BTEC Foundation Studies in Art and Design

BTEC Foundation Studies in Art and Design

Entry Requirements
This is a post A level course and A level Art is a normal entry requirement. However exceptions may be made for adult students.

About the Course
If you are thinking seriously about becoming a professional artist or designer you should consider this course to prepare you for entry to a degree or HND. On this one year full-time (two year part-time) course you will undertake practical work designed to diagnose which, of all the specialist art and design disciplines, you would be most suited to. Then with individual guidance you will research all appropriate courses, and prepare a personal portfolio of work to take to interview at your chosen institutions.

Exploratory Stage
The three units in this stage all aim to prepare you for self-reliant learning. You will be helped to develop an open-minded approach and to broaden your research skills. This will be supported by 20th Century art and design history lectures. You will be encouraged to develop the essential skills of observing and recording, supported by life drawing classes. Following intensive workshops, you will explore the potential of a wide variety of media and techniques through extensive experimentation.

Pathway Stage
In the four units of this second stage you will build upon and integrate the skills already encountered through a series of negotiated projects. Your practical work should progressively develop towards an area of specialist study, and you will investigate this through practical and written work, demonstrating your absorption of the influence of others' work and your increased understanding of your chosen discipline.

Confirmatory Stage
You will be expected to take full responsibility for the work in this stage, undertaking in-depth research into a chosen area of study that fully utilises and integrates your skills and understanding. Full self-evaluation will be expected as evidence of this increased responsibility. A written personal review will reflect upon your progress and clearly set out your intentions for your final project. This is then produced to deadline for display in a public exhibition. This stage of the course is Level 4 - unique to the college.

Visits to galleries or higher education institutions and visits by practising artists or higher education tutors will be organised as appropriate throughout the year.

Assessment occurs regularly, giving you valuable feedback on your progress. All three stages need to be passed to progress, and once this has been achieved, then your confirmatory stage work will be assessed to give you an overall result of pass, merit or distinction.