Our foundation curriculum is a comprehensive first year experience that explores your understanding of our subject areas through a wide variety of creative activities and opportunities. We will enable your journey through the creative landscape by supporting your investigations and discoveries. You will experience diverse ways of thinking, doing, making, drawing and designing.
You will be encouraged to experiment with and transform ideas; collaborate with peers and find new ways of expressing yourself. Your newfound knowledge and skills will be applied within real-world activities and situations that will in turn help you to develop a greater understanding of creativity, critical thinking, and sustainability, and apply them within a variety of contexts and projects. We will then help you to identify where your motivations and interests lie and provide guidance on the most appropriate creative direction and subject areas for you moving forward into second year.
Please note this course is subject to validation.
1st in Scotlandfor student satisfaction in Art and Design
(CUG 2025)
1st in Scotlandfor overall student satisfaction in Design Studies
(NSS 2023)
Excludes colleges, small, specialist and private providers
Year 1
This full-time, studio-based year will develop your creative and critical practice and challenge your understanding of the Art & Design disciplines. These experiences will expand on both your contextual and practical knowledge and introduce you to the Creative Industries and inform your course options for Year 2.
Years 2-4
You will choose one of the specialist courses before entering Year 2:
Events
We have on campus and virtual events to help you find out more about study, student experience and future career paths.
Modules
Modules and delivery order may change for operational purposes. The University regularly reviews its courses. Course content and structure may change over time. See our course and module disclaimer for more information.
Learning Methods
You will discover and explore a range of thematic ideas and processes through the application of both 2D & 3D processes and develop outputs through Fine Art or Design contexts. Our studio-based practice is at the heart of all our learning within Gray’s where you are taught using both traditional and digital technologies and techniques.
The first-year cohort occupies two large open plan studios, with dedicated student workspaces. This creates a vibrant learning environment and community through shared learning experiences and opportunities and levels of student support that are consistently rated as excellent. Our studio culture is also enriched though our lecture and seminar programme of theory-based study exploring critical and contextual thinking.
Activity Summary
- Lectures - Approximately 160 students per group, 2 hours per week
- Seminars - 25 students per group, 2 hours per semester
- Tutorial - one-to-one, 2 hours per semester
- Demonstration - 15 students per group, 4 hours per semester
- Practical class or workshop - 15 students per group, 6 hours per semester
- Supervised time in studio / workshop - 80 students per group, 15 hours per week
- Independent Study - 4 hours per week
- External Visits - 35 students per group, 8 hours per semester
Group sizes and dedicated hours are indicative only, subject to change and may vary within each module.
How long is a BA (Hons) Foundation in Art and Design course?
A BA (Hons) Foundation in Art and Design degree can be completed over:
- 1 year + 3 years of your specialism course
Independent Study
First year students are introduced to the skills and discipline of independent study and supported through the initial acquisition of this through specific project related tasks and reflective writing. At this foundation level independent study is aligned to staff directed studio-based activities and therefore supported by subsequent staff input.
Staff Delivering on This Course
The dedicated academic and technical staff on this course have a wide variety of Fine Art and Design backgrounds and their knowledge and experience will provide you with a deeper understanding of the building blocks of a creative practice. They will support your first-year learning journey towards a specialism of your choice.
Industry experts contribute to the school as Professional Associates, and through the Guest@Grays lecture programme, which invites national and international practitioners to speak about their work and professional experiences. The course works closely with the University’s Library, Study Skills and Careers staff.
Assessment
- 1 Written Assignment, including essay
- 3 Portfolios
Feedback
We aim to provide you with feedback within 20 working days of hand-in for all written exams, coursework and practical exams.
Academic Support
The Inclusion Centre advises and supports students who disclose a sensory or mobility impairment, chronic medical condition, mental health issue, dyslexia and other specific learning differences. Applicants are encouraged to arrange a pre-entry visit to discuss any concerns and to view the facilities.
Online Learning & Support
All undergraduate and postgraduate students, whether you are learning on campus or by online learning, benefit from using our collaborative virtual learning environment, CampusMoodle. You will be provided with 24/7 online access to your learning material and resources, along with the ability to interact with your class members and tutors for discussion and support.
Study Skills Support
The Study Support Team provides training and support to all students in:
- Academic writing
- Study skills (note taking, exam techniques, time management, presentation)
- Maths and statistics
- English language
- Information technology support
Library Support
The Library offers support for your course, including the books, eBooks, and journals you will need. We also offer online reading lists for many modules, workshops and drop-ins on searching skills and referencing, and much more.
Job Prospects
Is Foundation in Art and Design a good Course choice?
The breadth of experience and choice of specialisms offered by this course ensures that you have a number of employment opportunities in various roles.
Unpacking transferable skills through the ”Creative Futures” module will allow students to identify and exploit their specific niche within the Creative and Cultural Industries.
