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Preparation for BA Online

2023 MA Curating and Collections, Chelsea College of Arts, UAL | Photograph: Kristy Noble

This 6-week online course for International students prepares you for studying at UAL and life in London.

Why choose this course at UAL?

  • Context. Develop your contextual understanding of the background of your chosen degree at UAL.
  • Communication skills. Build up your skills in communication to explain your ideas, both verbally and in writing.
  • Flexible learning. Learning entirely online gives you the flexibility to fit your studies around your lifestyle.
  • Preparation and confidence. You'll gain the knowledge and skills needed to confidently progress to undergraduate-level study.
  • Diverse workload. Online learning is complemented with practical tasks to develop your core creative skills in drawing, photography, model making and more.
  • Global perspective. Learning with students from across the world will expose you to new perspectives and expand your creative outlook.

Course overview

This exciting and comprehensive 6-week preparation course is taught entirely online. Lively, creative workshops give you the chance to experiment. You’ll build up your skills ahead of starting your undergraduate studies at UAL. By the end of the course you’ll understand the basic principles that form the foundation of a BA course.

Regular group discussions and tutorials will strengthen your communication skills. Through lectures, you'll explore various debates and concepts related to art and design. The course also guides you to in developing your research methods and a reflective approach to your studies.

Please note you must be over 18 when the course begins.

Course objectives

  • Help you develop a contextual understanding of your chosen degree
  • Analyse the critical factors and key ideas influencing contemporary art, design and communication
  • Focus on visual strategies and approaches to research
  • Improve your creative visual thinking
  • Introduce self-reflection and a critical analysis as a key part of the creative learning experience
  • Build up your skills in communicating your ideas, both verbally and in writing

Course features

  • Tuition from University of Arts London tutors
  • Research skills
  • Regular tutorials and feedback on portfolio progression

Dates and times

  • Monday 8 July 2024 to Friday 16 August 2024
  • This course will be taught in UK time (British Summer Time).

Activities will be scheduled between the hours of 9am-3pm (UK time) and will include a mixture of live classes, one to one tutorials, crits, peer learning and independent study.

Course fees

The fee is £4,900 for summer 2024.

Contact

Email: PrepforBAAdmissions@arts.ac.uk

Meet the Tutor

Course schedule

Weeks 1-2: Briefs

A series of short introductory tasks followed by a longer brief. These aim to prepare you for the teaching and learning methodsused within UAL BA study. These weeks are preparatory for the final 3 weeks of the course.

Weeks 3-6: Individual Study

For the final 3 weeks of the course you’re asked to choose your own area of study. We suggest that you work in a discipline that is challenging and exploring your chosen degree subject. You’re expected to be exploratory and experimental in your approach.

You’ll  write an individual programme of study, to set out your aims for the project. A copy of this will be handed in at the start of the project, when you’ll also make a short presentation of your intentions. The work you produce will be assessed and shown in the final week of the course.

During the project you’ll keep a student log of your progress, reflecting on your decisions and your progress. You’ll also write an assignment that supports your work. It’ll be on a related subject, but not necessarily directly about your work.

Your student log will provide much of the information for your evaluative report. You’ll upload this in the final week, along with evidence of your practical outcomes and supporting work.

Assessment

  • Practical support work - Coursework from two main projects designed to prepare you for Higher Education
  • Practical outcomes of set projects - Resolved work that demonstrates your ability to meet deadlines and present your work
  • Student log - An analytical account of your progress that will support you in becoming a reflective practitioner (a minimum of 600 words)
  • Evaluative report - A review of your learning experience and goals for your future progression (minimum of 500 words)

Entry requirements

  • Or: a conditional offer to study a full-time BA course at UAL.

You must be over 18 on the course start date.

If English isn’t your first language you’ll need an intermediate level of English. You should have IELTS 5.0 (or equivalent English language qualification) with at least 4.5 in any one skill.

Progression to a UAL degree course

If you're progressing to a full-time course at UAL after completing your programme and have English language qualifications as part of your offer, you are still required to meet these conditions. These will be listed in your offer letter.

Read our English language requirements webpage for the latest guidance.

If you wish to apply to a full-time BA course at UAL, you must make a separate application. For further details please visit the UAL Undergraduate course page.

Visas

Preparation for BA Online is delivered remotely and does not require a visa. Students will attend online sessions from their home country.

Apply now

If you hold a conditional offer to study a full-time BA course at UAL, apply online. Log in to the UAL Applicant Portal using your existing account details.

Application deadline

Make sure to apply before 8 June 2024. We won't accept applications submitted after this date.

Course terms and conditions

Read the full Course Terms and Conditions alongside UAL's Privacy Policy.

Register your interest

Not ready to apply yet? Sign up for key course updates for summer 2025.