| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2026-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
Art, Design and Media Practice Foundation
Study level: Undergraduate
Foundation year
Course Overview
The foundation diploma is a one-year, full-time preparatory course to prepare you for studio-based undergraduate higher education programmes.
What You'll Study
This foundation diploma is specifically designed to foster a creative, critical and experiential approach to art, design and media practice. We encourage you to generate fresh and exciting work, building personal independence and confidence in developing ideas. You should gain new skills using different materials, techniques and processes to help you create a substantial portfolio of work to help you to progress to undergraduate study.
Modules
- The Exploratory Stage
- Gives you time to explore different disciplines through a series of short projects.
- We encourage you to use new materials and ways of working so you can explore research methods and develop critical skills for evaluation and reflection.
- The Confirmatory Stage
- Sees you working on an independent, self-initiated, final major project.
- The completed work is exhibited at the end of the year.
How You'll Learn
This qualification provides the knowledge, skills and understanding that will prepare you for further study or training. You will study one mandatory module that covers six area of learning:
- Investigation
- Experimentation
- Evaluation and review
- Realisation
- Communication
- Self-directed practice
Teaching Contact Hours
The foundation year is focused on applied learning through a blend of lectures, tutorials and online learning. There are no end-of-year exams. Instead, learning is assessed through coursework and phase tests, which are more reflective of a working environment.
Assessment
Your work will be marked according to how well you achieve the various learning outcomes. Coursework is assessed using a variety of methods and may include presentations, portfolio reviews, essays, reports, reflective logs, e-journals, blogs, displays and exhibitions.
Entry Requirements
- UK: 32 UCAS Tariff points
- International: Equivalent qualifications
- GCSE: Maths, English and art and design at grade 4/C or Functional Skills Level 2
- BTEC: M
- IB Diploma: 24 points
Fees and Funding
- UK: Free* per year
- International: 2026/27 fees TBC
- 2025/26 fees: £16,800 per year
*If you are a UK student and 18 years of age at the date of enrolment for this course, payment of tuition fees will not be required. This course is currently funded by the Education and Skills Funding Agency.
Facilities
- Digital Design Workshop
- Computer suites
- Ceramics, glass and casting workshops
- Printmaking workshops
- Sublimation and vacuum forming studios
- Virtual experience
Careers and Opportunities
When you’ve successfully completed your foundation diploma, you will have a broad portfolio demonstrating a range of skills.
You will have carefully explored your progression options, which will help you to make an informed decision about undergraduate study. You should be more confident and able to work independently in a professional manner in your chosen pathway.
In 2022/23, 93% of our Foundation Art, Design and Media Practice students progressed on to higher level study or employment.
Further Study
Many of our students take advantage of the internal progression routes and apply for courses within the School of Art and Design or the School of Media and Performing Arts.
Typically, our students have progressed to degree level courses in the following subjects: Fashion; Fine Art, Fine Art and Illustration, Illustration and Animation, Interior Design, Product Design, Automotive Design, Photography, Games Art, Graphics and Architecture. Many of these courses offer the opportunity to complete placement years in industry, providing valuable real-life experience.
