Course Overview
Art & Design at A-Level provides students with the opportunity to learn and develop a range of skills in relation to drawing, painting, sculpture and mixed media. This is taught initially through a six-week induction period at the beginning of the first year, and then through personal responses to unit themes and externally set assignments provided by the exam board.
This A-Level is awarded by AQA.
Students produce a body of work for all units, following the art process from initial research and starting points, through development and experimentation towards a final response in the form of a finished piece. Alongside their development work, students research a range of relevant artists to gain inspiration for their own creative ideas and themes.
There will be opportunities to visit exhibitions and galleries, locally and nationally, on a London residential trip, to expose you to current trends. You will have the opportunity to be exhibited at the College's prestigious end of year Summer Exhibition, with a private viewing in front of creative professionals, and there are even opportunities to become involved with a number of "live" commercial projects, commissioned throughout the year.
Assessment of course work is based on clearly defined criteria at each stage, through 4 mandatory units:
Year 1
- Unit 1 is portfolio of work set and marked by the centre and moderated by AQA
- Unit 2 is an externally set assignment. It is produced in supervised conditions over 5 hours and will be marked by the centre and moderated by AQA
Year 2
- Unit 3 is a personal investigation supported by written element of 1000-3000 words, set and marked by the centre and moderated by AQA
- Unit 4 is an externally set assignment. It is produced in timed conditions over 15 hours. Work produced will be marked by the centre and moderated by AQA
Your work will be assessed through a combination of observation and evaluation of practical outcomes, research, development and analysis of projects and written evaluations of finished projects. Verbal and written feedback is integrated at each stage.
The course can be taken in the following ways:
- Within KC Sixth with another two, possibly three A-Levels, tutorial and optional EPQ and Core maths
- As an 'add on' to a Full Time Level 3 Study Programme at the College, for example alongside a BTEC Extended Diploma
- As a stand-alone part-time course
If you would like to study a full-time programme of A-levels, please complete a full-time application form.
Entry Requirements
5 GCSEs at Grade 5 or above, including English Language and Maths. You should also have a Grade 6 or above in Art & Design, Photography, or another art related subject.
An interview and portfolio of art and design related work will be required by all applicants.
After Your Course
An A-Level Art & Design qualification can enable you to progress to Higher Education either through the College's 1 year Foundation in Art, Design & Photography, or through direct application to HNC/D and BA Degree courses.
The qualification also provides a platform to progress into the creative industries in a number of different ways; there are great benefits to having practical and creative skills and knowledge in Graphic Communication within the design, marketing and advertising industries and many web-based creative careers where graphic skills are highly valued.
Fees
£2583.00
The fee displayed is the course fee. Course fees are per year for full-time courses and per course for part-time courses.
Other costs may be associated with this course, such as kits, equipment, books, and trips. Financial support may be available to support you with these. See the Student Money pages for more information.
Courses fees
The current full-time & degree-level fee information is related to the 2025/26 academic year.
Level 3-6 Courses
Advanced Learning Loans are available for students aged 19 or over who are studying eligible level 3, 4, 5, and 6 courses. If you are on an Access course, the loan will be written off if you complete a degree.
You may qualify for financial support to cover the cost of a Level 3 qualification if you do not already hold a Level 3 qualification (this will depend on the course and your age as of 31 August 2025).
Please speak to Student Services for more information on course fees.
A-Levels
The fees displayed are for the one-year AS-Level course. If you would like to progress to the full A-Level, please get in touch with us to inquire about the cost of the second year, as it will vary.
16-18 year olds
There are no course fees if you were aged 16-18 on 31/08/25 and are not studying at another institution.
