Foundation Diploma in Art, Design & Media Practice
Subject and course type
- Animation, Film and Photography
- Architecture and Interior Design
- Fashion, Fashion Promotion and Product Design
- Fine Art
- Graphic Design and Illustration
- Interaction and Experience Design
- Foundation
- Undergraduate
Kingston University’s accredited Foundation Diploma in Art, Design & Media Practice will give you the skills and knowledge you need to progress your studies to degree level.
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Turn your creativity in a career
Prepare for a vibrant career in art and design
Studying this Foundation Diploma in Art, Design & Media Practice at Kingston University is your first step towards taking your studies to the next level. You’ll graduate with a broad, varied skillset across multiple disciplines – perfect for progressing in your chosen specialism.
During the course, teaching will come from professional creatives who will engage you in critical investigations of your work, progression aims and ambitions. You’ll also have multiple opportunities to visit studios, galleries and museums in London, and participate in research and drawing trips.
You’ll build an understanding of visual communication, three-dimensional design, fashion and fine art. You’ll explore a range of art forms, media and techniques, as you develop your own creative style.
Throughout the course, you’ll work in small, supportive student groups, collaborating with degree students on live briefs and receiving regular one-to-one guidance from tutors and industry professionals.
Please note, this qualification is awarded by Pearson, not by Kingston University
I absolutely loved my time at Kingston – it was so exciting to be in a place where everyone enjoyed the same thing. I was shocked at how much my work changed in just a year - the tutors were the main reason for this. I found them to be passionate and always there to give advice, which I feel you just don't get at other places.
Why choose this course
While you study, you’ll benefit from top quality teaching at Kingston University. Not only are we ranked Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework, we’re also No.1 in London for Art and Design (The Times Good University Guide 2023). Our Foundation Diploma also received an Outstanding across all four areas of our Ofsted inspection.
As part of Kingston School of Art, you’ll benefit from joining a creative community where we encourage collaborative working and critical practice. Our workshops and studios are open to all disciplines, enabling students and staff to work together, share ideas and explore multi-disciplinary making.
You’ll also use our dedicated Foundation studio spaces and facilities to explore ways to push project boundaries and open discourse across disciplines. Your tutors will encourage you to experiment with different materials, processes and ideas.
The Art School Experience
As part of Kingston School of Art, students on this course benefit from joining a creative community where we encourage collaborative working and critical practice.
Our workshops and studios are open to all disciplines, enabling students and staff to work together, share ideas and explore multi-disciplinary making.
Course Content
The Foundation Diploma in Art & Design course focuses on four main areas:
- Visual communication - graphic design, illustration, animation, film photography, advertising, bookbinding, art direction, social design, fashion communication.
- 3D design - product design, furniture design, architecture, landscape architecture, interior design, prop and set design.
- Fashion and fabrication - menswear, womenswear, costume and constructed textiles
- Fine art - painting, mixed media, printmaking, installation, sculpture, performance and photography.
Please note
Places are limited and the number of applicants is extremely high. We expect applicants to have attended one of our open days. You'll hear more about the course, meet staff, visit the ground-breaking workshops and studio spaces at our Knights Park campus, where many art and design courses are based, and receive guidelines about how to apply and what to include in your portfolio.
Course content
The course runs from September to June and is divided into three parts.
Part 1 - Core skills + rotation
The course begins by introducing fundamental principles, techniques & skills important to all specialism pathways. This is followed by a 4-week rotation which gives you the opportunity to experience each of the four specialism areas helping you to make an informed choice about the area you will choose.
Part 2 - Specialism
During specialism you'll explore your subject choice in detail and broaden your technical and conceptual skills. You'll also prepare your portfolio for degree-level application, with support from your specialism tutors.
Part 3 - Final Major Project
In the final term you will complete an extended self-directed project using the knowledge, skills and confidence you have acquired. The project culminates with a public exhibition and end of course celebration.
This Pearson BTEC Foundation Diploma in Art, Design & Media Practice is split into the Exploratory Phase (Rotation and Specialism) and Confirmatory Phase (Final Major Project), which share the same assessment criteria. All students will be provided with the Foundation Student Dictionary, which contains clear details of the course structure and its assessment criteria.
Core stages
Exploratory stage
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Broadening your creative skillset through a mixture of independent and collaborative workshops, briefs, lectures and presentations.
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Supporting you to identify your aims, ambitions and strengths in order to make informed decisions about your creative practice and future.
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Gaining industry specific knowledge and confidence in the creative field you wish to study.
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Building an exciting portfolio for University applications that showcases your best work and personality. Tutors share their expertise to help you make progression choices that are right for you.
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You will have two formative assessments during the Exploratory stage to discuss your work with your tutors, identify strengths and areas of development.
Confirmatory stage
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In the final term you will complete an extended self-directed project using the knowledge, skills and confidence you have acquired.
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Your Final Major Project culminates with a public exhibition and end of course celebration.
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Summative assessment takes place at the end of the Confirmatory stage.
I have always known art was the world for me, but the first term at Kingston really broadened my horizons. You get to try everything, from fashion to animation, and this helped me to become certain about the art path I wanted to follow.
