Creative & Visual Arts

There’s a huge range of job opportunities within areas such as 3D design, fine art or graphic design, fashion or textile design, interior design or display, and photography. Or you may want to use your creativity to help others through art therapy or teaching.

This two-year course will allow you to experiment with a range of techniques while building a comprehensive portfolio of art and design work. It is equivalent to three A Levels and successful completion will provide you with the same UCAS points to enter university. 

UCAS Tariff - Earn up to 168 UCAS points for university entry

On this course you will follow a full-time Study Programme made up of the following four compulsory elements to best prepare you for progression to employment, apprenticeships, further study or applying to university:

• The main subject qualification
• Work experience for a minimum of 37 hours or, on some courses, up to 50 days over an academic year. You will be expected to find placements by researching companies, contacting employers and speaking with college staff.
• English and maths where students have not yet achieved GCSE grade 4 or above in these subjects
• Additional enhancing activities such as tutorials and work-related learning, including careers fairs, site visits and guest speakers, to help further develop the personal skills relevant to your progression goals

The Creative & Visual Arts qualification

This course will give you the opportunity to explore and develop your creativity.

Year 1 (Foundation Diploma)

• Traditional and experimental techniques
• Drawing and painting
• Printmaking
• 3D sculpture
• Digital processes
• Photography and darkroom skills
• Art and design theory and practice
• Creative practical skills
• Contextual and historical research through a series of themed project briefs
• Idea development and creative problem-solving

If you successfully complete the first year of study you will gain a Level 3 Diploma qualification. In order to progress to the second year you will need to pass the first year of study.

 Year 2 (Extended Diploma)

In the 2nd year of study, you will pursue a specialist area of interest and build a specialist portfolio.

• Developing specialist skills in one or more disciplines
• Preparing for professional life in the creative industry
• Building a quality portfolio of work that will gain you a place at your preferred university 
• Showcasing your work professionally at the end of year exhibition

By the end of the course, you will have built a comprehensive portfolio of art and design work.

Trips, visits and activities

As part of the course you will also take part in industry trips and activities including networking events, visits and guest lectures. Previous events have included:

• Visiting artists
• Gallery trips
• Industry networking opportunities through work experience and a dedicated industry week
• Guest lectures from a wide range of industry professionals
• Opportunity to meet representatives from universities
• Exhibition hosted at an external gallery

• Well equipped art studios
• Large and fully equipped photography studio
• Photography dark room
• Suite of Apple Macs
• Gallery exhibition space

Course assessed by:

• 100% coursework

5 GCSEs grade 4 or above (including English and maths)
OR
Level 2 in Art & Design (merit or distinction grade) including GCSE English and maths grade 4 or above
AND
Portfolio of artwork

You will need to attend a College interview. Find out more about How to Apply

May not meet the entry requirements?

Check out our Level 2 Creative & Visual Arts course.

• HNC/HND in Art & Design or Photography
• Degree at university
• Work freelance or as a trainee designer or photographer

There are a range of university degrees and different careers within the creative industries that you can progress to if you go on to complete the two years of study. This may include:

• Textile design
• Fashion design
• Visual merchandising
• Product design
• Graphic design
• Illustration
• Photography
• 3D design

If you will be aged 19 before the start of the second year of this course, you will be liable to pay a fee for that year. Please contact us for more information.

Equipment

You are expected to come to College with sketchbooks and a basic range of materials and tools – full details will be provided to you on enrolment.

Specialist equipment and materials are provided by the College.

Consumables of £30 will have to be paid at the first session of the course.

You may need to purchase additional items throughout the course, as your projects develop and you progress into independent areas of interest.