Level 3
UAL Foundation Diploma in Art and Design (Pre-Degree)
Welcome to the University of the Arts London (UAL) Foundation Diploma in Art and Design at Weston College! - A highly regarded and dynamic art course at Weston College taught in Weston-super-Mare, led by experienced practicing subject specialists.
Our primary objective is to nurture individuality, expand creative and visual thinking, and guide you through this “pre-degree” course, encouraging experimentation with diverse materials and approaches.
Our challenging and exploratory UAL Foundation Diploma empowers you to develop your unique artistic voice and explore innovative solutions to creative and visual problems. Throughout the program, we provide dedicated support to foster your creative focus and cultivate your autonomy as a practitioner.
This course offers you an additional year of free education. As well as developing your specialist skills and building your portfolio, the UAL Foundation Diploma gains you an additional year of tuition. This provides you with more time to contemplate your future career path, whether it's applying to university, pursuing an apprenticeship, or exploring alternative routes within the vibrant creative industries.
The creative sector is vast and continuously growing, presenting a wide range of opportunities. Your Foundation year will serve as a pivotal first step toward achieving success in this aspirational industry. We are committed to helping you define your future direction, and our comprehensive course will equip you with the necessary skills to thrive in the field.
More Course Details:
The Foundation Diploma provides a crucial framework for making informed decisions about your future. Choosing the right university course is paramount, as the consequences of selecting the wrong one can be significant. Through workshops, demonstrations, individual tutorials, and ample creative exploration, you'll have the opportunity to discover the myriad possibilities within art and design. Moreover, you'll embark on an in-depth investigation into your chosen specialisation.
Our tutors are accomplished artists, designers, and industry specialists, ensuring you receive personalised and professional guidance. You'll have access to exceptional facilities within a state-of-the-art, purpose-built environment, complete with your own dedicated studio space. Additionally, we'll assist you in developing a physical and online portfolio, creative blog, interview preparation, and a well-crafted CV.
We take pride in our track record of placing talented students in prestigious degree courses across the country. Our graduates have successfully gained admission to renowned institutions like The Slade School of Art Glasgow University, Falmouth University, and various London colleges including Camberwell, Chelsea, Central Saint Martins, London College of Fashion, and LCC, among others. There are also excellent opportunities for progression to University Centre Weston and its diverse range of creative programs.
Our collaborative approach seamlessly integrates staff expertise and fantastic facilities throughout the faculty.
Part One: This introductory phase acquaints you with the fundamental processes and principles of art and design. You'll also have the exciting opportunity to rotate through various specialist areas, including Fine Art and 3D, Visual Communication, Fashion/Surface Pattern Design, and Lens-Based Media.
Part Two: In this stage, you'll develop a focused creative direction. Through workshops, seminars, and dedicated tutorials, you'll expand your knowledge and understanding within your chosen specialised discipline. This intensive preparation will equip you with the skills and high-quality portfolio necessary to compete for placements on a wide range of specialised BA/FdA University courses in Art & Design.
Part Three: Here, you'll evolve as an autonomous practitioner, guided by specialist pathway tutorials and one-on-one support. This phase allows you to develop an independent proposal and produce ambitious work, culminating in a dynamic Summer Exhibition open to the public and industry professionals.
Assessment:
Assessment in this course involves practical studio-based projects and written assignments. A final grade is awarded upon completion of an extensive personal inquiry and a public gallery exhibition.
What Will This Lead To?
The UK's creative industries contribute over £100 billion annually to the economy, with the sector experiencing significant growth. It is estimated that one million new jobs will be created by 2030. Our Foundation Diploma will unlock pathways to university education, apprenticeships, work placements, and various creative job opportunities.
More great reasons to apply:
- Your own studio workspace and full access to all workshops and technician support.
- All students have a personal tutor who will offer advice, guidance, and feedback as well as steer you through the processes of applying through UCAS to undergraduate courses.
- 1 on 1 support constructing digital and physical portfolios, and specialist interview advice.
- You will be graded against Level 4 criteria and obtain the equivalent of 3 A levels and corresponding UCAS Tariff points with up to 112 points available.
- Superb and varied residential and gallery visits, including a week in Cornwall.
- Opportunities to showcase work through established exhibitions and work on live projects.
- The emphasis throughout is on creative play in an innovative and supportive environment.
Category & Subject Area
Art, Design, Graphics and Fashion Art, Design, Graphics and Fashion Courses for 16 to 18-year-olds Courses for 16 to 18-year-olds Courses for adults Courses for adultsiAn interview is required for this course.