Future Skills & Career opportunities
Boost your employability
Every course at Kingston University teaches a range of Future Skills. From problem-solving and adaptability to digital competency, these are the attributes you’ll need to get the edge in the job market and a head start on your career.
After you graduate
You’ll complete this course with the skills, confidence and direction needed to progress to further study. Recent graduates have gone on to courses such as architecture, fine art, graphic design, illustration animation, fashion, costume, filmmaking, photography, product and furniture design and interior design. Many choose to stay at Kingston University.
My foundation year at Kingston has been a hundred times better than I could ever have imagined. I have learnt so much in such a short space of time and consequently my work has improved dramatically. I have made great friends and been inspired by talented tutors as well as other students. Coming into university every day has been a great social experience, alongside working harder than I have ever done before.
At Kingston University, we're not just keeping up with change, we're creating it
For more information on how Kingston prepares you for the future job market, visit our Future Skills page.
Teaching and assessment
Scheduled learning and teaching on this course includes timetabled activities including lectures, seminars and small group tutorials.
It may also include critiques, project work, studio practice and performance, digital labs, workshops, and placements.
Outside the scheduled learning and teaching hours, you will learn independently through self-study which will involve reading articles and books, working on projects, undertaking research, preparing for and completing your work for assessments. Some independent study work may need to be completed on-campus, as you may need to access campus-based facilities such as studios and labs.
Our academic support team here at Kingston University provides help in a range of areas.
Your personal tutor will be a member of the Foundation team who will provide academic guidance and support throughout your time at Kingston and show you how to make the best use of all the help and resources that we offer at Kingston University.
Foundation is made up of two distinct stages. The Exploratory Stage is where you will be introduced to a wide range of creative skills both practical and conceptual that will help you to identify the creative area you want to pursue. This stage also includes University applications and portfolio building. By the end of the Exploratory Stage you will be confident in your creative voice and technical ability. Two Formative Assessments during this stage will help you to identify strengths and areas of development guided by Foundation tutors.
The Confirmatory Stage is where you'll write and complete your most ambitious and extensive assignment in the form of the Final Major Project. The Confirmatory Stage ends with a Summative Assessment after which you will receive you final foundation grade.
The exact balance between scheduled learning and teaching and guided independent study will be informed by the modules you take.
Your course will primarily be delivered in person. It may include delivery of some activities online, either in real time or recorded.
Types of assessment:
- Formative assessment: provides detailed feedback to guide your ongoing development, through discussion and written feedback.
- Summative assessment: the assessment that will contribute to your overall qualification grade.
We aim to provide feedback on assessments within 20 working days.
Your detailed and individualised timetable is provided at the beginning of each term.
35–45 students are in each Rotation group during Part 1 of the course. There is no limitation on group sizes when students are choosing Specialism.
My year on the foundation has been amazing. Being surrounded by people with the same interests and aspirations creates a fun and exciting atmosphere. The first term's rotation allowed experimentation in a variety of different subject areas.
Fees and funding
Home students
Students aged under 19 on 31 August of the year of entry will not be charged a tuition fee. (Please note: this fee waiver does not apply to students from the Channel Islands, who will have to pay the fee below).
Students aged 19 or over on 31 August of the year of entry will have to pay a tuition fee for the year. The fee for 2025/26 is £7,200. You must make sure you are able to support yourself through the academic year and be able to pay tuition fees of £7,200 per annum.
Home applicants should note that this course is a further education course so student loans (for tuition and living costs) are not available for this course.
International students
You will normally be charged the appropriate international fee which for 2025/26 is £16,500 for the Foundation Diploma in Art and Design.
Additional course costs
Some courses may require additional costs beyond tuition fees. When planning your studies, you’ll want to consider tuition fees, living costs, and any extra costs that might relate to your area of study.
Your tuition fees include costs for teaching, assessment and university facilities. So your access to libraries, shared IT resources and various student support services are all covered. Accommodation and general living expenses are not covered by these fees.
Where applicable, additional expenses for your course may include:
Our libraries have an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as open-access computers and laptops available to rent. However, you may want to buy your own computer or personal copies of key textbooks. Textbooks may range from £50 to £250 per year. And a personal computer can range from £100 to £3,000 depending on your course requirements.
While most coursework is submitted online, some modules may require printed copies. You may want to allocate up to £100 per year for hard-copies of your coursework. It’s worth noting that 3D printing is never compulsory. So if you choose to use our 3D printers, you’ll need to pay for the material. This ranges from 3p per gram to 40p per gram.
Kingston University will pay for all compulsory field trips. Fees for optional trips can range from £30 to £350 per trip.
Your tuition fees don’t cover travel costs. To save on travel costs, you can use our free intersite bus service. This route links the campuses and halls of residence with local train stations - Surbiton, Kingston upon Thames, and Norbiton.
When you accept your offer, you’ll need to pay a fee of £280 to secure your place and pay for materials.
Course changes and regulations
The information on this page reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. To improve your student experience and the quality of your degree, we may review and change the material information of this course. Find out more about course changes
Programme Specifications for the course are published ahead of each academic year.
Regulations governing this course can be found on our website.
