ART AND DESIGN Level 3 Foundation Diploma

Level 3
Further Education
Newry Campus
UAL

Overview

This course is an exciting and challenging experience and in many cases, an essential qualification when applying for very highly competitive degree courses. The course is designed to prepare a student's portfolio for university interview whilst providing direction on a wide variety of specialist disciplines.

The goal of the part time programme is to provide creative groundwork that will enable students to discover their own strengths and talents. The course 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 opportunities to work on realistic industrial commissions and projects.

Applicants must have:

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. You will be required to attend an interview session and must present an A-Level standard portfolio.
Or from ROI, 5 OLCs (Grade 05 or above) to include Art , OR Leaving Cert Applied – Merit/Distinction; OR FETAC Award – 8 subjects. You will be required to attend an interview session and must present a Leaving Cert standard portfolio.

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 of the qualification, and to 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 during and at the end of each assignment. Learners will present their research and development in workbooks with their outcome(s). Students will be given written feedback with areas for improvement identified. The work will be externally moderated by the awarding body. Please note there are no examinations in the assessment process.

On successful completion of this course, students can progress to a range of university degrees or Higher National Diploma (HND) courses. The College offers a HND in Graphic Design, HND in Textiles, HND in Photography and HND Art Practice, all of which may lead to the degree in Creative Imaging, which is also available at the College.

After completing the Level 3 Foundation Diploma in Art and Design, individuals can pursue various roles within the field of art and design. Roles may include: