chosen area and explore the development of ideas
  • Drawing as well as Historical and Contextual Studies are taught throughout the Exploratory and Pathway Stages

The Confirmatory Stage

  • Final Major Project. You will write your own project brief, which culminates in the exhibition of your work in the End of Year Show in June
  • Research and Write a Dissertation

During the programme you will develop your portfolio for degree level interviews, based on the work you produce. Most universities require applicants to have successfully completed a Diploma in Foundation Studies before entry onto Art & Design degree courses.

How is the course taught?

The qualification encourages independence.  It will aid you in developing your concepts, linking these to practical skills within specialised aspects of art and design. Experimentation plays a big part; you will be encouraged to explore, think and evaluate in a range of ways, to help you gain an intellectual curiosity and a critical awareness of the contemporary visual world. It should challenge you with innovative and inspiring delivery, from experienced and successful professionals.

What are the entry requirements?

  • A Level in an art related subject
  • 4 GCSEs A*-C including English or Level 3 Extended Diploma
  • Portfolio of work
  • Mature students are considered on work experience and relevant portfolio

Where will it take me?

At Craven College:

  • BA(Hons) Fine Art degree.
  • Foundation Degree Fashion & Jewellery.
  • Foundation Degree Photography.
  • Foundation Degree in Media (Moving Image and Audio).
  • Degree course in and Art, Design, Fashion, Textiles, 3D Design and Graphics related Subject. (Our Students have progressed to Edinburgh College of Art and Design, Falmouth College of Art and Design, Kingston University, Sheffield Hallam University, Leeds College of Art and Design amongst others.)

With further training or study, you could go into careers including: Advertising, Visual Communication, Marketing, Fashion Design, Graphic Design, Interior Design, Photography, Illustration, Architecture, Animation, 3D Design, Product Design and Fine Art.

Equipment & resources used

  • Fine Art, 3D and Fashion equipment,
  • Industry standard Apple Mac suite and digital manipulation software.
  • Access to the specialist equipment within the School of Art and Media.

Are there any additional costs?

  • Studio fee £40.

How will I be assessed?

  • You will be assessed through course work and written essays. Assessments are carried out continuously during the year and you must pass each stage in order the progress to the next. The confirmatory stage is assessed by exhibition at the end of year show.

What others have said:

“The programme promotes high standards with students reaching their full intellectual and visual potential across all pathways.  Students’ work is academically rigorous.  The secondary sources were varied and appropriate.  The written study adds academic rigour to the project as a whole and the visual diaries are full of interesting conceptual and visual connections.

Lecturers offer students a wide range of art and design specialisms and high quality support. The overall visual impression of the programmes exhibition was of lively, confident and well displayed work.” 

(EV report on end of year show 2010)

How do I apply?

Please apply via the college online application system.

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