Integrated Foundation Year BA/BSc(Hons)
Explore your creativity and expand your professional skills by entering the creative industries on an Integrated Foundation Year degree. Taught over four years, these courses include an introductory year to build a solid foundation before you go on to specialise in your chosen subject at degree level.
Key details
| Location | Falmouth CampusPenryn Campus |
|---|---|
| Course Duration | 4 years |
| Attendance | Full-time |
| Subject to validation during this academic year | ✔ |
Introduction
This course is new for entry year 2022
If you're interested in taking on a new subject that you've not had the opportunity to study in depth before, or have been out of education for a while, then our Integrated Foundation Year courses might be for you. These four-year courses include an introductory year to help you build the core skills needed for specialist degree-level study.
This is a chance for you to let your imagination run wild and explore your creativity, expand your professional skills and develop enhanced subject knowledge in the domain you want to study. We'll help you nurture your expertise in problem solving, risk-taking, designing and making as you develop your abilities.
You will:
- Develop technical, design thinking and production skills in your chosen specialism
- Learn teamwork, leadership and project management skills through a variety of learning environments
- Develop critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills through the development of unique and innovative projects
- Complete your chosen degree over a four-year period
What our students do
Our students get to explore and develop within a stimulating creative community and gain the skills they need to succeed at degree level in their chosen specialism. Discover what our students get up to on the different course specialisms.
Creative Community initiative connects students with industry
Student claims the Architects’ Journal Prize
Fine Art students win big at the Student Medal Project
Students publish Cornish skating magazine, 48to1
Fine Art students launch community project
Graphic Design: Professional Practice Week
Emerging Talent Celebrated at Global Awards
Students Storm The South West Digital Design Awards
Students Explore Place and Identity
Student Wins Prestigious Design Award
Centre for Life on Scilly
Expert panel for Architecture Final Review
Hand Sanitiser Animation Shortlisted
Have Clay, Make Bricks
Timber Talks
Games Academy in Top 50 Worldwide
Tracing. Placing. Making.
Award Sparks Personal Journey
Fine Art Residency at Source FM
Global Jam at the Games Academy
What our graduates do
From exhibitions to award wins, positions in leading creative businesses to launching their own ventures, our graduates are blazing a trail. Read about our graduates from across the course specialisms.
Textiles graduate lands role at cutting-edge fabrics company
Textile Design graduate wins Oppo Lens of Inspiration Challenge
Fine Art graduates awarded €100,000 prize from Chanel
Innovative graduate creates robotically recycled footwear
Graduate creates powerful advert for Oxfam
Falmouth graduates compete for a share of £27,000 at prestigious Drawing Award
Animated antics: Avy meets Aardman
Forest & Clay: Small business flourishes in the hands of Falmouth graduates
Waste not, want not: Graduate business launches sustainable clothing line
Falmouth films shortlisted for BAFTA Student Awards
Graduate delivers colourful workshop for Textile Design students
Designed for life: Graduate success
‘It’s a New Life Tomorrow’ selected for Cornish Film Festival
Grad shortlisted for Wells Art Contemporary Awards 2020
Graduate Completes First Game
Graduate Wins Drawing Prize
Award Win for Fine Art Graduate
Graduate Games Studio Wins National Prize
Illustrator Brings World of Whales to Life
Fine Art Grads Selected for FBA Futures
Course details
What you'll learn
In your foundation year, you'll study five core modules: three short modules in the first study block and two in the second (one short, one long). These are all designed to help you explore the foundational elements of both creative practice and your chosen specialism. You'll gain relevant technical skills, learn to experiment and take risks, develop an understanding of professional practice, have opportunities to work across disciplines and collaborate with other students on live project briefs.
After your foundation year, you'll have a deeper knowledge of your subject, a clear understanding of your strengths, a developed practical and technical skillset and the confidence to excel in your chosen degree subject when you join other students for the rest of your course.
Modules (foundation year)
You'll begin your foundation year by working collaboratively with others to explore themes of the future. You'll take risks, experiment through play and be supported to break through barriers.
You'll take subject-specific workshops and develop essential technical and practical skills in your area of study. You'll also enhance your analytical and organisational abilities.
You'll work with your peer group to think beyond discipline by addressing a societal or global issue. You'll then showcase your work to your peers and deliver and accompanying evaluation of your process.
You'll enhance your creative and practical skills in your subject specialism by responding to typical industry briefs, underpinned by focused research and experiments. You'll also gain industry insights through guest lectures and workshops.
You'll develop your unique identity in your specialism through the production of a self-initiated body of work. Your final project will be the bridge to your next year, fully supported by evaluative reviews and critical analysis of the work you have created.
The modules above are those being studied by our students or proposed new ones. Programme structures and modules can change as part of our curriculum enhancement and review processes. If a certain module is important to you, please discuss it with the Course Leader.
