BA (Hons) Design Interaction with Foundation Year
Start date
September 2021
Subject area
Art and Design
Attendance
Full-time, 4 years
Part-time, six years
Learning
On campus, dual delivery
Course summary
Studying on BA (Hons) Design Interaction with Foundation Year is a great way to introduce yourself to the university experience should you not have either an Art and Design background or enough UCAS points.
Your first year is the foundation year which will bring you up to speed and introduce you to all the areas in Art and Design. Alumni often remember the foundation year with the fondest memories. Your get to learn a great deal in a fun environment. Your get to learn alongside Fine Art, Photography, Design and Illustration students. So if you not 100% about your direction or can’t choose between subjects (maybe your enjoy more than one) you can use it as a diagnostic year to help you choose. One of the major benefits of all our foundation courses is you are free to switch direction should you change your mind.
As progress into the main subject in your year two you will join students who will be at the forefront of future-focused design. You will experiment and develop emerging technology such as AR/VR (XR), AI, game engines, electronics, sensors, Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data and robotics. You will play a role in shaping the world around us with free thinking ideas and opportunities.
Interdisciplinary collaboration with students from e.g. Fine Art Technology, Graphic Design, Illustration, Animation and Photography allows you to exchange skills and to access technical support and subject expertise across disciplines.
You will be supported by yearly employability initiative Detour Ahead: Roadmaps for the Art and Design Industry, week-long inter-disciplinary guest talks offering you industry insights as well as guidance on subjects such as freelancing, copyright and tax.
You will gain fresh perspective and approaches (divergent thinking) giving you edge in the competitive creative job market, skills for the fourth industrial age (4iR).
Return to campus: dual delivery
In a Covid-secure environment, enjoy learning on our state-of-the-art campuses and flex between online delivery
Find out moreFlexibility
This course allows you to study in an area which is expanding giving you an advantage in industry
You can also take up the optional placement year
Career focused
You will work alongside and share modules with BA (Hons) Graphic Design and BA (Hons) Fine Art Technology students gaining fresh perspective and approaches (divergent thinking), giving you the edge in the competitive job market for Industry 4.0 (fourth industrial age)
Experiment and develop
Experiment and develop emerging technology such as AR/VR (XR) in a design context
Jackie Normington
Design Interaction
There is always something new to be learning, from new technologies, new techniques and new perspectives. The course really helped refuel my own curiosity for design.
Fees and funding
Tuition Fee Loan
You can apply for a loan to cover the cost of your tuition fees, which will be paid directly to UEL. There are no up-front fees required. Repayment only starts after you finish your course and are earning over £25,000. If you haven’t finished repaying your loan after 30 years it will be automatically cancelled.
To apply visit gov.uk/student-finance
Maintenance Loan
You can apply for a loan to help with living costs such as food, travel and accommodation. How much you can borrow depends on where you live and study, and whether you are currently on welfare benefits. The maximum loan you can apply for is £12,729.
To apply visit gov.uk/student-finance
Supplementary Grants
The government also offer the following additional support:
- Parents' Learning Allowance
- Adult Dependants' Grant
- Childcare Grant
- Disabled Students’ Allowance
- All nursing and many allied health students on courses from September 2020 will receive a payment of at least £5,000 a year from the government.
For further information visit gov.uk/student-finance or contact Student Finance England.
All students will receive:
Bursaries Schemes for which you can apply
- Care Leaver and Foyer Bursary - up to £1,500
- Progression Bursary - up to £2,000
- Engagement Bursary - up to £2,000
- Hardship Bursary - up to £2,000
- Helena Kennedy Foundation - £1,500
- Going Global – awards range from £300 - £700
Scholarships Schemes for which you can apply
- Vice Chancellor Scholarship - up to £27,750 over three years
- Dean Scholarship - up to £13,500 over three years
- Civic Engagement Scholarship - £1,000
- EU Scholarship (EU Only) - £1,000
- ELSEF Scholarship - £1,000
- UTC Scholarship - £1,500
- Sports Scholarships - up to £6,000
There are a number of external organisations that offer financial help to
students. Please see the list below list to view additional support options.
Alternatively, you can visit the Scholarship Search website.
Please note that the University of East London is not responsible for
the content of these external sites and is not associated in any way
with the funding schemes and their application processes.
The Student Money Advice and Rights Team (SMART) are here to help you navigate your finances while you are a student at the University of East London.
We can give you advice, information and guidance on government and university funds so that you receive your full funding entitlement.
Email: study@uel.ac.uk
Phone: 020 8223 4444
You don't need to pay this up front.
