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UAL Art Foundation

This course is for students aged 18+ who have completed A Levels / Extended Diploma, or other Level 3 qualifications. This is an exciting, creative and innovative course studied in an inclusive, supportive environment celebrating difference and imagination. The one-year course leads to a Level 4 qualification. You will develop a portfolio and become a competitive candidate for the world’s leading HE Creative courses!

Entry Requirements

A Level Grade C in an Art and Design / Technology subject or UAL Extended Diploma Merit or equivalent.

Exam Board Specification

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Course Leaflet

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What you will study

DIAGNOSTIC INVESTIGATION INTO CREATIVE PRACTICE (Unit 1)
• Experiment within art, design and media • Develop interdisciplinary and research skills
• Workshops including life drawing
• Trips, live briefs and opportunities to work with artists and designers.

DEVELOPING SPECIALIST PRACTICE (Unit 2 for Level 3/ Unit 3 for Level 4)
• Specialise in an area of study
• Develop a portfolio working with a specialist tutor
• Specialisms include Fine Art, Fashion, Textiles & Costume, 3D Design (Including Architecture, Set and Interior Design), Photography and Film, Fashion Image Making/Media, Graphic Design, Animation and Illustration, Curation and Exhibition Management (Specialisms are reactive to student ambitions)

CONSOLIDATING PRACTICE (Unit 4)
• Initiate, research, complete and evaluate a project within your chosen professional area
• Showcase your work in a public exhibition

Picture of blue and green sculpture artwork. colleges in st helens

Assessments and course support

You must pass all three mandatory units to be awarded the qualification. Your final grade will be determined by the level of achievement awarded in Unit 4; Pass, Merit or Distinction.

Support and Challenge from day one
Be treated as an artist or designer with high expectations
Assessments and tutorials
Supportive peer network and group critiques
Tailored careers advice and specialist portfolio preparation sessions

Artwork of wasps in glass jars. colleges in st helens

Enrichment Activities & Progression

Organise charity events such as fashion shows & pop up shops
Competitions, live briefs and external exhibitions
Workshops from UAL colleges
Work experience opportunities with our alumni and industry partners

Progress to further study or a career in the creative industries. Former Carmel students are now working at Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Liverpool FC, Factory Create, In The Style, Ann Demeulemeester, Fromental, Wonderland Magazine and Solomen Cordwell Buenz.

Artwork image of a person outside on a bridge at night time with a dark blue sky. colleges in merseyside

Applications for 2025 Entry

Deadline for the first round of applications: 15th January 2025.

You will need to ask someone (eg a teacher) to write a character reference for you to support your application for this course. The reference should include information regarding your attendance, punctuality and work submission. Please ask your referee to email their reference, before 31st Jan 2025, to Kate Roberts, Head of UAL Art Foundation, kater@carmel.ac.uk.

Please contact the Head of Department, Kate Roberts for more information about applications – kater@carmel.ac.uk

Your Interview

All applicants who apply before the closing date will be interviewed in the Spring Term. You will be informed of your interview by email.

Please bring the following to your interview:

A portfolio of your recent work (produced in the last year).

Click this link to Apply Now

Artwork painting using dark brown and grey colours featuring an eye

Artwork of a female against a distorted background

Artwork laid out on a table in an art classroom at Carmel College

Group of students in an art class having a bake sale