University of the Arts London Awarding Body Foundation Diploma in Art & Design

Our Foundation Diploma in Art & Design is a nationally accredited qualification awarded by University of the Arts London (UAL) Awarding Body. We are one of only a few independent creative arts school to have been approved by this prestigious body, which recognises best practice in the teaching and assessment of art and design programmes.

Highly regarded by some of the most respected names in the field, our students have gone on to work with leading names such as Dior, Armani, Nike, Adidas and Puma.

• Specialist creative school with exceptional facilities
• Individual work space for every student, available 7 days a week
• Teaching by professional artists, sculptors and designers
• Opportunities to work on real life commissions and show your work publicly
• Extended option available, offering flexible English language requirements
• Dynamic mix of nationalities bringing creative inspiration from different cultures.

About the course...

Read more about the Foundation Diploma in Art & Design
Why study Foundation Diploma in Art & Design with us?
What disciplines are available?
View a sample timetable
About University of the Arts London – which includes Central St Martins

It starts in Cambridge

As a creative individual at the start of your career, the Foundation Diploma in Art & Design gives you the opportunity to explore artistic disciplines you may not have considered, before specialising in your chosen area.

You will spend the first week of the course sampling each of the nine major art & design specialisms. Then, with the guidance of tutors, you choose three areas to focus on in more detail for the rest of the term.

For your second and third terms, you will choose one discipline to specialise in. You will gain a deep understanding of the skills involved, and be encouraged to develop your own unique style.

In the final term you will also research and write an extended written project (about 3,000 words) and prepare for the end-of-year exhibition and fashion show. Recent sponsors of our fashion show have included: Jean Paul Gaultier, Vivienne Westwood, Julien Macdonald, Ben de Lisi, Valentino, Philip Treacy, Katharine Hamnett, Betty Jackson, Levis Strauss and Burberry.

The working day is 9am-5pm, and it is not unusual to find our students working independently in our studios at weekends – particularly in the weeks leading up to the end of year events!

Learn from a team of inspiring artists and designers

"No tutor I've worked with since has matched the dedication and spirit of my tutors at CSVPA." - Michelle Ng, former student

Our approach to creative learning is unique, highly personalised and guaranteed to ensure you meet your full potential.

Our tutors are all professional artists, designers and practitioners including a pattern cutter for Yves Saint Laurent, Artist in Residence at Christ’s College Cambridge and an Award-Winning sculptor in metals.

Encompassing a wide range of skills and talents, our tutors all share a passion for the creative arts, a dedication to sharing their knowledge and skills with their students and a unique ability to uncover your individual talents.

Enjoy world-class facilities

"The facilities here are brilliant compared to other centres and universities. You have your own Mac - no waiting, no restrictions, no pressure - you get your own space. With this space I have freedom. I can express myself." - Yuki Lam, current student

CSVPA is open seven days a week, twelve hours a day, providing a state-of-the art learning environment and individual work space for every student.

Built over three floors, the Campus includes Mac computer suites, fashion studios, sewing machine and dye rooms, woodwork, metalwork, photography and fine art studios.

Opening the door to unrivalled destinations

"The biggest dream I had was to work for Galliano at Dior, which I did achieve. I completed my studying at Central St Martins and my success can be traced back to being at CSVPA." - Tam Pekanan, magazine editor and former student

Our Foundation students progress to the leading art and design schools around the world, including: London College of Fashion, Central St Martins, Istituto Marangoni, Parsons New York, University of Japan, New York Film Academy, Kingston University and University College Falmouth.

View our student results

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Art & Design disciplines

• Fine Art (painting, sculpture & printmaking)
• Moving Image
• Photography
• Applied Craft
• Fashion / Surface Design
• Graphic Design & Illustration
• Theatre Arts (set design, costume, make-up)
• 3D Architecture
• 3D Interior / Product Design

You will also study the following core subjects:

• Life Drawing
• Visual Studies
• Contextual Studies

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Sample timetable

Every week is different on the Foundation Diploma in Art & Design, depending on what stage of the year you are at. However this sample timetable gives a rough idea of a typical week in your first term.

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
09.00-10.00	English language	English language	English language	English language	English language
10.00-12.30	Discipline 1 e.g. Fine Art	Discipline 2 e.g. Applied Craft	Discipline 3 e.g. Fashion	Discipline 1 e.g. Fine Art	Discipline 2 e.g. Applied Craft
12.30-13.30	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch
13.30-14.30	Life Drawing	Visual Studies	Visiting lecturer	IT for Artists	Contextual studies
14.30-17.00	Discipline 2 e.g. Applied Craft	Discipline 1 e.g. Fine Art	Visiting lecturer	Discipline 3 e.g. Fashion	Discipline 3 e.g. Fashion

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University of the Arts London (UAL) Awarding Body

University of the Arts London Awarding Body is a specialist awarding body offering qualifications in the creative arts, with an emphasis on art, design and communication. Our Foundation Diploma in Art & Design qualification is quality assured by UAL Awarding Body through a rigorous external moderation process and grades are monitored against agreed national standards.

University of the Arts London (UAL)

UAL is comprised of six world-famous art and design colleges. They are:

• Camberwell College of Arts
• Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design
• Chelsea College of Art and Design
• London College of Communication
• London College of Fashion
• Wimbledon College of Art.

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Extended Foundation Diploma in Art & Design

If you would like to study our Foundation Diploma Programme, but do not yet have the required English language level, you can instead take the Extended Foundation Diploma in Art & Design.

This programme, lasting 4 or 5 terms includes 1 or 2 modules of pure English Language followed 3 terms of creative practice and English language study required to gain entry to your preferred university.

	Start dates	IELTS requirement	Modules of pure English language
Foundation Diploma in Art & Design	September	4.5	None
Extended Foundation Diploma (4 terms)	June/July	4.0	One
Extended Foundation Diploma (5 terms). NB: This programme is not available to students who require a Tier 4 general visa.	April	3.5	Two