Funding
Find out more about financing your studies and whether you may qualify for one of our bursaries and scholarships
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The UAL Foundation Diploma in Art and Design builds on the reputation of the previous provision which has been described as one of the strongest and most distinctive foundation programmes in the country. Its remit is to enable students to develop the necessary skills and portfolio to apply to a range of art and design degree courses.
As a student the broad range of creative projects you will undertake will allow you to experience a range of ideas, materials, processes and technologies.
Individual diagnostic projects and tutorials will help you to distil and identify your main areas of interest and make an informed application to a degree course with the support of an experienced staff team.
At the end of the course, direct progression onto Manchester School of Art's degree programmes is...
1 year (full-time)
The UAL Foundation Diploma in Art and Design is a one year full-time course.
Whether you’ve already made your decision about what you want to study, or you’re just considering your options, there are lots of ways you can meet us and find out more about student life at Manchester Met.
We offer:
Your studies are supported by a department of committed and enthusiastic teachers and researchers, experts in their chosen field.
We often link up with external professionals too, helping to enhance your learning and build valuable connections to the working world.
These typical entry requirements may be subject to change for the 2025/26 academic year. Please check back for further details.
Students under 19 on 31 August 2025 who qualify for ESFA funding: No tuition fee.
Students aged 19+: Tuition fees will be confirmed by spring 2025.
Students aged 19-24 with an Education Health Care Plan (EHCP) may also be eligible for nil fees if they qualify for ESFA funding.
Tuition fees will be confirmed by spring 2025.
£20,000.
Tuition fees will remain the same for each year of your course providing you complete it in the normal timeframe (no repeat years or breaks in study).
Compulsory estimate: £75
Optional estimate: £600
£75 materials fee is a compulsory cost, to cover basic studio materials and paper throughout the year. Estimated additional costs - there are costs associated with producing a portfolio such as print out costs and the cost of an A1 folio case. Some students wish to also have their own laptop and books. Campus printing costs start from 5p per page. Estimated costs are £300 for a laptop up to £100 for books and printing. Total optional cost: £600.
Find out more about financing your studies and whether you may qualify for one of our bursaries and scholarships
Money MattersFoundation graduates go on to study a wide range of BA (Hons) courses at Manchester School of Art and other institutions across the UK. Following completion of a degree programme our graduates then go to establish themselves within a wide range of professions in the art and design world. These include careers as creative consultants, artists, curators, gallery owners, textile designers, fashion designers, product and furniture designers, illustrators, retail buyers, theatre and set designers, graphic designers, art critics and journalists, photographers, film-makers, animators, stylists, interior designers and architects.
Our Alumni include:
Sarah Burton: Fashion Designer and Creative Director at Alexander McQueen, Dean Hughes: Artist and Head of Undergraduate Study at Edinburgh College of Art, Andy Soup: Film-maker, Animator and Music Video Production, Nick Sharratt: Children's Book Illustrator, David Hoyland: Director of Seventeen Gallery, Amy Thomas: Artist, Nabil El Nayal: Fashion Designer, Oliver East: Illustrator and Artist's Book publications, Bruce Bell: Construction Designer and Architect, Genevieve Bennett: Interior Textiles Designer and Colour Consultant, Mike Mercer-Brown: Graphic Designer, Paul Harfleet: Artist and Garden Designer, Zoe Hitchens: Art Director and Fashion Film Director, Charlie Lightening: Documentary Film Director, Chantelle King: Tablet Designer at Vanity Fair Magazine, Nicolas Byrne: Painter, David Longshaw: Fashion Designer.
We require applicants to submit a digital portfolio as part of the application process.
For further details including how to apply online please see the UAL Foundation Diploma in Art & Design apply page on the Manchester School of Art web site.
Get advice and support on making a successful application.
You can review our current Terms and Conditions before you make your application. If you are successful with your application, we will send you up to date information alongside your offer letter.
Programme review
Our programmes undergo an annual review and major review (normally
at 6 year intervals) to ensure an up-to-date curriculum supported by the
latest online learning technology. For further information on when we
may make changes to our programmes, please see the changes section of our
terms and conditions.
Important notice
This online prospectus provides an overview of our programmes of study
and the University. We regularly update our online prospectus so that
our published course information is accurate. Please check back to the
online prospectus before making an application to us to access the most
up to date information for your chosen course of study.
Confirmation of regulator
The Manchester Metropolitan University is regulated by the Office for
Students (OfS). The OfS is the independent regulator of higher education
in England. More information on the role of the OfS and its regulatory
framework can be found at
officeforstudents.org.uk.
All higher education providers registered with the OfS must have a student protection plan in place. The student protection plan sets out what students can expect to happen should a course, campus, or institution close. Access our current student protection plan.