Art Foundation Courses - What you need to know

Art Foundation courses have been around for many years and they are offered at colleges and universities. So what are they? What do they involve? Where should you study?

What is an Art Foundation Course ?

An Art Foundation course is a stepping stone year between studying Art at school and studying Art/Design on a full-time degree at university or starting a creative apprenticeship. These courses enable students to explore their creativity and experience art/design forms they haven’t tried before. Students can decide which area they want to take further by developing a portfolio to showcase their talent and apply to a degree course or apprenticeship.

What do you study on an Art Foundation course?

Specialist areas covered can include drawing, painting, fashion, textiles, installation art, printmaking, graphic illustration, 3D design and fine art. Generally courses are structured into different phases

Phase One - Learning Skills and Content Through studio and workshop projects students are introduced to a range of materials and methods of working. They'll learn how to research and develop ideas and how to evaluate and reflect on progress.

Phase Two - Development and Progression Building on skills from Phase One students integrate research, ideas and methods of working to produce a body of work that allows them to analyse their interests and to investigate directions to pursue.

Phase Three - Project Proposal and Realisation This focuses on the final major project integrating planning, research, ideas, methods, evaluation and reflection. The project is displayed in the foundation exhibition - open to the public, family and friends.

There will be some written assignments too relating to studying art history and analysing work you have produced.

University or College

Courses are available at Further Education colleges and universities all over the country.

At some universities, the year is integrated into an Art/Design degree.

When choosing whether a Further Education course or Foundation Year at university will suit you best it will be important to consider the following:

See over…

Registered FutureSmart Careers Limited Reg. No 11968993 (Registered in England & Wales). Registered office. 4-5 King Square, Bridgwater TA6 3YF Which experience would suit you best? There can be many differences in the size of the institution and the department. An Art/Design department at a university might have 10 different degrees with a large student population covering undergraduate and postgraduate courses. At an FE College the Art Department is likely to be smaller than at a university and staff might get to know you better.

Location and Cost Some students will choose to study at an FE College where they can live at home and save on accommodation and living costs. Generally, Art Foundation courses at FE Colleges are free to UK students who are under 19 years at the start of the course. However, if a Foundation Year is integrated with a university degree course, fees will apply. Check with individual degree course departments.

Applying Application is generally made direct to the College or University, though you may need to apply via UCAS for courses integrated into a degree, do check this out. It is always best to apply early

What to consider when choosing a course

When choosing where to study many different factors will have to be considered. Many student go on their “gut reaction” when choosing a course and location. However, there are also some aspects to consider

How many students will be on the course? What is the student staff ratio? How big are the studios? Is the light good? Is the working environment good? Do you pay for materials? What are the facilities like? Is there a Ceramics studio? Are the lecturers full time or are they also working artists? Have they a biography? Where are their recent alumni?

Courses available in Devon

City College Exeter School of Art King Edward VI Community College Totnes Barnstaple

Courses available in

Bournemouth and Poole College Arts University Bournemouth

Registered FutureSmart Careers Limited Reg. No 11968993 (Registered in England & Wales). Registered office. 4-5 King Square, Bridgwater TA6 3YF Courses available in Oxfordshire

Find bitesize short online courses based on your subject interests on the following platforms. Courses are

Abingdon and Witney College City of Oxford College The Henley College Oxford Brookes University

Courses available in

Bath College Integrated Foundation year Bridgewater and Taunton College

Other courses to consider

City of Bristol College South Gloucestershire and Stroud College University of The Arts London, Kingston University

© FutureSmart Careers Ltd April 2021

Registered FutureSmart Careers Limited Reg. No 11968993 (Registered in England & Wales). Registered office. 4-5 King Square, Bridgwater TA6 3YF