Access to Higher Education Diploma

Your first stage focuses on the core disciplines of design through:

• Conceptual drawing and technical drawing
• Contextual studies
• Digital image production
• Life drawing
• Media experimentation
• Observation skills
• Recording and research techniques

You will explore the following subject areas:

• Graphics (graphic design, illustration, and web design)
• Lens-based media (animation; broadcasting; film and video; digital photography; sound design) • 3DD (architecture; interior; product; set and interactive design)

This will help you develop a sense of where your skills and interests lie so that you can confidently choose the next stage of the course.

You will deepen and develop your knowledge of design practice culminating in working exclusively within your chosen subject area. This will enable you to plan your next steps in entering higher education by developing a specialist portfolio for honours degree interview or your chosen career path.

We will encourage you to look and work beyond narrow definitions, and to collaborate with staff and students from other disciplines. During this stage you will also develop a proposal for a final specialist project of study.

During the final stage, you will undertake and complete a major seven-week project, reflecting on your chosen specialist area and your planned progression path. 

No formal qualifications are required.

Please note: Access to HE courses are not available to International Students requiring a Student Route visa.

Applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis through an interview, to assess applicants’ skills and enthusiasm to return to education. You'll also need to provide a portfolio of relevant work. Please visit our portfolio guidance page for tips.

Ravensbourne fully supports T-Level's as a new pathway to university study and will accept the relevant UCAS Tariff points for T-Level's across all courses.

You should consider this course if you have a broad interest in film, production, animation, sound design, graphics, illustration, animation or 3D design. Most of our students go on to study a degree course, with many staying on at Ravensbourne.

Internal progression award: Our foundation and access diploma graduates may be eligible for a one-off cash gift of £500 if they progress directly to an undergraduate degree course at Ravensbourne.