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Art & Design – Level 3/4 Foundation Diploma

UAL Level 3 & 4 Foundation Diploma

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Availability & Details

Art and Design - UAL Level 3 Foundation Diploma SFY-ARDE3F/C01

Venue
South Downs Campus

Type of study
Higher Education

Dates
Academic Year 2025-26 (1 year)

Examination board
University of the Arts London
Fees
Course Fee Advanced Learning Loan 5421.00
Course free for under 19 year olds Standard 0.00

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Overview

Our UAL Foundation Diploma in Art and Design is a practical, one-year full time course. It allows lots of freedom to develop personal style and creative direction. The course is recommended by many top universities prior to studying a degree within the creative industries. It is an invaluable bridge between A Level and Vocational courses and Higher Education. The Foundation Diploma enables you to explore a wide range of specialist areas such as fine art, illustration, graphic design, fashion and textiles, 3D design, fashion promotion, photography and animation. You will work toward building a portfolio, and the topics studied channel you into specialising in one area of art and design. Investigations into historical and contemporary artists, along with designers, are integrated into practical project work. You will take part in group discussions and analysis of your own work and are encouraged to participate in a variety of trips and exhibitions, either in the UK or overseas.You will find this course exciting, fast-paced, challenging and rewarding. It is a chance to explore your own personal interests, before making a commitment to employment and Higher Education at university. You will gain the necessary skills that are required for success at a higher level that have not previously been explored within A Level or Vocational studies. If you are interested in a creative and commercial career in art and design, this is the course for you.Cost: FREE (£5,421 if over 19 years old).

– Applications are October/December – later applications will be considered– Portfolios submitted the week following February half term– You may also be invited to an interview– Five GCSEs grade 4 and above including English and Mathematics. One A Level, or equivalent Level 3 qualification, preferably in a relevant creative subject

You will study a range of challenging and creative projects that enables you to: – Work in specialist areas from the start of the course- Explore new specialisms – Build a sophisticated and ambitious portfolio – Develop analytical and evaluative communication skills – Design for a better future: engage in sustainable and ethical design practice. Experienced tutors will support and guide you across different pathways to use a range of art and design materials and approaches. You have the opportunity to specialise in fine art, photography, graphic design, fashion, textiles, 3D design, animation, illustration, film set design, costume, fashion promotion, drawing or photography digital skills.  The course concludes with a Level 4 Final Major Project in which you choose and investigate a creative topic that fits in with your skills and progression ambitions, with a private view and public exhibition.

You will take part in group discussions and analysis of your own work and that of others. Investigations into historical and contemporary artists and designers are integrated into practical project work. There will be opportunities to take part in day trips to visit exhibitions, as well as overseas locations. Previous destinations have included New York, Iceland, San Francisco and Beijing.

100% coursework.– Unit 1: Diagnostic Investigation into Creative Practice (Level 3)– Unit 2: Developing Specialist Practice (Level 3)– Unit 4: Consolidating Practice (Level 4)– Units 1 and 2 are graded Pass only. The overall qualification grade is based on Unit 4 and is graded as Fail, Pass, Merit or Distinction

The course provides a bridge between A Level and Level 3 art and design based subjects and Higher Education. You will be prepared and equipped to progress on to university, work or an Apprenticeship, having gained a range of skills and an exciting portfolio of work in a range of disciplines.

We have links with a variety of local art and design based creative industries.


There are lots of people at the college, each studying a diverse range of courses, people from all different areas come to study here, it creates a sense of community, there is a huge social aspect to college life across all courses.

Lee Backhouse, BTEC student

This is a really good college, and it is definitely somewhere you can achieve your dreams.

Yolanda Stemp, BTEC student

I’m very, very happy, I didn’t expect to do so well. The College has been helpful and supportive. I loved my courses, and the teachers were really good – every single one of them. The facilities are great, but it’s the staff that really make this place.

Matthew Randell, A Level student