Art and Design Level 1

All the tutors are professional artists, each with a range of specialisms, who can give you insights on how to expand your skills so you can learn how to become a professional artist.

Throughout the course, we will help you build not only the art skills, but also your confidence, motivation and vocational skills that will help you move onto Level 2.

“One of the things I love to see from my Level 1 students is when they can actually see how much they’ve learnt. We make the lessons fun, but learning is always there, and when you see a student say ‘I can do this!’ it’s great to experience a student seeing their work pay off!” Sharon Fenwick , Level 1 Art & Design Curriculum Leader.

On Level 1, you will work on either live commissions from outside clients, or receive work from within the college that helps you develop your professional skills.

At the end of the year, we have a full exhibition, where you'll show your work and have the opportunity to discuss this with professionals who are visiting the exhibition.

Students on the Level 1 Art and Design  have the opportunity to work with our professional partners, such as the Baltic and the Law Courts.

We often have opportunities for Level 1 students to work with the Level 2 students when we have professional artists come in, so they can gain the same skills.

In the Art department, we have a range of facilities and materials for the students to use – PCs with access to Photoshop, a colour printer in Xerox, and standard drawing equipment, including drawing boards, paper etc.

We also work with the Baltic and have access to their facilities too.

Whatever support you need, we’re here for you and will make sure you get the most out of your time at college.

We have expert teams in place to look after every single one of our students.

Our specialist teams can help with:

• Learning difficulties
• Physical and sensory disabilities

• Dyslexia, dyspraxia, neurodiversity or other specific learning difficulties
• Mental health and well being
• Exam access arrangements
• Money, finance and bursary advice
• Careers advice, job and university applications

See here for more information, pop into one of our enrolment events, call us on 0191 490 4627.

The art team will support you throughout the year to take your next steps.

Students from the Level 1 art and design course can progress onto an appropriate Level 2 course or you could gain an apprenticeship.

Admission to our art and design courses are subject to an interview. To help prepare you for the interview, we would like to see some examples of work.

We understand that some schools often keep the portfolios up to the exams, so even if you can take some photographs of your work on your phone, it would be helpful.

" Level 1 Art and Design has helped me expand my skills, and improve my drawing and what I need to know about art, so I can move to the Level 2 next year”.Tammy Cummings, Level 1 Art Design Student.

This course is free to those aged under 19 years old.

Most people aged 19 years and over can qualify for free or reduced price course fees and there are grants and bursaries you can apply for to help cover the costs of coming to college, depending on your circumstances.

If you already have a full level 3 qualification and are aged 19 years over, you can apply for an Advanced Learning Loan or pay the fee upfront in full and qualify for a 10% discount.

You can get more information at our enrolment events, by calling 0191 490 2246 or email us at [email protected]