What Makes This Course So Special?
The Foundation Studies course at (the University of Wales,) Newport provides an excellent introduction for students wishing to pursue a career within the fields of contemporary art, media and design. The course is designed to provide you with a stimulating educational experience, which will develop both your visual and critical skills, through the exploration and practice of art, media and design. It has a national reputation for the quality, quantity and diversity of work achieved by its students. It enables students of all abilities to achieve their full potential. Foundation Students who successfully complete the course have guaranteed progression to a relevant degree course at the University (of Wales, Newport).
Course Intro
Our Foundation Course will provide you with an exciting and stimulating learning experience, which will develop your visual and critical skills through the exploration and practice of art, media and design. It is a great preparation, enabling you to progress onto either one of our own fantastic degree courses, or other suitable courses in the UK, Europe or even beyond.
Established in 1963, this course has an enviable reputation that has continued to develop and grow. Our reputation is built on the quality and the diversity of the student experience, demonstrated every year by the grades students achieve and by their success in progressing to other courses and careers.
Newport started its first art classes in 1858. Newport’s Art Department was founded in 1898 and we became Newport College of Art in 1958. Now forming part of the Faculty of Arts & Business, you will benefit from the extensive use of its excellent facilities and the input from the wide range of teaching and technical staff. Our students also benefit from the University’s many industrial links in their chosen areas of study.
The foundation course is the beginning of your journey of self-discovery. It is your opportunity to explore new methods and materials, ideas and directions, skills and concepts, and to experience both traditional and new technologies. At Newport we help you discover not just who you are now, but who you’d like to become.
What you study
Stage 1 of the Foundation Course is an exciting and stimulating visual experience introducing you, through a series of linked projects, to the core areas of; Fine Art, Graphic Design, Fashion and Textiles, 3D Design, and Time Based Media. This is underpinned by a comprehensive and wide-ranging introduction to Drawing. Innovation and experimentation are fundamental to the creative process and students are encouraged to see themselves as ‘visual explorers’. An introductory lecture programme exploring contemporary professional practice and its historical background supports this practical introduction to art, media and design.
As you progress through Stage 2 of the course you will begin to recognise your own area of specialism. You will be given the opportunity through investigation, experimentation and making, to focus your interests and you will continue to develop your creativity by taking conceptual risks and continued experimentation with media in order to determine your choice of specialism. You will begin to work independently in order to progress your choice of specialism and build a portfolio showing a selection of specialist work, based on one of the following options: animation, film/video, multimedia, photography, graphic design, illustration, painting, surface pattern, typography, fashion design, interior design, theatre design, product design, sculpture or digital media.
By Stage 3 of the course you will have identified a personal area of study for your final major project. You will be able to plan and outline your intentions for your project and you will be able to evaluate your own practice and compare it to the work of others. You will complete the course by managing and displaying your own final major project from concept to completion as part of the Foundation Course end of year show.
A programme specification for this course is available.
Where Next?
Successful completion of the Foundation Course guarantees you a place on an arts related degree course here at Newport, although you may decide to progress to another HE course either in the UK or beyond. This Foundation Course is an excellent introduction for those wishing to pursue a career in art, media or design either as a professional artist, photographer, filmmaker, animator or designer, providing a comprehensive and stimulating introductory experience – a great preparation for the demands of Higher Education.
Interview Required
Interviews are friendly and informal and all applicants are interviewed. This is your opportunity to demonstrate your passion for art, media and design and discuss your creative portfolio, along with completing a short interview task.
Assessment
Throughout the course you will be assessed on practice-based modules, supplemented by self-reflective and context-based analysis. You will receive clear and detailed feedback that will help you reflect on, and develop your strengths.
Student Soundbite
“It’s fun, fun, fun! This course allows you the freedom to explore different approaches and ways of working.”