Diploma Art & Design - Foundation Studies

Our aim is to guide students in developing their intellectual, observational, and media skills to identify a reliable area of specialism that aligns with their interests and abilities. The course is structured into three progressive stages: Exploratory, Pathway, and Confirmatory.

The Exploratory stage is diagnostic, introducing you to a wide range of art and design disciplines, workshops, and media experiences. You will constantly develop, question, and resolve your own work, supported by one-to-one and group tutorials throughout the Foundation year.

The Pathway stage enables you to select specialist areas to consolidate your skills, deepen your experience, and develop a portfolio for higher education. Specialisms include:

Fine Art: painting, sculpture, drawing, photography, time-based media, and 3D design

Textiles: photography, costume, and constructed textiles

3D Design: product, architecture, interior, spatial, and ceramics

Graphics and Illustration: graphic design, advertising, illustration, animation, games art, and photography

The Confirmatory stage focuses on a sustained personal final major project, developed with guidance and tailored toward your specialist degree choice. The course culminates in a public exhibition, installed and presented by you with full technical support, offering a professional platform to showcase your work and engage with the public.

Learning methods include practical workshops, studio work, seminars, essays, and assignments.

Core Units:

Diagnostic Investigation into Creative Practice

Developing Specialist Practice

Consolidating Practice

All units are subject to change and may be withdrawn.

This course is ideal for students with a strong interest in Art and Design who have achieved Level 3 qualifications in the subject (A Level or Extended Diploma) and wish to further develop their knowledge and skills before progressing to university. It offers the opportunity to gain a Level 3/4 qualification in Art and Design while preparing for higher education.

Assessment is conducted through ongoing coursework and the final major project, graded by the course team and externally moderated by the examination board. Students receive a grade of Pass, Merit, or Distinction, with corresponding UCAS points:

Pass: 80 points

Merit: 96 points

Distinction: 112 points

Successful completion of the course significantly enhances prospects for progression to higher education, with 96% of graduates who applied to university receiving offers.

We will make sure you are working at the right level on your core qualification and are challenged to achieve the highest level of qualification you can.

Work experience will be part of your study programme and complement your college study and prepare you for employment.

You will also get involved in activities to help you develop life skills and to build your confidence so you can make progress in your career.

Weekly timetables will include tutorial support which may comprise of full group activities or one to one sessions to discuss individual progress or support needs.

• Artists, craftspeople, and designers: Explore a wide range of practitioners from contemporary practice, art history, and different cultural contexts, helping you to draw inspiration and contextualise your own creative work at Level 3.
• Creative industries: Learn about sectors relevant to your chosen specialism, including career pathways, professional expectations, and emerging trends, supporting progression to higher-level study, apprenticeships, or employment.
• Sustainable practice: Develop an understanding of environmentally responsible approaches within the creative industries and apply these principles to your own studio practice and project work.
• Digital skills: Gain competence in digital tools and platforms commonly used in the creative industries, enabling you to produce work that meets Level 3 professional standards.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) in creative practice: Explore how AI is applied in the creative industries, including benefits and ethical considerations, and learn to critically integrate AI into your own creative workflow.

• Specialist skills: Build expertise in a wide range of art and design materials, techniques, and processes relevant to your chosen area of study, enabling you to produce high-quality, industry-informed work.
• Design and problem-solving: Learn to generate, develop, and apply creative ideas to project briefs, enhancing your ability to solve design challenges independently and confidently.
• Presentation and portfolio development: Gain the skills to present work effectively in both digital and practical formats, creating a cohesive portfolio that demonstrates your abilities and supports progression to higher education, apprenticeships, or employment.

Planning and organisation: You will manage your own workload effectively, plan and organise projects to meet industry standards, and ensure deadlines are achieved.

Reflective practice: You will critically evaluate your own work, analyse your practice, and implement changes to improve outcomes and develop as an independent creative practitioner.

Project responsibility: You will take ownership of your projects, managing development from concept to completion, and responding constructively to feedback from tutors, clients, or other stakeholders.

Professional conduct and attendance: You will demonstrate consistent attendance, punctuality, and good studio practice, maintaining a professional attitude and fully engaging with all academic and practical learning opportunities.

Engagement and collaboration: You will actively participate in group activities, tutorials, and workshops, contributing to a productive studio environment and supporting your own learning and that of others.

All Level 3 students at Booth Lane are advised to purchase a starter kit of essential media and materials, at an approximate cost of £90.

Students from households with a low income may be eligible for financial support through the college bursary fund. Applications open from mid-August and can be submitted via the college website under Support for Students > Bursaries & Finance.

The foundation course offers a wide range of opportunities to progress onto higher education. Graduates are well-prepared to apply for a variety of specialist courses, including:

Fashion, Fine Art, Fine Art Painting and Drawing, Games Art, Graphic Communication, Illustration, Interior Design, Architectural Design, Surface Pattern Design, Sculpture, Ceramic and Glass Design, Photography, Product Design, Textile Design, Costume Design, and Stage Set Design.

A Pass in a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Art & Design (or 3 A Levels), plus GCSE grade 4 in English and Maths, is required. Applicants must also submit a portfolio demonstrating their skills and particular interest in an area of art and design. This portfolio can include course work as well as personal projects completed at home. The level of course you enrol on will be determined by the quality of your submitted artwork.

We recommend that you attend one of our exciting open events so that you can look around the department, the college and meet the tutors. You are welcome to do this before or after you apply. These events have proved very successful in ensuring students and their families see the best of what the college has to offer such as our inspirational teaching areas, teachers, library facilities and places to eat.
Once you have applied our experienced Enrolment Team will consider your application carefully and will let you know, by email, if the College would like to make you a conditional offer based on you meeting the specified entry requirements. If your predicted grades or career aims suggest that an alternative subject area or course level would be more appropriate for you at this stage, we will contact you either by telephone, email or text. If you have told us that you have some additional support needs we will contact you to find out more so that we can help you.