Art and Design: Design Pathway - Level 3 Foundation Diploma

If you're looking to study art and design at degree-level, but have already achieved A Levels, this preparatory art and design course will help you build a strong portfolio of work you can use for your university application.

You will get an opportunity to try many aspects of art and design within the design pathway. The broad experience and skills you acquire on this course will help you to explore your own potential. 

You will study contemporary art theory and practice, and will learn traditional skills combined with experimental techniques, including exploring ground-breaking 2D and 3D design materials and processes. These will include skills in textiles, fashion illustration, drawing, colourwork, design development and presentation.

You will also participate in an end-of-year exhibition of work.

The framework of the course is broken down into three stages:

• Learning skills and context
  Art and design research methods
  Art and design ideas development
  Art and design materials and methods
  Art and design evaluation and reflection
• Development and progression
  Integrated art and design research, ideas and methods
  Preparation for progression in art and design
• Final Major Project Proposal and Realisation
  Project proposal and realisation in art and design

You will need:

• One A Level and three GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including grade 6 or above in Art or a closely related subject

or

• Two A Levels and two GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including grade 6 or above in Art or a closely related subject

or

• Five GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including grade 6 or above in Art or a closely related subject

or

• Level 3 Extended Diploma
• A portfolio of your art and design work
• A reference from your previous school/college

All applicants must have an interview to confirm that the course is suitable for them.

If you have have significant professional or other qualifications and appropriate work experience you may be considered and are encouraged to apply, as are those wishing to formalise their experience, or update skills, knowledge and understanding. In addition, evidence of personal skills and qualities through your personal statement and references will be considered.

If you have gained previous qualifications outside of the UK, you will need equivalent qualifications to those above. The equivalence of qualifications from outside of the UK will be determined according to NARIC guidance.
 
If English is not your first language, you will need to provide an IELTS exam report with a score of 6.0 (with a minimum of 5.5 in each area) or equivalent English qualification.
 
If you are applying to study on a Tier 4 General Student Visa, you will require an IELTS for UKVI overall score of 6.0 (with minimum of 5.5 in each element).

You will be assessed continually through practical project work, coursework, written assignments and presentations. Practical assessment will include a final major project ending with a public exhibition of work.

Aged 16-18

If you will be aged 16, 17 or 18 on 31st August prior to the start date of your course and you have the legal right to remain in the UK for the duration of your programme then your study with us will be free. Please see here for the documents you will need to show us.

Some courses will have other associated costs, such as for specialist materials and trips. Many of our students are eligible for financial support, see here for details.

On successful completion of this course, you can progress to a range of related degree courses and a wide range of careers.

Many of our students progress to university each year, including a high percentage to colleges within University of the Arts London (UAL), University for the Creative Arts (UCA), and Goldsmiths College.

Sinead is a Tutor in Art, Design and Communication Level 3 and works with the Foundation Level 3/4 students at City and Islington College in Holloway.

Sinead’s specialism is sculpture but also has a textiles and painting background. Sinead is highly qualified and has a Diploma in Sculpture from Limerick College of Art and Design, a Degree in Textiles and Surface Pattern, and an MA in Fine Art and a PGCE from Kingston University.

Sinead is passionate about Art and Design with its freedom of expression, thought and learning and is always looking for ways to improve her teaching and personal practice.

The teachers listed may change, these shown are an example of the teachers who teach on these programmes.

If you're looking to study art and design at degree-level, but have already achieved A Levels, this preparatory art and design course will help you build a strong portfolio of work you can use for your university application.

You will get an opportunity to try many aspects of art and design within the design pathway. The broad experience and skills you acquire on this course will help you to explore your own potential. 

You will study contemporary art theory and practice, and will learn traditional skills combined with experimental techniques, including exploring ground-breaking 2D and 3D design materials and processes. These will include skills in textiles, fashion illustration, drawing, colourwork, design development and presentation.

You will also participate in an end-of-year exhibition of work.

The framework of the course is broken down into three stages:

• Learning skills and context
  Art and design research methods
  Art and design ideas development
  Art and design materials and methods
  Art and design evaluation and reflection
• Development and progression
  Integrated art and design research, ideas and methods
  Preparation for progression in art and design
• Final Major Project Proposal and Realisation
  Project proposal and realisation in art and design

You will need:

• One A Level and three GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including grade 6 or above in Art or a closely related subject

or

• Two A Levels and two GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including grade 6 or above in Art or a closely related subject

or

• Five GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including grade 6 or above in Art or a closely related subject

or

• Level 3 Extended Diploma
• A portfolio of your art and design work
• A reference from your previous school/college

All applicants must have an interview to confirm that the course is suitable for them.

If you have have significant professional or other qualifications and appropriate work experience you may be considered and are encouraged to apply, as are those wishing to formalise their experience, or update skills, knowledge and understanding. In addition, evidence of personal skills and qualities through your personal statement and references will be considered.

If you have gained previous qualifications outside of the UK, you will need equivalent qualifications to those above. The equivalence of qualifications from outside of the UK will be determined according to NARIC guidance.
 
If English is not your first language, you will need to provide an IELTS exam report with a score of 6.0 (with a minimum of 5.5 in each area) or equivalent English qualification.
 
If you are applying to study on a Tier 4 General Student Visa, you will require an IELTS for UKVI overall score of 6.0 (with minimum of 5.5 in each element).

You will be assessed continually through practical project work, coursework, written assignments and presentations. Practical assessment will include a final major project ending with a public exhibition of work.

Aged 16-18

If you will be aged 16, 17 or 18 on 31st August prior to the start date of your course and you have the legal right to remain in the UK for the duration of your programme then your study with us will be free. Please see here for the documents you will need to show us.

Some courses will have other associated costs, such as for specialist materials and trips. Many of our students are eligible for financial support, see here for details.

On successful completion of this course, you can progress to a range of related degree courses and a wide range of careers.

Many of our students progress to university each year, including a high percentage to colleges within University of the Arts London (UAL), University for the Creative Arts (UCA), and Goldsmiths College.