Art & Design (Fine Art) A Level
The Fine Art course 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 1st year, and then through personal responses to unit themes and externally set assignments provided by the exam board.
Entry requirements
A minimum of 4 subjects at grade 5 or above at GCSE plus English Language at grade 4 or above. You should also have a grade 5 or above in either Art, Textiles or Graphics. We will also be happy to look at a portfolio of your work at your guidance discussion, and if you have the potential will offer you a place.
What will I study?
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.
Students' studio-based practice is contextualised with educational visits to exhibitions of contemporary art alongside references to work in the College Gallery and the library's excellent facilities. Also, during the summer term, students' outstanding achievements are celebrated in an exhibition of work at the end of year Creative Show.
The Fine Art programme provides students with the opportunity to express themselves imaginatively and creatively using a range of media. It is a demanding course but very enjoyable and rewarding.
Additional costs
£25 payable at the start of each year of the course for a mandatory student kit, details of which will be given out at enrolment.
Method of delivery
You will typically be in College four days per week, with lesson style varying according to subject. In-College delivery is supported by online resources, and students develop strong independent learning skills to equip them for their next steps.
How will I be assessed?
In year one there are two coursework units and and in year two there are two coursework units.
Students are provided with regular feedback throughout the units, with detailed feedback at the end of each unit in relation to assessment objectives outlined by the exam board. It is important that students reflect on the feedback provided to improve their existing and future work and fulfil their potential.
Good course combinations
This course combines well with most other A Levels, although students should not study more than two of the Art and Design options as they are coursework-based subjects which require a lot of time and dedication.
Your next steps
Having an A Level in a creative subject is an essential starting point if students want to pursue Art and Design. After completing their A Levels, students can apply to do a one year post-A Level Art and Design Foundation Diploma, or apply directly onto higher level degree courses at York College or other institutions.
The Art and Design Foundation Diploma Post Level 3 course helps students determine the most appropriate Art and Design Degree specialism for them, and is offered at York College. Past students have successfully completed degrees at Goldsmiths University of London, Edinburgh College of Art, Manchester Metropolitan University and Slade School of Art.
Having this qualification enables students to progress to a more specialist area within Art and Design such as Animation, Advertising, Fashion Design, Fine Art, Graphic Design, Illustration, Special Effects for Cinema, Photography, 3D Design, Sculpture, Textiles and more.
