You will need GCSE Maths & English grade 4+ and 1 A Level grade A-C, or a National Diploma or the equivalent as a minimum requirement for a place on the course. We will also interview applicants, and you will be 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 unsure of your eligibility, please make an application, and we can arrange an Advice and Guidance session to review your portfolio.

If you have applied after the 28 June, you may still be offered an interview and made an offer of a place, but you will automatically go on to a waiting list for this place. Being on the waiting list means that we cannot guarantee you a place. If a space becomes available, we will let you know as soon as possible.

Our one-year Foundation Diploma in Art & Design is a Level 3 qualification designed to help you decide upon your area of creative specialism and develop your practice. You will develop a strong portfolio of work you can use to pursue higher education or other progression routes.

Applications for 24/25 are open. Please look out for our Talk and Tours on our website.

We are accredited by the UAL Awarding body but are not part of UAL, so you can apply for a foundation at a UAL college AND the foundation at WM College.

This course will enable you to identify where your strengths lie in relation to your application to university or other progression routes. 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. 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.

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. 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.

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.

There is no exam for this course. However, you will complete an Individual Learning Plan (ILP) which will outline the learning objectives for the course. You will also be invited to set your own goals. You will informally and formally be assessed throughout the course. You will receive feedback against the achievement of the course outcomes from your tutors.

Level 3 Foundation Diploma Art and Design.

The awarding body is University of the Arts Awarding Body.

Once you have completed the course, Advice and Guidance from the foundation team will be available.

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

Additional Learning Support (ALS) is available for this course. ALS is subject to an assessment with a trained member of staff and support may include one or more of the following: support in the classroom, out of class workshops such as English, ICT and maths and specialist support for dyslexia. Provision of assistive equipment is also available and access support can be provided through reasonable adjustments with 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 advice and guidance is also available to all learners.

WM College is able to provide financial support with course fees and you may be eligible based on prior qualifications, if you are on a low income or on benefits. For more information and to find out if you are eligible, go to the Fees & Finance page on our website or contact the Learner Services team via Live Chat or on 020 7255 4700.