AS/A Level Art and Design

Key Details

Available at:
Pwllheli, Dolgellau
Study Mode:
Full-time
Course Length:
1-2 years

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AS/A Level Art and Design

School Leavers

Dolgellau

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Pwllheli

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Applying for more than one A Level?

You can apply from this page and you will have the opportunity to add your additional A Level subjects at the end of the application process. You can find the A Level subject grid to make your choices on our main A Level page.

Please note: We recommend that you have access to a laptop or Chromebook to enable coursework to be completed digitally at home. There is a dedicated IT Digital Inclusion fund to support those learners who do not have a digital device and are unable to purchase one.

Course Description

Are you looking for a career in art and design? Would you like to develop your knowledge and skills with a variety of techniques and materials?

This course has been designed for a wide range of students who want an advanced level Art and Design course. It prepares you for Higher Education and employment, as well as developing your creative practice. The course is both rewarding and challenging, encompassing a wide variety of topics, detailed below.

The course can be taken as part of a full-time programme of study in conjunction with other AS subjects, or possibly with other Level 3 qualifications.

This course will give you a firm understanding of the techniques and processes involved in a wide range of art and design disciplines. You will have the opportunity to study and practise in areas such as painting, drawing, print-making, constructing, modelling, fabricating, and handling traditional and contemporary media. All students will be able to improve their understanding of materials, techniques and tools, as well as their skills in inventing, investigating, improvising, planning, designing, and using historical and contemporary influences.

The AS represents the first year of a two year A level qualification but it can be studied separately. It consists of one unit:

Unit 1: Personal Creative Enquiry (40% of A level), internally assessed, externally moderated.

This unit consists of an extended, exploratory project/portfolio and outcome/s based on themes and subject matter which are personal and meaningful to the learner.

In the initial stage of Unit 1, learners will have the opportunity to explore and cultivate fundamental skills, knowledge and understanding through a variety of creative sessions, activities and experiences to help learners develop skills, from which personally significant creative enquiries can be generated as the course progresses.

There is also an emphasis on the value of drawing skills with a focus on encouraging learners to appreciate the significance of drawing in the widest sense by recognising and reviewing how it feeds the creative process across disciplines.

The A level consists of the AS Unit 1 plus two additional units:

Unit 2: Personal Investigation (36% of A level), internally assessed, externally moderated.
Unit 3: Externally Set Assignment (24% of A level), internally assessed, externally moderated.

Further information on these units will be available shortly.

Entry Criteria

Applying for A Levels? Click ‘Apply Now’ on any of the subjects you are interested in studying. You will be able to specify your other two A Level choices during the online application process.

The A Level subject grids for each campus can be found in the guides on the A Level section of the website.

In order to qualify for this course, you will need the following:

6 GCSEs at grade C or above, including English or Welsh 1st Language
GCSE in creative subject grade C, together with a folder of work which should be brought with you to interview

As part of the application process, you will be asked to attend an interview to give you the opportunity to discuss the course.

Progression to A Level is based on your performance at AS Level.

There is an additional resource fee of £20 on this course.

Delivery

This course is delivered as follows:

Group work
Classroom based learning
Tutorial support
Educational visits
MOODLE (virtual learning environment)

Your programme will include a combination of:

Essential Skills qualifications and/or
GCSE resits and/or
The Welsh Baccalaureate

Welsh Baccalaureate

Welsh Baccalaureate is a valuable qualification which is often studied alongside your Level 3 full-time course.

The qualification is graded A*-E, carrying the equivalent UCAS points at Level 3, and equips you with transferable personal and business skills. It is highly regarded by universities and employers alike.

As part of the qualification, you will learn about Global Citizenship, Enterprise and Employability and take part in community engagement and work experience.

Essential Skills

This may include a combination of Application of Number, Communication, Digital Literacy and Essential Employability Skills

GCSE resits

This may include GCSE Numeracy/Maths and/or Welsh/English Language.

Maths & Welsh/English

If you don't achieve a C or above in Maths and/ or English/Welsh, we will support you to retake these subjects as part of your study programme.

Assessment

In the first year, to achieve the AS level, you will complete a single coursework unit equating to 40% of the full A Level. This is assessed via a blend of interim assessment and feedback, with final external moderation taking place at the end of the AS year.

In the second year, to achieve the full A Level, you will also complete a 'Personal Investigation' plus 'Externally Set Assignment' which together will equate to 60% of the full A Level.

Progression

Whether you study the full A Level or just the AS Level, the course adds to your qualifications and helps you to progress. You will gain UCAS points and be able to apply for a range of Higher Education courses at many institutions.

If you choose to continue your studies in this subject, Grŵp Llandrillo Menai offers a Diploma in Foundation Studies: Art and Design, as a bridge to Higher Education both internally and externally.

The Grŵp also offers the following degree courses:

Foundation Degree (FdA) Art and Design
Foundation Degree (FdA) Photography
BA (Hons) Fine Art

Your career options would include working independently either as a designer or as an artist or craftsperson as well as the opportunity to enter employment in the creative industries for example in fashion, advertising, web design, publishing, illustration, animation or product design.

Other possible career opportunities include education, gallery/museum work, theatre - set design/costumes/make up etc., archive work/restoration, architecture, photojournalism and marketing amongst others.