This dynamic Level 3 course will help you refine your creative specialism within Art and Design, enhance your technical skills, and prepare you for higher education, specialised apprenticeships, or employment in the creative industries.
Throughout the course, you will explore advanced techniques and approaches linked to industry expectations, including drawing, painting, 3D design, fine art, photography, textiles, digital media, time-based work, and professional portfolio development. You will also engage in contextual research, critical analysis, and reflective practice to strengthen your creative decision-making and conceptual thinking.
You will receive guidance and support as you undertake internally set and assessed projects, which will help you develop independence, creativity, and confidence. Each project also offers opportunities to enhance your literacy, numeracy, and digital skills.
Upon completion of the course, you will receive a UAL Level 3 Diploma in Art and Design, recognised as a Level 3 qualification equivalent to A-levels and designed to provide a clear progression route to university, higher-level apprenticeships, or professional practice in the creative industries.
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What will I study?
Year 1 Unit 1: Diagnostic Investigation into Creative Practice
An exploratory unit where students investigate various creative disciplines to inform their practice.
Unit 2: Specialist Practice in Art and Design
Students develop a focused approach to their chosen area of interest within art and design.
Unit 3: Final Major Project
A self-initiated project that synthesizes learning from the previous units, demonstrating the student's creative and technical abilities.
Year 2
Unit 4: Professional Practice in Art and Design
Students explore professional contexts and prepare for entry into the creative industries.
Unit 5: Collaborative Practice
Emphasis on teamwork and collaboration within creative projects.
Unit 6: Personal and Professional Development
Focus on developing a personal brand and preparing for future career opportunities.
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Who is this course for?
This course is designed for students with a genuine passion for Art and Design who are keen to develop their creativity into future opportunities. It offers the chance to refine practical skills, build confidence, and explore different artistic disciplines while working towards a recognised qualification.
If you are motivated to expand your artistic abilities and committed to completing the course, this programme will support you in achieving a UAL Level 3 Diploma & Extended Diploma in Art and Design. Along the way, you will be encouraged to experiment, challenge yourself, and produce work that demonstrates both technical ability and personal expression.
Completing this qualification places you on a clear progression route towards higher-level study degree level, apprenticeships, or entry-level employment within the creative industries. It is an excellent foundation for ambitious students who want to unlock their full potential and prepare for a successful career in Art and Design.
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How is the course assessed?
Assessment is portfolio and assignment-based, with work completed to strict deadlines in line with UAL expectations.
- On the UAL Level 3 Diploma, students complete a total of three units.
- On the Extended Diploma, students complete six units. [Inclusive of year 1] All units are internally set and assessed, with Unit 3 (Diploma) and Unit 6 (Extended Diploma) externally moderated by the awarding body. Each unit is graded, and students must achieve at least a pass in every unit to gain the full qualification.
- Units 1, 2, 4, and 5 are graded Pass only.
- Units 3 and 6 determine the overall qualification grade, awarded as: o P ? Pass o M ? Merit o D ? Distinction This structure ensures students develop a broad range of skills before applying their learning to the externally moderated final project, where creativity, independence, and technical ability are demonstrated.
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Your Study Programme
We are committed to ensuring you are working at the right level for your core qualification and are fully supported to achieve the highest grade possible. As part of your programme, you will undertake work experience, designed to complement your college study and prepare you for progression into employment within the creative industries. You will also take part in a range of enrichment activities aimed at developing essential life skills, building confidence, and supporting your personal and professional growth. Your weekly timetable will include dedicated academic coach tutorial support, delivered through both group sessions and one-to-one meetings. These provide opportunities to review your progress, set goals, and access any additional guidance you may need to succeed.
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Knowledge
You will develop a thorough knowledge and understanding of:
Artists, craftspeople, and designers: Explore a wide range of practitioners from contemporary practice, art history, and different cultural contexts, helping you to draw inspiration and contextualise your own creative work at Level 3.
Creative industries: Learn about sectors relevant to your chosen specialism, including career pathways, professional expectations, and emerging trends, supporting progression to higher-level study, apprenticeships, or employment.
Sustainable practice: Develop an understanding of environmentally responsible approaches within the creative industries and apply these principles to your own studio practice and project work.
Digital skills: Gain competence in digital tools and platforms commonly used in the creative industries, enabling you to produce work that meets Level 3 professional standards.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) in creative practice: Explore how AI is applied in the creative industries, including benefits and ethical considerations, and learn to critically integrate AI into your own creative workflow.
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Skills
You will have the ability to:
Skills Developed on the UAL Level 3 Creative Practice Programme
Specialist skills: Build expertise in a wide range of art and design materials, techniques, and processes relevant to your chosen area of study, enabling you to produce high-quality, industry-informed work.
Design and problem-solving: Learn to generate, develop, and apply creative ideas to project briefs, enhancing your ability to solve design challenges independently and confidently.
Presentation and portfolio development: Gain the skills to present work effectively in both digital and practical formats, creating a cohesive portfolio that demonstrates your abilities and supports progression to higher education, apprenticeships, or employment.
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Behaviours
What is required?
Planning and organisation: You will manage your own workload effectively, plan and organise projects to meet industry standards, and ensure deadlines are achieved.
Reflective practice: You will critically evaluate your own work, analyse your practice, and implement changes to improve outcomes and develop as an independent creative practitioner. Project responsibility: You will take ownership of your projects, managing development from concept to completion, and responding constructively to feedback from tutors, clients, or other stakeholders.
Professional conduct and attendance: You will demonstrate consistent attendance, punctuality, and good studio practice, maintaining a professional attitude and fully engaging with all academic and practical learning opportunities.
Engagement and collaboration: You will actively participate in group activities, tutorials, and workshops, contributing to a productive studio environment and supporting your own learning and that of others.
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General info
The course combines coursework and externally examined units, and you are expected to achieve at least a pass in each unit to complete the qualification.
You will develop your literacy and communication skills throughout the programme and benefit from strong personal tutorial support.
Delivered through vocationally relevant, practical project work, the course encourages you to take an increasingly independent approach and explore the specialist area that interests you most. A period of work experience is also included as part of the programme.
You will be expected to purchase some basic equipment, which will be provided in a kit list emailed during the summer before enrolment.
There may also be opportunities for trips throughout the year, with costs discussed in advance.
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Progression and Career Opportunities
On successful completion of this programme you can:
Progress to a Foundation course or degree in Art and Design
Launch a career in the creative industries-Entry level
Take on a creative apprenticeship
Gain skills for entry-level roles in Graphic Design, Fine Art, Fashion, Photography, 3D Design, Illustration, and more
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Entry Requirements for new students
Entry Requirements
A minimum of 4 GCSEs at Grade 4 or above, including English and Art
A portfolio demonstrating your skills and particular interest in Art. This may include GCSE artwork and personal work produced at home
The level of course you enrol on will be determined by the quality of your portfolio
References may be requested by the course lead
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Admissions Process
We recommend that you attend one of our exciting open events so that you can look around the department, the college and meet the tutors. You are welcome to do this before or after you apply. These events have proved very successful in ensuring students and their families see the best of what the college has to offer such as our inspirational teaching areas, teachers, library facilities and places to eat.
Once you have applied our experienced Enrolment Team will consider your application carefully and will let you know, by email, if the College would like to make you a conditional offer based on you meeting the specified entry requirements. If your predicted grades or career aims suggest that an alternative subject area or course level would be more appropriate for you at this stage, we will contact you either by telephone, email or text. If you have told us that you have some additional support needs, we will contact you to find out more so that we can help you.
