Level 3 Higher Foundation Studies in Art and Design- Creative gap year

The Advanced/Higher Level 3/4 Art and Design Foundation Studies pathway has been specifically designed for students wishing to study Art and Design as a single creative subject, along with work experience, tutorial and personal and professional development. 

Available to students aged 18 and above, this course can be taken as a Creative Gap Year following the completion of creative A Levels or a diploma. It is also suited to learners who have an interest in art and design but have not previously studied a creative qualification at Level 3. Whether you studied Art or Design at GCSE and chose a different post-16 pathway, or are looking to explore your creative potential before progressing to university or employment, this course provides the time, support, and opportunities to develop your skills and make informed decisions about your next steps. Students would be expected to have already achieved GCSE English and Maths qualifications.

The Art and Design Foundation Studies pathway provides a transition from general education to specialist art and design education and encourages exploration, experimentation and risk-taking, which will extend your critical independence and enable you to demonstrate a full understanding of the relevant standards required to achieve progression to higher education.

You will expand your skills, knowledge and experience of art and design and develop your critical language skills. The pathway has specifically been designed to enable you to make better informed decisions about higher education.  It will also provide continued opportunity to develop basic skills including maths and English and enhance your understanding of the many fulfilling career opportunities in this field.

Typically, you will have one of the following:

• Advanced GCE (A-level) or an AS GCE (AS-level) in Art and Design or the equivalent
• Advanced Diploma in Art and Design or suitable Creative Pathway
• Other A levels or level 3 qualification.
• a minimum of 4 GCSE’s grade 4 or above including a creative subject, English and Maths

Mature applicants will need to provide evidence of their ability within an art and design field.  A portfolio is required for entry to the foundation course and applicants will be interviewed.

The programme follows three key stages:

Part 1: Learning Skills and Context including Research Methods, Ideas Development, Materials and Methods, and Evaluation and Reflection.

Part 2: Development and Progression including Research, Ideas and Methods and Preparation for Progression in Art and Design.

Part 3: Proposal and Realisation including Art and Design Project Proposal and Realisation, which culminates in an end-of-year exhibition.

Candidates without GCSE Maths at C/4 grade or above will retake this qualification.  There is also the option to access further GCSE English to improve grades and to enhance life skills and future career progression opportunities.

This course will be delivered on-site.

Tuition and exam fee registration charges apply to students aged 19+ not in receipt of Job Seeker’s Allowance or other qualifying benefits. You will be provided with the resources required to complete the course. However, you will be expected to purchase your own sketchbook and some basic equipment. There will also be money required for trips throughout the year.

Assessment of practical and written work occurs regularly throughout the course.  You must pass all three units to complete the final exhibition, which is externally verified.

Further study in higher education could include working towards a BA (Hons) Degree, Higher National Diploma (HND), Foundation Degree (FdA), or similar level training. 

There are also many diverse career paths that could open up for you such as graphic communication, advertising, animation, photography, fashion design, textiles, 3D or furniture design, theatre set design, jewellery design and architecture.  You could also work as an independent artist in a variety of media.

For more information, contact Derby College Group on 0800 0280289 or enquiries@derby-college.ac.uk