International Year Zero - Art and Design

This is a practical course that includes creative work as well as theory. You will learn how to manage creative projects and prepare your portfolio. Whether you are going on to study fashion or architecture, you will learn the foundations needed for your chosen discipline.

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Course Overview

DMUIC offers a new way to start a prestigious Art and Design degree at DMU.

Explore your creativity while creating a great portfolio – it’s the ideal way to start your degree studies in Art and Design as you continue to a world-class degree programme.

With specialist training, the Art and Design IYZ gives you access to industry-standard workshops, the handling of materials such as wood, metal, plaster, plastics, ceramics and glass; as well as IT labs with Mac and PC platforms to learn digital design.

After you have completed your IYZ at DMUIC, you will continue your studies in any number of our wide ranging degrees, including Architecture, Fashion Design, Fine Art, Footwear Design, Graphic Design, Interior Design and Product Design. See below for a full list of continuation degrees.

To join this course you will need to have successfully completed high school or equivalent and meet the English language requirements. We offer Pre-sessional English which is a 6 or 12-week extension course for those who may not yet meet the required English language standards for direct entry to our pathways.

  • Direct Entry – IELTS 5.5 (with no skill below 5.5)
  • Pre-sessional English 6-weeks – IELTS 5.0 (with no skill below 4.5)
  • Pre-sessional English 12-weeks – IELTS 4.5 (with no skill below 4.0)

Key Information

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Duration

4 Years:

9 months pathway + 3 years degree

Start Dates

January | September

Pathway Tuition Fee

£16,195.00

Course English Language Requirement
One Term IELTS 6.0 overall with 5.5 minimum in all components
Two Terms IELTS 5.5 overall with 5.5 minimum in all components

What you will study

Alongside core modules, you will study subject-specific modules that will equip you with a foundation of knowledge for your chosen field of study.

Modules you will study

This module is designed to assist you in creating a portfolio of work in your chosen continuation route; this will prepare you for your subject area at undergraduate level. In this module, you will work on two major projects that can be either digital or traditional. Alongside your project work, you will be taught historical and contemporary art movements and styles. You will also learn additional digital and traditional art and design skills. Your project work will culminate in an end of year show. In addition, you will also have the choice of a photo portfolio module, concentrating on photographic techniques, camera functions and output, or Life Drawing where you can improve your drawing techniques using a live model.

This module helps you to develop an ongoing critical understanding of contemporary, historical and cultural influences to inspire and inform your own practice. You also use this module to reflect and inform your choice of degree and continuation to the next stage of your undergraduate degree programme. You will study other artists, designers and media producers work and examine contextual links to your own work which will form the major element in assessing the module.

You will explore different media through the use of 2D and 3D processes such as: drawing, print, painting and collage. You will use your reflective journal to record the workshop processes and reflect on 2D and 3D techniques in your own work and the work of others. The module allows you to develop your visual language and increase your creative confidence in the use of existing techniques as well as experimenting with combinations and new discoveries. You will be introduced to 2D and 3D workshop practices and encouraged to discover artists and designers who have used similar processes.

This module is designed to give you an introduction to the use of digital arts at the University. During this introduction, you will get tuition in the use of computers, photography and digital editing software. You will use these skills to develop a digital portfolio (website) related to your continuation route. You will be encouraged not only to use the conventional tools of digital art but also to explore the potential of digital work to produce more experimental approaches.

