UAL Art and Design Foundation Diploma

Course overview

The UAL Foundation Diploma is recognised as one of the best preparations for progression into specialist Higher Education Art and Design study in the UK.

The course is challenging and encourages creative exploration, experimentation and risk-taking. You will be pushed to extend your subject knowledge, critical thinking and practical skills to create a college-level portfolio for successful applications to HND and Degree courses across the UK.

Approaches to drawing and contextual research underpin the course whilst you explore four main specialist areas: Painting and Printmaking, 3D/Sculpture, Textiles and Visual Communications, delivered by subject specialists in our studios and Mac Labs. You will develop a wider awareness of the different perspectives, approaches and ethics within diverse creative practices.

You are encouraged to reflect on your experience as you progress to choose two of the specialist areas to further explore and investigate. During this time, you are supported to prepare applications and portfolios for HND and Degree level study. Our Creative and Tech. Futures day, HND presentations and University talks will enable you to make informed decisions when applying for Higher Education or employment within the Creative Industries. 

During the course you will not only benefit from studying in Scotland's Capital City but also have the opportunity to visit London on our annual study trip to further expand your research, visiting major Art Galleries and Museums to inspire and contextualise your own creative practice and portfolio.

Students specialise towards the end of the course, independently initiating and developing an extended project of personal work within a chosen professional context. Using the skills gained over the course you will consolidate your practice, realise your creative ideas and have an opportunity to present your final project at the end of the year assessment.

Our Foundation Diploma students are very successful and receive offers on to HND and Degree-level programmes across the UK. Below is a selection of recent offers that our Foundation students have gained with many receiving more than one offer.

• HND 3D Computer Animation at Edinburgh College
• HND 3D Design at Edinburgh College
• HND Contemporary Art Practice at Edinburgh College
• HND Textiles at Edinburgh College
• HND Visual Communications: Graphics at Edinburgh College
• HND Visual Communications: Illustration at Edinburgh College
• HND Visual Communications: User Experience at Edinburgh College
• BA Hons Sculpture and Environmental Art at The Glasgow School of Art
• BA Hons Sculpture at Edinburgh College of Art UoE
• BA Hons Painting at Edinburgh College of Art UoE
• BA Hons Art and Philosophy at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design
• BA Hons Fine Art at Central St Martins UAL
• BA Hons Fine Art at Camberwell College of Arts UAL
• BA Hons Communication Design at The Glasgow School of Art
• BA Hons Contemporary Art Practice Grays School of Art RGU
• BA Hons Hair and Make-up for Fashion at London College of Fashion UAL 
• BDes Hons Interior and Spatial Design Edinburgh Napier University
• BDes Hons Product Design at The Glasgow School of Art
• BDes Hons Interior Design at The Glasgow School of Art
• BDes Hons Interior and Spatial Design Edinburgh Napier University

We have delivered the Foundation Diploma for over 20 years and are the only College where you can study this transformational and diagnostic course in Scotland. 

Part one: Diagnostic Investigation into Creative Practice

• Learning Skills and Context: The importance of drawing in the creative process and introduction to specialist areas of art and design: Painting and Printmaking; Textiles; Sculpture and Visual Communications.

Part two: Developing Specialist Practice

• Development and Progression: Students specialise in two of the areas whilst preparing applications for Degree (UCAS) and HND level study.
• Part three: Consolidating Practice
• Proposal and Realisation
• Personal Project in one of the four chosen art and design specialisms
• London Study trip – this trip is not mandatory but is highly encouraged and valuable to your learning
• Presentation of personal project.
• Contextual and Critical Studies (CCS)
• Foundation students develop the essential critical and evaluative skills required for successful Degree and HND study.
• Foundation students without Higher English have the opportunity to attend CCS sessions to gain 2 x SQA units to strengthen their UCAS applications: Communication (NC) (FA1W12) and Literature 1 (FA5812)

How the course is assessed

• You will receive written and verbal feedback throughout the course on portfolio submissions and in group crits and tutorials.
• You need to pass each part of the course to progress and undertake the extended personal project in part three.
• Final grades of either Pass, Merit or Distinction are awarded on submission of your final personal project.

Number of days per week

• 4 days per week

Entry requirements

• Minimum of 1 Higher or 1 A level or IB or
• BTEC / UAL Level 3 Diploma or
• SQA NC Level 6.
• plus 4 passes at SCQF Level 5 or equivalent
• You must submit a portfolio that demonstrates your developed art and design skills evidencing a clear understanding of the creative process and potential for progression into Higher Education.
• Adult learners with relevant employment/life experience/skills will be considered for entry to this course

Information on Tests / Auditions / Interview Requirements

All applicants for this course are required to submit a Digital Portfolio and will be invited to a portfolio review session.

Specific information on Digital Portfolios and review Sessions for the course you have applied for will be sent to you after you submit your online application form.

For more information and advice on your portfolio please read the Art and Design Application and Portfolio Guide This includes advice on the content, formatting and size of your portfolio but also information on the portfolio review process, what to do if you don’t have a portfolio and the support available for Teachers supporting School pupils preparing portfolios for Art and Design courses. 

Privacy Notice School Of Art And Design

English Proficiency Requirements

Progression and Articulation Routes

You will gain UCAS points (Pass 80, Merit 96, Distinction 112) for university applications allowing you to apply for entry to Degree and HND courses across the UK and internationally.

Progression on successful completion of the course onto an HND within The School of Art and Design at Edinburgh College.

Widely recognised for second-year entry to four-year Art and Design Degrees in Scotland - dependent on each institution’s specific entry requirements.

Widely recognised for first-year entry to three-year Art and Design Degrees across the rest of the UK - dependent on each institution’s specific entry requirements.
 

Career options

• Progress straight into employment within the art and design sector at an intermediary level
• Most UAL Foundation Diploma students progress onto HND and Degree level study before becoming successful practicing Artists and Designers.
• Potential occupations:
• Contemporary Artist
• Art Director
• Art Educator
• Painter
• Printmaker
• Sculptor
• Animator
• Illustrator
• Fashion Designer
• Textile Designer
• Product Designer
• Interior Designer
• Games Artist
• Graphic Designer
• UX/UI Designer