Foundation Diploma in Art and Design (Design and Media)

Apply now:

September 2024

Starts: Sept 2024
Duration: 1 year
Mode: Full time
Fees: UK: TBC / INT: £12,500

Ideal for: students with a broad interest in digital media and design.

Build the foundations for your future.

If students have a broad interest in digital media and design, then this course is ideal. Our staff will encourage students to experiment with craft and digital technology and build a portfolio of work, showing a range of processes.

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Why study this course?

This is our most popular foundation diploma, offering a strong introduction to all the specialist subject areas that Ravensbourne has to offer such as graphics, broadcast media and 3D design.

Students should consider this course if they have a broad interest in digital media and design. They will experiment with craft and digital technology and build a portfolio of work, showing a range of processes.

Internal progression award: Our foundation and access diploma graduates may be eligible for a one-off cash gift of £500 if they progress directly to an undergraduate degree course at Ravensbourne.

Foundation Diploma in Art and Design - Prospectus Cover Image — Hear from Orla and Dudley about what it is like studying here at Ravensbourne.

Student showcase

an aerial shot of a green park land with a wooden construct in the center

3D hand made of brown cardboard in a white box ready to dance

The specifics

Your first stage features a series of introductory projects focusing on the core disciplines of:

Conceptual thinking and application
Drawing
Introduction to Adobe Creative Suite
Observation skills and media manipulation
Life and site-specific drawing
Research, recording and responding

Design and media students will then explore a range of different subject areas, including:

Fashion and Textiles design and Fashion Promotion
Visual Communication Design (Graphics; motion graphics, illustration)
Media Production (animation; photography; film and video; broadcasting)
3D Creative Practice (architecture; interior; product; interactive design)

You will also undertake a contextual studies lecture series and written assignment.

Design and Media students will elect a Pathway from one of the following diagnosed disciplines:

3D Creative Practice (architecture; interior; product; interactive design)
Fashion and Textiles
Fashion Promotion
Media Production (animation; photography; film and video; broadcasting)
Visual Communication Design (graphics; motion graphics, illustration)

You will deepen and develop specialist knowledge within your chosen subject area. We will encourage you to look and work beyond narrow definitions, and to collaborate with staff and students from other disciplines.

You will be able to fully integrate research, ideas and methods to negotiate successful practical outcomes underpinned by theoretical understanding. This will enable you to build a competitive portfolio when applying for higher education and employment.

Students for foundation diplomas are normally expected to possess four GCSEs, grade C or above, including English and Maths.

Students are also normally expected to possess one of the following:

One A-level, grade C or above in relevant subject area
Progression diploma (level 3) in a related subject area
Advanced diploma (level 3) in a related subject area
BTEC level 3 national award or certificate qualifications may also be considered for entry.

Other relevant and equivalent qualifications are considered on an individual basis.

Ravensbourne fully supports T-Levels as a new pathway to university study and will accept the relevant UCAS Tariff points for T-Levels across all courses.

Admission onto this course is subject to successful review of your portfolio.

Please read our portfolio guidance page for more information on how to prepare your portfolio.

We generally recommend providing around 15–20 images of your work. The portfolio should provide evidence of your creative interests, whether it be in the form of drawings, photographs, video, film, animation, graphics, fashion, products, paintings, sculpture, models or assemblage, which shows your creative impulses and responses.

We encourage you to show your research, development and examples of work in progress, so we can assess both your thought process and craft in the absence of a finished article. These will provide valuable insight into your abilities and potential to succeed at Ravensbourne.

You can’t learn in a vacuum. At Ravensbourne University London, industry connection is ingrained into everything we do. We will equip you for success in the creative and digital industries, ensuring you are truly industry ready upon graduation. Our tutors are respected academics and practitioners with substantial experience and industry links.

You will be part of a diverse community of creatives, working collaboratively to explore new professional practices. Ravensbourne have strong industry links with a range of high-profile companies, including: Apple, Barclays, the BBC, European Space Agency, Marks & Spencer, Museum of London, the Royal Shakespeare Company, Samsung and many more.

For information on study routes, visa requirements, studying in England, language and entry requirements, application requirements and access to international agents, please visit our international section.

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Lecturers

Othello De’Souza-Hartley

MA, PgD, BA (Hons)

Progression

Students studying on this Foundation Diploma in Art and Design (Design and Media) course, after the first six weeks, can elect one of the below pathways as the focus of their studies.

The courses that sit underneath the pathways correspond to the undergraduate courses available at Ravensbourne that students can progress on to after completing the Foundation Diploma.