Course Title: Advanced GCE in Art and Design: Art, Craft and Design
Exam Board: AQA
Subject-specific Entry Criteria: Grade 7 in GCSE Art and Design

Course Overview

Year 12 – Coursework Portfolio

Year 12 provides students with an exciting and purposeful opportunity to explore a range of fundamental Art, Craft and Design skills and techniques. The first part of the course will focus on expanding, evolving and refining skills, techniques and creativity through the creation of portfolio work. Conceptual themes will act as anchors, and allow exploration and critical thinking both theoretically and practically. Students will gain valuable experience in a range of media, processes and techniques within Art, Design and Photography. This collection of work will enable students to investigate new media and methods as well as practice with a variety of scale. Students will delve deeper into the context behind Art and artists, and broaden their knowledge and interest in the subject, learning to independently explore directions within their own work.

Year 12/13 – Component 1: Personal Investigation

For this unit students are required to independently explore Art, Craft and Design, choosing their own personal starting point. This truly is a personal investigation and will allow students to express themselves conceptually and creatively. It is an ambitious and major project in which students explore their Art through research, ideas and exploration. The Personal Investigation includes a written essay of between 1,000-3,000 words.

Year 13 – Component 2: Externally Set Assignment

From an early release paper, students have the opportunity to select a theme / topic to explore. Students are provided an initial planning and preparation period in which they should demonstrate the ability to record, plan and develop ideas based around their theme. The assignment ends with students developing a final response / work in exam condition (15 hours).

Component 1: Personal Investigation

  • Assessment in June of Year 13
  • 60% of A Level
  • Out of 96 marks

Component 2: Externally Set Assignment

  • Assessment in June of Year 13
  • Preparation Period from February + 15 hours supervised time
  • 40% of A Level
  • Out of 96 Marks

Art combines well with other creative A Level subjects, and is an essential requirement for Art and Design courses at Art colleges and universities. There are many opportunities in our design-conscious world for careers using skills you will develop.

Many students who wish to continue their Art and Design education complete a year-long Foundation Diploma. This gives you the opportunity to explore a range of different disciplines – such as painting, sculpture, graphics, animation and fashion – before deciding on the most suitable degree course to develop your skills even further.

Alternatively, some students decide to go straight onto a creative degree following the development of a portfolio of work demonstrating their best skills and ideas. There are numerous Art and Design degrees on offer, and during your A Level course we will ensure that you find out what is out there through Open Days, visits from former students, a UCAS ‘Design your Future’ fair and through personal experience.

The competition for places on the best degree courses is fierce. You will submit a personal statement and an online portfolio prior to the offer of an interview. To give yourself the best chance of success you need to demonstrate that you are forward thinking, passionate, committed and highly skilled.

Within a £100 billion sector there are many creative employment prospects. Here are a few:

  • Fine Artist
  • Architect
  • Sculptor
  • Ceramicist
  • Fashion Designer
  • Product Designer
  • Web Developer
  • Photographer
  • Interior Designer
  • Advertising & Marketing
  • Animator/Digital Animator
  • Illustrator
  • Games Designer
  • Set Designer
  • Graphic Designer
  • TV/Radio/Broadcast Production
  • Museums/Libraries/Art Curation

You will:

  • be able to develop ideas and connect with current practice
  • have excellent and refined artistic skills and a commitment to developing these skills further
  • have an ability to research, refine and engage with creative work to develop a project independently and thoroughly
  • have a genuine interest in current exhibitions and artist practice