{"id":3250,"date":"2023-07-06T11:51:05","date_gmt":"2023-07-06T11:51:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.westminster.ac.uk\/wearewestminster\/?p=3250"},"modified":"2026-04-09T10:40:25","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T10:40:25","slug":"my-architecture-and-design-foundation-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.westminster.ac.uk\/wearewestminster\/my-architecture-and-design-foundation-year\/","title":{"rendered":"My Architecture and Design Foundation Year"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Architecture and Design Foundation year is a great opportunity for students to prepare for advanced study before progressing onto their main degree programme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Foundation year offers an introduction and explores the creative professions within architecture and design. Students will gain the essential creative skills and experience practical learning across a wide range of areas such as Architecture and Interiors, Architectural Technology and Planning and Urban Design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this blog, Fatemeh Ghalichehbbaf Vosoughiand and Arek <\/em>Di Giacinto, reflect on their experience of studying the Architecture and Design Foundation year and look ahead to studying the Architecture BA course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What made you consider studying a Foundation Course at the University of Westminster? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fatemeh:<\/strong> I have always been interested in architecture and design and wanted to pursue my studies within this area. I chose to study the Foundation Programme to expand and develop my skills in drawing and model making. I also wanted to learn and understand more about the different media that can be used in projects. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arek:<\/strong> I based my choice on Westminster\u2019s strong links with the architecture profession. The lecturers all have experience working in architectural practices, and students often achieve high-level awards, including the RIBA President\u2019s Medal, and London\u2019s world-renowned buildings are only a short distance away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Were you looking to achieve anything in particular by studying a Foundation Course? And do you think you will achieve this by completing your Foundation Course?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fatemeh:<\/strong> I wanted to improve my drawing skills and understand more about the different model-making techniques. I feel that I have achieved this and learnt much more during my Foundation year. I have improved my critical and creative thinking skills when approaching projects and I am also more confident about putting together a portfolio and creatively laying out the pages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Architecture and Design Foundation (2023) Drawing Workshop out on location and on campus.<\/em><\/sub><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Arek:<\/strong> As an international student, who spent many years out of full-time education, I was looking to both refresh my knowledge on the subject of architecture and gain insight into good academic practice. I was able to achieve my goals whilst being encouraged to experiment and broaden my perspective, with new ways of thinking and working.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Do you feel studying a Foundation course has better prepared you to start studying for your degree at Westminster?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fatemeh:<\/strong> Yes, for sure. I\u2019m now much better prepared to start my first year of the Architecture BA course. I am familiar with academic styles and standards for essay writing and communication. The use of the Fabrication Lab <\/a>has a significant role in studying architecture at Westminster. My Foundation year has taught me to make my designs in real life with model-making in the Fabrication Lab. I am familiar and confident with how to use the machines and the different techniques you can use to create a model and bring your designs to life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Fatemeh Ghalichehbbaf Vosoughi (Architecture and Design Foundation Programme, 2023)<\/sub><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Arek:<\/strong> Yes, very much. There are many resources made available by the University e.g. a 24-hour library, free specialist software and the state-of-the-art Fabrication Lab. Independent study is also encouraged and well supported by the tutors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Can you tell us about your favourite experience or highlight whilst studying your Foundation Course so far?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fatemeh:<\/strong> One of the best experiences I have had during my Foundation year were the field trips. It was a great experience for me to discover London and understand much more of the city\u2019s architecture whilst studying. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Science Museum<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Victoria and Albert Museum<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Architecture and Design Foundation (2023) \u2013 Field Trips <\/em><\/sub><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Arek:<\/strong> My favourite experience was Fresher\u2019s Week. Going to university can be intimidating, but there is a lot of support made available to new students. There are many societies one can join, and many events organised by the Student\u2019s Union, so I quickly felt comfortable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A sense of community is fostered by the academic staff from the first day and a positive learning environment helps your academic and personal growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Would you recommend studying a Foundation Course at Westminster and why?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fatemeh:<\/strong> I would recommend studying a Foundation year for new students. If you want to discover and explore more about studying, be familiar with academic standards and become more confident, the Foundation year is for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arek:<\/strong> I absolutely would. All the modules are challenging yet accessible: there\u2019s something for everyone regardless of their educational background. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Is there anything else you would like to tell us about your experience studying a Foundation Course at Westminster?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fatemeh:<\/strong> Studying a Foundation year is a chance to preview and prepare for university life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can discover societies, facilities and a range of support. It was a great experience to study a Foundation year and find out more about my future course and career. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arek:<\/strong> The Fabrication Lab and the studios are arranged in such a way that students get exposed to a large number of projects and ideas from their peers. Having access to so many different opinions on design stimulates creativity and receptiveness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My major project this year was to design a folly. The folly is to serve as a place to sit, think and\/or socialise, as well as provide a sheltered space for small independent exhibitions. It will be free to use for students and located on our Cavendish Campus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Arek Di Giacinto<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Iris Fani<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Mehnaz Tanawat Raveng<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Amna Ola<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Noor Rizk<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Folly for Cavendish Campus<\/em><\/sub> \u2013 Architecture and Design Foundation (2023)<\/em><\/sub><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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To learn more read our five reasons to study the Architecture and Design Foundation pathway<\/a> or hear from Julian Williams, Principal Lecturer and Course Leader, in our Introduction to Architecture and Design Foundation<\/a> blog post.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Find out more about our Architecture, Interiors and Planning courses<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Foundation year offers an introduction and explores the creative professions within architecture and design. Students will gain the essential creative skills and experience practical learning across a wide range of areas such as Architecture and Interiors, Architectural Technology and Planning and Urban Design.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":253,"featured_media":3251,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[65,24,49,66],"class_list":["post-3250","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-undergraduate","tag-architecture","tag-student-life","tag-student-opinion","tag-student-work"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.westminster.ac.uk\/wearewestminster\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3250","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.westminster.ac.uk\/wearewestminster\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.westminster.ac.uk\/wearewestminster\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.westminster.ac.uk\/wearewestminster\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/253"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.westminster.ac.uk\/wearewestminster\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3250"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/blog.westminster.ac.uk\/wearewestminster\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3250\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7038,"href":"https:\/\/blog.westminster.ac.uk\/wearewestminster\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3250\/revisions\/7038"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.westminster.ac.uk\/wearewestminster\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3251"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.westminster.ac.uk\/wearewestminster\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3250"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.westminster.ac.uk\/wearewestminster\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3250"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.westminster.ac.uk\/wearewestminster\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3250"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}