Art and Design Extended Level 3 Diploma

Course Information

What does the course involve?

The UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative Practice: Art, Design and Communication is a qualification for students looking to pursue a specialist career in the creative industries.

This course will provide students with the necessary skills, knowledge and understanding to access training programmes or apprenticeships in the creative sector, or to apply for progression to higher education courses.

In the first year, students will work in a range of specialist pathways to include; visual arts, illustration, graphic design, fashion design, textile design, 3D design and craft, sculpture, architecture, photography and lens based media.

The second year of study will allow students to develop their specialist creative practice in a specific pathway.

Enrichment activities include visits to national art galleries, and students will benefit from the opportunity to travel to a European Capital in the second year.

Students can look forward to:

• Live projects and links with local artists/designers and galleries will enhance the learning experience. A variety of practicing professional artists and designers deliver a range of workshops throughout the year.
• Developing and acquiring the necessary skills to produce a portfolio of work ready for university, apprenticeships or employment.
• Learning digital skills within the course allowing students to gain knowledge of industry standard software such as the Adobe Creative Cloud Suite. This can be accessed at college and at home using your college email address.

This course is the ideal route into a wide range of apprenticeships or creative degrees at university, in subjects such as: Fashion and Textiles; Graphic Communication; Fine Art; Illustration; Digital Arts, Fashion Promotion and Marketing, Architecture, Photography and Animation or 3D Design. Students who wish to enter employment directly, could work in a design-related industry, such as Fashion, Graphic Design or 3D Design.

Can I take additional qualifications?

This course is equivalent to three A Levels and does not need to be supplemented by other qualifications.

How will I be assessed?

Throughout the two-year course, students will complete a range of projects and assignments which will be internally assessed via portfolios of work. An overall grade is awarded at the end of the course and is externally moderated. Student will receive regular feedback regarding their progress.

What are the costs?

There is a small £20 fee to study on this course. Art packs to provide sufficient sketchbooks, canvases and MDF boards for the year will be available at cost price, two different packs are available priced at £15.50. Students will also receive a small amount of printing credit, this may need to be topped up throughout the year.  Students should budget for trips to galleries and museums in order to gain maximum benefit from this course. These will take place once a term and we aim to keep costs below £15 for each trip. Students in receipt of bursary payments can use these funds to pay the materials fee, and in the online College shop.

What is the duration?

This is a two year course.

Entry Requirements

Standard entry requirements, plus: 

• GCSE Art or Photography at grade 4 or above; or its equivalent vocational qualification at Merit or Distinction. You will need to bring a broad selection of artwork and sketchbooks to interview.  
• We do consider students who have not studied Art at GCSE if they provide a strong personal portfolio of work at interview/enrolment.