After 1st year course experiences will allow students to focus this within the relevant creative landscape.
What is needed for a BA (Hons) Foundation in Art and Design course?
Standard Entry Requirements
- SQA Higher: BCC to include Art & Design (or a creative design and/or media subject e.g. Graphic Communication, Media Studies) and English (or a written subject requiring the use of English)
- GCE A Level: CC to include Art & Design (or a creative design and/or media subject e.g. Media Studies) and English (or a written subject requiring the use of English e.g. History).
- Irish Leaving Certificate Higher: H3H3H4 to include Art (or a creative design and/or technology subject e.g. Graphic Communication, Media Studies) and English (or a written subject requiring the use of English)
- IB Diploma: 24 to include Higher Level Visual Arts and English (or a written subject requiring the use of English).
All applicants with the appropriate qualifications (or due to sit appropriate qualifications) will be invited to attend a portfolio review/interview and participate in a selection process.
Minimum Entry Requirements
The minimum entry requirements for widening access applicants are:
- SQA Higher: CCC to include Art / Design (or a creative design and/or media subject such as Graphic Communication, Media Studies) and English or a written subject requiring the use of English
Alternative Qualifications
Those who may not hold the standard qualifications listed are encouraged to apply if they can evidence other appropriate/relevant creative work, qualifications and/or life experiences. Such candidates are advised to contact the Student Admissions Service for further advice and guidance.
A portfolio review/interview is still a requirement for this category of candidate.
Portfolio Review
Suitable applicants should submit a digital portfolio through a Flickr account. Details of the process are in the downloadable portfolio guidance. After viewing digital portfolios all successful applicants will be offered a place. If we feel more information would be useful to your application we will invite you for an interview. All offer holders will be invited to the school for an Applicants Event, which will allow you to meet staff and students while experiencing the teaching environment. It will also be an opportunity for you to ask questions.
Portfolio Guidance
Our online and in-person Portfolio Guidance courses help support and prepare you for applying for an undergraduate course at Gray's School of Art.
International Students
International students who do not meet our direct entry requirements for this course can gain additional entry points through our International College at Robert Gordon University.
English Language Requirements
Applicants whose first language is not English should have an IELTS of 6.0 overall, with no component lower than 5.5, or an equivalent.
We accept a variety of in-country and secure English language tests, find out more:
Please note, some courses may require a higher standard of English than stated in this page. Contact admissions@rgu.ac.uk for further information.
Academic Year 2025-2026
Scottish Students
Full Time
| On Campus | ||
|---|---|---|
| Over 4 years | Year 1 | £1820 |
| Year 2 | £1820 | |
| Year 3 | £1820 | |
| Year 4 | £1820 | |
Rest of UK Students
Full Time
| On Campus | ||
|---|---|---|
| Over 4 years | Year 1 | £7220 |
| Year 2 | £7220 | |
| Year 3 | £7220 | |
| Year 4 | £7220 | |
International Students
Full Time
| On Campus | ||
|---|---|---|
| Over 4 years | Year 1 | £18300 |
| Year 2 | £18300 | |
| Year 3 | £18300 | |
| Year 4 | £18300 | |
Academic Year 2024-2025
Scottish Students
Full Time
| On Campus | ||
|---|---|---|
| Over 4 years | Year 1 | £1820 |
| Year 2 | £1820 | |
| Year 3 | £1820 | |
| Year 4 | £1820 | |
Rest of UK Students
Full Time
| On Campus | ||
|---|---|---|
| Over 4 years | Year 1 | £6930 |
| Year 2 | £6930 | |
| Year 3 | £6930 | |
| Year 4 | £6930 | |
EU Students
Full Time
| On Campus | ||
|---|---|---|
| Over 4 years | Year 1 | £6930 |
| Year 2 | £6930 | |
| Year 3 | £6930 | |
| Year 4 | £6930 | |
International Students
Full Time
| On Campus | ||
|---|---|---|
| Over 4 years | Year 1 | £17670 |
| Year 2 | £17670 | |
| Year 3 | £17670 | |
| Year 4 | £17670 | |
Additional Costs
- Studio fund - £90 Year 1
- £50 - £150 Materials
- £300 Camera (optional)
- £1,000 Laptop (optional)
Some other costs are not included in the course fees:
- The cost of books that you may wish to purchase.
- Costs associated with any placement / study abroad
- Accommodation and Living Costs
- Printing
Student Funding
If you are a Scottish resident, you may be eligible for funding and should apply to SAAS for funding.
Students from other parts of the UK should visit the appropriate website:
Scholarships and Financial Awards
You may qualify for a scholarship or financial award:
Disclaimer
For new intakes, course fees are reviewed and published annually for each mode of delivery. Tuition fees are fixed for the duration of a course at the rate confirmed in the offer letter. For further information:
Any questions?
Get in touch with our Student Admissions Service and we'll do our best to help.