EU, EEA and Swiss Nationals starting a course in September 2021, will no longer be eligible for Home fees. However, such nationals benefitting from Settled Status or Citizens' Rights may become eligible for Home fees as and when the UK Government confirms any new fees regulations. Further information can be found at UKCISA.
Tuition fees are subject to annual change. Fees for future years will be published in due course.
Tuition Fee Loan
You can apply for a loan to cover the cost of your tuition fees, which will be paid directly to UEL. There are no up-front fees required. Repayment only starts after you finish your course and are earning over £25,000. If you haven’t finished repaying your loan after 30 years it will be automatically cancelled.
Maintenance Loan
Part-time students can access maintenance loans from Student Finance England.
From academic year 2018/19, part-time students can access maintenance loans from Student Finance England.
You can apply for a loan to help with living costs such as food, travel and accommodation.
Part-time students need to study their courses at a rate of at least
25% of an equivalent full-time course in each academic year.
For further information visit gov.uk/student-finance
We appreciate that finance is one of the key considerations when you are applying to university. That's why alongside your Government loan, you can apply for scholarships to help towards your finances. We have invested over £2 million worth of scholarships to financially assist new students, starting in September 2019. If you are awarded a scholarship you don't need to pay it back.
All students will receive:
Ebooks
Bursaries Schemes for which you can apply
Scholarships Schemes for which you can apply
There are a number of external organisations that offer financial help to
students. Please see the list below list to view additional support options.
Alternatively, you can visit the Scholarship Search website.
Please note that the University of East London is not responsible for
the content of these external sites and is not associated in any way
with the funding schemes and their application processes.
The Student Money Advice and Rights Team (SMART) are here to help you navigate your finances while you are a student at the University of East London.
We can give you advice, information and guidance on government and university funds so that you receive your full funding entitlement.
Email: study@uel.ac.uk
Phone: 020 8223 4444
Price per 30 credit module.
EU, EEA and Swiss Nationals starting a course in September 2021, will no longer be eligible for Home fees. However, such nationals benefitting from Settled Status or Citizens' Rights may become eligible for Home fees as and when the UK Government confirms any new fees regulations. Further information can be found at UKCISA.
At UEL, we understand that studying in another country is a big financial commitment. If you apply early for an undergraduate, you may be entitled to a scholarship of up to £3,000.You can find out more about the international scholarships here.
The Student Money Advice and Rights Team (SMART) also run an Emergency International Fund to assist international students in hardship.
You can contact our SMART team on 02082233333 or study@uel.ac.uk
As part of the Tier 4 student visa requirements, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) estimate that you will need £1,265* per month to cover your living costs. It includes expenses for accommodation, food and drink, travel within London, text books, entertainment, clothing, toiletries and laundry. Most Tier 4 students are required to show they have sufficient funds to cover the first nine months of the course before they start- a total of £11,385- in addition to the tuition fees. You can find more information about the specific requirements of the Tier 4 student visa here. The amount that you will spend can vary depending on your lifestyle. The UKCISA International Student Calculator can help you plan and manage your money. Please make sure you also factor in the fees for the visa application and immigration health surcharge when budgeting.
* Please note the Immigration Rules are subject to change and this figure is likely to be increased by UKVI year on year. Please therefore check our ISA pages for more information at the time of preparing your visa application.
Deposits and paying by instalments
International students are required to pay a deposit prior to being issued a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
Your remaining balance will be paid in five monthly instalments over your first term. The first of these instalments must be paid when completing your enrolment on arrival at UEL. Please follow the payment instructions here.
After the required payment has been made, you will be asked to complete the online International Student Reply Form to confirm your acceptance of our offer and of our terms of admittance and fees policy.
Our International team at UEL are available for advice and guidance on studying in London, fees, scholarships and visa requirements.
Email: international@uel.ac.uk
Entry requirements
- September 2021
-
Degree with Foundation Year
64
New UCAS Points
What you'll learn
Through learning by doing, problem solving and exploring, you will use practical training and theoretical knowledge to succeed in design interactions.
You’ll gain a critical understanding of the technical, historical, theoretical and political potential of the medium and an understanding of the collaborative nature of the medium and skills to identify, reflect and develop employability competencies and professional skills to enter the creative industries.
You will be in the forefront of future-focused design, experimenting and developing emerging technology such as AR/VR (XR), AI, game engines, electronics, sensors, Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data and robotics. You will play a role in shaping the world around us with free thinking ideas and opportunities.
Studying design interactions will teach you confidence in visualising ideas and briefs, will enable you to create and maintain professional online portfolio/presence/ promotional skills and will set you up with life and work skills for Interpersonal, team working, collaborative and negotiations.