How you'll learn
How you'll spend your time
Our Integrated Foundation Year degrees are designed to equip you with the skills you need to thrive in the creative industries. You'll learn through a blend of on-campus learning within our specialist workshops and technical facilities supplemented with online learning and guided independent study.
Assessment methods
- Foundation year assessments are 100% coursework based
Assessment will take place at the end of each module, and you'll get feedback and evaluation throughout the year. You'll be assessed through visual, verbal and written assignments, including your portfolio and a reflective journal. In your foundation year all assessments are pass/fail to encourage students to take risks and engage with the feedback provided.
Progressing in your specialism
Students studying on courses with an Integrated Foundation Year must successfully complete and pass all foundation modules before they can progress to the next stage of their course.
Choosing your specialism
When you choose to study an Integrated Foundation Year degree, you'll need to choose the subject you wish to specialise in before applying. For instance, you might want to study Computing for Games BSc(Hons), and you'll be able to choose the Integrated Foundation Year route.
You can view all the courses that offer an Integrated Foundation Year option, below.
Integrated Foundation Year specialisms
Animation BA(Hons)
Bring your ideas to life through the world of animation. We’ll support you in developing original, imaginative stories that come to life with a well-...
Commercial Photography BA(Hons)
From creating photographs and films for high-end advertising and marketing campaigns to producing video content for cutting-edge advertorial, you’ll...
Computing for Games BSc(Hons)
Master the skills needed to shape the games of the future by studying games through the lens of computer science. Building upon industry-standard...
Costume Design for Film & Television BA(Hons)
On this dynamic course, you’ll cultivate the practical, creative and theoretical skills needed to enter the exciting world of screen-based costume...
Creative Advertising BA(Hons)
Pitching, hustling, scribbling, sea swimming, protesting, researching, dog-walking, writing, experimenting, crafting and – most of all – having a...
Data Science BSc(Hons)
Give yourself the professional edge with an impressive combination of technical data science skills, renowned visual arts expertise, cross-discipline...
Drawing BA(Hons)
Become a rigorous and innovative critical thinker and practitioner. Build your skills, expertise and career opportunities by exploring wide-ranging...
Fashion Design BA(Hons)
Create original, responsible and inspiring fashion, making your unique footprint on the industry. On this innovative fashion design course, you’ll...
Fashion Marketing BA(Hons)
Become part of the exciting and ever- evolving world of fashion marketing. This CIM-accredited course balances real-world industry experience with...
Fashion Photography BA(Hons)
Develop your unique artistic voice and springboard into the industry as an innovative fashion photographer. You’ll become a networked fashion image-...
Film BA(Hons)
Immerse yourself in the world of film, where time, space, form and ideas translate into emotion and meaning. As part of multi-disciplinary teams, you...
Fine Art BA(Hons)
Harness Falmouth’s renowned fine art expertise. Develop your art practice while learning the skills to sustain a successful career in the arts and...
Game Art BA(Hons)
Join our Game Art degree and develop your creative capabilities while honing the skills you’ll need to make it as a successful artist in the games...
Game Development BA(Hons)
Join a community of people who have a real passion for games. From day one, you’ll work as you would within a team in the industry, developing your...
Graphic Design BA(Hons)
With an emphasis on design thinking and crafting big ideas beautifully, this course is your springboard to a career in the creative industries. You’...
Illustration BA(Hons)
Become adept at problem solving and creating your visual language on an illustration course renowned for its professional practice and industry...
Immersive Computing BSc(Hons)
Use new and experimental technology to create exciting learning environments, make accessible experiences and bring the impossible to life. You’ll...
Marine & Natural History Photography BA(Hons)
Harness your passion for photography and filmmaking to inspire audiences about nature and the environment. On this forward-thinking course, you’ll...
Media Production BA(Hons)
An exciting and market-driven fusion of filmmaking, advertising and journalism, this Media Production degree will help you become a multi-skilled and...
Photography BA(Hons)
Develop a unique and innovative body of creative work and place yourself at the heart of future imaging trends. You’ll learn from practising...
Post Production & Visual Effects BA(Hons)
Kick-start a diverse and successful career by embarking on an exciting programme that covers all aspects of post production and visual effects (VFX)...
Press & Editorial Photography BA(Hons)
This fast-paced degree teaches you to become a dynamic visual storyteller, working across all photographic media, from digital to video, to...
Robotics BSc(Hons)
Explore the world of artificial intelligence and create interactive robots that respond to the challenges of modern life – from the rapid growth of...
Television BA(Hons)
Discover how to create everything from high-end dramas with full scale crews through to fast moving documentaries, and innovate your storytelling...
Textile Design BA(Hons)
On our textile design degree, you’ll be part of a vibrant, supportive community of multidisciplinary textile designers and makers. You’ll discover...
Staff
Specialist staff from your course discipline will contribute to the learning and teaching on your Integrated Foundation Year degree. Our lecturers are often practising professionals and academic researchers who can give you first-hand knowledge of the creative industries. Depending on your course, you may be taught by the following staff members.
