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Saturday Art School
Pre-Foundation – Portfolio Preparation

Pre-Foundation – Portfolio Preparation

Ages: 14–17
Term: Autumn
Length: 5 weeks

Overview

This exciting and intensive course supports you in developing the key creative skills, methods and thinking in art and design across 2D, 3D and critical studies. This is for students aged 14–17 who wish to build and develop their personal portfolios to complement existing studies, and to support those who are considering applying for Further or Higher Education studies in the creative arts.

To book your place today, simply click Book Now below to be taken to AUB's secure online store, where you can complete your booking. You can also sign up to our newsletter for short course updates.

Course information

Designed for students who have a keen interest in the creative arts and personal portfolio development, you may already be studying creative arts subjects at GCSE or A-Level standard, home-schooled, or studying in a STEM-focused school and seeking to expand and explore your creative potential.

Delivered by a specialist portfolio development tutor, the course will allow you to explore the creative process and develop your personal identity through a series of stimulating and challenging assignments, projects, and problem-solving exercises. You'll consolidate skills development through your personal assignment work and be encouraged to undertake any personal projects you may wish to progress, all under close guidance and support from your tutor.

Each week, you'll be introduced to new skills and techniques through a series of practical-based workshops using a range of equipment, experimental techniques, and different mediums that are vital in the art world and creative industries, all underpinned with informative talks and ongoing feedback to keep you updated as you progress in your creative portfolio development.

Included in your course, you'll receive several informative talks from AUB Foundation tutors to explore your creative pathway options in further education and have the opportunity to receive a personal portfolio review.

Subjects and skills covered will include experimental and observational drawing, collage, printmaking, 3D work, mixed media and illustration, as well as covering fundamentals such as colour and composition and exploring surface and texture. Most importantly, you'll gain confidence in displaying and sharing your personal work.

You'll be supported to fully explore your creative potential and learn how best to display and share completed work.

We encourage our teenage artists to be themselves, and as such we harness a budding artists’ natural style and flair, enabling them to utilise existing creative interests and acquire new skills in the development of their own unique creative visual language. 

Skills in the fundamentals of visual practice and research
Subject specific workshops, including drawing, painting, conceptual idea development, 3D, printmaking, collage
Working with a range of mixed media
Fundamental creative approaches, techniques, and methods
Observational and expressive drawing techniques
Idea development processes
Independent research and experimental work
Analyse and respond to the work of historical and contemporary artists and designers
Guidance on portfolio development and presentation
Advice on digitising work
Personal portfolio review and progression advice
Continual formative appraisal and critique
Support in making an application to study at Arts University Bournemouth (AUB)

At the end of the course, your young artist:

Will have developed an exciting and innovative portfolio of work across a variety of art and design disciplines
Will have an improved understanding of the creative processes required for a range of art and design subjects
Will have experimented with different mediums and methods to define their creative style
Will understand the importance of different artistic processes
Will define and determine which creative pathways they wish to pursue
Will enhance their abilities by exploring new methods
Will develop new skills and expand their creative potential
Will identify and develop their own visual language and creativity
Will enhance their creative skill set and knowledge.
Will increase confidence in their skills when sharing work and discussing ideas with others.

What you need to know

When does it run?

Autumn term 2026

Saturdays 17 and 31 October
Saturdays 14 and 28 November
Saturday 12 December

How long is the course?

5 alternate Saturdays

What time are the classes?

09.00–16.00

Who's this course for?

This course has been developed for aspiring artists aged 14–17. 

It's been designed for aspiring artists who have a keen interest in the creative arts and personal portfolio development. Students may already be studying creative arts GCSEs or A-Level (or equivalent Level 3 qualifications), are home-schooled, or are studying at a STEM-focused school and are seeking to expand and explore their creative potential. 

Does my young artist need any qualifications or experience?

Your young artist doesn't need any previous experience, just buckets of enthusiasm.

Even though your teenage artist may be considering applying to study the creative arts in Further or Higher Education, it isn't a requirement for the course to have an application in progress. We welcome any teens that keen to prepare their creative portfolio.

I’m not sure if this is suitable for my young artist. Can I speak to someone?

Yes of course! If you'd like to discuss if this course is suitable for your young artist, get in touch with us: email academy@aub.ac.uk or call +44 (0) 1202 363222.

How much does this course cost?

£299

What's included in this price?

All course materials and resources
Everything your young artist will need to take part in the course will be provided by us – no hidden costs!

Classes are practical, so wear clothes that you don't mind your artists getting messy.
Drinks and snacks for break time and duration of class; please ensure snacks don't contain nuts.
It's strongly advised that mobile phones, tablets and other valuables aren't brought to class. Any personal possessions are the responsibility of your young artist and AUB won't be liable for any loss or damage.

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Book your artist's place today

Book now

Beyond the course

This could just be the start of your young artist's creative journey! After this course, your young artist could further their skills, continue to harness their creativity and explore alternative Saturday Art School subjects, look forward to the future and the next step(s) in their creative journey by exploring AUB's Foundation Diploma in Art, Design and Media.