Course Overview
Are you creative? Do you want to build a specialist portfolio for progression into Higher Education or employment?
If so, this course is perfect for you! Through practical, hands-on learning, underpinned by contextual research, you’ll develop an experimental approach to your chosen area within art and design. You will gain both technical and conceptual skills, while working with industry-standard tools and software. Throughout the course, you’ll push the boundaries of your creativity, building a portfolio that showcases your unique style and vision.
Entry Requirements
New Students
2 A Levels, including Art or a related subject, such as Textiles, Graphic Design, or Photography, or an equivalent Level 3 qualification.*
As part of your interview, you will be required to bring a portfolio, which might include GCSE/ A Level sketchbooks, a digital presentation, or artwork created in your own time.
*The College reserves the right to request a school reference if necessary.
Progressing Students
Level Three Extended Diploma in a Creative Subject, preferably Art and Design, with a minimum of a Pass grade. You must also provide a satisfactory tutor reference for attitude, behaviour, and punctuality, and maintain a minimum attendance of 85%.
What the course covers
The UAL Level Three and Level Four Foundation Diploma in Art and Design is a one-year qualification with no exams, consisting of three units. Throughout the year, you’ll work on a series of projects across various specialist areas, including graphic design, visual communication, fashion, textiles, illustration, and 3D design, culminating in a self-directed final major project.
Teaching is delivered by subject specialists through workshops, one-to-one tutorials, lectures, and group work. You will be taught in dedicated art studios, including the print room, sculpture studio, digital suite, and spacious, well-lit studios.
Designed as a bridging year to an Arts degree at university or a specialist art school, the course encourages experimentation and the development of your own style and visual language using a variety of media in assignments, presentations, and critiques. You will enhance the diversity, range, and quality of your work while also developing collaborative and communication skills. A professionally presented portfolio will be created to support your university or employment application, ensuring you have a strong body of work to help you take the next step in your creative career.
The course is structured as follows:
- Part One: Diagnostic : Introduction to a variety of specialist areas through multiple project briefs.
- Part Two: Specialise : Exploration and development of your chosen specialist area.
- Part Three: Self-Directed Final Major Project : Independent work on your final project.
Fees and funding
Please note:
- Students aged 16 to 18, or those aged 16 to 24 who have a valid EHCP, and are studying Further Education courses are not normally charged course fees
- Adults may need to pay a fee depending on their personal circumstances. This will be assessed against the relevant Funding Body eligibility criteria at point of enrolment
If you don’t qualify for fee remission, the fees for 2026/27 will be:
£5,421 (UK Students) (£4,100 International Students) (plus registration fee to be advised at enrolment)
Fees are for 2026/27 entry and apply to students eligible for home fee status enrolling to funded programmes. The fees quoted are subject to personal circumstances and will be confirmed at the time of your enrolment, depending on eligibility criteria. For more information about financial support for students, please click here or email studentfinance@nescot.ac.uk
Additional costs
A studio fee is payable upon successful enrolment, which covers the majority of materials. However, additional costs may apply for specialist materials, trips, and visits throughout the course. Further details will be provided by the course tutors during enrolment.
Progression
This course is designed as a bridging year from college or sixth form to higher education art courses at university or art school, preparing you for the demands of a degree-level course. It also provides a pathway to employment or an apprenticeship.
Potential career routes in the art and digital design industry:
- Fashion and Textiles
- Designer
- Buyer
- Merchandiser
- Illustrator
- Photographer
- Costumer
- Graphic Design
- Brander
- Marketer
- Advertiser
- Art Director
- Sculpture
- Model Maker
- Prop Maker
- Interior Designer
- Set Designer
- Concept Artist
- Character Designer
- 3D Modeler
- Environment Artist
- Animator
Duration
The course lasts for one year, 10.5 hours a week, taught over 3 days in college.
End Date: June 2027