Art and Design Extended Degree

This extended degree includes an intensive foundation year (Year 0), which will allow you to progress on to one of our art or design undergraduate degree courses at The Cass. It is both preparatory and diagnostic, meaning you’ll gain the skills required for your subsequent three years of study as well as giving you the opportunity to explore a number of different directions before choosing your specialism at the end of the year.

You’ll begin by undertaking a broad range of short studio and workshop projects in visual imagery and practical making. These will help you develop skills and techniques that are common across all our extended degree courses and are followed by short projects that focus more specifically on art and design. During these subject-specific projects you’ll have the opportunity to explore observational drawing, creative drawing, conceptual modeling, practical making, performance, colour, materials, process, collage, composition curating, exhibiting and more.

All our extended degree programmes allow you to develop techniques in observational, technical and creative drawing; 2D and 3D composition; framing; sequence/series and narrative, as well as studio and workshop skills. You’ll also attend lectures and seminars, which will frame creative practice within historical, contemporary, conceptual and cultural contexts.

You’ll present work-in-progress and finished projects to peers and tutors on a regular basis, preparing you for the public exhibition at the end of year. This will help you to explore your abilities and guide you towards establishing an individual focus and direction.

By the end of your foundation year you’ll have produced a substantial portfolio of work that will allow you to progress on to one of The Cass’s art or design undergraduate degree courses. You’ll also have developed as a confident, creative and socially-engaged practitioner with the ability to make more informed decisions about your own work within the context of the creative field you go on to study. You are assessed via project work, essays and an individual portfolio.

Entry requirements

In addition to the University's standard entry requirements, you should have:

• At least one A level (or a minimum of 48 UCAS points from an equivalent Level 3 qualification, eg BTEC Subsidiary/National/BTEC Extended Diploma).
• English Language GCSE at grade C (grade 4 from 2017) or above or will need to take the University English test

You will need to attend an interview with your portfolio of creative work. We encourage applications from International/EU students with equivalent qualifications. We also accept mature students with diverse backgrounds and experiences. Suitable applicants living in the UK will be invited to a portfolio interview.

Applicants living outside the UK will be required to submit a small portfolio of work via email. All applicants must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. Applicants who require a Tier 4 student visa may need to provide a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as Academic IELTS. For more information about English qualifications please see our English language requirements.

Modular structure

The modules listed below are for the academic year 2018/19 and represent the course modules at this time. Modules and module details (including, but not limited to, location and time) are subject to change over time.

Year 1 modules include

• Critical & Contextual Studies: Foundation (core, 30 credits)
• Formats (core, 30 credits)
• Project (core, 30 credits)
• Techniques (core, 30 credits)

After the course

The course is suitable for anyone planning a career in art and design fields or the cultural and creative industries. The career opportunities available to you depend on the specialist undergraduate degree that you go on to study, however possible career options include artist, curator, art critic, art journalist, graphic designer or illustrator. Former graduates have also gone on to have successful careers as art event organisers, photographers, video producers, studio managers, art teachers, art therapists and lecturers. Former graduates include Tracey Emin, Sam Taylor-Wood and John Cecil Stephenson.

What is an extended degree?

Extended degrees provide applicants with an alternative route into higher education. If you do not have traditional qualifications or cannot meet the entry requirements for an undergraduate degree, you may still be able to gain entry by completing an extended degree. Extended degrees include a Year 0, which is also known as a foundation year. Once you successfully complete your first year of study you will progress into Year 1 of an undergraduate degree.