FdA Illustration

15 Jul 2019 - 31 Aug 2027

Course Leader Emma Marshman
Course Team Sarah Carter
Awarding Body University of South Wales
Teaching Institutions Coleg Gwent
Modes of Study Full Time, Part Time

Document Version

Version 3
Valid From 15 Jul 2019
Valid To 31 Aug 2027

QAA Benchmarks

The Art and Design (2017) benchmark for undergraduate degrees has been reviewed and applied the course as appropriate.The course has been developed with consideration of the Foundation Degree Characteristics Statement.

Educational Aim

The course aims to produce students who, at the end of the course, will be able to enter the highly competitive media sector as ambitious, confident and entrepreneurial professionals; or will be able to progress to level six of an appropriate undergraduate degree.
The course will enable students to:
- Develop industry relevant transferrable skills and enter the creative industries or related fields with poise and self-confidence.

- Facilitate an approach to problem solving and creative practice within illustration and visual communication that is influenced by a variety of learning sources, including a range of research methodologies, independent study, working with others and reflective practice.

- Apply and extend their learning through further study or entry into the creative communications industry as a skilled and knowledgeable employee, creative practitioner or entrepreneur.

- Recognise and develop their personal strengths and talents and identify potential career options that will allow them to utilise those strengths beyond graduation.

Learning Outcomes

A1 Understand how organisations and industries relevant to Illustration are formed, sustained and consumed. 
A2 Apply their knowledge of traditional and digital imaging techniques and skills in effective ways within the contexts of professional creative practice and employment.
A3 Understand the role of Illustration within society and the wider world, and how it interconnects.
A4 Produce work that is informed by critical, contextual, historical, conceptual and ethical dimensions within the practice of Illustration and its related areas.
B1 Conduct research using a broad range of methods, analysing and applying the findings to a wide variety of projects and outcomes.
B2 Produce written work relevant to Illustration, which displays competence in form, structure, spelling and grammar.
B3 Assimilate a range of critical and cultural debates relevant to Illustration and visual communication practice in the Creative Industries.
B4 Critically engage with personal, peer and industry practice, and articulate reasoned arguments through reflection, review and evaluation via the effective application of a range of research methodologies with reference to theoretical and cultural debates within Illustration.
C1 Generate ideas, concepts, proposals, solutions or arguments independently and/or collaboratively in response to set briefs and/or as self-initiated activity.
C2 Produce work which recognises the importance of visual communication practices and professional standards and is informed by relevant theoretical and cultural debates.
C3 Undertake self-marketing, articulating the skills, knowledge and understanding required to increase employability within Illustration and its related areas.
C4 Identify possible entrepreneurial opportunities for self-employment or for the benefit of a potential employer.

Course Structure

Level 4 Modules

Module Code Module Id Module Title Module Status Credit Value Module Type
DI1D03 MOD010579 Creative Visual Skills Running 40 specified
DI1S01 MOD006160 Colour and Communication for Illustration Running 20 specified
DI1S03 MOD011337 Principles and Practice of Illustration Running 20 specified
FH1S18I MOD012043 Creative Industries Practical Project Closed 20 specified
FV1S21I MOD012048 Study Skills Running 20 specified

Level 5 Modules

Module Code Module Id Module Title Module Status Credit Value Module Type
DI2S02 MOD006171 Illustration for Literature Running 20 specified
DI2S07 MOD010583 Illustration for Surface Pattern Running 20 specified
DI2S08 MOD010587 Cultural and Contemporary: Illustration in Context Running 20 specified
FT2D01I MOD012054 Short Creative Industries Work Placement Running 40 specified
FV2S35 MOD010161 Career Development Running 20 specified

Teaching and Assessment


Learning and Teaching Methods

Lectures 

Tutor led educational talk to support a project 

Seminars 

Topic is discussed by a teacher and a small group of students 

Tutorials 

One to one or group based discussion about project or progress on course 

Groupwork 

Students will work collaboratively on a task or project 

Work-based 

Students will work with a client on a live brief to a live brief or in a work placement  

Project Supervision 

Students will work on projects in the studio with guidance from tutor 

Supervised time in Studio/workshop 

Students will work in practical studios such as printmaking with guidance from tutor as needed  

Demonstration 

Tutor will demonstrate techniques needed for project work 

Practical Classes and Workshops 

Drawing/Painting/Printmaking lessons 

Fieldwork  

 

External Visits 

(including fieldtrips) 

Research trips to Museums and Galleries and other visual sources 

Directed Study (including Online Learning) 

Students will complete given tasks outside of timetabled lessons 

Independent Study 

Students will continue project work independently outside of timetabled lessons 

Placement 

 

Study Abroad 

 

Formative assessment-scheduled 

Assessments which could take the form of presentations or critiques. 


