Course description
FdA Furniture Design and Make
This Foundation Degree, awarded by Oxford Brookes University, aims to inspire creativity in design and excellence in craftsmanship.
Upcoming start dates
Suitability - Who should attend?
British Council IELTS: normally minimum level 6.0 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in the reading and writing components and 5.5 for speaking and listening.
All applicants to the course will be interviewed and their portfolios reviewed. This will enable the course team to assess the candidates suitability and compatibility to the course in a comprehensive way. It also allows flexibility in pre-requisite qualification requirements given the variety of entry points to the course. As a minimum, the portfolio interview should be able to demonstrate that the applicant can do the following:
– Show that they have an understanding of the course
– Demonstrate that they have the necessary (or required) academic, artistic and practical skills, to enable them to embark upon their chosen course of study. />Activate Learning welcomes applications from mature students without formal qualifications, who now want to take the opportunity for some practical skills development. It also welcomes those who wish to place their experience and knowledge within a formal educational framework. We are happy to support them through the application process. We see our interview process as an opportunity to get to know students and we will give an applicant a course presentation, tour of facilities and an opportunity to meet staff and students as part of this process.
Training Course Content
The program is delivered in the Rycotewood Furniture Centre of Excellence. You will be taught by highly professional furniture designer /makers who have been in industry and are kept up-to-date with current practices.
Work related experiences are fully integrated into the program and include regular guest speakers, live project briefs, competitions and visits. The program will culminate in a professional public exhibition for the industry and networking opportunities. You will be encouraged to engage in live projects and national competitions. Current examples are New Forest Trust Fine Furniture Competition, Alan Peters Award and Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers Young Furniture Maker Awards.
Please note that as programs are reviewed regularly, the module list may vary from that shown here:
Level 4:
- Technical and Visual Communication
- Furniture Craft
- Design and Make
- Manufacturing and Material Culture
Level 5:
- Advanced Technical and Visual Communication
- Furniture Production
- Advanced Design and Make
- Advanced Manufacturing and Culture
Course delivery details
Students will be able to enjoy the advantages of working and learning in a creative Design Studio environment together with their peers. This provides the opportunity to pool experiences, research and ideas; to brainstorm on projects together; give and receive encouragement and advice and develop a group ethos.
Students will have the opportunity to use their own dedicated workbench and access to the wood machine and veneering workshops to develop their learning through three dimensional exploration, testing, evaluation of their design proposals and subsequently making high quality practical outcomes. Students will be supported during the making stage of the projects through practical guidance by teachers and supervision in the workshops by dedicated workshop supervisors.
Students of the FdA share the same workshops with final year BA students allowing opportunities for shared peer learning and collaboration.
Activate Learning
Activate Learning is a forward-thinking education group that aims for far-reaching, progressive change and impact through learning. We work with learners as individuals, helping them make the choice of course and career pathway that’s right for them. Our mission is to provide work-ready talent for business, and...