Course details may be subject to change.
This programme aims to equip you with the knowledge and creative skills required to successfully develop a career within visual arts. You will focus on your preferred specialist discipline within art and design such as fine art, digital photography, textile design, multimedia, interior design, illustration, or take a broad and inventive approach to develop a diverse portfolio. The course will nurture creativity and support concept development to a level where you can seek employment, engage in self-employment or undertake further study.Opportunities for external work placements generally arise during your second year of study due to the level of skill required by employers.
Entry Criteria
To gain entry to the programme, you must satisfy the standard or non-standard entry requirements below.
Admissions Criteria The College Admissions Policy is to encourage access to higher education through an equal opportunity regardless of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religious belief, or age.
Standard Entry requirements
[[[You will be a minimum age of 18 years old ~ You are expected to hold a relevant Level 3 qualification in a related subject, such as Art & Design, Graphic Design, or an A-Level in graphics or art. ~ You will hold four GCSEs at grade 9-4 (or working towards) ~ It is desirable but not essential that you hold a grade 4 or above in GCSE maths and English, or Functional Skills. ~ You will be encouraged to obtain grade 4 or above in GCSE maths and English ~ A total of 32 UCAS tariff points. ~ You will be interviewed and must evidence an art and design or creative-based portfolio (international applicants via internet/email respectively). ~ A personal statement. ~ Minimum 5.5 IELTS in each band for international applicants.]]]
Non-Standard Entry Requirements
- Evidence of ongoing creative experience or employment within the creative industries.
- Attend a successful interview with two members of the curriculum team.
- A personal statement.
- You must evidence an art and design-based portfolio (international applicants via internet/email respectively).
- It is desirable but not essential that you hold a grade 4 or above in GCSE maths and English, or Functional Skills.
- You will be encouraged to obtain grade 4 or above in GCSE maths and English.
Additional Costs
Additional costs include general art and design materials, external hard drive, access to a digital camera and personal computer (Mac or PC) with design software. There will also be expenses for a yearly national trip and optional international visit.
What are the next steps?
You will be invited to attend an interview to present a portfolio of art and design work.
As an international applicant, you may arrange a telephone interview and send your portfolio via email.
Study Aims
This Foundation Degree will allow you to study art and design as an academic and intellectual pursuit.
It aims to provide a flexible, stimulating, and challenging learning environment, to allow you to develop professional, innovative, and creative outcomes. You will build your confidence to support your creativity and professional skills.
You will engage in practical and academic activities to underpin learning within the creative industries. There will be an emphasis on making and presenting work in a range of contexts, to prepare you for your future career.
Modules Studied
Level 4 Core Modules:
- Personal & Professional Development
- Studio Practice - you will explore and experiment with ideas and concepts in studio and workshops.
- Materials Techniques and Processes - you will be introduced to the fundamental principles in artistic production; how materials and methodology contribute to the production of meaning in art and design.
- Contextual Influences - you will develop your research and academic writing skills, as well as enhancing your critical and analytical skills.
- Creative Project - you will select a project theme to explore creatively and produce an innovative professional response, using a specialism relevant to your career goals.
Level 5 Core Modules:
- Personal & Professional Development
- Studio Practice - you will have opportunities to work independently and in groups to produce responses to live client briefs.
- Contextual Influences - you will further develop your research and academic writing skills to write a critical analysis of your chosen specialism.
- Self-Initiated Project
- based on your personal interests within art and design practice, you will develop research and experiment with ideas and concepts to produce a creative outcome.
Times of Delivery
- Monday - Level 4 1pm - 5pm ~Wednesday - Level 4 9am - 4pm ~Thursday - Level 5 9am - 1pm ~Friday - Level 5 9am - 4pm
Any times indicated are based on current courses and may be subject to change in future years. Full timetables will be confirmed at the start of each course.
Teaching and Assessment
You will have direct personal contact with an individual member of the course team to discuss academic and personal matters relevant to your learning.
At induction you may discuss any learning or support needs - your progress will be monitored and you will be encouraged to arrange regular one-to-one sessions with your tutor to discuss any issues arising.
You will also receive academic support from your module tutors. Support is given to students via tutorials at set intervals during the academic year.
A range of assessment methods are used across both Level 4 and Level 5, including:
- Time constrained briefs
- Reflective journal
- Group work
- Academic tutorials
- Lectures
- Seminars
- Critiques
- Independent learning
- Presentations
- Work related projects
- Practical work
- Workshops
- Pastoral support
- Preparation of portfolios of evidence.
Industry Links
This programme places focus on opportunities for you to engage in live briefs, enterprise ideas, competitions, and developing industry-based work.
You will gain experience of producing work in response to industry-projects and live briefs, to gain valuable experience working in a professional graphic design setting.
You will visit organisations, attend events, and you will take part in portfolio surgeries and attend guest lectures.
Placement
You will be encouraged to engage in work experience activities to enhance your portfolio and develop work based skills needed for progression.
You could progress to BA (Hons) Visual Arts or BA (Hons) Design at New College Durham to top-up your foundation degree to a degree.
Alternatively, you could progress to a relevant course at university, or pursue a career in the industry.
Employment opportunities include:
- Freelance/Self Employed
- Fine Artist
- Interior/Surface Pattern Design
- Sculptor
- Design consultancies and studios
- PR Agencies
- Publishing companies
- Animation studio
- Art gallery curator
- Art therapist
- Art or design teacher
- Art technician
- Art valuer or auctioneer
- Art related jobs in fashion.