Continuation degrees

This study route offers you a pathway to the following degree courses

BSc (Hons)
Product Design
This degree surrounds industrial product design in combination with engineering design principles to develop your creative, innovative and technical skills in this degree course.
BA (Hons)
Game Art
This course will develop the professional skills and knowledge needed to design world-class games content, preparing you for an exciting career in the flourishing game art industry.
BA (Hons)
Illustration with Graphic Design
Through this course you gain the knowledge on how to engage audiences and develop your own personal visual style across print, digital and analogue media platforms.
BA (Hons)
Interior Design
Immerse yourself in the world of interiors and develop your unique design identity while collaborating with industry experts on exciting live projects
BA (Hons)
Product Design
Develop your design skills and gain in-depth knowledge of materials across areas as diverse as transport, sports equipment, toys, and packaging
BA (Hons)
Textile Design
Develop your unique textile design identity and create dynamic collections across a broad range of interior, fashion or lifestyle markets
BSc (Hons)
Architectural Technology
Gain the skills to become a specialist in the science of architecture, building design and building economics on this industry accredited course.
BA (Hons)
Contour Fashion
Combining heritage, innovation, and technical excellence this course is regarded by industry professionals and experts making it one of the world’s best intimate apparel design degrees.
BA (Hons)
Design Crafts
Gain a wide practical craft provision experience in ceramics, glass, jewellery, textiles and metalwork and get introduced and supported on a journey to discover your unique artistic style that will help you pursue a range of careers in the creative industries.
BA (Hons)
Fashion Buying with Design
This degree programme helps to develop a strong business sense within this fast-paced and competitive industry alongside covering the roles and responsibilities of a fashion buyer and designer.
BA (Hons)
Fashion Communication and Styling
This immensely creative and practical degree programme will teach you how to think like a fashion communicator and stylist within the fast-paced and dynamic fashion industries.
BA (Hons)
Fashion Design
This degree programme offers an immersive journey of teaching into the creative, dynamic and ever-evolving world of fashion and develop skills to turn your ideas and designs into original and innovative garments.
BA (Hons)
Fashion Textile Design
This creative and dynamic degree programme equips you with in-depth textile design expertise for the exciting world of fashion to pursue a career in the multibillion-pound fashion industry.
BA (Hons)
Fine Art
A highly creative and practical course that will offer you the flexibility to experiment across a range of specialist disciplines such as drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, video, photography, digital media and installation art with nearly 150 years of established reputation for quality and creativity.
BA (Hons)
Footwear Design
This degree programme is the only single honours Footwear Design course in the UK specialising and exploring the complex shoe design process, enabling students to gain the knowledge and skillset that will set them apart from other competitors in the fashion sector
BA (Hons)
Animation
Your career in the animation industry begins here. Through this degree you wil develop your creative thinking and storytelling skills in an artistic way.
BA (Hons)
Architecture
Immerse your creative sense to design and develop imaginative visions and humanistic and ethical understanding to gain an architectural skillset that could change our future build and environments.
BA (Hons)
Concept and Comic Art
Experience and obtain practical knowledge in a variety of mediums as well as traditional and contemporary techniques, tools, and practices ready for a career in the creative industries.

Supporting students to success

Learn more about what our students have to say when studying across our education network.

As DMUIC is situated in England’s most vibrant and multicultural city, I had the opportunity to make friends from different countries. The most amazing thing was that the DMUIC staff including all teachers and the office persons were very motivational and welcoming. They provide the best routes for study to every individual.”

Syed Asim Pakistan , De Montfort University International College (DMUIC)

I’ve enjoyed studying at DMUIC, the tutors are excellent and have helped me settle into life as a university student. They are also really supportive and have helped myself and other students with other issues outside of the classroom such as accommodation.

Nafisa Bangladesh , De Montfort University International College (DMUIC)

I have successfully progressed onto my degree course at the University of Bradford because of UBIC's reliable policies and teaching programme. To the new students, those who just started their foundation at Bradford International College, I must say you are going to pass the class, the only thing required is your attention and leave the rest on UBIC's staff because they are the one that are going to lead you to a brilliant future as it is a pathway to success.

Shoaib Pakistan , University of Bradford International College

I have a lot of international friends here at BUIC, and I’ve learnt so much from them. There is always a lot to do together both on and off-campus.

Sagar Nepal , Bangor University International College (BUIC)

I would recommend UGIC because it is based on the main University of Greenwich campus, a cosmopolitan university. At UGIC, there are students from all around the world, and I've made a lot of friends from exciting places."

Gozel Turkmenistan , University of Greenwich International College

I think one of the main reasons the IIM (pre-masters) has been so helpful is because the staff are so supportive and are always able to help me. Whether it is understanding a module or finding out how to sort accommodation, they will help you with everything. I’ve enjoyed studying at Bangor, the people are friendly, and the environment is also really peaceful and safe. It’s given me the best opportunity to succeed in my studies here in the UK.

Tong Tong China , Bangor University International College (BUIC)