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Level 4 Foundation Diploma in Art and Design Course in Southend-on-Sea

Cost£3,000.00
Duration12 months
LevelLevel 4
DeliveryClassroom based
Start14 Sep 2027
Study modeFull-time
AttendanceDaytime
Awarding bodyUAL Awarding Body
Apply now →

About this course

Foundation Diploma in Art and Design in Southend-on-Sea. Classes run at South Essex College Southend Campus, full-time over one year.

The course covers a broad range of creative disciplines. You'll explore graphic design, fine art, fashion and textiles, printmaking, photography, and multimedia. It's designed to push your creative thinking and build your critical independence. You'll also develop your portfolio to support an application to a higher education art and design course.

You'll finish with a Level 4 Foundation Diploma in Art and Design.

Who this course is for

Level 4 course (Available to UK students)

This is a dynamic, intensive and creative course that covers a wide range of specialist areas and helps you prepare a portfolio to assist with entry to a higher education course in an art and design subject. The qualification has been designed to encourage exploration, experimentation and risk taking, which will extend the learners’ critical independence and enable them to demonstrate a full understanding of the relevant standards required to achieve progression to higher education.

*Level 3 and 4 options are available to international students. Please visit the International page for information on how to apply.

Entry requirements

One A-level or Art and Design Level 3 Extended Diploma plus three GCSEs at grade 4/C including maths and English and an art-related subject, or equivalent You will be asked to provide evidence of your ability in the subject which could be in the form of a portfolio Successful attendance at interview event

What you will learn

  • You'll explore graphic design and illustration techniques.
  • You'll develop skills in fine art, painting, and sculpture.
  • You'll work with fashion, textiles, and garment construction.
  • You'll practise printmaking and visual communication.
  • You'll use photography, digital design, and multimedia tools.
  • You'll build a portfolio of creative work.
  • You'll develop ideas, solve creative problems, and take creative risks.
  • You'll strengthen your contextual awareness and critical thinking.

How you will learn

You'll learn through studio-based practical work across a range of specialist areas. Assessment is through a mix of practical tasks and supporting written material. You'll receive regular feedback on your progress throughout the year. An interview and a portfolio review form part of the entry process.

What you will need to bring

The centre will provide most materials. South Essex College Southend Campus will confirm anything else you need before you start.

Where next

Jobs you could do

  • Graphic designer, creates visual content for print and digital media.
  • Illustrator, produces artwork for publishing, advertising, and media.
  • Textile designer, designs patterns and fabrics for fashion or interiors.
  • Photographer, works in commercial, editorial, or fine art photography.
  • Multimedia artist, creates digital content across film, animation, and web.
  • Fashion designer, develops clothing and accessories for brands or independently.

What you could study next

  • BA (Hons) in Fine Art, Graphic Design, Fashion, or a related art and design subject, the most common next step after this Diploma.
  • BA (Hons) in Photography or Illustration, for those focusing on a specific creative discipline.
  • Foundation Degree in Art and Design, a shorter higher education route into the creative industries.
Apply on southessex.ac.uk →
Apply now →

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