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Course code: P02468
Subject area: Art & Design
Study level: School Leaver
Course level: 3
Course time:
09:00 - 17:00
Days of week:
Monday to Friday
Course date:
7th Sept 2026 - 2nd Jul 2027
Course location:
Abingdon CampusYou will benefit from regular interaction with specialist staff, who bring a wealth of industry experience and are deeply committed to nurturing individual talent. This hands-on guidance ensures that everyone receives tailored feedback and mentoring, helping you to develop a strong portfolio and confidently progress to higher education or creative careers.
The course starts broadly and becomes more specialised as the year progresses. In the first term you will explore specialist areas including printmaking, 2D fine art, 3D design, graphics, illustration, sculpture, fashion, textiles, spatial design and photography. In the second term you will begin to consolidate your growing sense of direction through the selection of three specialist options. In the third term, you will devote your time entirely to an in-depth six-week project which will become a public exhibition.
The course also includes a series of lectures which seek to challenge and inform you about contemporary and historical issues and help you locate your own practical work within a broad cultural context. The Foundation year provides a crucial link between A Level and specialist degree courses. At the same time, it is a year of exciting challenges and new pathways which we believe you will find both refreshing and rewarding.
There are three key parts to this qualification which is awarded by University of the Arts London Awarding Body (UALab). • Unit 1 Diagnostic Investigation into Creative Practice (Level 3) • Unit 2 Developing Specialist Practice (Level 3) • Unit 4 Consolidating Practice (Level 4)
Delivering the qualification through University of the Arts London provides prestige, excellent connections and professional development for our staff and students. Most importantly, we deliver this programme holistically so that students develop strong critical awareness and transferable skills. This course runs across four days with an additional independent study day to make up a five day week. Most students have part-time jobs alongside this course, but we recommend no more than nine hours per week to be able to cope with the intensity of the programme.
There will be regular trips to galleries and museums and visits by artists, and you will also visit the UCAS Design Your Future Excel Centre. Two residential trips are usually integrated into the year. Recent destinations have included Berlin, Venice and Lisbon. You will have the opportunity to be selected to exhibit their final project at a prestigious venue in London during the summer, providing a fantastic platform to meet industry professionals and grow in confidence. You will also undertake 35 hours of work experience in relation to your creative
This course is preparation for entry to BA and Foundation Degrees in Art, Design and Media. Most degree courses require students to have completed a Foundation Course.
This course provides UCAS points and coupled with your previous UCAS points and an exciting portfolio of work, will help you get into your first choice University.
Day trips - approx. £50 (paid separately on request)
Students may find they want to purchase their own specific materials when working on individual projects.
Tuition fee is free for eligible students aged 18.
19+ tuition is £5,421 and you may be eligible for an Advanced Learner Loan. Please enquire for more information.
As part of your course we may organise trips to assist you with your learning. Trips are optional, and you will not be penalised if you choose not to participate.
There are bursaries available to help you with other course costs. Call 01235 216 212 for more information.
The rules on fee reduction are complicated and we would encourage you to talk to our Admissions staff on 01235 216 400 to discuss your options. You can find more information on our Fees and Bursaries page - search "Fees and Bursaries" at the top of the page.
£0.00
£5,712.00
UCAS Points: Pass = 80Merit = 96Distinction = 112