What you'll study and when
- Found - all core
- Year 1 - all core
- Year 2 - all core
[Optional placement text.]
- Year 3 - all core
How you'll be assessed
Each module has a duration of 12 weeks (one term) and always concludes with an assessment point. We provide feedback throughout these 12-week periods with a specific ‘Tracking Week’ dedicated to this process midway through each term.
For Practical modules your submission will consist of a Learning Journal (the presentation of your development and experience) and Portfolio (the presentation of your practical output). For Theoretical modules you may be asked to produce a piece of academic writing of a given length and a live presentation.
Feedback is provided within 15 working days in line with UEL’s assessment and feedback policy.
How you'll learn
Benefit from our progressive approach to learning through forward thinking and inclusive blended/ flipped learning and patchwork assessment, allowing you to make connections between modules, technical skills and research and your practice. This is a practical course, so you’ll spend plenty of time in our Docklands-based design studios.
You’ll be expected to carry out your own independent study to build on what you learn during lectures, seminars and workshops. To support you, we’ll provide digital materials, notes and handbooks and you’ll also receive individual supervision and feedback from our experienced lecturers.
Gain insights in our yearly cluster employability initiative Detour Ahead: Roadmaps for the art and design industry, week-long inter-disciplinary guest talks as well as advice about copyright and licensing, freelancing and tax. Gain fresh perspective and approaches (divergent thinking) giving you edge in the competitive job market, and skills for the fourth industrial age (4iR).
Much of your learning will focus on project work, and you’ll sometimes be expected to work as part of a team.
You’ll have opportunities to gain valuable work experience during the course to improve your practical skills, understanding and CV. Research will build up the other area of your learning, guided reading and independent research, research skills-based activities with feedback.
• Guided independent study
We are investing in key areas beyond your studies including
our career services, library and well-being, to be available both face-to-face
on campus and online with many of these available 24/7. We have new, modern
library facilities on both campuses offering inspirational environments for
study and research. Libraries contain resources in print and digital formats, a
range of study spaces and dedicated librarian who can assist with your
learning.
• Academic
support
Students are supported with any academic or subject related
queries by an Academic Advisor, module leaders, former and current UEL
students.
If you need a bit of extra help with certain skills such as
academic writing, maths or IT, our Skillzone and English for Academic Purposes
we offer workshops, drop-in sessions and one-to-one appointments to help our
students achieve their potential. You can receive advice and guidance on all
aspects of the IT systems provided by the university from our IT Service Desks
located on all three campuses.
Our Student Support hubs in Docklands and Stratford feature
centralised helpdesks to cater for your every need. UEL provides also support
and advice for disabled students and those with specific learning difficulties
(SPDs).
• Workload
Each year you will spend around 300 hours of timetabled
learning and teaching activities. These may be lectures, workshops, seminars
and individual and group tutorials. Contact hours may vary depending on each
module.
The approximate percentages for this course are:
Year 1: scheduled teaching – 300 hours; guided independent
study – 900 hours.
Year 2: scheduled teaching – 300 hours; guided independent
study – 900 hours.
Year 3: scheduled teaching – 300 hours; guided independent
study – 900 hours.
The size of classes can vary depending on the nature of the
course, module and activity. This can range from large groups in a lecture
theatre setting, to smaller groups taking part in seminars and collaborative
work. You will receive your personalised timetable at the beginning of the academic
year dependent on your course.
Who teaches on this course
The teaching team includes qualified academics, practitioners and industry experts as guest speakers. Full details of the academics will be provided in the student handbook and module guides.
Your future career
The future needs technically focused flexible creatives who can adapt to the ever-changing market.
In 2018, the UK’s creative sector broke the £100 billion mark. Within this economy there are a great variety of roles that utilise the skillsets we develop.
Our alumni may work in-house for a large company, in a specialist design studio, run their own business or be self-employed across a variety of industries. Spending three years tracking multiple projects, solving the logistics of production and negotiating within teams of creatives will prepare you for work beyond the subject area.
The University’s e-Factor competition offers students resources to develop their own business and the Career Coaching team are always on hand to help students fine tune their CVs and interview techniques.
Industry links
- Blind Pig - A multidisciplinary creative studio. Creative director and founder Ric Combline has helped shape the course through his feedback and encouragement for art and design based courses at UEL.
Career destinations for our students include: Design interaction; interaction designer; information architect; User Experience (UX) designer; User Interface (UI) designer; web designer; app designer; designer/ developer; content strategist; AR/VR designer; exhibition designer; artist.
Explore the different career options you can pursue with this degree and see the median salaries of the sector on our Career Coach portal.
