Do you dream of starting a career in the creative industries? 🎨
A Foundation Art and Design Diploma is a 1-year intensive course for learners aged 18+ who are passionate about launching a career in creative roles. This is a hands-on and fast-paced course where making and doing are at its core. The Foundation Diploma is often used as a progression option for Level 3 or A level students, but we also welcome career-changes or learners looking to return to education after a break.
During your Foundation Diploma, you’ll be encouraged to develop experimental and exploratory approaches to creativity across a broad spectrum of art, design, and media specialisms, including exploring fine art, graphics, 3D, architecture, theatre, games, fashion, and textile design.
If you’re considering a creative career path but you’re not sure which direction you want to go in, or you want to build your skills in a particular medium or specialism first, then this is the perfect course for you.
Plus, funded places are available for students aged 18 at the start of the Diploma!
Where will my diploma take me?
A Foundation Diploma in Art and Design helps you build the skills you need for a successful career in the creative arts. It’s also a recognised qualification that forms an established pathway into higher education, opening up the opportunity for an undergraduate degree and beyond.
Don’t just take our word for it – check out these stories from NHC alumni about their amazing careers!
What is a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design?
A foundation diploma bridges the gap between level 3 and level 4 (degree-level) study, helping you brush up your artistic and critical thinking skills ready for the next step in your education journey. These diplomas are an established pathway to art, design, and creative media higher education courses throughout the UK.
Our diplomas are the perfect opportunity for you to experiment with a variety of techniques and art forms as you find your style and creative outlet. You’ll also build key skills for higher education study, like critical thinking skills and an understanding of research methods.
What you’ll study during your diploma
The course is delivered in three phases and supported by project-based learning, large-scale collaborative ventures, individual guidance formal feedback, and peer review session. We also encourage you to enter competitions and arrange relevant work experience during your time with us to help develop your skills even further.
- Skills and contextual knowledge – you’ll be introduced to different areas of art, design, and media to develop your practical skills and understanding of art.
- Personal portfolio – to help support your progression into higher education or the workplace, you’ll learn how best to showcase your skills and previous projects in a creative portfolio.
- Individual project – you’ll create a final major project that pulls together everything you’ve learnt and showcase it in our final public exhibition.
Throughout your course, you’ll develop your communication skills and critical thinking through group discussions, presentations, and meeting industry professionals. We also regularly visit galleries and museums, both locally and nationally, to support projects and have recently taken students on residential trips for their final major project.
Benefits of studying a Foundation Diploma in Art & Design
There are several benefits of studying a Foundation Diploma in Art & Design, including:
- It’s a course that sets you up for your next steps, whether that’s a university course or a career
- It’s diagnostic, meaning that you can try out lots of different art styles and mediums to find the one that suits your interests
- You can build a portfolio of work responding to different briefs, helping you showcase your work
- The course carries its own UCAS points, making your application to elite universities even stronger.
Why North Hertfordshire College is a good choice for your Foundation Diploma in Art & Design
With modern facilities, strong employer links, and our position as the flagship centre for the Royal Opera House Design Challenge, there are many great reasons to choose NHC for your foundation diploma.
Our courses are awarded by University of Arts London and you will have opportunities throughout your Diploma to take part in their programmes. This includes the popular Insights Programme and the winter workshops programme, where you’ll have the chance to attend one of their prestigious London universities.
These opportunities also help you make decisions about your creative future and where you want to go in the future.
NHC’s Foundation Art and Design Diploma is taught in small groups, allowing you to get to know your fellow like-minded creatives – crucial for forming those all-important industry connections!
Awarded by the University of Arts London