The UAL Foundation Diploma (Pre-Degree) Level 3 and 4 is an exciting course, aiming to help students find their creative medium and experiment with different art-based subjects before university. This could be to gain the experience required to complete a specific degree course, or simply to develop their skills and build on their existing knowledge, creating a portfolio for the future.  

The course is aimed at developing individuality and encourages creative and visual thinking through to Level 4 with a variety of materials and approaches. This gives learners the chance to pursue a creative focus, developing a more in-depth understanding of a subject to determine which area of study they may want to specialise in. This often leads to our students studying at the most prestigious art-based universities to further their careers and passions. 

Our current UAL Foundation Diploma learners have been working hard on a project in which the students were given two randomly generated words which they had to base their project on. This gave the learners creative freedom, allowing them to develop a theme using their own artistic individuality with a medium of their choice. 

We interviewed 4 students who have completed this project to find out how they have found the course so far, as well as how it has benefitted them to make sure students are well informed about their options before making decisions about their future. 

SIENNA

Sienna, a UAL Foundation Diploma student, was recommended this course by her Sixth Form lecturers as it gave her the opportunity to develop new skills and further her knowledge of the subject. The theme of her final piece was about past societal opinions and what was classed as peculiar, and comparing this idea with the diverse and accepting society nowadays. This project gave her a better understanding of her preferred medium which she plans to develop within a Fine Art degree at university.

AMY

Amy, a UAL Extended Diploma student in Art, Design and Communication, chose this course due to the advanced equipment available and the specialist workshops that vary in skill and ability, adding “I have loved it so much so far! The tutors have both been extremely supportive, helping me to further adapt and expand my ideas to produce well thought out and compositional work.”

Amy’s two randomly generated words were ‘deficient’ and ‘abrasive’, and after much research, she decided to base her final project on the negative opinions surrounding homelessness. She explored Maslow’s Law of Needs theory and determined that homeless people lack the same opportunities because of their status in society due to preconceptions of their background. With this in mind, Amy created a suit jacket, playing into the idea of employment for the homeless to symbolise that they deserve the same opportunities in life.

After this course, Amy plans to progress to university to either complete a Fine Art course or an Art Sculptural course.

EDEN

Eden, a UAL Extended Diploma student in Art, Design and Communication, chose this course as she wanted to explore different processes and techniques to build her skills, adding, “I wasn't sure exactly what area of Art and Design I wanted to go into so this course allowed me to experiment and figure out what I liked best.”

Eden’s two randomly generated words were ‘curvilinear’ and ‘inferior’ where she decided on the theme of afro hair, creating a dress that included designs that she screen-printed onto fabric.

“I drew inspiration from my own experiences of having afro hair as well as the history of hair in African culture. The designs I screen-printed came from various Afro hairstyles. The shape was inspired by African dresses and the bright colours and patterns were inspired by tignon headscarves.”

After this course, Eden plans to go to university to study Textile Design.

MOLLY

Molly, a UAL Foundation Diploma student, chose this course as she was undecided of what she wanted to do after leaving Sixth Form and wanted to give herself another year to find what she enjoyed doing. This course has allowed her to explore different techniques and where she discovered her love for screen printing on textiles which she hadn’t previously attempted.

Molly’s words were ‘voluminous’ and ‘quincunx’. She discovered that quincunx relates to a repetitive pattern which she created and transferred onto a silk screen, and voluminous related to the excessive silhouette shape of the garment that she created.

After this course, Molly plans to apply to a BA Hons Fashion and Textiles degree.

Overall, it is evident that this course allows students to explore different artistic techniques that they may not have previously had the chance to try. Whether you are progressing from an Arts and Design course or another subject, anyone is welcome to build up their portfolio and express their creativity on the UAL Extended Diploma courses.

If you’re interested in applying to the UAL Foundation Diploma course, click here.