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Graphics and Digital Design

Foundation Degree

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Key features
Where next

What its about
Fact File

What you do
Contact

Key features

The Creative and Cultural Industries are recognised as being key growth areas in Britain’s economy. They include a wide range of employment opportunities - from Dance and Performance to Graphic Design and the Heritage Industry - and incorporate new technology as well as traditional media. It is an exciting and dynamic area in which to work. Research has shown that to be successful those working in the industry need to be flexible in their approach, and able to combine high level specialist creative skills with transferable skills, such as market awareness and financial know-how.

The Foundation Degree in Graphics and Digital Design has been designed by Staffordshire University and its partner colleges with the support of people working in the industry to ensure that they are relevant. You will be expected to use real experience in the workplace to generate a portfolio demonstrating successful application of creative skills. This means that the Foundation Degree is suitable both for those already working in the industry who would like to update their skills and for those who are progressing from another qualification in the same subject area.

What its about

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This Foundation Degree is designed so that you are up-to-date with the latest technology, software and thinking in the industry. Colleges use a range of strategies to ensure that you experience work that is really industry focused – including working with partners to produce market-ready graphics products, using real work as evidence for assessment and even establishing a commercial studio environment to undertake commissions.

What you do

You will learn all about the background of the industry, so that you clearly see where the future lies, and where you will be able to work; including employment issues such as working freelance and to commissions.

The exact content of the course will vary from college to college and according to your personal employment practice. There will be work-based projects and other subject areas include: Visual Studies; Creativity and Social Context and Professional and Contextual Studies.

Assessment happens in a variety of ways, and includes underpinning knowledge as well as a portfolio of skills application. Verbal, written and practical skills will be assessed, and you will be given formal and informal feedback to help you understand your progress, and support to help you improve your work.

Study time will vary from college to college, but all will have studio and lecture time, including core days when you must attend to ensure you are briefed in the crucial aspects of your subject. You will be expected to take responsibility for your own studies and carry out a substantial amount of work in your own time and in the workplace. Your tutors will help you plan your time to make sure you use it effectively.

Where next

As a holder of the Foundation Degree in Graphics and Digital Design you will be entitled to add FdA after your name.

Your study on this award will also put you in a position to apply for digital skills related jobs and you will have gained valuable transferable skills in verbal and written communication, project-management, team-work and personal organisation, which are needed to compete successfully in the Creative and Cultural Industries.

Successful completion of the Foundation Degree in Graphics and Digital Design will give you the opportunity to progress onto the BA (Hons) Entrepreneurship in Graphics and Digital Media award or another suitable BA (Hons) award at Staffordshire University. With the close working relationship between the University and your college, you will be guided towards the best choice for your portfolio and experience.

Fact File

Qualification:	Foundation Degree
Faculty/School:	Faculty of Arts, Media and Design
Location:	Newcastle-under-Lyme College, Stafford College
Course Start:	September
Course Length:	For full-time students it will take 2 years to complete the foundation degree. For part-time students it will take 3 years. However, there may be an opportunity to get some accreditation for prior learning and work experience, in which case you could complete the course in less time.
Attendance:	Full-time and Part-time. Contact the college of your choice for further details.
Entry Requirements:	This will be assessed individually, and all prospective students will be interviewed. Students applying to the course at aged 18 would normally be expected to have successfully achieved or completed: • 80 UCAS points i.e. 2 Es or 1C at A-Level (6 unit qualification) • An AVCE Double Award at EE • A BTEC National Certificate (PP) or Diploma (PPP) • A recognised Access Certificate • Applications from mature candidates are welcomed and will be considered on an individual basis. Students can also enter the programme with advanced standing where they have relevant prior learning that is considered appropriate by the course team.
Application:	UCAS for full-time College for part-time
Fees and Bursaries:	For up to date information on fees, please see Partnerships: fees and funding. You may be eligible for financial help through the Fee Grant, Course Grant and other sources - depending on your circumstances. For further information visit: direct.gov.uk/studentfinance You will need to make a separate application for each academic year, using the application form for part-time student finance (PTG1), which can be downloaded from: direct.gov.uk/studentfinance
Other Notes:	For further details contact the course tutor at your local college: Newcastle College: Richard Hunter Stafford College: Neil Brewis