Quick facts
| Qualification type |
Level 3 Foundation Diploma |
| Duration | 1 year |
| Study times |
You will be expected to be in college for a minimum of 3 days per week, from 9:15 to 4:00. Your timetable will be confirmed at induction. |
| Entry requirements |
This course is for those post A-Level and Pre-degree, you will need a level 3 qualification typically A-Levels or an Extended Diploma. Entry is via an interview where your commitment, enthusiasm and motivation should shine through. |
| Campus |
Leonardo House, West Suffolk College Sixth Form campus, Bury St Edmunds |
| Work placements | Work related experience |
Is it for me?
If you are looking to focus on the one subject you love and develop your creative skills with other-likeminded artists this course is for you. This one-year course is for students wishing to have a multi-layered, fast paced, challenging and rewarding creative education experience. You will learn new drawing, mixed-media, 3D, digital, fashion and photographic skills. The course is a wonderful mix of structured workshops and the vital importance of independent art practice.
You will learn and develop a broad range of creative, technical and professional skills. Units are delivered across different assignments in specialist studios with specialist staff. As courses progress students will focus more and more on their own creative interests and individual skills. This mix of very structured teaching and the culture of open expression are the core of our thriving Art & Design courses.
What you'll learn
Creative and Technical skills:
- 2D illustration and design skills
- Drawing and painting
- 3D making skills - media and processes
- Printmaking
- Animation
- Digital - various software - including Adobe CC (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
- Idea generation
- Exploration and experimentation of media and processes
- Independent development of studio work into own unique outcomes
- Contextual studies - historical and modern international art and design - and connections to the wider world.
Professional Skills:
- Working on 'live' assignments
- Meeting deadlines
- Working with focus and independence
- Communication
- Presentation of outcomes
- Online professional social media profile
Work experience placements
Work related experience is encouraged as part of this course, this practical experience is invaluable for your creative journey and future career prospects. By actively engaging in hands-on work, you will have the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills you acquire in the classroom to real-life situations.
Assessment
This course is assessed by deadline-driven coursework with no exams. All coursework is assessed at Pass, Merit, Distinction levels against the qualification unit criteria. We are proud to be a University of the Arts London (UAL) accredited college, the largest creative awarding body in Europe.
Further study
Example careers
- Graphic Designer
- Illustrator
- 3-D Animator
- Web Designer
- Creative Director
- Photographer
- Videographer
- UX Designer
- Art Director
- Artist
- VFX Supervisor
- Architect
- Interior Designer
- Art Teacher
- Product Designer
- Art Therapist
Days & times
Starting September 2025