International Foundation Art and Design

You will study

Compulsory modules

• Communicating Practice

  This module provides students with an opportunity to synthesise learning from both semester one and concurrent semester two modules. Students identify personal interests and foster the development of their individual creative ‘voice’. Students continue to develop and practice their skills in English (listening, reading, writing and speaking) so that they can engage with a range of sources, and both articulate and apply their learning in practical modules. This facilitates progression to undergraduate study. The module is structured to encourage personal, creative and intellectual challenges to maximise potential as an independent learner.

• Communication and Study Skills for Creative Careers

  This module will equip students with core skills to support their studies in other modules. Through developing academic literacy, digital literacy, communication, organisation and research skills students will become confident and independent learners. These skills will be developed through a programme of activities that supports a growing sense of self and the ability to articulate this using spoken and written English as students navigate new territories in art and design both across the course and the university.

• Context in Practice

  This module allows students to develop their personal critical self-awareness and their ability to work in groups. Through working with a specific audience and/or community together, students integrate different approaches and methods in order to respond to a brief. This raises students’ awareness of their own personal qualities and capabilities and increases an understanding of the participatory practice.

• Exploratory Practice

  The module introduces students to a broad range of practical studies, primarily aimed at developing their understanding of a range of processes and strategies within art and design. It includes the opportunity to experiment and play with different techniques and subject areas and ways of working. The module works in tandem with the Culture and Context and Communication and Study Skills for Creative Careers modules, offering the opportunity to combine and integrate learning within the first semester.

• Specialist Practice

  This module allows students to specialise in an area of practice through a choice of specialist projects in order to build a portfolio of work from exploratory practice. The opportunity to work on a project/s through the lens of a particular discipline will support and inform the self-initiated project and support further progression.

• Understanding Culture and Context

  The module aims to generate a greater understanding of cultural and contextual perspectives from around the world. Through a series of thematic lectures, it explores interdisciplinary knowledge, actively seeking a range of perspectives and questioning received ideas, important to the 21st-century learner.