Level 4 Foundation Diploma Art & Design
Subject Area
Art & Design, Fashion & Creative Crafts
Student Type
Adults
Study Mode
Full Time
Course Type
Technical
What is the course about?
On this exciting, innovative course you can let your creative juices flow and express your imagination through a range of artistic disciplines and genres, allowing you creative freedom to experiment with your new skills. This course is ideal if you have previously studied Level 3 Art & Design, A Level Art, or wish to further develop your creative and technical skills in order to progress onto higher education and employment within a creative field. We collaborate with a wide range of regional and national organisations to give you the opportunity to work on exciting live briefs and exhibition. Examples of recent collaborations include projects with Whitworth and Tate galleries, Culture Warrington and the NHS.
Why should I choose the course?
The creative industry is one of the fastest growing industries in the UK, generating more than £100 billion a year to the UK economy and employing more than two million people. This means there are lots of exciting career opportunities in this market.
This creative course will give you the opportunity to further develop skills and knowledge within a variety of art and design disciplines including fine art, textiles, graphics, 3D/ceramics, life drawing, illustration, animation, product design and photography. During your course you will take part in exciting enrichment activities and develop an outstanding portfolio of work. This will enhance your employability and help you to impress at future interviews within education or employment.
What will I learn?
This course will give you the opportunity to explore your creativity and be exposed to a host of artistic disciplines and genres. You will cover a broad range of disciplines, including 2D art and design such as drawing, painting and printmaking, textiles, 3D and ceramics, graphic design, photography, digital arts, life drawing and contextual studies. After this an increasingly specialist approach will be adopted, allowing you to focus your practice, develop a tailored portfolio, and enhance your skills and knowledge in preparation for higher education.
What will the course lead on to?
After successfully completing this course, you will have the skills and knowledge needed to progress on to study at university or seek employment in the industry.
Our students progress onto a wide range of creative arts career pathways including art therapy, film and television, interior design, architecture, illustration, animation, theatre and prop design, self-employed designer/maker, teacher, games designer, textiles designer, product designer, community artist, jeweller, theatre manager, art historian, art development officer, curator and even merchandising.
Are there any links with industry and university?
This forward-thinking course works with a number of practicing artists and organisations. Our teachers have a vast range of experience in the industry, with all our teachers being practicing artists who are regularly involved in external exhibitions. Teachers come from a range of backgrounds including fine art, fashion and textiles, 3D and ceramics, graphics, media, and photography. You will also have the opportunity to take part in guest lecture workshops with employers, as well as completing live briefs with regionally and nationally renowned organisations & employers.
To maximise your artistic potential, you will carry out a work placement in a field of your choice. Past students have undertaken enriching roles at galleries within Warrington Museum, or even put their practical skills to the test at external exhibition venues, enhancing their communication, teaching and problem-solving skills. We have recently exhibited work through a digital exhibition at the Whitworth and within Castlefield galleries in Warrington town centre.
You will also have the opportunity to take part in competitions, with previous students taking home a variety of coveted titles in the past. You will also have the opportunity to exhibit your own work in popular venues, which will look great on your UCAS application and even on your CV.
What support is available?
You will be allocated a progress coach who will provide you with support to help you succeed on your study programme and progress on to your chosen career or progression path. We have a team of staff dedicated to providing learning support if required, as well as a Welfare Team that is on hand to offer guidance, support and help when needed.
Additionally, eligible students can access a wide range of finance and funding support to help them during their time at college.
Click here for learning support: https://wvr.ac.uk/college-life/learning-support
Click here for finance support: https://wvr.ac.uk/college-life/financial-support
Why should I choose to study the course at Warrington & Vale Royal College?
The art department are very proud to be working alongside University of Arts London, who will be the awarding body for this qualification.
Throughout your course you will study in our state-of-the-art, specialist creative arts workshops and media studio as well as our fully equipped Apple Mac computer suites. Our workshops contain all the latest materials related to fine art, textiles, printmaking, and ceramics. You will learn from highly experienced teachers who have a wealth of relevant industry experience. Our teachers have a breadth of specialist knowledge in a wide range of related disciplines within both art and design and digital arts, which will enhance your technical skills and knowledge.
Local and national trips are continually organised to inspire your artistic journey. Previous students have visited Berlin, New York, and Barcelona to view works from internationally renowned artists. You will also have the opportunity to visit The Tate Gallery, Manchester City Art Gallery, Whitworth Art Gallery, Museum of Science and Industry, and the Natural History Museum, to enhance your creativity.
What are the entry requirements?
You will need to have successfully completed a full and relevant level 3 qualification such as an extended diploma in art and design or three A-Levels at grade C or above. You will also need to have achieved a grade 4/C or above in both GCSE English and maths.
19+ applicants will demonstrate within their portfolio and through interview, a wealth or experience in the arts and the ability to progress onto level 4 study.
Are there any additional costs associated with the course?
The college provides some specialist art equipment and materials, but students are expected to purchase their own sketchbooks, folders, and basic art kits. These can be bought from the college art shop and through purchasing an Art kit through the college (details provided for all successful applicants). Students will also be required to pay for printing of work as and when required.
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