UEFARTDE - BA Art and Design Extended Degree (with Foundation Year)

The purpose of the Art and Design foundation–year programme (studied at NQF level 3) is to prepare for subsequent progression onto a three-year degree in an Art or Design BA (Hons) course at the CASS Faculty of AAD (see section 14 below). Success in passing the level 3 programme thus completes the first of four years of an extended degree of study, affording progression onto specialist courses within the portfolio of UG degrees at the CASS and, where course specific requirements are met, normally serve as adequate basis for progression onto other AAD degrees as well.

The course is based around four equally weighted, year-long modules (30 credits each), which are likely to be embedded in each other, so that students have the experience of a unified delivery. The organisation of the modules sets up a pattern of learning that will be repeated in subsequent years in all AAD degree awards. Two of the modules are project based and develop complementary skills in parallel. These are the Project (AA3001) and Workbook (AA3003) modules. The third module, Techniques (AA3002), engages a range of skills in the specialisms covered by the course. The fourth module, Critical and Contextual Studies: Foundation (AIM) (CP3010) will familiarise the student with the critical skill of ‘reading’ a range of visual, auditory, material and technological aspects and with techniques of how to communicate ideas through a range of writing and presentation studies.

Part-time students take Project and Techniques module in one year and Workbook and Critical and Contextual studies in the other.

The course is organised in three sequential stages:

Stage 1 introduces and establishes a common ground of new experiences, values and practical skills in the areas of Art and Design. It lays the foundation for the course and serves as a base from which more independent work can be developed.

Stage 2 is more open ended, interpretive with longer projects and more choice. It encourages students to apply, reinforce and develop effective practices from Stage 1 and establish a personal perspective and sense of direction in the topics of their choice.

Stage 3 helps the student undertake a sustained and focused study, increase their subject area knowledge, test their commitment and produce and organise a coherent body of work. At this stage, all modules should be mainly focused in the path of specialism the student wants to pursue in the rest of the extended degree.

The predominant mode of delivery of the course throughout the three stages is the project. These vary considerably in aim, structure and duration. The students’ responsibility for implementation and development increases as the course proceeds. The project teaching and learning is supported through taught exercises, workshop demonstrations, handouts, briefs, lectures, tutorials, displays of work, ‘crits’ and presentations, portfolio preparations, essays, library research, seminars, visits and web based learning.

Throughout the course, there is an emphasis on learning cross-disciplinary and transferable skills and a disciplined, experimental approach to visual enquiry. The course promotes flexibility, questioning and independence and is designed to be supportive of individual responses, initiatives and lines of inquiry. Students have timetabled access to the Faculty provision of studios, the full range of workshop facilities, lecture and seminar spaces, computer suites, libraries and related facilities. Students will also be encouraged to participate in Faculty organised open lectures, exhibitions, and range of events.

The course aims to provide a foundation year of studies in a range of Art and Design skills and subject knowledge. The course is both diagnostic and preparatory. It enables students to identify their skills and interests and prepare for a specific undergraduate degree path within the Faculty (or elsewhere). The course introduces a spectrum of practical, conceptual and experimental skills that are common to the creative disciplines, as well as their application within specific contexts. The content of the course is focused on the production of creative work that reflects independent and disciplined thinking, skill in execution and communication.

On successful completion of Level 3, students will be able to:

Knowledge and understanding
1. Produce self-motivated, enquiry-based creative work;

Subject specific practical skills
2. Demonstrate technical skills in the use of a range of media, technologies, materials, processes and equipment;

Transferable skills
3. Communicate effectively in visual, oral and written forms appropriate for undergraduate-level study;

4. Use independent and productive research in the development of their work;

Cognitive Intellectual Skills
5. Evaluate, develop and plan their next stage of learning at university and/or work in the creative industries.

Subject benchmark statements for Art & Design (Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, 2008) apply.

