Art and Design: Fashion/Textiles Pathway - Level 3 Foundation Diploma (UAL)

This course is accredited by the University of the Arts London (UAL).

If you're looking to study fashion and textiles 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 textiles with the fashion 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 conceptual and innovative techniques. 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 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 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 a 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 2025 before the start date of the course, and you have the legal right to remain in the UK for the duration of your course then your study with us will be free.

Please see here for the documents you need to show us.

Some courses have additional costs, such as specialist materials and trips.

Many of our students are eligible for financial support. See here for details.

Adults - Level 3

This course may be free if you meet certain conditions:

• If you are not working or have a low income. You need to show proof of your income or benefits.
• If you are aged 19-23 and you do not have a full Level 3 qualification (a full L3 is the equivalent of two A-levels at A* - E grade). You need to show us proof of any qualifications you already have.
• Residency rules apply. You need to show you have permission to live, work and study in the UK without conditions if you live in London, or 3 years if you live outside London.
• There are some exceptions, such as certain visa types.

Check here which documents you need to show us, and which visa types are allowed.

If you do not meet the residency rules, you can still enrol on the course but you may have to pay some fees. All applicants are fee-assessed during enrolment.

If you are not eligible for a free or reduced-cost course, you need to pay the full fee yourself, or apply for an Advanced Learner Loan.

If you have to pay for your course, and decide to apply for an Advanced Learner Loan (ALL), the residency rules are different: https://www.gov.uk/advanced-learner-loan.

Some courses have additional 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 the University of the Arts London (UAL), University for the Creative Arts (UCA), and Goldsmiths College.