Online Foundation Design Course for SEND Students

This SEND online Level 3 Diploma in Design is provided to cater for the individual needs of SEND students and unlike the standard foundation course, offers a SENDCO, more tutor time, additional bespoke learning materials, progress reports, and attendance 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 program 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 this ever-evolving industry.

With a SEND Design Diploma, successful graduates earn a Foundation Diploma qualification that is equal to 2 or 3 A Levels depending on the final grade attained and is nationally accredited by one of the UK’s largest vocational awarding bodies, SEG ABC Awards. This qualification opens doors to progression opportunities in universities and BA Honours Degree programs. Students equipped with a SEND Design Diploma can pursue further education in diverse design disciplines, such as graphic design, illustration, fashion, architecture, and more. It provides a solid foundation for a successful career in the creative industry, where individuals can continue to make a positive impact through their design skills.

Entry Requirements

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

Be aged 16 years or over
5 GCSEs / IGCSEs including Maths, English and an Art or Photography-related subject linked to an appropriate 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 design 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.

Students 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 etc. Photographs of students’ completed work are uploaded to their college e portfolio for assessment and constructive, friendly written feedback on how to progress.

Additionally, students are invited to discuss with an experienced and qualified personal tutor their progress 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 others’ artwork if they wish.

Our SEND Foundation Design course are formative as courses progress and summative at the end of units and the course. Your Final Major Project will be assessed externally by the exam board and this will decide your final grade. You will be kept informed every step of the way on how to improve your work. Formative as courses progress and summative at the end of units and the course. Your Final Major Project will be assessed externally by the exam board and this will decide your final grade. You will be kept informed every step of the way on how to improve your work.

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 is the first stage of the course and as the title suggests it gives you the opportunity to understand at a deeper level what art and design is and to experience working in a number of disciplines. Within each discipline you 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 is where you choose which pathway/discipline you wish to explore further and at a greater depth. Your tutors will review with you your work from the exploratory phase and this will inform your decision. The final decision is of course yours.

The Confirmatory stage is the final stage of the 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; showreel, a dress, a series of photographs, a painting, an animation, a design for an interior, architectural design, a video game etc.