Course Overview

The Foundation Diploma in Art & Design (Pathways to HE) offers students a highly dynamic and creative experience with the flexibility to shape their future in a wider array of creative disciplines. Whether you are an adult returning to education or have just completed A Levels/an Extended Diploma, this is the course to build your confidence and creative portfolio so you are ready for Higher Education Creative Arts degree programmes and the opportunities these bring towards an exciting career in the booming creative industries. By encouraging you to adopt an experimental approach to your learning, we help you to develop your individual skills and determine your future direction as an artist or designer. This is a gradual process, over three terms, during which you will have a chance to specialise in areas such as Creative Digital and Graphic Design, Fashion and Textiles, Fine Art, Sculpture or Photography. The curriculum is delivered through a blend of projects and workshops,designed to help you develop the skills that most interest you, in an environment that is professional and focused on achieving success. You will have your own workspace and will be encouraged to work independently in College and at home, with input and support from our specialist staff. You will also be expected to take part in a work placement. We offer opportunities for residential trips in the UK and abroad as well as a variety of day trips. Previous cohorts have taken opportunities to embark on study visits to London, New York, Los Angeles, Norway, Berlin and Paris among others. This University of the Arts London qualification carries UCAS points, meaning you can count it towards entry on a degree-level programme while achieving a globally recognised award in the creative world. Added to the high-quality portfolio of work you will have developed during your time with us, you will be perfectly placed to progress to a degree course, either at University Centre Somerset or further afield in a variety of areas including Fine Art, Graphic Design, Creative Media, Architecture, Fashion, Interiors, or many of our students have gone straight into employment where their creative talents have been used in many different sectors.

Assessment Methods

Our specialist lecturers work closely with you throughout the year. The course is studio-based and involves continuous assessment and external moderation, starting broadly by exposing students to a range of art and design disciplines before developing more specialist work in the second half of the programme. Your progress is monitored by tutorials and group critiques with opportunities for external exhibitions and real live projects. The final module project is set at Level 4, bridging the gap through the challenge of higher-level study and dictates your overall grade.

Progression Options

This course is designed to increase your chances of securing a place on your chosen degree course or give you confidence to begin your own creative career. The majority of our students progress to study a Creative Arts degree, either here at University Centre Somerset or further afield at some of the country’s top Creative Arts degree courses.