Employer Engagement

Visiting Speakers Regular visiting speakers arranged from a variety of illustration / media backgrounds (Coleg Gwent, USW)
Volunteering Option for students to volunteer their illustration skills in a range of environments with local businesses.

Fieldtrips Nationally and internationally to support students assignment work.
Work Placements Students will have the opportunity to work on a range of placements, either course sourced or student initiated.
Work-based Learning Students will have the opportunity of completing work-based learning in various appropriate environments, either course sourced or student initiated.

Employer Forums Students encouraged to attend employer forums.
Other Live briefs set by a variety of clients.


Means of Assessment

Core modules are those that students must study and cannot be compensated by Award Examination Boards
Specified modules are those that students must study but can be compensated by Award Examination Boards
Optional modules are those that students have a degree of choice over, usually within a limited range, and can be compensated by an Award Examination Board


Learning Support

The learning support available through the course
Induction Student handbook (course structure, modules, tutors, timetable, year planner, assessment, Learner Service Support). Induction activities to build confidence.
Personal tutor Each student assigned own personal tutor. All course staff available to support learner’s progress, also Learner Services with any financial or personal issues.
Office hours 2 hours per week
Tutorials Weekly 1:1 tutorials, continual oral and written feedback.
Seminars A range of seminars on a variety of subjects and issues will be available for students to attend at Coleg Gwent and USW.
Formative Assessment Guidance and dates of Formative Assessments listed in student handbook.
Progress meetings Regular progress meetings for both students and tutors.
Research Supervision Tutors and learning mentors available to support research supervision.
Online Resources Internet, Coleg Gwent Moodle / OnTrack, USW Unilearn, blogs, Instagram, Facebook.
Advice Centres Coleg Gwent and USW Careers Sevices, Learner Services.
DDS Service Support is available in the following areas:

• Visual impairment
• Hearing impairment
• Specific learning difficulties
• Speech and language therapy

Support can be delivered by:

• Tutorial – with a support worker, on your own or in small groups, to help you with your course work
• In class – an additional member of staff in some of your lessons

Our staff work collaboratively with cross-College teams in efficiently assessing individual needs as well as organising and implementing a wide range of support programmes, each tailored to the learner.
The course will provide equipment, software and other technologies to help those with learning difficulties and/or disabilities overcome their difficulties and enhance their independence.

The college will also work with external partners to help learners with more specific needs, including the ARROW programme which has significant success in raising the reading and spelling skills of learners with additional learning needs.

The college has an onsite counsellor and Inspire team that work and support learners with any additional needs.

Course Exit Points

Award Criteria Final
Foundation Degree in Arts 240 credits of which at least 100 must be at Level 5 or above, 100 at Level 4 or above and no more than 20 at Level 3. Of the 240 credits, at least 60 credits must be derived from Level 5 work based learning Final
Certificate of Higher Education 120 credits of which at least 100 must be at Level 4 or above and no more than 20 at Level 3 Exit

Progression Route

Student who successfully complete the FD Illustration may progress onto level six of BA (Hons) Illustration at USW.


Entry Requirements

Admission to the course is typically through the following qualifications:

A-Level – 48 points
BTEC – Merit/Pass or Pass/Pass/Pass
GCSE – Three GCSE’s at grade C or above, to include Mathematics and English Language
Access to HE – Pass Diploma with 45 level 3 credits 9all passes)


Inclusive Curriculum Statement

The University of South Wales operates a policy of inclusive learning, teaching and assessment to ensure that all students have an equal opportunity to fulfil their educational potential. Course teams will have considered ways of designing out any potentially disadvantageous element of courses during the course design process. However some specific needs may remain, details about how to apply to have your needs assessed can be found at: http://unilife.southwales.ac.uk/pages/3040-disability-and-dyslexia-service/


Addendum for Delivery at a Partner Institution

N/A


Methods Of Quality Standards

N/A


Quality Of Standards Indicators

N/A