A Level Art & Design

Please apply via PS16. Any applications received by 31/1/25 are guaranteed an interview in February - April 2025, as long as minimum entry requirements are met. Offers are made after interview.

Students will be expected to demonstrate skills, as defined in Overarching knowledge, understanding and skills, in the context of their chosen areas of study.

• Fine art: for example drawing, painting, mixed-media, sculpture, ceramics, installation, printmaking, moving image (video, film, animation) and photography.

• Graphic communication: for example interactive media (including web, app and game design), advertising, packaging design, design for print, illustration, communication graphics, branding, multimedia, motion graphics, design for film and television.

• Textile design: for example fashion design, fashion textiles, costume design, digital textiles, printed and/or dyed fabrics and materials, domestic textiles, wallpaper, interior design, constructed textiles, art textiles and installed textiles.

• Three-dimensional design: for example ceramics, sculpture, exhibition design, design for theatre, television and film, interior design, product design, environmental design, architectural design, jewellery/body ornament and 3D digital design.

Component 1 (Portfolio):

At least one extended collection of work or project, based on an idea, concept, theme or issue.

Portfolios may also include:

Critical/contextual work could include written material such as journals, reviews, reflections and evaluations, annotations and historical background material.

Sketchbooks, workbooks or journals.

You will also be required to submit an extended piece of written work (between 1000 and 3000 words of continuous prose) to accompany your personal investigation.

Component 2 (Externally Set Assignment):

Students will select one question from the five starting points.

Separate question papers are provided for each Art and Design title.

Most of the work produced will be your own personal response to projects of your own choosing. This will involve lots of independent learning. You will be researching themes and the work of others and will be expected to provide written evidence to show that you have a clear understanding of how they achieved their outcomes. You will need to provide ideas of your own and then show that you can develop them in depth in order to produce a good quality personal piece.

• Component 1 - Personal investigation No time limit • 60% of A-level.

• Component 2 – Externally set assignment Preparatory period + 15 hours supervised time • 40% of A-level

GSCE Grade 5 in any Art or Design GCSE or equivalent qualification. If you have not studied this subject at GCSE level you will need to provide a portfolio of work that demonstrates GCSE Grade 5 standard.

On completing the course students will be well prepared to move on to higher education which is usually a Foundation course in Art and Design but can also be degree level entry. Art and Design A-level is also sought after by employers who offer more practical apprenticeships such as building and engineering.