The Foundation Diploma is designed to prepare students for specialist undergraduate degrees in art and design subjects. It’s a year of exciting projects, new faces and experiences that will inform your future study, career and creative life.
Foundation is widely considered the best preparation for progression to an undergraduate degree in the creative arts in the UK. On this dynamic course, you’ll try different disciplines from across art and design while being supported to fulfil your creative potential and ambitions.
The qualification builds on student’s prior experience, linking skills already acquired with ideas and challenges, which extends your critical independence and enable you to demonstrate a full understanding of the nature of art and design.
Students have progressed to Central St Martins, Newcastle University, Norwich University of the Arts, Arts University Bournemouth, Manchester School of Art, Leeds Arts University, University of Brighton, Camberwell College of Arts, Chelsea College of Arts, Wimbledon College of Arts, Bath Spa University, University of Hertfordshire, Cambridge School of Art.
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Entry Criteria
32 UCAS points, GCSE English and a portfolio of work
Students should also always check the entry requirements for degree programme they would like to progress to with the relevant higher education provider. Some degrees require specific combinations of qualifications or other industry accreditations as part of their entry requirements.
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What will I study?
This one year qualification is made up of three mandatory units.
Unit 1: Diagnostic Investigation into Creative Practice.
Students undertake an exploratory investigation into visual language and creative practice. Through hands-on experimentation, students become familiar with a wide range of creative disciplines, methods, and materials. The diagnostic nature of the unit supports self-reflection, helping students identify strengths, interests, and areas for development while building confidence in creative exploration.
Unit 2: Developing Specialist Practice
Students reflect on the knowledge, skills, and creative practices developed in Unit 1. Students define and refine their creative ambitions by adopting a holistic approach to a range of activities that support, contextualise, and position their creative work within their chosen specialist practice.
Unit 3: Consolidating Practice
Students take ownership of their learning by independently initiating, researching, executing, and evaluating a project. Students will apply their skills and knowledge to develop a proposal and realise it within their chosen professional context, demonstrating their ability to manage and execute a creative project from start to finish.
You’ll also benefit from trips to galleries and museums to feed your creative insight.
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Future Prospects
Upon completing the UAL Level 3 Foundation Diploma in Art and Design you will have the skills and understanding needed to progress to:
Higher Education
This course is recognised by higher education providers as meeting admission requirements to a range of BA (Hons) courses so upon completion you’ll be set to continue your studies on an Honours programme at university.
This qualification carries the following UCAS points:
- Pass - 80 UCAS points
- Merit - 96 UCAS points
- Distinction - 112 UCAS points
You should always check the entry requirements for each degree programme with the relevant higher education provider, as some degrees require specific combinations of qualifications or other industry accreditations as part of their entry requirements.
Employment or apprenticeships
The skills developed throughout these qualifications will support you to progress into entry level roles, training programmes or higher apprenticeships, or self-employment in the creative sector.
Career options include the fields of design, fine art, fashion, applied arts, art education, graphic design, 3D design, games design, fashion illustration and animation.
To find out more visit the National Careers Service.
