In the first six to eight weeks of the UAL Foundation Diploma in Art & Design, you try out all the different art and design areas. Then, for the duration of the course, you specialise in a section of your choice. A foundation course in art and design immerses you in a range of exploratory activities, which develop skills, introduces new techniques and approaches, and offers new ways of seeing the world. You will develop high levels of critical thinking and creative interpretation. Throughout the UAL Foundation Diploma in Art & Design, you’ll follow an intensive programme of drawing (including life drawing) and investigation of contemporary critical practice in art and design. Part 1: Learning Skills and Context: the first six to eight weeks of two-week rotations will guide you through approaches and processes intrinsic to all areas of art, design and communication. You will learn more about the creative and design process, to think outside the box, to work with an open-mind, and to reflect on and challenge your own thinking. Part 2: Development and Progression: you choose the subject you want to focus on and develop your specialist skills in one of our three pathways. Each pathway - art, design and communication - enables you to develop your skills and creative identity in specialist areas. These include fine art, fashion, textiles, costume, graphics, illustration, photography, video, animation, and 3D. Your pathway tutor also supports you through the UCAS application and interview process to achieve your aims. Part 3: Proposal and Realisation: is the final and only graded part of the course. You’ll design and complete your project which will showcase your learning as part of the Diploma Exhibition. Our foundation course, which is free to those aged under 19 years, helps you avoid costly mistakes by enabling you to be sure of your subject choice at degree level. We have excellent rates of progression to our own university level campus and other top universities across the country. The official title of this course is: Diploma in Art & Design - Foundation Studies and it is awarded by UAL: Awarding Body (University of the Arts London).