The Foundation Year is a one year skills-based course with five days of teaching a week and a limit of 50 places to ensure one-to-one tuition, in an inspiring part of London’s Docklands buzzing with creatives and artists’ studios. It is free to 18 and 19 year olds with some bursaries available for over-19s.

During weeks 1-8 students will be introduced to a range of Fine Art processes and materials. Students will work from life models in the studio, in London's city landscapes and green spaces as well as museums and galleries. Feedback sessions and reviews offer a platform for discussion and further development as Term 1 progresses. All students are required to keep a learning journal which documents the thoughts and processes involved in the making of the work, along with notes from gallery visits, lectures, painting trips, and exhibitions.

The course is made up of three terms, during which students explore approaches to observation and experimentation in preparation for expression of personal ideas in Fine Art and Design. The structure of the course progresses from set assignments towards self-directed study. The course is full time, with five days’ teaching a week.

Building on the success of its first two years the main campus at Trinity Buoy Wharf has recently been expanded, with facilities split over three floors including well-lit teaching and sculpture studios, purpose-built drawing studio, Kiln and ceramics facilities, intaglio print room, photography darkroom, individual studio spaces, Apple Mac suite, reference art library and a common room and kitchen.