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Foundation Diploma in Art and Design (UAL)

Course Description

Apply for Sep-23. Our one-year Foundation Diploma in Art & Design is a Level 3 qualifications designed to help you decide upon your area of specialism and build a strong portfolio of work you can use to pursue higher education or other progression routes. (Please note, although we are accredited by the UAL Awarding body, we are not part of UAL, and therefore are not part of the limit on applications. You can apply for a foundation at a UAL college AND the foundation at WMCollege.)

Location: Camden

Course Requirements

You will need GCSE Maths & English grade 4+ and 1 A Level or National Diploma or equivalent as a minimum requirement for a place on the course. We will also interview applicants and you will required to bring a portfolio of your work to the interview. Applicants retuning to learning after a break may be considered on portfolio and interview alone. If you are sure of your eligibility, please make an application and we can arrange an Advice and Guidance session to review your portfolio.

Course Content

This course will enable you to identify where your strengths lie in relation to your application to university. The course encompasses a wide and exciting range of skills and knowledge. You will learn the fundamental practical and visual skills needed to produce a portfolio of work that will secure you a place at University. During the foundation we cover the ideas and processes that underpin professional practice in all the creative industries: 1. Have a critical and contextual awareness of different perspectives and approaches within art, design or related subjects of study or work 2. Research, analyse and evaluate relevant information and ideas in order to develop creative solutions 3. Understand, adapt and safely use appropriate and practical methods and skills for creative production 4. Solve complex problems through the application of art, design or related practical, theoretical and technical understanding 5. Critically review the effectiveness and appropriateness of methods, actions and results 6. Use evaluative and reflective skills in order to take responsibility for own learning, development and decision making 7. Take responsibility for the research, planning, time management and actions to access progression opportunities 8. Effectively present themselves and their work to appropriate audiences. After completing formative units, you will begin to study your specialist area in greater depth, producing a professional portfolio of work. We also help establish working practices that will be essential in succeeding in university or employment in the creative industries. This includes management of workload, time management, organisation and presentation. In the last term, you will undertake a final major project. This is the only section of the course which is graded and will decide your final grade. All students exhibit their work in the Public Final show and Private View event.

Teaching and Learning Methods

You will be taught through a range of studio-based workshops with demonstrations and discussion within your groups. You will work towards the completion of specialist briefs dependant on your pathway but the emphasis is on a highly personalised approach matching teaching and learning to the student. Peer to peer learning is encouraged through show and tell and critiques and you will take part in live Industry projects and practitioner-led sessions whenever possible. Resources used within each lesson are available for students on our online learning platform, iLearn. In addition to the classes, you will be expected to undertake extensive independent practical work and research. Learners are encouraged to make use of the huge range of galleries and exhibition spaces in central London and regularly visit them independently. To do well on the course, we would suggest doing at least 15 hours of independent work in addition to the 15 hours of programmed classes. Students are also encouraged to enter competitions and exhibitions within the college as well as externally to widen their experience of creative practice.

Independent Learning

In addition to the classes, you will be expected to undertake extensive independent practical work and research. Learners are encouraged to make use of the huge range of galleries and exhibition spaces in central London and regularly visit them independently.



To do well on the course, we would suggest doing at least 15 hours of independent work in addition to the 15 hours of programmed classes.



Students are also encouraged to enter competitions and exhibitions within the college as well as externally to widen their experience of creative practice.

Assessment

Studio and project work will be assessed on a weekly basis in tutorials. Feedback and suggestions to improve your emerging practice will be given on an informal basis as you progress through course. Your work will be formally assessed at least 3 times on the course. If you are successful and complete the course, you will achieve a Level 3 Foundation Diploma in Art and Design. The awarding body is University of the Arts and it is worth the following UCAS points (Pass 80/Merit 96/Distinction 112).

Qualification you will achieve

Level 3 Foundation Diploma Art and Design.





The awarding body is University of the Arts Awarding Body

Next Steps and Progression

By the end of the course, students of all ages achieve their aim of progressing to university, with applicants finding degree places at the most prestigious art establishments. Our learners are regularly offered places at Goldsmiths, Camberwell, Wimbledon, Central St Martins, Chelsea, London College of Communication and many other great universities outside London. Pathways taken by students in the past include: Graphics, Illustration, Photography, Time-Based Media, Animation, Architectural & Interior Design, Graphic Product Innovation, Sculpture, Art Writing, Transport Design, Effects and Professional practice in Art and Design. Some of our learners continue on to apprenticeships or to further employment in the Creative Industries. Depending on previous learning some students have successfully applied to MA programmes.

Additional Information

For more information, please contact the Learner Services Team via Live Chat, phone on 020 7255 4700 or email learnerservices@wmcollege.ac.uk.

Additional Learning Support

Additional Learning Support (ALS) is available for this course and is subject to an assessment with a member of our support staff. ?ALS may include one or more of the following: support in classes, out of class in small groups, workshops or 1:1 with a specialist tutor.??Reasonable adjustments including assistive equipment and also access support can be made available through our Disability Officer. Please let us know as soon as possible about your learning needs and/or disabilities so we can arrange support at the earliest opportunity.? Teachers are supported to ensure their materials are inclusive to meet all learners needs. Digital Learning support is available in the Learning Centre at our Camden site. Careers and employability advice and guidance is also available to all learners.?

Additional Costs

WM College is able to provide financial support for some course fees. You may be eligible based on prior qualifications, if you are on a low income or benefits. For more information and to find out if you are eligible, view our Fees & Finance page on our website or contact the Learner Services team via Live Chat or on 020 7255 4700.
CAMDEN
44 Crowndale Road
NW1 1TR
Tel: 020 7255 4700
Email: learnerservices@wmcollege.ac.uk
KENTISH TOWN
7 Leighton Place
NW5 2QL
Tel: 020 7241 8572
Email: learnerservices@wmcollege.ac.uk