Study a UAL Foundation Diploma for free in London at WM College

From 2026–27, most London-based learners aged 19+ will be able to study the UAL Foundation Diploma in Art & Design at WM College free of charge.

The new funding opportunity will make specialist art and design education more accessible to aspiring creatives preparing for university or careers in the creative industries.

Who will still need to pay course fees?

You will need to pay the course fee if you:

• already hold a full Level 3 qualification* and earn above the London Living Wage, or
• live outside London.

For those learners, the course fee will be £5,421.

For learners who need to pay course fees, we want to make the process as manageable as possible. You can choose to:

• pay the course fee in full at enrolment, or
• arrange to pay by instalments by contacting Learner Services at Learnerservices@wmcollege.ac.uk.

Please note that there is no Advanced Learner Loan available for this course.

Applications for the UAL Foundation Diploma are still open

Applications for our Foundation Diploma are still open, and we’d love to hear from anyone looking to develop their portfolio, explore their creative direction, and prepare for university or a future creative career.

Last year, 100% of our Foundation Diploma learners progressed to their first-choice university, and we’re incredibly proud of the supportive, creative community we’ve built here at WM College.

Join us at a Talk & Tour event

Talk & Tour events are the perfect way to learn more about the UAL Foundation Diploma and explore our studios, creative spaces, and facilities at WM College.

If you’re thinking about applying, these sessions are a great opportunity to meet the team, ask questions about the course and funding changes, and get a feel for learner life at WM College.

Our next event will be taking place on Tue 16 Jun 2026 | 10:00–12:00

Supporting the next generation of creative learners

The UAL Foundation Diploma is designed to help learners build confidence in their creative practice while preparing for higher education and careers in the arts.

If you have questions about funding or eligibility, our Learner Services team is always happy to help at Learnerservices@wmcollege.ac.uk.

*A full Level 3 qualification includes: 2 or more A Levels, 4 or more AS Levels, or a Level 3 QCF Diploma/NVQ.