Art, Design & Media Foundation Level 3 Diploma

The part time programme in Foundation Studies Art and Design is aimed at either: • Mature students wishing to explore the possibility of a second career in art and design or • Younger people who, through personal circumstances, are only able to attend college on a part time basis. All applicants must be 18yrs of age or older on the 1st of September in the year of entry. Entry qualifications for 18yr olds are identical to those joining the full time programme. Five GCSE’s at C or above and two ‘A’ levels (or equivalent) one in an Art based subject. Mature students without these qualifications are actively encouraged to apply, as they may well have other attributes. On the part time programme, those without formal or recent qualifications are frequently in the majority. In addition to, (or in lieu of) formal qualifications, selection is based on performance at interview and the quality of the portfolio. Candidates should present a range of recent work which reflects their achievement in art & design. This might include observed drawing, colour work in a range of media, or design work in 2 & 3 dimensions. Please bring work which shows your skill and potential for further study in art and design. Sketchbooks, scrapbooks, and work which shows thinking processes and evidence of the development of ideas as well as finished pieces should be included in your folio. Course Content The first year of the course offers an opportunity for a broad introduction to Art & Design. The emphasis is on acquiring a range of creative and practical skills and on building up a strong portfolio of work. Drawing and contextual studies form an important part of the work throughout the course, and there are regular visits to galleries to support this. The course is tightly structured and closely taught in the first year, with students’ developing a more personal and independent approach to work in the second year. First year progress review points take place in November and February with a final assessment of the years work in June. In the second year, there are assessments in November, February and June. The new structure of the Foundation course means that all students who complete the course gain a level 3 qualification, however students who are working to a high level will also gain a level 4 qualification in addition. There are three main stages – exploratory, pathway and confirmatory. Year One Exploratory (level 3) Students have the opportunity to work across a range of art and design disciplines, including Illustration, Animation, Graphics, Photography, Print, Textiles, Fine Art- Painting, Sculpture, Installation, Sound, Video and Ceramics. Emphasis is placed on breadth of research, observing and recording information and development of skills and responses. Drawing is critical at this stage as a vital research tool. Media experimentation is also a key element of this stage. Alongside the practical workshops there is also strong contextual element to the course with a program of lectures and weekly talks from Visiting Artists, both of which enable a greater understanding of students creative practice. Year Two Pathway (level 3 & 4) Students should begin to find their preferred location within art & design, using the experience, skills and understanding developed through the previous stage. They have the opportunity to experience specialist areas and consolidate their choice of a chosen pathway, building up a distinctive folio of work, in preparation for Higher Education interviews. Students should also gain confidence in independently generating, developing and presenting their work and ideas. Stage Three – Confirmatory (level 4) At this stage of the course student’s work within their chosen Specialism, developing and integrating their skills and understanding through a process of independent learning. Students are expected to take full responsibility for the direction of their work and their own learning. At the end of the course, students mount an exhibition of their work for the final assessment and awarding of grades. Previous students have been successful in gaining places on a wide variety of courses, in colleges locally and nationally. E.g. BA Hons courses in Fine Art, Graphic Design, Interior Design, Animation, Photography, Video, 3D Design Crafts, Fashion/Textiles and Illustration. Keep up-to-date with the latest creative arts news by following their blog http://creativeartsweymouthcollege.blogspot.co.uk/ How will I be assessed? Assessment will be continuous throughout the course. At the end of the course you will be expected to put up an exhibition of your work which will be assessed and graded. Units 1-7 are pass/fail only. Unit 8 has grade outcomes at Fail, Pass, Merit or Distinction. Fees If you are in receipt of an income based qualifying benefit, you may be entitled to a tuition and exam fee reduction. All other charges will need to be paid in full. To qualify for the fee reduction an up to date award document, or a letter from the benefit agency, must be shown at the time of enrolment. All fees quoted are for British/ EEA Citizens with settled status who have been resident in an EEA country for the last 3 years or have exceptional circumstances or exceptional leave to remain. If you are in any doubt as to your status please ask for advice on enrolment. Please contact our Information Centre for details of costs and concessions on 01305 208808 or email: Refund of fees will only be paid in the event the College cancels the course, or if you notify the College of your intention to withdraw from the course 2 weeks prior to the start date. Rehabilitation of offenders: To help us look after students and assess risks, you will be asked to declare any unspent criminal convictions when you apply to do a course at Weymouth College. We are committed to providing an inclusive learning environment for all. We welcome people with additional learning needs and/or disabilities and those from diverse backgrounds in all minority groups within the community, ensuring students receive fair treatment when studying at Weymouth College. Copies of the College's Equality and Diversity policies can be found in the Library.