Art and Design Level 3 Extended Diploma

Pursue a career in art and design with the Art and Design Level 3 Extended Diploma. It gives you a broad base of knowledge and experience to prepare you for working within the creative industries, or for progression to a higher-level course.

In year one sample all the different areas of art, design and craft. In year two, you specialise - the units are very open so you can work in your chosen field.

You study 18 units over the two years:

- 5 mandatory units (your assessment grades for these must be included in your final grade.
- 13 professional/specialist units

Subject areas you explore include painting, textiles, printmaking, sculpture, metalwork, ceramics, graphics, fashion, visual studies, design skills, CAD, photography, historical and contextual studies, personal and professional development.

In addition, you study functional skills in English and maths, and develop entrepreneurial skills through live projects and enterprise activities.

All units are internally assessed and assessments take place throughout the course. Grades are verified internally and externally to ensure that national standards are met

On successful completion you gain the BTEC Extended Diploma in Art and Design, and functional skills qualifications in English and maths. This programme course enables you to build a portfolio within a personally selected specialist area of study.

You gain:
- practical 2D and 3D skills - through research and design development
- organisation skills - planning and time management
- evaluative skills - when reviewing personal work
- self-motivation skills - when working independently inside and outside of college
- teamwork and communication skills - by working as part of a group and presenting ideas

By the end of the course you will have benefited from a valuable insight into progression opportunities open to you.

4 GCSEs grade A*-C, preferably including English Language, or a National Award in Art and Design, or First Diploma in Art and Design at Merit or above.
Your offer is also subject to a successful interview when we will expect to see a portfolio of art, design or craft work

All students have their literacy and numeracy needs supported within the programme.

On successful completion of the course you can progress on to art and design degree courses in specialist areas such as fine art, textile design, surface design, ceramics, fashion, graphics, design crafts, photography, jewellery or architecture.

These can lead to more highly specialist areas, such as marketing within the design industry or roles within education. Alternatively you may want to work in the industry, get an apprenticeship or set up your own business

The programme is delivered in 6-week cycles ('pulses') - 4 weeks of teaching, one week of related enterprise, and one week of catch-up/stretch. The units are delivered through a variety of techniques to suit all different learning styles. Practical work includes:
- individual practical project work
- simulated and live briefs, course related visits, drawing from life, sketchbooks, design and presentation and problem solving exercises

You need to be able to work independently and you are required to carry out approximately 15 hours homework a week.