Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Art & Design (Pre-Degree)

UAL Level 3/4 Foundation Diploma (Pre-Degree)

""

Availability & Details

Art and Design - UAL Level 3 Foundation Diploma AF-ARDE3F-D(0000)002

Venue
Alton Campus

Type of study
Adult Learning, Full Time, Higher Education

Dates
Academic Year 2023-24 (1 years)

Examination board
UAL

Apply Now

How to apply

Contact us


Overview

Our UAL Foundation Diploma in Art and Design is a practical, one-year full-time course. It allows lots of freedom to develop personal style and creative direction. The course is recommended by many top universities prior to studying a degree within the Creative Industries. It is an invaluable bridge between A Level and Vocational courses and Higher Education. 

The Foundation Diploma enables you to explore a wide range of specialist areas such as fine art, illustration, graphic design, fashion and textiles, 3D design, fashion promotion, photography and animation. You will work toward building a portfolio, and the topics studied channel you into specialising in one area of art and design. Investigations into historical and contemporary artists, along with designers, are integrated into practical project work. You will take part in group discussions and analysis of your own work and are encouraged to participate in a variety of trips and exhibitions, either in the UK or overseas.

You will find this course exciting, fast-paced, challenging and rewarding. It is a chance to explore your own personal interests, before making a commitment to employment and Higher Education at university. You will gain the necessary skills that are required for success at a higher level that has not previously been explored within A Level or Vocational studies. If you are interested in a creative and commercial career in art and design, this is the course for you.

Cost: £5,421 (free if under 19 years old).

– Applications are Oct/Dec, later applications will be considered
– Portfolios submitted the week following February half term
– You may also be invited to an interview
– Five GCSEs grade 4 and above including English and Mathematics. Two A Level, or equivalent Level 3 qualifications, one of which must be in a relevant creative subject.

On the Foundation Diploma in Art & Design at HSDC Alton you will study a range of challenging and creative projects that enable you to: 

  • Work in specialist areas from the start of the course
  • Explore new specialisms 
  • Build a sophisticated and ambitious portfolio 
  • Develop analytical and evaluative communication skills 
  • Design for a better future. Engage in sustainable and ethical design practice. 

Experienced tutors will support and guide you across different pathways to use a range of art and design materials and approaches. You have the opportunity to specialise in fine art, photography, graphic design, fashion, textiles, 3D design, animation, illustration, film set design, costume, fashion promotion, drawing or photography digital skills. 

The course concludes with a Level 4 Final Major Project in which you choose and investigate a creative topic that fits in with your skills and progression ambitions, with a private view and public exhibition.

You will take part in group discussions and analysis of your own work and that of others. Investigations into historical and contemporary artists and designers are integrated into practical project work. There will be opportunities to take part in day trips to visit exhibitions, as well as overseas locations. Previous destinations have included New York, Iceland, San Francisco and Beijing.

100% coursework.

– Unit 1: Diagnostic Investigation into Creative Practice (Level 3)
– Unit 2: Developing Specialist Practice (Level 3)
– Unit 4: Consolidating Practice (Level 4)
– Units 1 and 2 are graded Pass only. The overall qualification grade is based on Unit 4 and is graded as Fail, Pass, Merit or Distinction.

There are additional costs associated with this course, these will vary depending upon which area of specialisation is undertaken. All art supplies are available to buy from the College. You are also asked to contribute £15 towards the cost of materials for the Final Major Project - Summer Show Exhibition.

Whether you are aiming to study at degree-level, or seeking employment or an Apprenticeship, this course will help you to develop your portfolio. Many artists and designers say that this was the most important year of their education.


I’m very, very happy, I didn’t expect to do so well. The College has been helpful and supportive. I loved my courses, and the teachers were really good – every single one of them. The facilities are great, but it’s the staff that really make this place.

Matthew Randell, A Level student

There are lots of people at the college, each studying a diverse range of courses, people from all different areas come to study here, it creates a sense of community, there is a huge social aspect to college life across all courses.

Lee Backhouse, BTEC student

“HSDC provided me with the opportunity for autonomous study and the choice of subjects that I wanted to study, which helped me develop relevant knowledge as well as relevant skills for the workplace.”

Lucas Ratcliffe, A Level and CTEC student