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Art and Design

Diploma/Extended Diploma , Level 3
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Available at the following campuses:

A shot of the Quarry Hill Campus building and park on a summer day

Quarry Hill Campus

What Our Students Say

“Actually what we’re encouraged to do here is work a lot in our sketchbooks and our studio books, and make sure we’re always sketching our ideas up. We have art classes upstairs and so we can use screen printing, we do lino print, and then we have a photography class as well – so I’ve learned how to use DSLR cameras, we’re actually learning the fundamentals of the traditional, and developing them further if we are wanting to make them digital.””
“

Fran, Graphic Design

“Drawing a person, drawing a character from a TV show and whatnot that’s one thing, it’s fun, but it’s just one thing – but then when you see the buildings and billboards, and they just stand the test of time – hundreds of thousands to millions of people can see them, and knowing that if I have kids in the future maybe one day I could point them at a billboard and say – yeah your dad made that!”

Jay, Graphic Design

I particularly enjoyed feeling part of an artistic community, and gaining confidence in myself and my work.

I feel each project throughout the course in a way allowed for creative thinking and allowed me to create work I felt passionate about, whilst still keeping in line with the proposed themes.

This course has allowed me to learn and make use of various mediums and materials that I haven’t used before and given me the courage to continue to experiment with them.

Did you know!

  • English and maths will be built into your course if your grades are below 4.
  • We provide full-time arts education to over 1,000 students every year, from level 1 through to BA Honours degrees. If you are successful in gaining a place on one of our specialist courses, we will work with you to develop your creative skills and prepare you for the next big step – either to university, drama school, art college or the world of work.
  • We create opportunities to work with external professional bodies to exhibit in public spaces and understand the wider community within the creative industries through collaborations with professional studios and local artists/practitioners. These opportunities furnish our learners with important transferable skills desirable in a wider network of employment.

Course Information

Introduction

Define your own aesthetic with this exciting programme. You will deepen your knowledge of art processes such as painting, printmaking, drawing, textiles, and sculpture, ready to specialise in your own personal practice. You will also work towards a final major project that will be showcased in the end of year exhibition.

Who is this course for?

If you’re in year 11 or 12 and are looking to take the next steps towards a creative career, these courses are for you. Study in industry standard facilities and use our industry links to prepare for progression.

Course units/modules

The course is a BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Art and Design, which is a one year accredited course comprising 2 units. Students can progress onto the Extended Diploma in a second year of study which tops the Diploma up to become a two year accredited course comprising 4 units.

Benefits and skills

  • Strengthen your creative skills with various materials and techniques.
  • Explore processes such as drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, and textiles.
  • Focus on your own personal practice ready for progression opportunities
  • Develop a major project suitable for an art exhibition.

    • Entry requirements

    4 GCSEs at 4 or above including maths or English. Demonstration of subject interest through portfolio/sketchbooks.

    Available apprenticeships and progression options

    Progression may include further study at degree level, an apprenticeship, or relevant employment.

    Course details

    Duration: 1 year Diploma
    1 year Top-up Extended Diploma
    Start Date: 15/09/2025
    Fees (16-18): No fee
    Study Type: Full time
    Course Code: 76723-01

    Employment Statistics

    • Artists

      Average Salary
      £35,880

    • Graphic and multimedia designers

      Average Salary
      £31,200

    • Managers and directors in the creative industries

      Average Salary
      £42,120

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