Art and Design (General Foundation & Specialisms)
BA/BDes
This one-year course will provide you with a broad understanding of art and design, nurture and develop your artistic skills and help you to decide which subject specialism you wish to pursue for the following three years.
Why study Art and Design (General Foundation & Specialisms)?
The majority of our degree programmes in art and design (with the exception of BSc Digital Interaction Design and BSc Product Design) begin with a common Level 1 programme, the BA/BDes Art and Design (General Foundation), before students progress to one of the nine degree specialisms (listed below).
If you have already completed a recognised art and design foundation course elsewhere you should apply directly to one of the specialisms which begin in Level 2. All other applicants should apply for the BA/Des Art and Design (General Foundation) course.
Skill Development
The first aim of this course is to develop your artistic ability and creative thinking. The course includes objective drawing (including life drawing), source drawing and development, painting, construction, computer imaging and colour work. You will also attend Art & Design History classes which will teach you about the historical development of art and design in comparison to contemporary practices. These courses will develop yours skills in creativity, aesthetics and artistic technique.
Course Choice
The second aim of this course is to help you to decide what course you want to pursue for the next three years. We will introduce you to a wide range of option by asking lecturers from each department to give you a presentation on their subject. You will also have the opportunity to tour each of the studios at djcad.
You will also be invited to take a study visit to exhibitions in Glasgow or Edinburgh and will have the opportunity to broaden your cultural knowledge with a trip to London.
At the end of the course you will be able to:
- confidently use an array of artistic techniques
- identify which discipline you want to pursue
- understand the historical trends and turning points in art and design
Enrich your cultural experience
General foundation course students also have a full day study visit to exhibitions in Scottish centres such as Glasgow and Edinburgh. There is also a study visit to London giving you the opportunity to broaden and enrich your cultural experience.
Degree specialisms
Degree courses you may choose to take after you have finished your General Foundation year include:
Related courses
The following courses in related areas do not use the General Foundation year, you apply directly to those courses:
For examples of student work, staff profiles, and news from the General Foundation course, visit the DJCAD website.
Teaching & Assessment
You will be tutored by highly motivated, research-active staff and will be based in a purpose-built studio environment within Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design (djcad) which is fully accessible and integrated within the city campus of the University of Dundee. You will benefit from a challenging and coherent programme of instruction, guidance and exploration, providing you with a positive sense of direction towards a future in art and design.
Careers
The Art and Design (General Foundation) course will prepare you nicely for your chosen specialist subject. Graduates from Duncan of Jordanstone have gone on to have successful careers in the following fields (to name just a few!)
- artists (exhibiting and making work nationally and internationally)
- web design
- game design
- visual effects
- packaging design
- branding
- television & motion graphics
- advertising
- textile design
- fashion
- art therapy
- museum and gallery curation
- journalism
- interaction design
- account management
- film direction
- film editing
- gallery management
- teaching
- illustration
- interior/architectural design
- lighting
- tv & film set design
- animation
- jewellery manufacturers and designers
- consumer electronics
- medical products
Choose your specialist subject
* Please note: the majority of students will proceed to the specialist programme of their choice. However successful completion of the course does not confer the automatic right of entry to the second year of a specialist degree programme. Entry to the second year is competitive, by submission of a portfolio of work and is subject to the number of places available. So in other words, you will need to work hard!
Entry Requirements
The following are the minimum requirements, please note qualifications have to be obtained at the first sitting of examinations.
