Start your creative journey at UAL
Congratulations on your offer to study the Certificate of Higher Education: Preparation for Design, Media and Screen. We’re excited to welcome you to the UAL School of Pre-degree Studies and support you as you take your next step into creative education.
On this full-time course, you’ll develop the skills, knowledge and confidence needed to progress to undergraduate study at London College of Communication.
Through studio practice, workshops and contextual studies, you’ll explore different creative approaches before focusing on your chosen specialism.
You’ll build your portfolio, develop your ideas using both traditional and digital techniques, and prepare for the demands of degree-level study.
Students who successfully complete the course are guaranteed a place on a BA at London College of Communication, with support throughout to help you choose the right pathway.
"I have acquired more professional knowledge through the experimentation in practical units and clearly know what I am looking to achieve. The course provided a variety of workshops and lectures to explore and allow me to decide the area I’m most interested in, which helped me prepare for the first year of my undergraduate degree."
- Chengxuan Li, BA (Hons) Film Practice, London College of Communications
What will I cover on this course?
On this course, you will have the opportunity to:
- work with guest speakers and industry practitioners through workshops and live sessions
- take part in study trips to London’s leading cultural institutions, including the Design Museum, Tate Modern and the V&A
- develop projects using a combination of hand-rendered and digital techniques
- receive dedicated progression support, including UCAS guidance and portfolio development
- explore different pathways before specialising in your chosen area
- collaborate with students across disciplines on shared projects and creative briefs.
What does a typical week look like on this course?
You will study a combination of studio practice and contextual learning across the week.
- Around 10 hours per week are dedicated to studio practice in your chosen specialism.
- 5 hours per week focus on contextual and theoretical studies, supporting your understanding of artists, research and critical thinking.
- 2.5 hours per week are available for language development if required.
The rest of your time is spent on independent study, where you can access academic support, technical facilities and workshops across UAL to develop your projects.
What's the social and creative community like on this course?
Students are part of a collaborative and cross-disciplinary creative community.
You’ll regularly work alongside students from different pathways, sharing ideas through group discussions, critiques and collaborative projects, as well as contributing to an end-of-year showcase.
There are also opportunities to connect with the wider pre-degree community through social events and shared activities, including projects and events with Level 3 students.
Students also benefit from access to shared resources across the School, creating opportunities to meet and collaborate with learners from a wide range of creative disciplines.
Will there be trips or external opportunities?
Students take part in a range of study trips and external visits, including cultural institutions across London.
This year, students will also have the opportunity to take part in a joint trip to Paris, alongside other pre-degree students, and contribute to a shared exhibition experience.
Explore work by our recent students on UAL Showcase
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PPP: Science and Technology Communication, Gab Zhu, 2025 Preparation for Design, Media and Screen, School of Pre-Degree Studies, UAL -
Personal Progression Project, Jiwoo Heo, 2025 Preparation for Design, Media and Screen, School of Pre-Degree Studies, UAL -
A Perfume Branding Project Started With Fungi, Seungkyung Han, 2025 Preparation for Design, Media and Screen, School of Pre-Degree Studies, UAL