Art, Design and Media Practice Foundation

Course overview

The foundation diploma is a one-year, full-time preparatory course to prepare you for studio-based undergraduate higher education programmes.

• We provide broad, balanced and structured teaching to help stimulate your interest in art, design and media practice.
• You will have the opportunity to generate exciting work using our excellent facilities4 to build your personal independence in developing ideas. You can gain new skills with different materials and techniques, while building a substantial portfolio of work.
• If you are a UK student and 18 years of age at the date of enrolment for this course, payment of tuition fees will not be required. This course is currently funded by the Education and Skills Funding Agency. Applicants should check our website for the latest information regarding fees before applying or accepting offers.

What you'll study

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.

How you'll learn

This qualification provides the knowledge, skills and understanding that will prepare you for further study or training. You will study one mandatory module that covers six area of learning:

• Investigation
• Experimentation
• Evaluation and review
• Realisation
• Communication
• Self-directed practice

Teaching contact hours

The foundation year is focused on applied learning through a blend of lectures, tutorials and online learning. There are no end-of-year exams. Instead, learning is assessed through coursework and phase tests, which are more reflective of a working environment.

The learning outcomes of modules, assignments and projects will be clearly stated. Your work will be marked according to how well you achieve these learning outcomes and your final feedback will refer to each outcome, as well as providing an overall percentage grade.

As a full-time undergraduate student, you will study modules totalling 120 credits each academic year. A typical 20 credit module requires a total of 200 hours study. This is made up of teaching contact hours, guided and independent study.

Teaching hours:

Teaching hours vary each semester, year of study and due to module selection. During your first year you can expect 15-18 teaching hours each week. You will also have the option to attend optional sessions including time with a progress coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback. As you progress through your studies, teaching hours may reduce.

Guided and independent study:

Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You’ll be digging deeper into topics, review what you’ve learnt and complete assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress through your studies, you’ll spend more time in independent study.

Online learning:

As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.

Assessment

Your work will be marked according to how well you achieve the various learning outcomes. Coursework is assessed using a variety of methods and may include presentations, portfolio reviews, essays, reports, reflective logs, e-journals, blogs, displays and exhibitions.

International experience opportunities

We typically attract staff and students from around the world, which can provide a multicultural environment in which you can experience different cultures, approaches, perspectives and opinions. You may also have the opportunity to take part in overseas study visits. In the past, students have visited major art and design centres in Europe and North America².

Please note that all international experience opportunities may be subject to additional costs, competitive application, availability and meeting applicable visa and travel requirements are therefore not guaranteed².

Facilities

The Delia Derbyshire building lies at the heart of our Coventry city campus. This multi-million pound investment in the arts is home to the Schools of Art and Design, Media and Performing Arts, Humanities, and Psychological, Social and Behavioural Sciences. First opened to students in 2023, the spaces enable you to mix with like-minded students, getting hands-on with cross-disciplinary projects or immersing yourself in the studios with cutting-edge virtual reality and mixed-reality technologies. Our aim is to bring you sector-leading facilities helping you explore your way to your future career⁴.

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

• Digital Design Workshop - Our Digital Design Workshop brings your ideas to life through different media. Here you’ll find a high-powered laser cutter, printers, scanners and industry-standard software used for technical drawing and environmental modelling.
• Computer suites - Our computer suites use industry software used in modelling, animation and analysis. This includes graphic, modelling and visualisation packages such as Alias, Maya, Adobe Creative Suite, Rhino, Vector works, Showcase, VRED and SRAMSIS and Jack ergonomics software.
• Ceramics, glass and casting workshops - produce a range of forms from a variety of materials including resin, glass, ceramics, plaster and cement.
• Printmaking workshops - explore a range of printing processes from screen printing to etching; cyanotypes to lino cutting.
• Sublimation and vacuum forming studios - print onto a multitude of surfaces and then form them into the sculptural shapes.
• Virtual experience - Visit our online degree show where we have brought together the work of over 500 students.