Art and Design Foundation Diploma - Level 3

Entry Requirements

There are no formal requirements for this qualification.

However, it is recommended that students have a minimum of 5 GCSEs at grade 4 or C, including Maths and English and one A-Level or equivalent Level 3 qualification, preferably in a relevant creative subject.

Otherwise, applicants with industrial or practical experience will be considered on the strength of their portfolio.

Essential Skills - English and Maths

If you achieve a grade 3 in GCSE Maths or English you will have to work towards re-sitting these subjects as part of your main study programme. At B&FC, this won't delay your career journey because you're working towards these subjects at the same time as your chosen subject.

Qualification Obtained

Industry Placement and Field Trips

In normal circumstances, students will be required to undertake work experience consisting of between twenty and forty hours of work based experience that is external to the College.

You will be offered a placement by the work experience tutor, but would be able to choose your own placement.

In normal circumstances, there will be a number of field trips and research visits.

In the past, students have visited Manchester, Lancaster, site visits in and around Blackpool, as well as trips further afield including Liverpool and London.

Learning and Teaching Methods

The course is divided into 3 stages each containing 1 unit.

• Stage 1 covers Diagnostic Investigation into Creative Practice and consists of 29 Level 3 credits
• Stage 2 covers Developing Specialist Practice and consists of 46 Level 3 credits
• Stage 3 covers Consolidating Practice and consists of 45 Level 4 credits

Diagnostic Investigation into Creative Practice

In this unit, students will undertake a diagnostic investigation into visual language and creative practices.

The exploratory investigation allows students to become familiar with and experiment within a wide range of creative disciplines (art, design, craft and media) as part of their journey to, or reinforcement of, specialism in Unit 2.

Developing Specialist Practice

This unit will provide students with the opportunity to reflect on the knowledge, skills and practices they have developed in Diagnostic Investigation into Creative Practice, and to define their creative ambitions by encouraging a holistic approach to a range of activities, which will support, contextualise and position their creative endeavour within their chosen specialist practice.

Consolidating Practice

This unit aims to provide students with an opportunity to take control of their own learning and demonstrate their achievement by independently initiating, researching, completing and evaluating a project proposal and realisation within their chosen professional context.

You will submit a body of creative work at the end of each stage which will be formally assessed.

The majority of the teaching methods are devoted to workshop style sessions with demonstrations and guidance by the tutors, but you will also receive formal lecture sessions, group discussions, 1:1 tutorials, group (collaborative) projects and independent study.

Expert Tutors

All staff involved in the delivery of further education courses within the College are approved to teach the subjects and modules they deliver. The approval process ensures that staff delivering a given programme are appropriately qualified and, where appropriate, possess relevant technical and industrial experience and professional practice.

Assessment Methods

You will submit a body of creative work at the end of each stage which will be formally assessed.

Other Costs and Equipment Needed

Learners will have access to industry standard equipment from the beginning of the course.

All learners will have available to them a supply of basic materials at the start of the course.

Learners are encouraged to purchase their own materials to support their studies.

Learners will also have access to industry standard software such as Photoshop, illustrator and ‘Solid works’.  Access to laser cutting and 3D printing is also available to Art & design learners on this course.  We have large fully equipped traditional print room that is used to support learner’s projects.

Essential materials such as sketch books are supplied initially as well as access to specialist and industry standard equipment. Learners thereafter, are expected to cover the costs of their art materials and an indicative list of materials is supplied at the start of the course.

The college has its own art shop, and there is a larger art and design shop 5 minutes walk away from the college. Course trips that are organised by the college may have a fee attached to them, full details of which will be given to learners at the start of their course.

Tuition Fees

Read our tuition fees guide.

Regulation and Accreditation

Accrediting Institution: N/A

Awarding Body: UAL

Regulatory Body: Ofsted

Terms and Conditions

Read our full terms and conditions for more information.

Career Options and Progression

The majority of students progress onto BA Honours Degree courses at B&FC and other institutions.

Degree-level study could include:

• 2D or 3D Visual Communication
• Fine Art
• Graphic Design
• Fashion
• Photography
• Illustration
• Architecture
• Creative Industry Administration
• Management
• Teaching

Potential employment could include:

• Self-employment in the creative industries
• Teaching in the life-long learning sector
• Art Therapy (following completion of a degree or employment experience)