Jonty Lees
My research examines the Cornwall Schools Art Collection. The collection is important and...
Rossella Emanuele
Sitting at the intersection of idea, material and process, Emanuele’s practice departs from the...
Nigel Owen
Having performed the roles of both Head of Illustration and also Course Leader since 2011, I...
Sally-Ann Gill
Sally-Ann studied at UCA Farnham and at the Royal College of Art specialising in woven textiles....
Claire Barker-Phillips
Claire studied Textiles at Buckinghamshire before undertaking a Masters degree at the Royal College...
Jonathan Simms
Jonathan Simms is the Course Leader for BA(Hons) Fashion Photography at Falmouth University. As an...
Brian McDonald
Brian McDonald is a senior lecturer on the BA(Hons) Game Development and BSc(Hons) Computing for...
Dr Douglas Brown
Formerly employed by international games developer and publisher Square-Enix and credited on...
Dr Michael Scott
Dr Michael Scott is the Head of Computing and Associate Professor of Computer Science Education at...
Dr Daro Montag
Daro Montag's art practice has, for many years, been involved with environmental and ecological...
Gretchen Viehmann
Gretchen has been the Director of Photography for both the New York Post and the New York Daily...
Dr Cui Su
After her boss at Young & Rubicam told her 'you're the best account handler I've ever had but go,...
Bryan Clark
Bryan leads the subject of Graphic Design at Falmouth and is responsible for the undergraduate...
Matt Kirby
Matt has over 15 years' events management experience including working at creative agency...
Paul Russell
Paul Russell started his career in the hospitality, tourism and events sectors after achieving...
Faye
Faye is Television Course Leader at the School of Film & Television, having joined the University...
Dr Kingsley Marshall
Dr Kingsley Marshall is Head of Film & Television at the CILECT accredited School of Film &...
Dr Anna Misiak
Former Fulbright Scholar at the University of Southern California, Anna Misiak holds a PhD from the...
Facilities
Our industry-standard facilities, spread across two campuses, are carefully designed and developed to ensure you're more than equipped to succeed in your chosen specialism. Explore all our facilities.
- Media
- Fashion & textile
- Performance
- Photography
- Art & design
- Games academy
- Printmaking
- Library
- Sports centre
Take a Virtual Tour
How to apply
Apply via UCAS
Ready to join us? If you're applying through UCAS Apply and Track, you'll need to reference the University and select the correct course code for your chosen specialism. Use the list of specialisms below to navigate to the course page and find the Integrated Foundation Year degree course code once the course is available for application.
- University code: F33
Applying as an international student?
International students can apply for a course through UCAS, via an agent or directly with the University. Ensure you retrieve your Integrated Foundation Year degree course code from the relevant course page listed below.
Then go to our International applications page for more information about how to apply as an international student.
Specialisms
We consider all applications on their own individual merit and potential. We invite all applicants to an interview day or audition to give them the opportunity to demonstrate this along with what inspires and motivates them in their field. Applicants will also be able to show their portfolio or give a performance depending on the course. We welcome applications from all subject backgrounds, whether you've specialised in STEM, the arts or humanities.
As a guide our typical offer at undergraduate level is 80 – 120 UCAS Tariff points, primarily from Level 3 qualifications such as but not limited to A-levels, T Levels, a BTEC/UAL Extended Diploma or a Foundation Diploma.
For applicants whose first language is English we require you to have or be working towards GCSE English Language Grade 4 (C), or equivalent.
If English is not your first language you will need to meet the same standard, which is equivalent to the IELTS Academic 6.0 overall score, with at least 5.5 in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening. We accept a range of in country equivalencies and approved tests.
If you need a student visa to study in the UK, you'll need to take a recognised language test that is approved and vouched for by the University. You can read our English Language Requirements for more information.
UK applications: 26 January 2022 (for equal consideration)
Late applications will be considered if there are places available.
International fee payers can apply throughout the year. But we recommend applying as early as possible, to make time for visa and travel arrangements.
Fees, costs & funding
Tuition fees
£9,250 per year - full-time UK
£16,950 per year - full-time EU/international
£9,250 per year - full-time UK
£17,460 per year - full-time EU/international
Typical course costs
- £250 for materials
- A laptop/desktop computer
- Adobe Creative Suite
In order to participate in our blended learning approach, you'll need to have a personal laptop/desktop computer. Depending on your specialism, you may need a specific type of computer. You can find out more about the type of machine you'll need on your course specialism page. If you're unsure about what you might need, please contact our course advisors.
Tuition fees are set annually and are subject to review each year. The University may therefore raise tuition fees in the second or subsequent years of a course, in line with inflation and/or the maximum permitted by law or Government policy. Students will be notified of any changes as soon as possible.
The figures above don't include accommodation and living costs
Funding
For information about funding available, please visit our undergraduate funding page
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Open Days and events
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