Art & Design Pathway

Introduction to Studying Humanities

This introductory course provides a foundational understanding of the Humanities, focusing on developing essential skills for studying History, Cultural Studies and Literature. The course considers the importance and relevance of the field of Humanities in today's society.

OR

Introduction to Social Sciences

This course draws on the social sciences subjects you can study at the University of Edinburgh, including Business, Economics, Psychology, Social Policy and Politics, to give you an insight into the world of social scientists. You’ll practice how to summarise and reflect on key theories and identify and assess different academic research in relation to global  issues such as climate change, poverty, and conflict.

AND

Foundations in Art & Design Practices

This course will help you to develop the beginnings of a broad set of research, reflective and practical skills. Through workshops, group critiques, directed and personal projects you’ll build an understanding of the value of drawing and the use of the sketchbook as a foundation in exploring ideas, allowing you to develop your ideas through various approaches and techniques whilst reflecting on your ideas through an online learning journal.

AND

Foundation English and Academic Language & Literacies (FEALL) 1

This course will introduce you to academic English through different types of academic texts, referencing skills, writing structure and organisation, and critical and analytical thinking. You’ll practise and develop listening and speaking skills, and learn effective strategies for reading and engaging with academic literature, including understanding and evaluating arguments.

This course has two levels.

Entry: You’ll take this course, which includes extra in-class hours each week, if you haven’t met the English language requirements for your chosen degree programme

OR

Plus: You’ll take this course if you have met the English language requirements for your chosen degree programme. As a Plus student, you’ll also take:

An additional language 

You’ll also choose a modern language.

Foundation English and Academic Language & Literacies (FEALL) 2

This course will build on the skills you’ve been developing in Teaching Block 1; you’ll be able to use these to complete an independent research project. 

You’ll continue at the same level as in Teaching Block 1.

AND

Ideas and Concepts in Art & Design Practices

This course builds on Foundations in Art & Design Practices. You’ll learn how to explore lines of enquiry, and how to develop research skills, ideas and concepts through your own projects. You’ll develop your art and design literacy and language, carry out research into a range of suggested artists, and continue to develop your own practical skills. As in Teaching Block 1, you’ll do this through group critiques, workshops, directed study projects and keeping a reflective learning journal.

You’ll also choose ONE of the following courses. 

Critical Thinking and Argumentation

This course introduces the analysis of different kinds of arguments, encouraging you to reflect on beliefs and practices, and developing your own skills in constructing good arguments. You’ll look at how arguments are presented in a range of subjects from social anthropology to philosophy, and will learn how to use formal logic, evidence, and experiential knowledge in academic discussions and writing. You’ll do this by studying a range of classic and contemporary texts.

Studying Society

This course will examine how to study research topics in the social sciences using appropriate theories and methods. You’ll learn how social scientists describe, define, measure and explain social phenomena and behaviour, such as social inequality. You’ll engage with research from different parts of world on social, economic and global issues, and explore how processes of colonisation and decolonisation shape this research.

Analysing Text and Material Culture

This course will introduce you to the analysis of cultural artefacts such as films, artworks, stories and poems. We will look at what we mean by culture and theories associated with it, and analyse those in connection with examples from literature, film and art. This course will include thought-provoking discussion and visits to some of the cultural artefacts we will work on, and will develop your skills of close reading and analysis.

Mathematics, Statistics & Data Analysis for Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences 

This course will build on your existing mathematics skills and introduce you to data and statistical analysis.  You will learn to explore, visualise, and analyse data to understand the world through quantitative methods, applying mathematical techniques to real-world contexts.

You are required to have an appropriate level of mathematical knowledge prior to starting this course.

A pass in this course is required for progression to some degrees – please check our degree requirements.  

Please note that as some courses are a requirement for progression to some degree programmes, students who need to take the course to progress will be given priority, and this may limit places available.