Full time Art & Design Foundation Studies Diploma

Art & Design Foundation Studies Diploma
The one-year Diploma in Foundation Studies (commonly known as 'Foundation Art & Design') is principally aimed at students who have completed their A-levels or BTEC National qualification in an art-based subject and who wish to pursue a career in art and design. It has been designed as a progressional qualification, with the emphasis being placed on equipping students with the skills, knowledge and critical awareness for establishing their own artistic identity and for making informed decisions about their future path. The underlying aim is that students will ultimately be able to successfully manage their own learning and personal development, primarily in preparation for appropriate higher education in art & design. You will experience a range of subjects, materials and situations and have the opportunity to discover a breadth of creative specialisms. It will provide both practical and theoretical experience of the major areas of art and design, allowing you to make an informed choice of your specialist area for further study. Under the support and guidance from a team of experienced and dedicated specialist tutors, including several practising artists, you will study and work in the surroundings of the Colleges purpose-built art & design centre that offers excellent studio and workshop facilities. This well-established course has successfully placed 90% of its students on degree level courses since 1997.

Course Content:
The programme comprises nine mandatory units, divided into three stages:

• the Exploratory Stage (Stage one),
• the Pathway Stage (Stage two),
• the Confirmatory Stage (Stage three)
. As you work through these stages, you will gradually progress towards independent and self-reliant learning, where you will make your own creative and critical judgements. The exploratory stage has been designed to further develop students existing skills, and to increase critical consideration. Students awareness of the importance of drawing in the creative process and the need for research and experimentation will be heightened.

Subjects studied include:

• Contextual studies
• Graphic design
• Painting and drawing
• Photography
• Printmaking
• Sculpture
• Textiles and fashion

In the pathway stage, students will begin to find their preferred location within art & design using the experience, skills and understanding developed during the exploratory stage. An important feature of this stage is the development of students awareness of contemporary, historical and related contexts, and being able to apply this to their work and explain their influence. Through this, students work will begin to develop into a distinctive and individual portfolio of artwork. In discussion with your tutor, you will choose from the core subjects of:

• Fine arts
• Graphic design
• Textiles and fashion
• Sculpture and 3D
• Photography

The confirmatory stage is where students will confirm their chosen pathways and will take full responsibility for the direction and development of their work, although our experienced staff will continue to take the role of personal tutors for discussion of ideas. It will culminate in a personal confirmatory study, delivered as a Final Major Project (FMP), which students will develop and present independently. This will conclude with an exhibition of work.

Attendance Requirements:
Full-time. Details regarding expected course timetable and attendance will be given at interview, if available.

Entry Requirements:

• Applicants should be 18 at the start of the course and qualified to Level 3 in an Art
& Design subject plus five GCSEs at grade C or above
• A pre-foundation certificate in Art
& Design is also acceptable
• Applicants without the formal entry requirements will be asked to demonstrate ability and experience through a portfolio
.

Entry Process:
A personal interview with the course tutor will be arranged at the earliest opportunity after receiving your application. You will be asked to bring a portfolio of your recent art and design work to help us assess your suitability for the course.

Assessment:
Assessment is continuous, with a specialist team looking at assignments, subject to scrutiny by an external BTEC verifier. Constructive, positive advice will be offered to all students in order to help prepare their portfolios for degree interviews.

Progression Routes:
Entry to a range of degree level courses including those here at the College and other prestigious institutions such as Slade UCL, Goldsmiths, London College of Fashion, Central St. Martins, Bournemouth Institute and Falmouth College of Art.

Career Options:
Career possibilities include working in fine art, graphic design, photography, textiles or fashion. This is an exciting and rapidly expanding area where talented, well-motivated individuals can find opportunities in a broad range of environments.

Related Courses:
The College has a thriving art & design centre, with BTEC National Diplomas in General Art & Design, Fine Art, Fashion and Photography, as well as A-levels in related subjects on offer. Also available are HNDs or Foundation Degrees in Graphic Design, Fine Art and Photography.

Fees

Year : Description : Under 19 : Over 19 & on benefits : Over 19 : Overseas
09/10 : Tuition : £0.00 : £0.00 : £700.00 : £5,800.00
09/10 : Material : £90.00 : £90.00 : £90.00 : £90.00
09/10 : Exams : £0.00 : £0.00 : £0.00 : £0.00
09/10 : Trips : £25.00 : £25.00 : £25.00 : £25.00
09/10 : Kit : £103.75 : £103.75 : £103.75 : £103.75
Fees subject to change please enquire on application. For courses lasting more than one year, please note that the fees given above are for the first year only. Similar fees will be due for each subsequent year of the course and will be subject to an inflationary increase on the first year fees.

Sessions

Year : Full or Part-time : Level : Start date : End date : Day : Start time : End time
09/10 : FT : Further Education : 14/9/2009 : 9/7/2010 : : N/A : N/A