UAL Graphic Design Applied General Extended Diploma Level 3
Have you always been interested in design, illustration, drawing, magazines, layout using digital or traditional methods, computer games, animation, graphic novels, street art, doodling, graffiti, art and design? Then this course is for you.
Entry requirements
A minimum of 5 GCSE subjects at grade 4 or above including English and/or Maths. The Art and 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.
What will I study?
This is an exciting course made up of inspirational projects which integrate many different approaches to Graphic Design. There are live briefs set by companies and industry professionals and workshops which will teach you a wide range of Graphic Design skills, allowing you to explore many pathways within the specialism.
We have an excellent staff team who cover a wide range of specialisms on this exciting, fast moving course. Through projects and experimental workshops, you will experience a variety of new graphic art and design media techniques to broaden your own visual experience within the following areas:
- Graphics
- Printmaking
- Illustration
- Digital Imaging
- Animation
- Typography
- Drawing
- Layout
You will work in a purpose-built Graphics studio to work out creative ideas. You will also spend time in a fantastic Apple Mac suite using state-of-the-art computers to develop your skills in digital imaging, experimenting with exciting formats for text and image. You may work on magazines, animation, adverts, posters, flyers, book covers, stationery and packaging.
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.
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.
Method of delivery
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 Graphic Design and Illustration, followed by a Project to put these elements into practice and culminating in a Final Externally Assessed Brief.
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.
How will I be 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.
Good course combinations
This is a full-time course. It is not possible to combine this course with other Vocational, Apprenticeship or A Level programmes.
Your next steps
Before completion you will gain one to one focused time to build a portfolio for interview and can progress onto a wide range of specific degree courses related to Graphic Design, including our own degree course at York College. Typically, students have gone to universities to study:
- Graphic Design
- Illustration
- Printmaking
- Graphic Arts
- Computer Games Design
- Animation
- Interactive Media
Past students have successfully completed creative degrees at Northumbria University, Brighton University, Edinburgh College of Art, Middlesex University, Nottingham Trent University, Leeds Arts University, Liverpool John Moores University and York College. Students also choose to go straight into industry building on opportunities presented through live projects.
“I enjoy graphics because I love drawing within an illustration context, something which I could easily incorporate into my work for the course. The tutors do a great job at guiding you through the course context and support you continuously throughout. They really encourage you to incorporate your interests and use techniques you enjoy within your projects which further makes the whole coursework more personal and fun.”