Courses starting September 2013
BA/BDes Art & Design General Foundation Level 1 Entry
| Qualification | Grade |
| SQA Higher | BBBB |
| GCE A-Level | BCC |
| ILC Higher | BBBB |
| IB Diploma | 30 points |
| Essential Subjects | Art and Design, or related subject (at SQA Higher, GCE A-Level, ILC Higher, IB Higher Level) and an appropriate literate subject (at SQA Higher, GCE AS Level, ILC Higher, IB Higher Level) |
| All applicants must also submit a comprehensive portfolio of art/design/creative work. | |
| EU & International | Visit our EU and International webpages for entry requirements tailored to your home country |
Other Qualifications
| Qualification | Grade |
| SQA | A relevant HNC with B in the Graded Unit |
| Scottish Baccalaureate | Pass with CC at AH |
| EDEXCEL | A relevant BTEC Extended Diploma with DMM |
| Advanced Diploma | Grade C with ASL A-levels in appropriate subjects at BC |
| Welsh Baccalaureate | Pass with A-levels in appropriate subjects at BC |
| All qualifications will be considered on an individual basis. All qualifications should include a relevant Art & Design subject & a literate subject. A comprehensive portfolio of creative work is required, and an interview may be required. | |
| Applicants with alternative overseas qualifications should visit the relevant country page on our International website. | |
Admissions Procedure
All applicants must submit a comprehensive portfolio of art and design work. The qualifications listed may be modified for an applicant presenting an exceptional portfolio.
Students are selected by assessing the contents of a portfolio of work that should convey a measure of creative, practical skill and intellectual/enthusiastic engagement in the practice of art and design.
Fees and Funding
There have been many changes to the arrangements for funding students entering higher education in recent years, yet a degree from the University of Dundee, with its high rate of employment success, remains a cost-effective option.
The fees you pay will, in most cases, depend on your current country of residence.
| Fee category | Fees for students starting September 2012 | Scholarships & Bursaries applicable |
|---|---|---|
| Scottish students | £1,820 per year of study. You can apply to the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS) to have your tuition fees paid by the Scottish government. |
|
| Students from the rest of the UK | £9,000 per year of study. You can apply for financial assistance, including a loan to cover the full cost of the tuition fees, from the Student Loan Company. |
|
| EU students | £1,820 per year of study. You can apply to the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS) to have your tuition fees paid by the Scottish government. |
|
| Overseas students (non-EU) | £11,461 per year. |
The fee shown is annual, and may be subject to an increase each year.
Living Costs
- Dundee is ranked as one of the most affordable places for students to live in the UK, and the cost of living is around 15% cheaper than the UK average.
- Increasing numbers of students are successfully undertaking part-time work to supplement their income. You can get advice from our Careers Service, both about job opportunities and how to find a suitable study/work/life balance. EU and international students are also allowed to work up to 20 hours per week.
- As a student in Scotland, you have free access to the National Health Service. Visits to doctors and hospitals, as well as prescriptions, sight tests and dental checkups, are available free of charge.
Your Application
All applications must be made through UCAS
UCAS Codes
Institution Code: D65
| Degree | UCAS Codes | KIS data |
|---|---|---|
| BA/BDes Art and Design (General Foundation Level 1 entry) (1 year only) | WW12 | View KIS data for this course |
UCAS Application Process
Admissions procedure
All applicants must submit a comprehensive portfolio of art and design work. The qualifications listed may be modified for an applicant presenting an exceptional portfolio.
Students are selected by assessing the contents of a portfolio of work that should convey a measure of creative, practical skill and intellectual/enthusiastic engagement in the practice of art and design.
International Applicants
We have information specifically for international applicants on our International website:
- Your Home Country - including information about qualifications from individual countries
- Fees and Funding
- English Language Requirements
- International Student Support
Any questions?
If you have any further questions about the application process, please contact:
Home / EU applicants
Undergraduate Admissions
Admissions & Student Recruitment
University of Dundee
Nethergate
Dundee
DD1 4HN
Scotland
Telephone: 01382 384370/ 388074/ 388585 (from the UK)
Telephone: +44 1382 384370/ 388074/ 388585 (from outside the UK)
Email: ContactUs@dundee.ac.uk
International applicants
International Office
Admissions & Student Recruitment
University of Dundee
Nethergate
Dundee
DD1 4HN
Scotland
Telephone: 01382 388 111 (from the UK)
Telephone: +44 1382 388 111 (from outside the UK)
Email: ContactUs@dundee.ac.uk
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