UAL Extended Diploma in Creative Practice (Art & Design Pathway) Level 3

A minimum of 5 GCSE subjects at grade 4 or above including English and/or Maths. The Art & Design Diploma Level 2 qualification at Merit grade will also be considered as part of the entry requirements. You will be invited to show a portfolio of your art and design work at your guidance discussion.

Through drawing projects and experimental workshops, you will experience a variety of new art and design media and techniques. This will allow you to broaden your own visual experience so that you can make an informed choice of specialist area in your second year.

You will extend your art and design skills by working in printmaking workshops, photography studios, Apple Mac suites and 3D workshops.

Throughout the programme there are educational visits to galleries, workshops, museums, exhibitions and places of specific interest to extend your awareness of the wide range of contemporary creative activity. Art and design history is an integral part of the qualification and supports your work in the studios and workshops.

As an optional part of the programme we also offer an exciting opportunity to take part in residential study trips. One of these may be an overseas visit to a European city, reflecting cultural excellence in the visual and applied arts. In addition, some students may take part in live projects with local industry.

At the end of the course you will work on a Personal Project in a specialist area, which will be exhibited in the Creative Show for parents, practitioners and VIPs.

Additional costs
There is a £30 cost for a mandatory Art Kit to enhance students' learning through the availability of additional resources. More details will be provided at Guidance Discussion and enrolment.

Residential trips both home and abroad are an important part of the course but are optional. The cost varies and is dependent on current rates for the destination.

You will typically be in College three days per week which will also include any GCSE English or Maths resits you may need to undertake - you cannot undertake both GCSEs at Level 3. In-College delivery is supported by online resources and potentially trips and visits to support primary research within project work. The course is designed in three stages: An Induction stage to the different processes in Art and Design, followed by a Project to put these elements into practice and culminating in a Final Major Project for year one.

The second year of the course is similar in structure to year one but is designed to give you more independence within your project work and your Final Major Project is negotiated. The course helps you build on prior knowledge as well as developing strong independent learning skills to equip you for your next progression step.

All the course is internally assessed - continuous assessment of your portfolio of project work, with feedback on your progress in one-to-one tutorials as well as a Final Major Project with a new and exciting theme each year. There is a test element to year one of the programme where you will be asked to produce a PowerPoint and evaluation based on a chosen theme. You will be able to showcase your Final Major Project in year two at the end of year Creative Show.

This is a full-time course. It is not possible to combine this course with other Vocational, Apprenticeship or A Level programmes.

On completion you can progress on to a wide range of specific Art and Design degree programmes at universities and colleges within the UK, related to the areas of Graphics, Illustration, 3D Design, Fine Art, Fashion and Textiles including our own degree courses at York College. Past students have successfully completed creative degrees at University of the Arts London, Goldsmiths, Northumbria University, Manchester Metropolitan University and Glasgow School of Art.