Please select how you would like to attend your Art and Design course:
You will be able to study the following qualifications in this subject:
Are you ready to take your first steps towards an exciting career in the creative industries?
Do you love drawing, researching and designing with anything you can get your hands on?
If so, Art and Design could be the perfect pathway for you. These courses are designed to help you develop your skills across all aspects of creative making. You’ll explore a variety of techniques that will prepare you for a professional future in the Art and Design sector.
Your main sessions will focus on drawing and painting, supported by 3D sculpture, surface design, printmaking, photography and digital skills. This mix will help you specialise and develop your own unique style of working.
You’ll work in our specialist studios and editing suites, building a strong foundation of creative skills. You’ll also learn how to present your work in professional formats and develop both manual and digital creative portfolios, ready for progression to university, employment or an apprenticeship after your course.
Modules and topics
Work experience
Work experience is an important part of the course. We’ll support you in securing work placements and projects, and our tutors have excellent industry links with employers. We also invite professionals and organisations to deliver masterclasses, guest talks and project briefs, giving you valuable insight into different career routes.
Our students have completed photography commissions, mural projects and community art initiatives, helping them build strong portfolios and professional networks.
How will I be assessed?
You’ll be continuously assessed in a variety of ways to check what you’ve learned from each unit and assignment.
To ensure you are ready for a demanding and successful career in Art and Design, many of your assessments mirror real industry expectations. This means you will pitch your ideas, present planning documents that meet professional standards for your intended outcomes and curate exhibitions for specific target audiences.
For each project, you’ll produce a sketchbook of research and experiments leading to a final piece. This will be formally assessed through a presentation and exhibition. Feedback is recorded on our digital assessment platform at key points, and one-to-one tutorials will review your progress, set stretching targets, and help you aim high.
Your final grade will be based on your Final Major Project (FMP), where you’ll bring together the skills and techniques you’ve developed throughout the course. You’ll design and create an exhibition piece of your choice, which will be assessed by your peers and tutors, and moderated externally.
Many students starting Art and Design aren’t always sure which path to take. After completing Level 3, you’ll have options to progress to university, an apprenticeship, or full-time employment.
You can also choose to study our Foundation Art and Design course, which helps you develop your skills further and build a high-quality portfolio. This is ideal if you want more time to explore your options and prepare a portfolio strong enough for the most competitive university courses.
For those who go on to university, popular courses include Art History, Art Therapy, Curating, Fine Art, Games Design, Graphics, Illustration, and Visual Communication.
Many students find employment through self-employment, creating work for agencies, companies and private collectors. Opportunities are also available within artist networks, art studios, education and youth groups, and exhibitions.
Entry Level Courses:
Skills for Life & Work/Preparing for Adulthood
No formal qualifications are required for this course.
These courses are specifically designed for learners with a Special Educational Need (SEND).
Pre Level 1
No formal qualifications are required for this course.
Full Time ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages)
No formal qualifications are required for this course.
Full Time GCSE Re-sit Study Course Science
GCSE Grade 3 (C) in Maths or English. Below GCSE Grade 3 (C) in BIO,CHM,PHY subjects or not sat GCSE Sciences in the past.
Full Time GCSE Re-Sit Maths and English
GCSE Grade 2 or 3 in Maths and English.
Full Time Level 1 Course
2 GCSE's at grade 2 unless you want to study the courses listed below:
Electrical & Plumbing: Min GCSE grade 3 in maths or Functional Skills 1 in maths
Motor Vehicle: Min GCSE grade 2 in maths
Full Time Level 2 Course
4 GCSE grade 3 including English or maths or a level 1 in Functional Skills English or Maths unless you want to study the courses below:
Motor Vehicle : GCSE grade 3 in maths or Functional Skills Level 1 in maths & Level 1 in Motor Vehicle.
Min GCSE grade 4 or Functional Skills Level 2 in Maths and English Required for:
Accounting, Plumbing & Electrical
Full time Level 3 Course
4 GCSEs at Grade 4-9 including English AND Maths (Functional Skills Level 2 English AND Maths will be accepted).
NOTE: If you want to study Applied Science you must have 4 and above in GCSE Biology, Chemistry & Physics.
Vocational Level 2 in the subject area you wish to study plus Grade 4-9 GCSE English or Maths (Functional Skills Level 2 English or Maths will be accepted).
*A Vocational Level 2 is required for the following courses:
Accounting
All Construction Subjects
Hair & Beauty Subjects
Applied Science
T Level Foundation (Level 2)
4 GCSE Grade 3 including English and Math's (or Functional Skills Level 1 in English and Math's)
T Levels
5 GCSEs at Grade 4-9 including English and Maths (Functional Skills Level 2 in English and Maths will be accepted).
*Health & Healthcare Science T Level requires GCSE Grade 4 in BIO, CHEM, PHY OR if double all 4's required.
You can apply for this programme via the Apply Now button, at the top.
If this course area is available as an apprenticeship, this will show under 'Study Option' on the right-hand side, just below the Apply Now button. You can view all of our apprenticeship vacanices and subjects by clicking the 'Apprenticeships' in the top menu.
If you are aged between 16 and 18 when you start your course and are taking a course leading to a qualification, the tuition and exam fees are free. However, there may be some additional costs for optional trips, recommended text books and professional start up kits. We have a bursary scheme to assist with these costs.
It is important that you come along and speak to one of our staff about your choice/s.
Once we receive your application, you will be invited in to speak to a tutor or a member of the Apprenticeship team to discuss your application.
This will provide you with the opportunity to ask any questions you may have about the course/Apprenticeship and to see our facilities.
