Art and Design (Foundation) Diploma: Course features

• This one-year course prepares you for degree-level art and design programmes. Over the past five years, all our students who wished to progress through UCAS to higher level study have done so.
• It is broken down into three stages in accordance with Edexcel guidelines. You will study one stage each term:
  • in term one (the exploratory stage) a broad-based curriculum helps you to choose a subject specialism;
  • in term two (the pathway stage) you explore your subject choice in greater detail and prepare for degree-level interviews; and
  • in the final term (the confirmatory stage) you write and direct your own brief using the knowledge and skills you have acquired during the course.
• We encourage you to experience a wide range of different art and design disciplines before making your choice of specialist area in the second term. This gives you the chance to discover what best suits your skills and aspirations.
• Additional curriculum areas include art history and contextual studies, together with life, location and experimental drawing.
• Wherever possible, the course introduces real-life projects. For example, previous students have worked on:
  • the publicity campaign for the Eadweard Muybridge Festival in Kingston upon Thames;
  • a live crit next to magician David Blaine's endurance stunt at Tower Bridge, and
  • publicity materials and interior design for a new gallery in Kingston town centre.
• You will also have the opportunity to take part in a drawing trip to an overseas location.
• You work in the heart of the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture, so can see BA-level work all around you.  You benefit from joint projects with degree students whenever possible.
• Experienced and supportive staff help you achieve your full potential. All teaching staff are practising artists or designers and the small intake of students ensures regular one-to-one tutorial guidance.
• Other teaching methods include studio work, lectures, seminars and practical skills workshops. You will work in a small studio group of around 20 students, lead by a subject-specific tutor.
• Facilities include:
  • an excellent art and design library;
  • purpose-built top-lit studios;
  • print and fine art workshops; and
  • a state-of-the-art digital moving image facility.
• London's art world is also easily accessible from Kingston. Research in galleries and design museums forms part of the course curriculum.
• International students might also be interested in our 13-week International Intensive Foundation: Art & Design.

Learn more about the Foundation Diploma course, meet course lecturers, current students and take a tour of the campus by atttending one of our open sessions.