BTEC Foundation Diploma Art and Design
What is the BTEC Foundation Diploma in Art and Design?
A Foundation Diploma is a 1-year practical and creative vocational course. The course is diagnostic in approach, enabling students to explore a wide range of specialist areas before deciding on a future direction within the subject. Students find this course exciting challenging and rewarding. If you are interested in a creative and commercial career and are interested in the art and design world this could be the course for you.
View our gallery of student work here.
Is the Foundation Diploma suitable for me?
You may be thinking of a career in Art and Design but unsure of what possible directions you could take following A levels. You may feel you haven’t really tried out many areas of Art and Design. You probably would be unclear what would be required in a portfolio when applying for a degree course. The Foundation course is design to answer all your questions, help you make the right choices and reach your potential. It will give you confidence practical skills and the theoretical understanding to make the next step towards an exciting and creative career.
How will I learn?
You will have good access to facilities and be taught in Michael Gray Art and Music Centre by enthusiastic and experienced team of specialist teaching staff who you will see on a daily basis.
Throughout the course students will take part in group discussions and analysis of their own work and others. Investigate into historical and contemporary artists and designers are integrated into practical project work. Students make regular trips to visit exhibitions and fashion events there is an opportunity for students to go on a foreign visit New York, San Francisco, Beijing, and Saint Petersburg have been previous destinations.
The year is structured into 3 stages:
Stage 1 Exploratory stage
A broad introduction providing you with new processes and techniques, through projects that build on ‘A’ level experience. Intensive 1 and 2 week projects are designed to challenge your preconceptions of Art and Design, encouraging experimentation and ambition.
This stage allows you to try out many different specialisms whilst helping you to focus your attention on choosing future degree courses. Tutor provides extensive support to prepare for interviews and the presentation of your portfolio.
Stage 2 Specialist Pathways
This stage allows you to develop a portfolio of work through extended specialist projects within the following areas.
Fine Art (painting sculpture, printmaking, multimedia)
Lese based media (photography, film, animation)
Graphic design, Illustration, Fashion and Textiles, 3DD (interior design / architecture, product design, jewellery, craft, furniture, theatre design etc)
Stage 3 Confirmatory (Final Major Project)
This stage is an opportunity to produce self-motivated and more independent work within your chosen specialist pathway.
An exhibition of the work open to the public and fashion show forms the culmination of the course.
How will I be assessed?
The Foundation Diploma is 100% coursework assessed. Projects are submitted for marking on a regular basis throughout the course. Work is graded and written feedback provided enabling students to gauge how well they are doing on the course. Feedback helps students to see the strengths of their work, as well as reflecting on areas, which can be developed, further.
Students must pass each stage of the course before they can go onto the next. Final grades are awarded on the work produced during the summer term and presented in the exhibition.
Progression
The Foundation Diploma is recognised as the best route to a degree in art and design after completing a levels. This course is primarily a springboard to universities throughout the country, preparing students to make the most of higher education. Advising them on the most appropriate specialist course. Alton’s Foundation diploma course has an excellent record of students gaining places in the most competitive degree courses.
NB The majority of Art and design degree courses specify that students should complete a Foundation diploma as an entry requirement.
Equivalent to 3 ‘A’ Level and carries a maximum of 260 UCAS points.
Entry requirements
The minimum examination entry requirement for the course are one ‘A’ level. However it is the student’s portfolio that will be used to assess suitability for the course. Students will be asked to submit a portfolio of work (Alton college students) normally following the February half term holidays, for all other external applicants interviews will take place throughout the spring term
The portfolio normally includes a selection of art works paintings, observational drawings, design work, 3D work, photography and any work you may have carried out for A level or in your own time. Sketchbooks and design sheets are seen as vital to making this decision.
Application and Advisor deadlines
1. Application submitted by the end of October beginning of November (Continuing to accept applications until June/July if place are available.
2. Portfolios should be normal be submitted the week following February half term holidays. (Late applicants will be asked to submit a portfolio as soon as possible.)
3. Following portfolio inspection students will receive an offer by the end of February.
4. Some students may also be invited to an interview
5. Students should return offer slips to student services as soon as possible.
Your future
- Students from the Foundation course receive offers from competitive Art and Design course around the country.
- Excellent exam results with 49% in 2011 receiving Distinction grades
- Recent graduates who have studied on our vocational arts courses have been receiving first class honours and employment in the design world
Guidance for writing a personal statement for Art Foundation
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The photography studio is good. After learning to use the studio it's great to see the results you get out of the images you take.
