Art & Design

This programme is aimed at 18-year-olds and adults 19-years and older who have completed Level 3 Media studies, Art and Design or a related course, and are now ready to make a choice as to your future career path. 

The Level 4 Foundation Diploma in Art, Design and Media is designed to give you a broad introduction to the subject area and allow you to acquire the skills and experience to prepare you for subject specialisation at university, or employment. You will gain a wide range of sector knowledge tied to practical skills gained in research, self-study, directed study and workplace scenarios. 

The qualification offers learners the opportunity to experiment widely and take creative risks in order to develop a broad portfolio of work and professional behaviors required for progression. It will also provide opportunities to develop creative art and media skills over the course of study through a process of self- direction, reflective practice and communication, which are key skills from progression to higher education. 

Through formative and summative assessment, you will complete a selection of modules covering creative design and media through an exploratory phase and confirmatory phase in your final major project of your own choosing. This course allows you to focus on your own specialism and explore it further.  

Teaching and research methods will emphasize practical and theoretical approaches and integrate them through a creative process. The qualification consists of one module that covers all learning and teaching. All covering specific technical and specialist pathways to the leaner interest and ambitions across the creative design and media sectors.   

The module has 6 mandatory content areas:   

• Investigation  
• Experimentation  
• Evaluation  
• Realisation  
• Communication  
• Self- directed practice.  

This is a full-time course and is delivered on both our campuses at Buxton and Leek, with the availability of workshops, as well as the completion of the FMP work to be carried out within our Leek School of Art and Buxton Media suites.  You will have dedicated Mac suites where you will have access to all the equipment you need to explore your full creative talents, including recording devises, cameras and design and editing software, such as Photoshop, Premier Pro and Lightroom. 

You will learn through a combination of theory-based sessions, live briefs, practical workshops, self-directed study, visits and field trips, and you will demonstrate the skills and knowledge learned in a variety of ways including reports, presentations, reflections, pitches, portfolio work and a final major project. 

Your progress will be fully supported and tracked by a highly experienced tutors with many years of real-life experience in both art, design, sound, photography, TV and digital Media. 

At BLC we offer an enhanced student experience with trips and visits from working professionals within world-famous organisations, such as the BBC, who provide workshops and offer invaluable advice on tackling the competitive media industry. 

BTEC Foundation Diploma in Art, Design and Media Practice 

• Undergraduate courses available through the University of Derby in the Media and Art sector – BA (Hons) 
• BTEC Higher National Diploma in Creative Media Production at BLC  
• Higher Degree Apprenticeships 
• Employment 
• BTEC Higher National Diploma in Creative Media Production at BLC  
• Higher Degree Apprenticeships 
• Employment

You will be assessed through practical assignments and the production of Art and Media products. 

You will need a minimum of a Level 3 Media or Art qualification or related subject at Level 3. This can include A Levels.