Foundation Degree in Community Arts & The Environment
"Bicton College is a great place to study. I have enjoyed the environment, the community feeling and the people."
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UCAS Institution Code:P60
UCAS Programme Code:W700
Duration:2 YEARS FT / 3 YEARS PT
With a foundation degree in Community Arts & The Environment you could...
...progress on to a variety of full honours degrees such as the BA (Hons) Education Studies Degree …
Bicton College and Exeter College have combined their expertise and facilities in order to offer this unique foundation degree programme.
Facilities
Bicton College is in an ideal location for a community arts course, situated as it is in Grade I Historic Parkland, the East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and next to the ‘Jurassic Coast’ World Heritage Site. Excellence contacts both in environmental management and the arts, will allow learners to regularly work alongside practitioners and local communities.
- Open green parkland and rolling countryside
- Extensive grounds, with an Arboretum, woodland, farm and a wide range of managed habitats
- Access to forestry plantations, woodlands and coppice for practical crafts based work
- Excellent contacts with industry, including practitioners from the community, education, arts, crafts and environmental backgrounds
Programme Aims
Community Arts and the Environment is a cross disciplinary subject that encourages individual creativity while developing the knowledge and confidence to work with communities.
It aims therefore to be holistic and inspirational …: ’it is less about ego and money, more about bringing together causes, creativity, celebration and community. It informs us of our place in nature and as in all forms of creativity, can provide the individual with a vehicle for reflection, introspection, fulfilment and for discovering new perspectives of our world. If we feel powerless in the face of actual or impending ecological crises, it can provide us with the inspiration and opportunities to make headway in creating a sustainable and saner society.’ (Article Connect Magazine Nov 2006)
Interest in community art has expanded considerably in recent years alongside broader developments in the field of ‘public’ art. Thus, in the wake of pioneer artists like Andy Goldsworthy, environmental art has become commonplace and is taught and practised in schools, at all levels. Similarly, conservation organisations, local authorities and interpretation businesses are incorporating environmental art and crafts into their work; often engaging the public in community-based projects.
There is an increasing demand for trained practitioners, who have an understanding of environmental and ecological function and environmental arts and crafts skills, to fulfil these roles. The Foundation Degree in Community Arts and the Environment provides a unique hybrid of these two disciplines, enabling innovative, sensitive, collaborative approaches to creative strategies to be realised. This strongly practical programme will draw together environmental and artistic strands to provide learners with the confidence to interpret the environment in a number of dynamic and rewarding ways.
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Entry Requirements
160 points are required in total, which equate to one of the following:
- 2 A levels at Grade C or above, or equivalent combination of two grades
- MPP grade profile for BTEC National Diploma
- MM grade profile for BTEC National Certificate
- Students with experience will be assessed on merit
Course Structure
This programme provides a mixture of lectures, practicals, work-based learning, community work, site visits and study tours. Students work in a range of environments/situations often alongside community workers, educators, artists and environmentalists. You will experience working with different groups, including schools and people with learning difficulties.
What you will study
Year 1
- Expressive arts
- Rural crafts (l)
- Environmental art – ideas, artists and development
- Working with communities
- Ecology and habitat management
- Business foundation
- Professional Development and Practice
Year 2
- Major integrated assignment
- Rural crafts (ll)
- Environmental education
- Environmental issues and ideas
- Major environmental art project
- Business operations in the arts
(Subject to approval)
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Assessment
Your progress will be monitored by a variety of assessment techniques including a planned programme of written assignments, presentations, group work and practical assessments and in-class tests.
A major integrated assignments and six-weeks professional practice must be completed as part of this course. Assessments will be offered where students meet National Governing Body pre-requisites.
Your progress is monitored by a variety of assessment techniques including a planned programme of written assignments, presentations, group work and practical assessments. A major integrated assignment and six weeks of professional practice must be completed as part of this course.
Progression
Successful students may progress in one year on to the BA (Hons) Education Studies Degree with its emphasis on eco-education at the University of Plymouth. Honours Degree routes in arts or environmentally-based subjects and other related subjects may also be feasible.
Learners will find themselves at the ‘cutting edge’ of community-based environmental art projects and will be pioneering work in ‘eco-education’ and environmental interpretation. Career opportunities in these fields should be available for those who complete the programme and self-employment will also offer potential.
University of Plymouth Colleges Faculty
The University of Plymouth Colleges Faculty (UPC) is a partnership between the University of Plymouth and over 20 partner institutions, including Bicton College. It is nationally recognised as one of the largest, longest established and best-developed partner college networks in the country and brings university-level education to over 10,000 students across the South West peninsula and the Channel Islands.
All of the higher education courses offered at Bicton College are validated by the University of Plymouth. This means when you graduate you will achieve a University of Plymouth award.
Every UPC foundation degree has a built-in progression route to an honours degree. These are often one-year ‘top-up’ courses available at the University of Plymouth, or in some cases, a partner college or another university.
In terms of academic study, all UPC students have the same rights and status as other University of Plymouth students. In addition, you will be able to benefit from the services that your college can provide – as well as the extra support and resources on offer at the University’s campus.
All UPC students are entitled to use the University’s library, access electronic resources and learning support materials through the web-based student portal, become a member of the University of Plymouth Students’ Union (UPSU) and through your college, gain assistance from the University’s support and advice resources (such as its careers’ service, student funding team, international students’ advisory service and the disability assist scheme).
University of Plymouth
Drake Circus
Plymouth
Devon
PL4 8AA
Tel: 01752 585858 (course information)
Tel: 01752 600600 (all other enquiries)
Fax: 01752 588050
Email: prospectus@plymouth.ac.uk
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APPLY TODAY
For a full-time application apply to UCAS direct at www.ucas.ac.uk or
Write to:UCAS
PO Box 28
Cheltenham
Gloucestershire
GL50 3SA
To study part-time apply directly to Bicton College.