Level: Further Education (Level 2)
Study Mode: Full-time
Duration: 1 year
Minimum Age: 16
Entry Requirements: Minimum 4 GCSEs grade E and above, portfolio & interview
How to Apply: Direct to the College

This one year course provides an introduction to the range of art and design practices if you are considering a career in the creative arts. It will give you the opportunity not only to study or perhaps revisit the fundamentals of art, such as drawing techniques, but also to work with a wide range of materials and processes to develop skills and become accomplished in them.

So, the Diploma is a chance to study what you enjoy doing in order to gain a qualification that is equivalent to four GCSEs, and to build a strong portfolio of artwork. It would therefore suit students who do not expect to have the grades to progress to the Extended Diploma course, and on the other hand, it will also suit students who wish to gain a full experience of art and design, and gain a useful qualification within one year.

We believe it is important to make students feel valued, so we promote a belief that every student can achieve, within a curriculum designed to meet individual students needs. If you enjoy your art education you will have the confidence to realise your creative potential.

The course provides an opportunity to investigate art and design with hands-on, practical activities in order to complete projects and assessments which contribute to achieving each unit studied. You will work within a broad range of art & design subjects, and develop ideas and skills using a variety of both traditional and non- traditional media. The work is project-based, within the studio and workshops.

Term one is made up of four units, which includes developing skills in communication of ideas in 2D and 3D, together with an introduction into the inspiration of ideas by looking at the work of other artists. This work is closely referenced to students practical work. Students will complete their studies at the end of term one and achieve an Introductory Certificate in Art & Design. Upon successful completion of this qualification, and in consultation with tutors, it is anticipated that most students will progress onto Level 2 Diploma in Art & Design and complete their studies at the end of term three.

This follows on with an additional six units in term two and three which further develops the skills learned over the first term, and includes specialist units in the final term.

The course structure reflects the aim of the qualification - to give a solid grounding in art and design principles. There is opportunity to explore a range of 2D and 3D processes including drawing, printing, painting, collage, photography, textiles, animation, working with wood, metals and ceramics.

In the spring term we also introduce specialist units. This includes units on ‘working in the art & design industry’ and ‘building a portfolio’.

In the summer term students conclude with the Final Major Project where they write their own project proposal and produce work to exhibit in the End of Year Show, which brings together the expertise and skills learnt during the year.

Practical classes and tutorials are delivered over three and a half days of the week, leaving plenty of study-time to complete supporting research and written tasks. Units are delivered through studio practice projects which are assessed at the end of each term and through an on-going monitoring of progress, together with supporting written tasks. Attendance and application to all areas is essential for successful completion.

Throughout the year, we feel it is important to look at art and inspiration for ideas 'outside of the studio', and to see what is happening in the art & design world, so we arrange a range of trips and visits to exhibitions and collections as well as activities such as a recent one based at a local Woodland Activity Centre to produce land art.

On successful completion of the Diploma in Art & Design students are guided through applications to further levels of art and design study, such as entry onto Extended Diploma in Art & Design giving students the opportunity to discover and develop skills in their specialist area, but also to gain skills to help them progress on to Higher Education. There is also guidance to alternative access to employment routes within the art and design field including vocational pathways such as apprenticeships or training.

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