01634 402020

 Apply Now

 01634 402020

 Apply Now

Course Description

The Foundation Diploma is designed to prepare students for undergraduate study and is a mutli-disciplinary one year course which is divided into three parts:

Part 1 Diagnostic Investigation into Creative Practice is taught and assessed at Level 3. Through projects students explore a range of media, materials and techniques in response to set themes whilst developing critical understanding of contemporary art & design practice through a contextual studies programme.

Part 2 Developing Specialist Practice is taught and assessed at Level 3. Students will undertake projects where they start to specialise their practice and will be supported to complete a UCAS application and develop a portfolio of work for university applications / admission or transition into work. Alongside this, students will continue to follow a contextual studies programme to develop their critical understanding of current practice.

In the first two parts of the course students will explore a wide range of creative skills and disciplines including drawing and visual communication, digital illustration, a range of 2D disciplines (painting, printmaking etc), photography and image manipulation, 3D design and moving image and animation.

Part 3 Consolidating Practice is taught and assessed at Level 4 - first year degree level. Students are required to complete a final major project, which is a self-set brief that will showcase their skills and creativity in their preferred media, and area of critical exploration.

Other Important Information

This programme is delivered by our partners at Medway School of Art, with classes taught from their facilities at The Historic Dockyard Chatham.

If you are 18 at the start of the course then you will be required to complete work experience as part of your study programme, however this is encouraged for students of all ages to support progression into higher education or employment.

Once you have applied for the course, you will be invited in for an interview. We request that you attend with a portfolio of art / design work so we can see your creative practice and skills level.

Future Prospects

The course provides students with the opportunity to achieve 80 to 112 UCAS points, in addition to those already achieved through their A Level / Level 3 qualifications and is accepted by universities across the country as an excellent route into their undergraduate programmes across a vast range of subjects and disciplines.

The course is also suitable for students who wish to undertake a Higher Apprenticeship, or develop their portfolios and knowledge of a wide range of materials, media and techniques before starting their careers in the creative industries.

Entry Requirements

Students should have achieved GCSEs at grade 4 or above / grade C in English and Maths, and a Level 3 Extended Diploma in a Creative Subject at Merit, or three A Levels with a C or above in a creative subject or equivalent.

Adult learners without A Levels / Level 3 qualifications or who may have taken alternative qualifications should still apply and will be assessed for suitability based on portfolio and prior attainment.