GCE A Level in Art and Design

This course is for students who want to continue studying Art and design after GCSE. You'll already be familiar with some of the skills and techniques, but the A level will give you the chance to study in more depth and develop your own particular artistic strengths and interests. It will suit you if you are creative and enjoy combining theory with lots of practical work. Even if you aren't aiming for a career in art and design, this course will give you a set of transferable skills including creativity, communication and the ability to work independently which can be useful in a range of careers.

Ideally, you should have studied Art and Design at GCSE level. However, this is by no means a prerequisite, students should more importantly be enthusiastic and passionate about the visual arts and demonstrate a willingness to learn. We would expect you to have achieved a Grade 6 in Art & Design.

You'll have lots of time to experiment with traditional and new media, using a range of materials to develop your knowledge of art and design processes and techniques. You'll choose a theme within which you'll create personal and imaginative work, using the study of other artists, craftspeople and designers to inform your own creative ideas. You'll keep a sketchbook to record and document your move on to through media exploration, idea development, annotation and analysis.

You'll learn through classroom-based workshops, exercises, discussions, talks and presentations. There will be visits to museums and galleries, exhibitions and the opportunity to work alongside practicing artists and designers. You will be expected to complete independent study.

A3 sketchbook, pencils and paint brushes.

60% of your final grade will come from your coursework on a personal investigation on a theme of your own choosing. The remaining 40% will be from an end of course externally set assignment that you will complete at the end of the course.

You could move on to to higher education to study for any one of a range of art and design related Foundation, HND /HNC or degree courses. There are apprenticeship opportunities for roles within the creative industries including in specialist crafts, design, digital design and photography. Transferable skills including creative flair, imagination, critical analysis, problem solving and specialist IT skills can be put to use in a wide range on non-art related careers.