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Free Level 3 Foundation Diploma in Art and Design Course in Poole

CostFREE
Duration1 year
LevelLevel 3
DeliveryClassroom based
Start7 Sep 2026
Study modeFull-time
AttendanceDaytime
Awarding bodyUAL Awarding Body
Apply now →

About this course

Free Foundation Diploma in Art and Design Course in Poole. Classes run at Arts University Bournemouth, full-time over one year.

This Level 3 foundation art and design course lets you explore art, design, and media before choosing a specialist direction. You'll work across core creative practices, develop your portfolio, and experiment with different approaches to making and thinking. The course is designed to bridge the gap between A Level study and degree-level work.

You'll finish with a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design, awarded by University of the Arts London.

Who this course is for

This course gives you an excellent transition between A-Level and more specialised degree courses by allowing you to explore a range of approaches to creative thinking and making. Giving you time to learn and experiment in a specialist environment, the course enables you to make an informed decision about which direction to pursue at Higher Education level.

The course gives you a broad foundation across the methodologies of art, design and media practice, before you explore an area that interests you in much greater detail. The course is geared towards the preparation of a portfolio of work to support your application to an advanced course.

Entry requirements

Please see entry requirements here:

https://aub.ac.uk/apply/foundation#tab-1127741-entry-qualifications

A minimum of 64 UCAS points from level 3 qualifications, for example:

  • Two GCE A Level passes at Grade C or above. One of these will normally be in a relevant creative subject.

Please note that Home fee paying applicants who are under 19 when the course starts must hold GCSE/IGCSE Grade C/4 or above in English and Maths.

What you will learn

  • You'll explore a broad range of creative disciplines, including art, design, and media.
  • You'll develop your portfolio to degree-entry standard.
  • You'll experiment with different materials, processes, and ways of making.
  • You'll study contemporary creative practices and how they apply to specialist areas.
  • You'll identify your preferred creative specialism through practical projects.
  • You'll build the critical thinking skills needed for undergraduate study.

How you will learn

You'll learn through studio-based practical work, projects, and creative experimentation. The course is intensive and hands-on, with teaching delivered in specialist creative environments. Assessment is typically through a portfolio of work and project outcomes that demonstrate your skills and chosen specialism.

What you will need to bring

The centre will provide most materials. Arts University Bournemouth will confirm anything else you need before you start.

Where next

Jobs you could do

  • Visual artist, creates original work for galleries, commissions, or exhibitions.
  • Graphic designer, produces visual content for brands, print, and digital media.
  • Illustrator, creates images for publishing, advertising, and digital platforms.
  • Set designer, designs environments for theatre, film, or television productions.
  • Textile designer, develops patterns and fabrics for fashion or interiors.
  • Art director, leads the visual style of creative projects in agencies or studios.

What you could study next

  • BA (Hons) in a specialist creative subject at Arts University Bournemouth, a guaranteed place is offered on successful completion of this course (excluding Acting and Creative Writing).
  • BA (Hons) Fine Art, Graphic Design, Illustration, or related degree at another UK university, this qualification is widely used as a route into creative degree programmes.
  • Higher National Diploma in Art and Design, a two-year alternative to a full degree for those preferring a shorter higher-level qualification.
Apply on aub.ac.uk →
Apply now →

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