Our Art and Design course is a highly flexible interdisciplinary programme of study that encourages you to identify your own individual practices and apply them to a range of real world contexts. After an initial diagnostic period, critical approaches and design methodologies will help your personal development through engagement with external facing ‘live’ projects, collaborative working with both university and other professional organisations, diverse workshop facilities, and a team of academic and technical staff who are all active in a range of professional fields. You will work on studio and live projects to develop your own practice, whether your interest lies in photography, installation, print, digital media, sculpture, illustration, curatorial practice, textiles, drawing, sound, graphic design, public art or three-dimensional design. Working closely with academic and technical staff, you will develop new skills and approaches to projects which help you gain confidence, helping you to uncover your own strengths and interests. In your second year you will develop live/collaborative projects and participate in professional placements. You will also have the chance to study abroad at one of our European partner institutions. The course includes regular talks from visiting professional artists, designers, curators, craftspeople and entrepreneurs to maximise your employability prospects. You’ll also receive the support of expert academics, like Stuart Whipps, who has recently exhibited his work in the British Art Show 2015. Students have previously enjoyed experiences, like responding to the architecture of Dudley Zoological Gardens’ World Heritage Site to represent the Zoo’s 1930s-listed structures.**Subject to approval**This course is in the final stages of approval to ensure it meets the very highest standards of quality, creativity and applied learning.