Art and Design Level 3

Work like a developing creative practitioner and take your art and design skills to a more advanced level. The programme is normally studied over two years.

In Year 1, you will explore the creative process, develop your practical skills and learn how to respond to professional-style creative briefs.

You will study:

• The Creative Process
• Developing Creative Practice
• Responding to a Set Brief

After successfully completing Year 1, you can progress into Year 2 and work towards the Extended Diploma.

In Year 2, you will begin to specialise and develop a clearer creative direction through:

• Researching a Specialist Industry Practice
• Specialist Technical Skills Development
• Specialist Creative Outcome

Across the programme, your work may include:

• Fine art
• Illustration
• Graphic design
• Photography
• Digital art
• Printmaking
• Textiles
• 3D practice

You will research creative practitioners, experiment with techniques, develop ideas, respond to briefs and present finished work.

As you progress, you will be expected to make more of your own creative decisions. Your tutors will guide and challenge you, while you take increasing responsibility for the direction, organisation and quality of your projects.

By the end of the programme, you will have developed a substantial portfolio that can support applications to higher education, apprenticeships or the creative industries. Alongside your creative practice, you will also develop wider skills such as communication, teamwork, organisation, problem solving, professional behaviour and preparing for your next step.

The Diploma is equivalent in size to 1.5 A levels. The full Extended Diploma is equivalent in size to three A levels.

You will normally need:

• Five GCSE passes at grade 4 or above, preferably including English and Maths
• Or an appropriate Level 2 vocational qualification at Merit grade

You will also need to demonstrate some previous creative experience. This could include:

• Drawing
• Painting
• Photography
• Graphic or digital design
• Making or 3D work
• Researching artists and designers
• Developing ideas in a sketchbook

You may be asked to share examples of your work during the application process. This could be a physical or digital portfolio, sketchbook, photographs of work or online creative work.

You will get the most from this programme if you:

• Are creative, curious and willing to experiment
• Enjoy developing your own ideas
• Are prepared to try different creative approaches
• Can respond positively to feedback
• Are willing to research and explore different influences
• Can organise your time and meet deadlines
• Are comfortable becoming more independent
• Can discuss your ideas and take part in group critiques
• Are willing to reflect on your work and identify how it could improve

You do not need to arrive with a fully developed personal style. Discovering and developing your own creative direction is part of the programme.

Year 1: University of the Arts London (UAL) Level 3 Diploma in Creative Practice: Art, Design and Communication Year 2: University of the Arts London (UAL) Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative Practice: Art, Design and Communication

After completing the Extended Diploma, possible next steps include:

• A degree or other higher education programme
• A creative apprenticeship
• Specialist creative training
• Employment within the creative industries

Depending on your portfolio and interests, future career areas could include:

• Fine art
• Graphic design
• Illustration
• Photography
• Animation
• Advertising
• Digital design
• UX design
• Games
• Product design
• Fashion
• Interior design
• Set and exhibition design
• Content creation

The Art and Design qualification is assessed through practical work and coursework rather than formal written exams. Units are assessed against criteria that define the skills, knowledge and behaviours you need to demonstrate to successfully achieve your qualification. Your tutors will provide feedback throughout your projects to help you refine your work, develop your skills and build evidence of your achievement against the assessment criteria.

In Year 1, you will build a portfolio of evidence through The Creative Process and Developing Creative Practice before completing Responding to a Set Brief. This final project brings together the skills and knowledge you have developed during the year and is graded Pass, Merit or Distinction.

In Year 2, you will continue to develop your specialist knowledge and technical skills before completing the Specialist Creative Outcome. This is a self-directed final project and is graded Pass, Merit or Distinction.

The final graded projects are assessed by the College and externally moderated by UAL. English and Maths, where studied alongside your programme, are assessed separately and may include exams.

Independent study is an important part of Level 3 and will increase as you progress through the programme.

Outside your timetabled sessions, you may need to complete:

• Research
• Sketchbook development
• Photography
• Drawing and experimentation
• Practical development
• Project planning
• Written or recorded evaluation
• Portfolio preparation

The amount of independent work will vary depending on the project. You should expect to spend more time working independently during major projects and assessment periods.

Your tutors will set milestones, review your progress and provide feedback. As you progress through the programme, you will be expected to manage more of your own workload, make independent creative decisions and meet project deadlines.

You will take part in activities that help you understand professional creative practice and develop the skills employers are looking for.

Depending on the opportunities available during your programme, this may include:

• Live briefs
• Employer projects
• Exhibitions
• Competitions
• Visiting creative professionals
• Collaborative projects
• Visits to creative workplaces and organisations
• Work experience or placement opportunities where appropriate

These activities will help you understand how deadlines, briefs, audiences, clients and professional expectations influence creative work.

• All full-time students are asked to contribute £15 towards the College Subscription Fund
• You will need your own basic art and design kit for day-to-day activities
• A recommended list of tools and materials will be provided at enrolment
• Visits to museums, galleries, exhibitions and other creative venues may have an additional cost