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A Level Art & Design

At St Edward’s, our Art & Design course will equip you with the skills to analyse, reflect, interpret, problem solve, be creative, think imaginatively, work independently, and express yourself through a wide range of media, materials and techniques. You will also explore a wide range of artworks from different genres, historical periods and from different cultures.

Why Study A Level Art & Design?

In Art & Design you will be taught and have the opportunity to develop skills in a wide range of media and techniques including drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, photography and installation.  You will also question and consider why people make art and how art can be used to explore issues in today’s society. 

Art & Design is a great choice if you are interested in creative thinking, creative problem solving and developing your manipulative skills across a wide range of media and techniques.  Developing skills necessary to work in the creative industries which form a thriving part of the UK economy.  The course helps you interpret our world and challenge ideas and concepts.   

This course is particularly suitable if you are interested in following a creative career path.  The practical nature of the course allows students the time and space to develop a wide range of manipulative skills.  There is no written exam for this subject, instead students write an essay exploring an idea or concept linked to their personal theme and this way of working is excellent preparation for those students who want to pursue further study at HE.

Course Contact

Mrs Melanie Biggs
Art & Design Subject Leader

Course Content

Component 1: Personal Investigation (60% of final mark)

A personal investigation in which candidates develop work in response to an idea, issue, concept or theme of their choosing. Student starting points have ranged from Japanese Art, Urban, Reflection, Dreams, Stories, Reality or Rainforests, it is the choice of the individual student. At A level candidates are required to build upon their knowledge, understanding and skills gained at GCSE with greater depth of study. Students explore their theme across an exciting range of media such as sculpture, print making, mixed media or installation.

Component 2:  Externally set assignment (40% of final mark) 

Candidates will be given a question paper containing a range of exciting starting points. Candidates will choose one to develop. They will be given a lead in period in which to prepare for the final exam. The final exam consists of a supervised period of 15 hours. Students can again explore their idea using a wide range of media and techniques. 

Where can this take you?

After studying Art & Design at St Edward’s, you could complete a Foundation course at Arts University, Bournemouth or elsewhere which could lead to a BA(Hons) Degree course in a range of Art disciplines, from Animation to Architecture.

Students sometimes take Art & Design as part of an A level ‘package’ that then gives them the grades or UCAS points to apply for a degree course of their choice. Students have gone on to study across a full range of courses from accountancy to physiotherapy. An increasingly popular choice is to apply for a higher-level degree apprenticeship after studying a range of A levels, using the skills gained across different disciplines to make the student a strong candidate when applying for different apprenticeship roles. 

Student Destinations 

  • Foundation Diploma in Art, Design and Media.  (One year course that allows students to explore creative areas before selecting their creative degree) 
  • The University of Edinburgh - BA Hons Film and Television 
  • Arts University Bournemouth - BA Hons Modelmaking 
  • Falmouth University - BA Hons Interior Architecture 
  • Arts University Bournemouth - BA Hons Animation Production 
  • Nottingham Trent University - BA Hons Textile Design

Entry Requirements

Download Entry Requirements

Student Testimonials

"At St Edward’s art is much more than just paint and paper, it’s the future.  Many use the skills taught in art in their everyday lives and become individuals in the way they desire, due to the freedom it gives you.  This subject is very important and meaningful to me."

Valerija, KS5 Art & Design student

"I enjoy exploring different media and finding new ways to express myself artistically.  Being able to choose my own theme allows me to have full artistic freedom."

Wes, KS5 Art & Design student 

"I love the experimental side of art, I love how you have the freedom to experiment with so many different techniques and then specialise in your favourite."

Jenna, KS5 Art & Design student