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Art and Design

UAL Level 3 Foundation Diploma in Art and Design

This is a one-year intensive designed to prepare you for university and give you the confidence to start a career in your chosen creative discipline. You'll spend the first term exploring across mediums and specialisms. The next term choosing where you want to focus and making your university applications. The final term running your own Final Major Project at Level 4, with a public end-of-year exhibition. By the end you'll have a portfolio built specifically for the courses you want.

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How you’ll learn

University Preparation, in Three Terms

The first third of the year (September to November) introduces workshops across drawing, design and specialisms including Fashion, Interior Design, Graphic Design, Fine Art and Illustration. This gives you the work for up to half of the portfolio you’ll need for your university applications.

From November to February you choose your specialism, work in it, and make your university applications. The specialist work you produce here makes up the rest of the portfolio, targeted at the university courses you’re applying to. Then from February to June you engage in a Final Major Project at Level 4 where you write your own brief and work towards the end of year exhibition, where a selection of the work goes on public display.

The Year, in Three Parts

  • Unit 1 — Try a range of subject disciplines to build the core skills you’ll need for this industry
  • Unit 2 — Choose your specialism, produce more focused work for your portfolio and university applications
  • Unit 4 — Final Major Project at Level 4. You propose and manage the project. A selection is exhibited at the end of the year.
Entry and progression

What you need and where it leads

  1. Entry requirements
  2. This course Level 3
  3. Further study

Entry requirements

  • A suitable portfolio to present at interview
  • Aged 17 or over
  • A clear direction of interest (or a willingness to find it in the first term)
  • Successful interview with our team

The Foundation Diploma is portfolio-first. Where students are still working on GCSE Maths or English, we can build that in alongside your studies.

Not sure you meet these? Talk to us and we will help you find the right starting point.

Further study

Careers it can lead to

  • Artists £35,100 a year
  • Arts Officers, Producers and Directors £36,200 a year
  • Advertising and Marketing Associate Professionals £28,900 a year
  • With further study or experience Advertising Accounts Managers and Creative Directors £41,000 a year

Typical pay is the UK median for each job (Lightcast, October 2026).

Your UCAS points

UAL Level 3 Foundation Diploma in Art and Design

Grade UCAS points
D Distinction 112
M Merit 96
P Pass 80

UCAS points are an estimate. Each university course sets its own entry requirements, and points can change from year to year. Please enquire for full details about a specific course. Points from the UCAS Tariff tables for 2027 entry. About UCAS Tariff points

Our facilities

Specialist Studios and Your Own Space

Foundation Diploma students work across our specialist studios and get a base room with individual student spaces. Everything is set up to support intensive, portfolio-focused work.

  • Specialist printmaking studios

    including screen printing equipment.

  • Fully equipped 3D workshop

    ideal for sculpture and model-making.

  • High-spec Apple suites

    featuring the latest creative software.

  • Base room with individual student spaces

    Base room with individual student spaces

Final-8606
5 Specialist Studios · Your Own Studio Space · End of Year Exhibition
Benjamin

Benjamin

UAL Level 3 Foundation Diploma Art and Design

Student Voice

“

I’ve developed strong time management and creative skills, enjoyed the freedom to explore my ideas, and plan to study graphic design at university after a great year of growth and friendship.

Read more student stories
For parents and carers

Supporting your child’s journey

Financial Support Available

Bursaries are available, and free meals are provided for those who qualify. If cost is a concern, there's help, and it's straightforward to apply.

Financial support info

Qualifications That Count

These are nationally recognised qualifications with real academic weight. Your child will develop practical skills and knowledge that employers and universities genuinely value.

See the full unit list

Real Career Prospects

These qualifications lead to real jobs. Our courses are built around the skills that employers are actually hiring for, locally and nationally.

See career options

Your next step

Apply now, come and see us first, or ask us anything.

Ready for University Preparation?

Applications for September 2027 are open. Apply online in 10 minutes.

Apply online

Want to visit first?

FE Open Event – 12th January 202712th January 4:30pm to 7:00pm

Book your place

What happens after you apply

1

You apply

Apply online and you’ll get a confirmation email.

2

You meet your tutor

We’ll invite you to an interview to talk through the course and your plans, and make sure it’s right for you.

3

You get an offer

We’ll email you a conditional or unconditional offer.

4

You get ready to start

Come to a taster session in the summer, then enrol in August, bringing your results.

Read our full guide to applying