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Foundation Diploma
Foundation Diploma in Art, Design and Me...

Foundation Diploma in Art, Design and Media

Overview

This one-year foundation course gives you the chance to explore different creative areas before choosing the subject you want to take a degree in.

It's the perfect way to find your creative voice and to boost your existing skills and portfolio if they’re not quite up to degree standard – or you might just like to enjoy a year of being creative before moving on to something else. After successful completion of this course, students are awarded the widely recognised UAL Foundation Diploma in Art and Design (Level 3).

Guaranteed place on a BA degree at AUB upon successful completion (except the Acting and Creative Writing courses, which require auditions or written submissions).

Course information

This course is geared towards the preparation of a portfolio of work to support your application to a Higher Education course. Throughout the course, your practical studio work will be supported by a programme of contextual studies in art and design. You can view the full specification from awarding body UAL.

Please note that fees and funding, including the availability of maintenance loans for the Foundation Diploma in Art, Design and Media are different from our Undergraduate courses. Please visit our Fees and Financial Support page for more information.

The Foundation Diploma sets out to help students discover a preferred area of practice. You'll develop core learning skills and extend your understanding of creative processes in preparation for undergraduate study or employment. This is an intensive course that provides high level insight into contemporary creative practices and the potential to focus studies into specialist areas.

Students will develop sound understanding of the creative process and skills that prepare students fully for progression in our purpose build Foundation buildings with state-of-the-art studios.


Course Duration	1 year (full-time)
Fees	Read more about fees
Apply	Find out how to apply

Stage one

During stage one, students will explore broad core principles and working practices in Art, Design and Media which will lead students to discover their preferred area of study. Simultaneously, students will increate their critical comprehension and creative skill sets. The course provides insight into the range of options available for stage two study.

Stage two

The course offers multiple 'specialisms', and you'll choose to study these from mid-November.

The specialism for stage two are:

Graphic Communication
3D – Art, Craft and Design
Fashion, Costume and Textiles
Photography
Fine Art
Film and Animation
Illustration

Each specialism has a range of expert tutors, and support from visiting tutors and technical staff. During stage two, you'll engage with several projects over 12 weeks and begin to focus your portfolio towards your specialist areas. You'll also make your Higher Education application through UCAS.

Stage three

Stage three consists of a self-initiated project, which is negotiated with your tutor and managed more independently. In this stage, you can put into practice all of the skills that you've learned from the first two stages. The final outcomes are exhibited in TheGallery and studios.

See what our students are doing

A Foundation diploma is the perfect way to begin your creative pathway. Take a look at the gallery below to find out more about the work that our Foundation students have been making.

Illustration of a boy standing in a snowy forest at night, with dead trees surrounding him.

Photo of a road at night with a multi-coloured light rail going through it.

A cube sculpture showing three pieces of artwork. Da Vinci's Mona Lisa appears on the top face. The Weeping Woman by Picasso is on the left-hand face, and part of The Marilyn Diptych by Andy Warhol is on the right-hand face.

Close-up of a model of a fish with a long whisker and spines.

close up of eye with technical details in pupil

Abstract paint brushstrokes and spots on material.

A glass bottle with a label reading "Drink me" and a cupcake with a label reading "Eat me". Bright light trails appear behind both objects.

Four pages of a sketchbook showing pencil sketches of a cartoon character with different facial expressions.

red photo scaffolding and satellite dish tower

"Foundation is the heart of the creative industries, we encourage students to push their boundaries, take risks and experiment with new exciting ways of creating. Through a mix of specialisms, students can take control of their journey and use the course as a springboard into the wide range of undergraduate courses we have to offer. At the same time, students are able to explore the interplay of the disciplines to support the building of their portfolio."

Josh Read | Course Leader | Foundation Diploma in Art, Design and Media

Meet our course team

You’ll be taught by specialist lecturers and technicians on the Foundation course. You can find out more about staff by browsing their profiles below.

Awards

Our Foundation Diploma in Art, Design and Media was delighted to achieve an ‘Outstanding’ rating in its 2023 Ofsted inspection. Find out more in our news, and also read the full report.