Course summary

This programme offers access to study at university for those students who may not have the standard entry profile for Year 1. Equally, the programme is designed for those returning to study who have relevant work/professional experience but not the required academic profile for Level 4 entry. It's also suitable for Level 3 learners whose subject choice does not include the necessary background, but who are otherwise academically capable. The foundation pathway provides students with non-standard entry points to progress onto the BA (Hons) Illustration programme. The foundation year allows you to develop skills across a range of media and introduces creative best practice in preparation for the first year of the undergraduate programme. During the foundation year you will have the opportunity to explore creative processes relevant to visual design, animation, illustration, print-making, fine art, and photography. The course is designed to encourage visual exploration and creative discovery within an engaging and vibrant studio setting. Upon successful completion of the foundation course, you will join the undergraduate BA (Hons) Illustration programme equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to successfully complete an undergraduate degree. Your foundation year will:

• Welcome you to an engaging, experiential learning environment with a focus on active exploration, experimentation and discovery across a wide range of material, methods and media.

• Help develop your practical, technical and creative skills through studio and workshop based projects.

• Provide training in key learning skills for further undergraduate study and build an awareness of practise, context and theory.

• Introduce you to the accessible community of experienced academics, practitioners and technical staff that will support you on your studies.

• Give you access to a wide range of enviable specialist workshops, laboratories and facilities across the campus and become part of our vibrant student community through the various opportunities available within the School of Art, Design and Architecture.

• Enable you to explore and develop your personal interests and strengths as a creative practitioner.

• Learn the skills and tools. Develop your Photoshop, Premiere, InDesign and Flash skills in digital workshops, and explore typography basics, bookbinding, creative writing and more.

• Work in industry, from simple studio visits to longer-term placements and collaboration.

• Get noticed. Develop your visual voice and get noticed in the professional world by taking part in external commissions and competitions.

• Define your direction. Explore specific routes such as comic/graphic novels, children’s markets, printmaking, and design for animation/screen – or continue within a broad range of practice.

• Go global. Set your work in a global context through inspiring overseas study trips to places such as London, New York and Barcelona.

• Learn from experts. Benefit from a varied visiting speaker programme of illustrators, commissioning editors, publishers and ex-graduates ready to share advice and insight to help shape your future career.