UAL Art & Design Foundation Diploma Post Level 3
The Foundation Diploma in Art and Design is a dynamic and immersive one-year course designed for students who are passionate about pursuing a career in the creative industries. This course offers you a comprehensive exploration of various artistic disciplines, from fine art and graphic design to fashion, photography and 3D design, allowing you to discover your unique creative potential.
Whether you are aiming for a degree in a specialised art and design field or preparing to enter the professional world, the Foundation Diploma provides a solid foundation to help you achieve your goals. It’s a stepping stone to future studies or a fulfilling career in the vibrant world of art and design.
The course provides the transition from general education to specialist art and design education. Specialist areas include Fine Art, Fashion and Textiles, Graphic Design and Illustration, and Three Dimensional Design. The course enables students to make an informed decision regarding what area they want to apply to within Art and Design at undergraduate level, prepare and refine their portfolio or if they are seeking employment within the creative industries.
Entry requirements
To gain entry onto this one year pre-degree course you will need to be 18+ and have a minimum of one A Level and 6 GCSEs at 4 or above, or equivalent level of qualification such as a Level 3 Extended Diploma.
If you do not have the normal entry qualifications, you may gain entry onto the course with appropriate experience or a mixture of work experience and the ability to demonstrate competence in art and design.
What will I study?
This exciting course is delivered in three distinctive stages: Diagnostic Investigation, Developing Specialist Practice and Consolidating Practice. The introduction to the course is mainly diagnostic in which you will experience a number of different art and design areas.
After this, you will choose a specialism from areas such as: Fine Art and Photography, Communication Design, Fashion, Textiles and Three Dimensional Design, which you will study in much greater depth leading towards a celebratory exhibition of your Final Major Project at the end of the year Creative Show.
Throughout the course, you’ll develop essential technical skills, build a strong portfolio, and gain a deeper understanding of contemporary art and design practices. With expert guidance from experienced tutors, you will refine your creative abilities, experiment with different media, and develop a critical understanding of the creative process.
Educational trips
Throughout the programme, visits to galleries, workshops, museums, exhibitions and places of specific interest are organised to extend awareness of the wide range of contemporary creative opportunities as well as supporting the contextual studies programme, which is an integral part of the Diploma. Along with potential educational residential trips to London and Europe.
If you are 19 or a mature student please contact our Student Experience team for further information on fees.
Method of delivery
You will typically be in College four days per week with an emphasis on the practical elements of the course. In-College delivery is supported by online resources, and students develop strong independent learning skills to equip them for their next steps.
How will I be assessed?
All the course is internally assessed - continuous assessment of your portfolio of project work, with feedback on your progress in one-to-one tutorials as well as a self-initiated Final Major Project.
You will be able to showcase your Final Major Project at the end of year Creative Show.
Good course combinations
This is a full-time course. It is not possible to combine this course with other Vocational, Apprenticeship or A Level programmes.
Your next steps
You will work with specialist tutors throughout your course to help you focus on your strengths and to develop an individual and focused portfolio of work. A wide range of progression opportunities are achieved to degree courses throughout the country to study subjects such as Fashion, Textiles, Fine Art, Illustration, Photography, Graphic Design and 3D Design. Past students have successfully gained places at top creative universities such as Central Saint Martins, London College of Fashion, The Ruskin School of Art, University of Cambridge and Edinburgh College of Art.
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Study Mode
Full-time
Start Date
September 2026
Duration
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Level
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Study Mode
Full-time
Start Date
September 2026
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Level
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Vocational & T Level
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Study Mode
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Start Date
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Study Mode
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Start Date
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Study Mode
Full-time
Start Date
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Duration
2 Years
Level
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UAL Extended Diploma in Creative Practice (Art & Design Pathway) Level 3*
Vocational & T Level
Subject Area
Art & Design
Study Mode
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Start Date
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Subject Area
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Study Mode
Full-time
Start Date
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Duration
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Subject Area
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Study Mode
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Start Date
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Duration
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Level
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