An art room is a very different space to other classrooms. There are scratched sketchbooks, paintbrushes piled and sinks splattered. The art room is a space for people to show their personality and have the freedom to express their ideas and thoughts.
Studying Art and Design at A Level provides you with opportunities to develop a broad foundation of critical, practical and theoretical skills using a range of practices and contexts common in the visual arts, crafts and design fields. The course becomes more specialised at A2 level as you find the areas you are most passionate about.
Year 1
For the AS course, students are taught to work with a wide range of media, techniques and processes. There is a strong emphasis on drawing and the visual diary or sketchbook should demonstrate ongoing visual enquiry and personal interests.
The AS course is assessed through a coursework portfolio only.
The critical and contextual component incorporates study skills, research and analysis. Students are required to produce some written work.
Year 2
The A2 qualification consists of a further two modules – a student devised coursework unit and a final practical examination.
For the A2 course, students will be expected to produce portfolios which show personal interpretation of ideas, subjects and themes.
What next?
Past students have gone on directly to degree or HND courses in History of Art, Graphic Design, Fine Art, Fashion and Textiles, Art History, etc. However, the majority take a Foundation Studies course before applying for degree courses.
Entry Requirements
6 GCSEs A* – C including Art and Design. We also require the necessary aptitude and commitment to Art and Design.
A grade C or above in D&T or Textiles will be accepted, subject to discussion, and in exceptional cases, students might be accepted without the minimum qualification on production of a suitable portfolio of work.
There is some written work so the ability to communicate in written English is important.