Online SEND Foundation Architecture Course

Our specialised SEND online Level 3 Diploma in Architectural Design is designed to cater for the individual needs of SEND students. Unlike the standard foundation course, this SEND architecture course offers a SENDCO, more tutor time, additional bespoke learning materials, progress reports and access to online meetings with local authorities. OCAD works with most local authorities in the UK and can be added as a named provider to EHCPs. The course is a one year three-stage, full-time or part-time programme designed for serious career-oriented students who wish to be artists or designers. This exciting and transformative course gives students the skills they need, providing them with unique insights into the dynamics of the ever-evolving architecture industry.

This exciting online SEND architecture course, made specifically for students with special educational needs and/or disability has a strong practical focus, developing not just knowledge and understanding of architectural design and design theory, but also professional design skills.

As with all of our architecture courses, our SEND foundation architecture diploma is based in the UK and is fully online. It lasts one year but can be extended for an additional fee.

Successful graduates earn a nationally recognised architecture diploma qualification that is equal to 3 A-Levels. It is nationally accredited by one of the UK’s largest vocational awarding bodies, SEG ABC Awards.

Equally valuable, graduates with a diploma in architecture achieve a specialist portfolio that expresses their personal brand of architectural design, enabling access to top universities and employment as a professional qualified architectural designer.

Entry Requirements:

To enrol in our online SEND Foundation Architecture course, students must meet the following criteria:

Be aged 16 years or over
Hold 5 GCSEs / IGCSEs including Maths, English and Art or Photography (or have a strong portfolio), or equivalent international qualifications
Mature students do not need to have an exam qualification. You will need some ability to draw and paint, and have a desire to succeed. Please send an example of your work if unsure of the level.

Our foundation photography course is fully online, students must have access to a strong internet connection as well as basic art materials to complete the course.

Study Options:

Study photography with flexibility to suit your schedule:

Part-time programmes (2 years): available all year around – enrolling now
Full-time programmes (1 year): start December to January and September to October. Exceptions may apply.

Accreditations and UCAS Points

Our online SEND foundation architecture course is accredited by one of the nation’s leading education awards, the SEG ABC Award. It is also UCAS application supported.

Accreditation: SEG ABC Awards
OFQUAL Regulated: Yes (Ofqual number 500/8476/8)
UCAS Tariff: up to 112 points – equivalent to two A Levels at A* grade – university entry requires 80 -100 UCAS points
UCAS application supported: Yes

Additional Course Information

Our unlimited one-to-one specialised tuition helps give our students all the support they need as they work through their portfolio.

Portfolio support: Yes
Tuition: Face to face, one to one – unlimited
Progression: to any University / BA Honours Degree

Level 3 or Level 4?

The qualification that students will receive is a Level 3 Diploma. Level 3 qualifications are FE (further education) and prepare for University. LEAs fund students up to this level and the qualification carries UCAS points for entry into HE (higher education).

There is a final graded unit which is actually a Level 4 unit, which helps students prepare for HE, as it gives experience at this slightly higher level. This unit shows on your transcript for the qualification (the sheet that breaks down all units, credits and grade) as a Level 4 unit. However, the qualification is awarded as a Level 3 qualification overall.

The exam board do offer a Level 4 foundation diploma, but it does not carry any UCAS points whatsoever, so it is unlikely to be useful to any of our students. (This is because Level 4 is seen as HE and not FE.) If students want to go for a Level 4 version of the course, they can, but this is to be discussed once enrolled, as it will mean no UCAS points! The degree that students go on to study will be level 4+, so there is no need to gain a Level 4 qualification at this stage.

Access to a personalised digital studio

Students who enrol in our online SEND foundation architecture course receive access to their own online studio where they can work through their course.

Units and assignments are listed along with supporting resources, video tutorials for skills development, step by step guides and more.

Creation of a digital portfolio

Once work is completed, photographs are taken of the work and uploaded to the college e-portfolio.

There, other students and teacher can view them for assessment and deliver constructive, friendly written feedback on how to progress.

Online support whenever you need it

Additionally, students on our online architecture courses are invited to discuss their progress with an experienced and qualified personal tutor and receive face to face verbal feedback, encouragement and support.

Students may also benefit from relationships with their fellow online students as they can view profiles and comment on each other's artwork if they wish.

The course comprises three distinct stages; Exploratory stage, Pathway stage and finally Confirmatory stage. Each stage is 12 to 24 weeks in duration depending on whether you study full-time or part-time. These can be extended if required.

The Exploratory stage

The Exploratory stage is the first stage of the course and, as the title suggests, it gives students the opportunity to understand at a deeper level what each architectural discipline entails. Within each discipline they will use a range of materials and processes and learn the value of drawing and photography as a starting point.

You are offered 5 projects from which you study 3.

- Photography (mandatory)

- Fine Art

- Graphic Design and Illustration

- 3D (Architecture, 3d Design, Sculpture)

- Fashion and Textiles

The Pathway stage

At the Pathway stage, students decide which pathway/discipline they wish to explore further. The course tutors will review your work from the exploratory phase and help them inform their decision. However, the final decision lies solely with the student.

The Confirmatory stage

The Confirmatory stage is the final stage of the SEND architectural foundation diploma and the only stage that will decide your final grade. You will be asked to write a statement of intent with the support of your tutor. This document will outline your chosen final major project. Your final major project is practical and can be in any form you choose; show reel, a dress, a series of photographs, a painting, an animation, a design for an interior, architectural design, a video game etc.