FAQ's

• Applications go live in the September of the year before your course starts.

• Application is via the main college website. Click here to start.

• Once you have applied, you will be invited to submit a digital portfolio of work and attend an interview over the phone. You will receive portfolio guidance and instructions for the interview once your application has been submitted.

• If you encounter problems with your application, or you would like more information, please contact studentservices@barton.ac.uk

• There is more information about applying to FAD here.

• The course is full time over 4 days of the week - students have one non-contact day. 

• The college day starts at 8.45am and finishes at 4pm.  There are no half days or study periods like you may have at A level.

• The week in FAD is made up of a combination of directed time with practical workshops, 1:1's with tutors, and independent self-directed time. There are also tutor periods where students' individual progression plans are discussed along with guidance on UCAS application and portfolio development.

• Yes. We feel it is absolutely vital that students at Level 4 have their own space in which to work. This helps to foster a more professional way of working, and represents a move away from the shared tables and spaces associated with the relatively shorter lessons of the last 2 years.

• In Part 1 you will be given part of the studio to work in.

• Before the start of Part 2, we ask all students what kind of work they want to specialise in (e.g. digital work, painting, textiles, etc). We then aim to provide them with a space appropriate to this type of work.

• Yes. We have many students who are uncertain whether university is right for them.

• We support students with exploring work experience opportunities as well as building a CV.

There are 7 BIG reasons...

1. It's free: As long as you're 18 when the course starts, it will cost you nothing.

2. You can get in to more competitive university courses. If your A level grades don't go the way you would have liked, a successful FAD qualification can re-open doors to courses you wouldn't have been able to get into straight from A level. Also, there are some degrees you can't do without doing a FAD course first.

3. You will be more creative, and you will know more about what's possible: Creativity is a muscle; you have to exercise it to make it develop. FAD will give you an extra year to stretch, challenge and build up your creativity. You'll arrive at uni better equipped to take your work in innovative and surprising new directions. You will get more out of uni as a result.

4. You will develop your skills beyond A level: FAD is Level 4 - the same academic level as year 1 at uni. This will take you beyond the Level 3 work you have done so far at college.

5. It will make you "uni ready": Remember the change from GCSE up to A level? Starting at uni is just as challenging, but you might also be dealing with leaving home for the first time. And there's the added pressure of paying fees while hoping you've chosen (and paying for) the right course. FAD allows you to get used to the independence and resilience required for level 4 study, whilst not, at the same time, having to deal with all those other challenges that come with going straight to uni.

6. It puts you ahead of A level students when applying to uni next year: Unis want FAD students because they know they have already achieved at level 4. They are a sure bet. Also, you'll know more about processes, techniques, ideas, artists and designers than an A level student. On FAD, we will also help you with a new art and design personal statement, and to develop and present a more mature post-A-level interview portfolio.

7. You will have experience of exhibiting your own work: All degree courses end in a graduate show. We do the same at the end of FAD. You design, produce and set up your own exhibition. You help to design the catalogue that goes with it. This experience is invaluable at uni.

• Yes you can. We have had many students on the course who for a variety of reasons have not studied an art, design or media subject at A level.

• You would be asked to put together a portfolio of any creative work you have produced independently. Guidance on this is sent out once you have completed your application. 

• A short portfolio project brief can also be provided on request.

• Students are provided with specific materials for the workshops throughout Part 1 of the course.

• You will be expected to have your own basic art and design materials - pens, pencils, rulers, sketchbooks, card, etc. These are all available from the college shop.

• During Part 2 and 3 when students specialise in their chosen pathway, we also sell more specialised materials for use with certain processes, e.g. clay, acrylic sheet, fabric, canvas.

• If you are still 18 on the 31st August before the course starts, you don't have to pay any course fees.

• If you are 19 or over on that date, you will need to pay fees. At the time of writing, the fees are £3000, but this may be subject to change.

• You will not have to pay this in one instalment. A payment plan is available on request.

• For more information contact finance@barton.ac.uk