Design & Creative Arts – Integrated Foundation Year
Welcome to Integrated Foundation Design & Creative Arts pathway 2026.
Welcome to the Integrated Foundation Year in Design and Creative Arts at the University of Northampton and the beginning of your degree journey. This is an exciting time to start studying within creative disciplines that continue to evolve in response to new ideas, technologies and professional practices.
During your Foundation Year, you will explore design and the arts through a combination of practical work, creative experimentation and critical thinking. You will be introduced to contemporary approaches used across the creative industries and encouraged to develop your own ideas, interests and creative identity. Some areas of study will focus on making and practical exploration, while others will help you build a stronger understanding of creative theory, professional practice and the wider contexts in which designers and artists work.
The Foundation Year is also an opportunity to build your confidence, develop your academic and professional skills and prepare for progression into your chosen degree. You will work alongside students from a wide range of creative disciplines, giving you the chance to exchange ideas, experience different approaches and become part of a broader creative community.
During Welcome Week, you will meet members of the academic team, your Personal Academic Tutor and other students beginning their studies with you. You will also have opportunities to explore the University, find out more about your course and begin settling into life at Northampton.
You will meet people from the following subject areas:
- BA Animation with Integrated Foundation Year
- BA Fashion, Textiles & Footwear with Integrated Foundation Year
- BA Fashion, Textiles, Footwear & Accessories with Integrated Foundation Year
- BA Fine Art with Integrated Foundation Year
- BA Games Art with Integrated Foundation Year
- BA Games Design with Integrated Foundation Year
- BA Graphic Design with Integrated Foundation Year
- BA Illustration with Integrated Foundation Year
- BA Interior Architecture & Spatial Design with Integrated Foundation Year
- BA Photography with Integrated Foundation Year
- BA Product Design with Integrated Foundation Year
Course leader
Triantafyllos Kanakis
Senior Lecturer in Computing
triantafyllos.kanakis@northampton.ac.uk
I am here to support you throughout your Foundation Year and to help make your experience at the University of Northampton as positive and rewarding as possible. If you have any questions or concerns, or if you are simply not sure who to contact, please feel free to get in touch with me. I will always do my best to help or point you towards the right person or University service.
Additional staff
- Your Cognate Leader: Mr Paul Martin, Senior Lecturer in Integrated Foundation & Arts Culture Education
- Mrs Rita Bromley, Senior Lecturer in Integrated Foundation Year
Preparing for your course
When you arrive at the University of Northampton, there’s plenty to get involved with during Welcome Week. However, there are specific sessions taking place as part of your course induction that’ll help you settle in and prepare for teaching to start the following week.
Saturday 19 September – Sunday 4 October
Welcome Week activities
From karaoke to movie nights, wellbeing walks to craft brunch, and our immersive event ‘The Rise and Fall of Lazarus Kane’ – there’s something suitable for everyone. See our Welcome Week activities to find out more.
Tuesday 22 September
Session: Welcome and meet the IFY teaching team, icebreaker and getting to know the cohort
- Time: 10 – 11am
- Location: CH208, second floor, Creative Hub, Waterside campus
Session: Campus tour
- Time: 12- 1pm
- Location: CH208, second floor, Creative Hub, Waterside campus
Session: Introduction to the Integrated Foundation Year
- Time: 2pm – 3pm
- Location: CH208, second floor, Creative Hub, Waterside campus
This session will introduce the structure of the Integrated Foundation Year, including your timetable, contact hours, workload, assessment, expectations, NILE, staff availability and communication. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions.
