UAL Level 4 Foundation Diploma in Art and Design

When & Where

8 September 2025 - 3 July 2026 ( 395 hours, 35 weeks )
Afternoon, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
View course timetable
Chelsea Centre

Quick Facts

Availability Yes (course free to 16-18 year olds)
Tutor Multiple
Course Code C25CRDA04A
Suitable For This course is free for 16-18s

What you will learn

The Creative Industries sector in the UK is growing at three times the national average. This intensive one-year diagnostic Level 4 Foundation course provides you with the opportunity to explore broad arts practice before committing to any one discipline. The creative industries are made up of practitioners who have studied Fine Art, Painting, Drawing, Sculpture, Illustration, Animation, Design, Fashion, Film, Photography, Digital, Media. Practitioners need to be diverse and adapt to the needs of the industry, with a range of fundamental employable skills. The college is a centre for creative industries, based in the heart of Chelsea and on the doorstep of major galleries and museums, which are fundamental to the development of arts practice. This leading Foundation course at Morley College will challenge and develop your interests, skills and understanding in art and design. The course is designed to encourage exploration, experimentation and risk taking, through project assignments, presentations and group critiques. It will provide you with the intensive preparation and portfolio development necessary for progression to higher education and employment in the creative industries. You will be supported in your learning by a team of experienced arts practitioners and educators.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

Demonstrate awareness of the different perspectives, approaches and ethics within diverse creative practice.
Research, analyse and evaluate relevant information as part of their creative practice
Understand, adapt and safely use appropriate practical methods and skills for creative practice and production.
Explore solutions to complex problems through the application of practical, theoretical and technical understanding.
Take responsibility for research, planning and time management to access and action progression opportunities.
Use critically evaluative and reflective skills in order to take responsibility for own learning, development and decision-making
Effectively communicate and present ideas and creative practice to appropriate audiences
At the end of the academic year, the satisfactory completion of the course will be demonstrated through your portfolio and your maturity of intellectual ideas and critical skills which indicate potential for study at a higher level in art and design,

On successful completion of the course, you will achieve the following qualification: Foundation Diploma in Art and Design [UAL]

Class format and activities

Your learning will be enriched with a range of site visits across London, for research and contextualisation of your studies. Projects are designed to develop practical skills, planning, conceptual idea development, independent thought and reflection. These abilities will strengthen your progression prospects for further study, apprenticeships, work experience, internships, voluntary work or entry level roles within the art & design industry. Assessment Methods include: Studio based group critique Group and individual tutorials Student presentations Portfolio presentation and exhibition Written and practical work

Entry requirements

The standard requirements for entry to this course are: A L3 Qualification and English or Maths at GCSE Grade 4 or above (HE applicants require English Language IELTS level 5.0 or above, with at least 4.5 in reading, writing, listening and speaking.) Other relevant and equivalent qualifications are considered on an individual basis. If you are under 19 and are yet to achieve your GCSE English or maths at grade 4 you will be provided with the opportunity to study these. You will be asked to attend an interview with a strong portfolio of current work, this can include drawings, sketchbooks, 3D work, digital work, photography or any other work that demonstrates your creative thinking skills. We are looking for students with a passion for art and design and an interest in progressing onto higher education.

What you need to know before you enrol

This is a challenging but rewarding course, it will be collaborative, it will be varied, with a range of activities and the opportunity to discover new practices, techniques and materials to extend your skills and confidence. On this course you will have the opportunity to discover a range of disciplines and possibilities for higher level study. A high level of commitment is an expectation of all students on this course, you will have access to your designated studio space outside of teaching hours.

What you need

After your interview, you will be given a comprehensive materials list and other information to prepare you for the course and start of term. You will need enthusiasm, discipline and a commitment to achieve.