ART AND DESIGN Level 3 Foundation Diploma

Level 3
Further Education
Newry Campus
UAL

Overview

The Art and Design Level 3 Foundation Diploma is an inspiring and immersive programme designed for aspiring artists and designers who wish to explore their creative potential and develop a diverse range of skills. This course serves as a stepping stone into higher education or a career in the creative industries, providing a solid foundation in artistic practices and critical thinking. This course is an essential qualification when applying for very highly competitive degree courses in this area.

This art and design course will prepare a student's portfolio for university interview whilst providing direction on a wide variety of specialist disciplines. The goal of the programme is to provide creative groundwork that will enable students to discover their own strengths and talents.

The course also includes educational visits to cultural centres where students are given the opportunity to view and evaluate the work of contemporary and historical artists and designers. Individual students are given the opportunity to work on realistic industrial commissions and projects.

Applicants must be at least 16 years of age on or before 1st July in the year of proposed entry to the course and have recently been in education to key stage 4 (completion of compulsory education).
The College will review the qualifications and/or experience held by applicants and will consider whether this profile shows an ability to progress towards a level 3 qualification.
Applicants must have achieved the following:

5 GCSEs (Grade C or above) to include Art or Design and 1 A-Level or equivalent level 3 qualification in Art and Design or in a relevant creative subject.
Attendance at Individual or Group Pre-Entry Advice Sessions (IPEAS and GPEAS) may be required. These interviews may take place either on campus, via telephone or video call (Microsoft teams) and will play an important role in the selection of all courses.

At interview, applicants must present an A-Level or Leaving Cert standard art portfolio.
ROI applicant should present with 5 OLCs (Grade 05 or above) to include Art, OR Leaving Cert Applied – Merit/Distinction; OR FETAC Award – 8 subjects.
Applicants who do not possess GCSE English Language at Grade C or higher (or equivalent) must be able to demonstrate as part of their application they can communicate in written and spoken English Language to an acceptable level to succeed in the course. The College reserves the right to refer any applicant to appropriate English Language or Literacy classes until their level of fluency in written and spoken English is sufficient to allow participation in other areas of study.
Students entering a full time Level 3 programme are expected to have already achieved a minimum of GCSE Grade C in English Language and Mathematics (or equivalent qualification). Applicants admitted to a full-time programme of study without these qualifications in English Language and Mathematics will be required to undertake an Essential Skills course in Literacy and Numeracy respectfully. Applicants with a Grade D will also have the opportunity to undertake repeat classes in GCSE English Language and/or Mathematics.

The Foundation Diploma in Art and Design is made up of three mandatory units:

Unit 1: Diagnostic Investigation into Creative Practice:

In this unit, students will undertake a diagnostic investigation into visual language and creative practices. This exploratory investigation allows students to become familiar with and experiment within a wide range of (art, design, craft and media) creative disciplines as part of their journey to, or reinforcement of, specialism in Unit 2 or Unit 3.

Unit 2: Developing Specialist Practice (Level 3) Or Unit 3: Developing Specialist Practice (Level 4):

This unit will provide students with the opportunity to reflect on the knowledge, skills and practices they have developed in Unit 1 and 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.

Unit 4: 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.

This course explores several disciplines which may include:

Ceramics
Fine Art
Graphics
Printmaking
Photography
Interior Design
Fashion & Textiles
Drawing & Communication
Sculpture
Jewellery
Contextual and Historical Studies
Fine Art Concepts and Design Development

Assessment is ongoing throughout each unit. Students will present their research, development and outcomes in workbooks. Students will receive written feedback with areas for improvement identified. The work will be externally moderated by the awarding body. There are no examinations in the assessment process.

On successful completion of this course, students may wish to progress to a range of university degrees or Higher National Diploma (HND) courses at SRC. The College offers Higher National Diploma's in Graphic Design or Photography, which may lead to the degree in Creative Imaging also available at SRC.

This qualification opens doors to careers as professional artists, graphic designers, illustrators, fashion designers, photographers, art directors, or art educators.