Each of the four modules carries specific assessment criteria that, between them, articulate the students’ range of achievement as well as their strengths in their chosen field of specialism. Students are assessed on project work, project related studies and the development of practical skills through submitting a comprehensive Portfolio of work. Critical and Contextual Studies are assessed through a Journal that includes a range of short exercises, written work and an essay and can be seen as part of the final Portfolio.

Summative assessment for all the modules occurs at the end of the course and details achievement in student performance in relation to the learning outcomes for each module. Formative feedback is provided for all the modules on a regular basis and is focused on encouragement and improvement. It appears in a number of different formats, from informal suggestions or responses to specific items of work in progress, to formally recorded feedback at class presentations or ‘crits’. Written feedback and diagnostic grades are provided at two decisive stages of the course delivery. This feedback specifically addresses areas for improvement towards the final submission at summative assessment.

In the CASS Level 3 and all other CASS UG courses, the following faculty-wide regulations shall apply:

ACADEMIC PROGRESSION:
As a condition of progressing from level 3 to 4, level 4 to 5 and level 5 to 6, students are required to have gained 120 credits per level, that is, by achieving pass marks (40%) in all four modules in the preceding level of study.

PART-TIME MODE OF STUDY
Part-time study is defined as 60 credits per year. Consequently, in part-time mode, the duration of study for a 360-credit degree will be 6 years (and an extended degree, 8 years). The pattern of study in CASS degrees shall be as follows:
Year 1 – AA3001 & AA3002
Year 2 – CP3010 & AA3003

Progression to Level 4 is subject to a completion and pass (40%) of all core modules:

AA3001 Project
AA3002 Techniques
AA3003 Workbook
CP3010 Critical and Contextual Studies: Foundation

Successful completion of the foundation year (passing all four modules) offers improved academic opportunities and career preparation knowledge and understanding within the creative and cultural industries. Completion of the foundation year enables direct entry into designated CASS degrees in Art and Design.

The course is organised around and embeds a range of processes, facilities and opportunities designed to prepare students for and make effective decisions about the development of their career in the practical disciplines of art and design. The course actively develops a wide range of transferable skills and thoroughly integrates personal development, review and presentation in a variety of modes. The diagnostic nature of the course enables students to identify their strengths and interests whilst the project/portfolio output allows them to demonstrate their skills and abilities. The course integrates ‘Taster’ introductory workshops that allow students to experience specialist degree courses and meet with staff and students on undergraduate.

Students visit a variety of industry, art and design culture related venues during the course. These might include visits to key cultural institutions in London, such as the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Tate galleries and other exhibition venues. In addition to familiarising students with the cultural landscape of London, field trips might also serve to expand the field of reference to other places. Depending on the subject pathway these fieldwork experiences will prepare students for the type of work that they will be expected to undertake at degree level.

The course is suitable for anyone planning a career in art and design fields or the cultural and creative industries. The career opportunities available to you depend on the specialist undergraduate degree that you go on to study, however possible career options include artist, curator, art critic, art journalist, graphic designer or illustrator. Former graduates have also gone on to have successful careers as art event organisers, photographers, video producers, studio managers, art teachers, art therapists and lecturers. Former graduates include Tracey Emin, Sam Taylor-Wood and John Cecil Stephenson.

In addition to the University's standard entry requirements, you should have:

• for entry in the 2016-17 academic year: 120 or more UCAS points (or equivalent, eg BTEC National, OCR Diploma or Advanced Diploma)
• for entry in the 2017-18 academic year: at least one A level (or a minimum of 48 UCAS points from an equivalent Level 3 qualification, eg BTEC Subsidiary/National/BTEC Extended Diploma)
• English Language GCSEs at grade C (grade 4 from 2017) or above or will need to take the University English test

You will need to attend an interview with your portfolio of creative work. We encourage applications from International/EU students with equivalent qualifications. We also accept mature students with diverse backgrounds and experiences.

Suitable applicants living in the UK will be invited to a portfolio interview.

Applicants living outside the UK will be required to submit a small portfolio of work via email.

All applicants must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. Applicants who require a Tier 4 student visa may need to provide a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as Academic IELTS. For more information about English qualifications please see our English language requirements.