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UAL Foundation Diplomas

In 2021, Kings Oxford became an Approved Centre to deliver the highly prestigious UAL Level 3 and 4 Diplomas in Art & Design.

These qualifications prepare students for progression to university and are recognised by the leading art schools throughout the UK.

At a glance

Start dates

  • September *

Length

  • 1 Academic Year (3 terms)

Lessons

  • Average 21 hours per week (plus homework and private study)

Portfolio requirements

  • A presentation of your work in a PDF or PowerPoint format – clearly organised and laid out with self-directed and/or most recent work at the top
  • Work can include good quality photographs of: drawings, paintings, sculptures, short films/animation, photography and or any other 2D and 3D processes
  • You should show evidence of research and idea development
  • Organise your portfolio so that progression is evident for each project – from the beginning of the idea to the development of final artwork
  • It should consist of a maximum of three different projects and/or a maximum of 10 different pages/slides
  • If the portfolio needs more work, we will recommend applicants take Art and Design Preparation programme

Other entry requirements

  • Academic: Completed 11-12 years of schooling
  • Minimum age:16.5

* The UAL programme can only be taken from September but we do also offer an Art Foundation in a slightly different format which can be started in January. Please enquire for more detail and differences.

Course aims

  • Developing awareness of different creative practices, approaches and perspectives;
  • Researching, analysing and evaluating relevant information as part of the creative practice;
  • Instilling the value of research as an investigative and creative practice;
  • Exploring solutions to complex problems through the application of practical, theoretical and technical understanding;
  • Enabling students to explore media and processes within a safe environment;
  • Encouraging independent creative practices and self-led initiatives;
  • Developing ideas through investigative practices;
  • Identifying opportunities for progression;
  • Using critical visual, verbal and written language to communicate ideas and entire bodies of work effectively to both peers and the wider audience.

Programme structure and content

The programme can be taken at Level 3 or Level 4.

All students take 3 Units across 3 Terms. Level 3 students take Units 1,2 and 4 and Level 4 students take Units 1,3 and 4.

Term 1
Unit Unit learning outcomes Sample teaching and learning activities Unit week

Unit 1 (level 3) — Diagnostic Investigation into Creative Practice

  • Research and context, visual language, ideas development, skills development, audience identification linked to progression opportunities, problem identification, understanding and investigation, evaluation and reflection
  • To include digital practice, and how practical and other work is recorded and presented to create links between theory and practice
  • This is the first step towards producing the digital and hard copy portfolio.
1. Apply, integrate and contextualise research methods and activity within a creative practice

2. Identify, select and safely use appropriate materials, methods, media and technologies in relation to a variety of creative practices

3. Develop ideas, solve problems, and apply learning strategies within the context of a range of diverse creative practices.

4. Understand the conventions and application of critical evaluation and reflection for a range of audiences and purposes
Induction (1 week) Week 1

Project assignment 1
Interrogating the image
(2 weeks)
Presentation and formative assessment

Week 2-3

Project assignment 2
Unfold
(5 weeks including half term)
Presentation and formative assessment

Week 4-8
(Half term)
Unit 1 summative assessment
personal statement/critical writing
Residential - London West End Gallery Tour (1 week)
Week 9
Term 1 and 2
Unit Unit learning outcomes Sample teaching and learning activities Unit week

Unit 2 (level 3) or Unit 3 (level 4) — Developing Specialist Practice
Apply (specialist) skills, methods and processes:

  • Specialist research and context (placed into broader context — social, environmental, ethical, political, scientific, cultural etc. Including possible links to sustainability)
  • Evaluation and reflection
  • Recording and selection of HE portfolio or show-reel for apprenticeship/job etc.
  • Problem investigation (initiation / exploration)
  • Concept development
  • Communication to an audience (linked to progression)
1. Research and contextualise creative ambitions within specialist practice

2. Apply research methodology and use technical skills and practical experimentation to develop ideas within a specialist practice

3. Use self-reliant learning strategies to develop ideas and solve complex problems within the context of specialist practice to inform and realise creative solutions

4. Use critical evaluation and reflective skills in order to take responsibility for own learning and development

5. Review and apply presentation skills in order to communicate their creative practice to a selected audience
Project assignment 3
Connectivity
(3.5 weeks)
Formative assessment
Week 1-4
Set research based project— students visit exhibitions connect with construct/deconstruct Week 4
Christmas holiday
Students work on the RSB
UCAS/E/Hard Portfolio preparation
Indesign/Photoshop
Week 5-6
Project assignment 4
Evaluation and Reflection
Join Art/CSS presentatio on Unfold
Students will have two practice runs with both their art tutors and their CSS teacher before the presentation date
Formative feedback
Week 7
Project assignment 5
Constructing/Deconstructing
(6 weeks)
Joing presentation/crit
Unit 2 summative assessment
Unit 2 standardisation
Week 8-13
Term 3
Unit Unit learning outcomes Sample teaching and learning activities Unit week

Unit 4 (level 4) — Consolidating Practice

  • Initiate and develop a creative project proposal using a range of critical and contextual perspectives and approaches
  • Use research, analysis and evaluation to develop ideas and solutions for a creative project
  • Use appropriate methods and specialist skills in the realisation of a creative project
  • Integrate practical, theoretical and technical understanding to solve complex problems in order to realise a creative project.
  • Plan, organise and maintain records of progress in the production of a creative project
  • Maintain records of critical analysis, reflection and evaluation to inform own learning
  • Use appropriate techniques and methods to communicate and present a creative project to an intended audience.
1. Initiate and develop a creative project proposal using a range of critical and contextual. perspectives and approaches

2. Use research, analysis and evaluation to develop ideas and solutions for a creative project.

3. Use appropriate methods and specialist skills in the realisation of a creative project.

4. Integrate practical, theoretical and technical understanding to solve complex problems in order to realise a creative project.
5. Plan, organise and maintain records of progress in the production of a creative project

6. Maintain records of critical analysis, reflection and evaluation to inform own learning.

7. Use appropriate techniques and methods to communicate and present a creative project to an intended audience.
Final Major Project Week 1-2
Pitch proposed project to teachers and fellow students
Confirm proposal—write it up using the UAL template
Week 3
PPT/PDF Mid FMP joint presentation
Location TBC. Joint teachers' assessment
Week 4
Project proposal deadline
Include evaluation and bibliography
Week 5
Experimental investigation — using materials, techniques and processes to test and develop ideas.
Continue planning and production; apply skills, knowledge and techniques to develop creative objectives/outcomes Create a finalwork/body of works.
Week 5-7
Hang exhibition and prepare a presentation which includes a printed up documentation of the FMP: encompassing research, development of ideas, experimental investigation, planning and production, evaluation and reflection. Week 8
Internal Assessment and private view Week 9
External assessment and show down Week 10

UCAS Application

From September to January students are supported by art staff and the UCAS coordinator during the UCAS application process. This support will include subject-specific advice regarding courses and universities, guidance on how to write Personal Statements and filling in UCAS forms correctly. All references are written by the art tutors. Applications are completed and sent by the first January university deadline and for January entrants by end of March.

Thank you for your enquiry.
We'll be in touch soon.
The Kings Admissions Team