BA (Hons) With Integrated Foundation Year
Our Integrated Foundation Year course is the ideal choice for a student looking to pursue an undergraduate degree in the creative arts. It will give you the grounding, tools, practical skills and confidence to succeed in your chosen Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree at CSVPA with an enhanced knowledge and understanding of specialist techniques and materials.
You will take this one year course before progressing onto one of our Bachelor of Arts courses at CSVPA. This initial year is designed to allow you to explore a broad range of media, approaches and concepts in arts and design, and to develop your own distinctive voice and direction for future success in your chosen BA pathway.
Over the year, you will be introduced to a variety of creative disciplines such as:
- 2D and 3D design
- Photography
- Graphics and Illustration
- Fine Art
- Fashion and Textiles
- Painting, Drawing and Printmaking
- Animation and Film
You will enjoy learning through studio-based projects, specialist workshops, group critiques and frequent tutorial sessions to aid your development of critical thinking, research and academic skills embedded in the course. With our small class sizes, you will have individual, hands-on support from our experienced tutors – giving you the guidance you need to explore your creative potential.
For our non-UK students, we offer an enhanced level of English Language support to ensure you achieve the required IELTS score to progress onto the CSVPA BA degree course of your choosing. We have a dedicated team of English teachers who can provide tailored support for you while you study with us, allowing you to become the creative you want to be. Through choosing to study our Integrated Foundation with BA(Hons) you will be offered a four year student visa, making your creative experience with us more rewarding.
BA (HONS) COURSE OPTIONS
On the completion of your Initial Foundation Year, you will progress onto one of our BA(Hons) degree programs. Explore our six undergraduate courses:
BA(HONS) CREATIVE INTELLIGENCE & INNOVATION
THE AWARD
Upon successful completion of the Integrated Foundation Year along with their chosen Bachelor of Arts course students will receive the relevant award: BA(Hons) Creative Intelligence & Innovation, BA (Hons) Illustration, BA (Hons) Graphic Design, BA (Hons) Visual Communications, BA (Hons) Fashion, BA (Hons) Fashion Branding & Creative Communications accredited by Falmouth University.
“The best thing about CSVPA is the support you get from the tutors, and that you can express your creativity in every way.”
Lisa –
BA (Hons) Fashion graduate
Winner of Graduate Fashion Week’s Bronze Catwalk Award 2024
HIGHLIGHTS
OVERVIEW
Course Location
Cambridge
Course Length
1 Year for Foundation Year & 3 Years for Bachelor of Arts course (8 semesters in total)
Course Start
September
Tutor Support
Specialist tutor support available 5 days a week.
Studio Access
Students have access to our studios 7 days a week. From 8am to 8.30pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 5pm at weekends.
Awarding Body
Bachelor of Arts awarded by Falmouth University
How Your Work is Assessed
Visual projects and assignments with occasional written assignments including a Dissertation in Year 3 of your BA course
How We Teach
Throughout this course, students will be taught through projects, specialist workshops, guest lecturers, regular one-to-ones, and group tutorials.
Guest Lecturers
Our course is enriched by programmed lectures and workshops from a range of leading creative professionals.
Your Space
Each of our students has their own workspace and is provided with free colour printing. Students will also have access to an in-studio library and our photography and printmaking studios.
English Language
Up to 5 hours per week if required
Progression
Graphic Designer, Illustrator, Advertising, Publishing, Branding, Package Design, Product Design, Animation, App Design, Website Design, Media & Communications, Art/Creative Director, Concept Artist, Interactive & Virtual Reality Design, Game Art Design, Information Design, Photographer, Retail Design, Fashion PR & Marketing, Stylist, Fashion Journalist, Fashion Editor, Fashion Designer, Pattern Cutter, Textile Designer, Jewellery Crafter, Costume Designer
Results
100% of students praised our lecturers’ dedication to supporting their learning*
100% of students said that they had the chance to explore ideas and concepts in depth*
*National Student Survey 2024
UCAS Institution Code
C06
UCAS Course Code
W211 BA (Hons) Graphic Design with Integrated Foundation Year
W214 BA (Hons) Visual Communication with Integrated Foundation Year
W221 BA (Hons) Illustration with Integrated Foundation Year
W901 BA (Hons) Creative Intelligence & Innovation with Integrated Foundation Year
ENTRY
Age
17 years +
Educational Level
48 UCAS points (or equivalent) gained through a Foundation Diploma or Extended Diploma, or one A Level (or similar international High School qualification).
Students who do not meet these entry requirements will still be considered on their own individual potential to succeed subject to a portfolio review and interview.
English Level for International Students
IELTS 5.5 (with no element below 5.5)
Portfolio
A portfolio of work showing personal work, schoolwork, finished and prepared is required for this course. Your portfolio is the chance to show us your skills and your passion. Download our guide to see what we look for in a portfolio.
STRUCTURE
SUBJECTS
INTEGRATED FOUNDATION YEAR MODULES:
The first module in your Integrated Foundation Year will guide you in exploring your individual creative aptitude and interests in art and design. Through a number of assignments, we will introduce you to a range of creative mediums, skills and processes significant to, and which form the basis of, the visual arts. These include:
- Life drawing – scale, proportion, line, structure, tone, contrast, mass, composition and form
- Location drawing
- Colour theory
- Sculpture
- 3D Design
- Media experimentation
- Creative techniques
- Visual communication
A variety of exciting projects will be undertaken which will allow you to enhance and demonstrate these skills, while also establishing your understanding of approaching project briefs, analysis and critique, and portfolio presentation.
In addition to the design skills, this module will develop your individual creative identity, and develop your critical thinking and study skills in preparation for university success.
Research is essential in the artistic design process. Through the Beginning Art and Design Research module, you will develop your understanding of how to conduct research to support and inform your creative practice. You will explore how artists, designers and creatives view and think about the world. By the end of this module you will have developed your skills in: contextual awareness, critical thinking, visual research, research methods, idea generation, and presentation and communication skills.
Being able to analyse and critique your own work, and that of others, is a key skill in your development as an artist, designer or creative. Being able to objectively analyse your own work will help you in enhancing your creative practice. With the guidance of your tutors, by completing this module you will become confident in critiquing work both verbally and in written form.
RELATED COURSES
TALK TO US
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