Graduate Diploma in Art & Design

This programme is designed to help you develop the skills and perspectives required for future success at the Master’s level, and to bridge the gap between your existing ability/experience and the ambition to study within a Postgraduate context, either at CSVPA or elsewhere. Emphasis is placed on encouraging you to become an independent creative practitioner, who is both critically informed and professionally aware; who understands both historical and contemporary contexts for Art and Design; and who is able to operate with confidence within an English-speaking educational environment.

There are three pathways within our Graduate Diploma programme, which are tailored to suit your disciplinary ambitions. You can choose between Art and Design (Fine Art, Product/Industrial Design, Spatial Design, Speculative Design), Fashion (Fashion Design, Fashion ​Branding, and Creative Communication), and Visual Communication (Graphic Design, Illustration, Animation, Photography, Moving Image).

If required, the Graduate Diploma will help you to develop your existing English skills, in order to achieve the required level for direct entry onto a Master’s programme. The course will also provide you with experience of UK learning and teaching styles, help you develop your portfolio, building on existing skills, acquiring new ones, as well as developing potential lines for research with Art & Design.

typical weekly schedule includes 35 hours total tuition time: 5 hours of English for academic purposes; 4 hours cultural and contextual studies (lectures); 6 hours research activities (briefings, lectures, presentations, independent activity); 5 hours core activities (life drawing, seminars, 'crits', review of contemporary practice);12 hours of Studio Practice, tutored and independent hours assigned to project work; 3 hours independent study.

Upon successful completion, you will be awarded a Graduate Diploma in Art & Design, accredited by Falmouth University, in conjunction with CSVPA.