School of the Arts

The School of the Arts Foundation programme is a fast paced, intensively taught diagnostic programme that encourages students to explore a wide range of creative activities before making an informed choice of specialist degree.

The programme team are innovative in delivering specific discipline expertise, whilst ensuring that the core, interpretative function of translating student's abilities into realisable goals is achieved.

This programme is characterised by experiential, experimental and integrated learning, relying upon the development of manual skills, whilst valuing the accidental and disruptive results that can occur.

Portfolio interviews aim to identify applicants who show an ability to challenge their own pre-conceptions, to analyse, reflect on and review their work with in the context of art and design. Show evidence of drawing being used to underpin their visual language when exploring ideas and adapting media.

The School of the Arts Foundation programme maintains its position at the leading edge of Art education.

One of the many benefits of belonging to the School is the possibility of progressing through to our own degree programme, making it simpler for those students wanting to continue their studies in Loughborough.

The closing date for application to our BTEC Foundation Diploma is 31 January 2012 and applicants who meet our minimum entry requirements and who submit their application on or before this date will be guaranteed a portfolio assessment. Applicants who submit an application after this date will not be guaranteed a portfolio assessment.

Stage 1: Exploratory Stage

This first stage provides the basis for development of work later in the programme. It includes:

• A broad based approach to Art and Design across a number of contexts through short projects.
• The language and skills necessary to explore all study areas, an awareness of a range of specialist areas available.
• This stage combines awareness of the importance of drawing in the creative process with the need to experiment with a variety of media.

The units are characterised by breadth of research, recording and observation of information, and focus on the building of skills and personal response.

All students will do the same activities in rotation in order to introduce everyone to everything. This will include:

• Colour
• Drawing
• 2D Design
• 3D Design
• Critical and Historical Studies
• Workshops in Photography, and IT

During this stage you will also have specialist projects in:

• Textile/Fashion
• Fine Art
• Visual Communication
• 3D Design

During week 9 staff will be assessing every student in addition to looking at your progress. Staff will advise you on your preferred area of study (VisualCommunication, Textile/Fashion, Fine Art, and 3D Design) in order for you to make a decision for the following two stages of the programme.

Stage 2: Pathway

Building on the knowledge gained, you will explore and develop skills within a more focused context with greater emphasis upon experimentation, analysis and evaluation.
The programme is flexible and allows an increasing move towards your chosen specialist direction. Projects at this stage may be longer and encourage a greater development of ideas and individuality.

The evolution of a portfolio of artwork is an essential feature of this Stage, along with informed and professional preparation for higher education, application and interviews.

Stage 3: Confirmatory

At this stage you will need to integrate research and ideas into your own practice.
You will be expected to take full responsibility for the direction of your work and be required to produce a power point presentation of contemporary Art/Design practice and a final and substantial body of practical work supported by a statement detailing ideas, research, processes, and outcomes.

It is important that your work is supported by continuous reflective comment and evaluation in your sketchbooks/journals. You will have the opportunity to test your skills and experience by means of an open exhibition. Your final project will be individually assessed and graded by Foundation staff. This will be confirmed by a visiting Edexcel external examiner.

Student Review

Each year students are elected to be student representatives from each programme area within Foundation Studies to represent the student body at Programme committees - where you can propose and raise issues about your programme.

This is a vital means of producing communication between students and staff. At the end of the year student reps will be asked to respond to the programme monitoring process in order for us to gain up-to-date feedback on all aspects of the programme structure, delivery, resources, etc.

This feedback is then taken forward as part of the end of the year programme review process.

5 GCSE passes at minimum Grade C, including English, and 2 GCE A Level passes at grade C minimum, or equivalent (excluding General Studies) and a portfolio of recent art work. Alternatively, 5 GCSE passes at minimum Grade C, including English and the successful completion of a two-year programme BTEC National Diploma, BTEC National Certificate, Applied GCE A Level in Art and Design (double award).

The closing date for application to our BTEC Foundation Diploma is 31 January 2012 and applicants who meet our minimum entry requirements and who submit their application on or before this date will be guaranteed a portfolio assessment. Applicants who submit an application after this date will not be guaranteed a portfolio assessment.