Level 3 Art and Design

Start Date

Mon Sep 07 2020

Day / Time

Weekdays

Duration

1 year

Campus

Baltic Campus

Level 3 Art and Design

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This course is designed to prepare you for the world of work in the creative sector. The UK has one of the most diverse and vibrant creative landscapes, employing around 3.12 million people and generating around £101.5 billion each year. Employment in the UK creative industries is growing at 4 times the rate of the UK workforce.

On this course, you'll explore and develop different disciplines and skills before specialising in your own preferred route You'll learn through experimentation and exploration by engaging in practical and theory sessions and you'll explore the work of other artists and designers, discover career and progression routes to help you reach for that dream job and visit galleries and places of cultural and educational interest. Plus, we're in a great location with BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art right on our doorstep.

Validated by the world-renowned University of Arts London (UAL), the course is a two year programme designed to give you the freedom to explore your potential, take creative risks and find the path that challenges and excites you.

This course covers painting, sculpture, textiles, fine art, photography, multi-media, graphic design and illustration, helping you to develop your skills across a broad range of techniques. You’ll choose one to specialise in for your final major project, build a portfolio of work for progression to higher education or employment and showcase your creative ability in a final year exhibition.

You'll work in traditional and digital media as well as 2D and 3D techniques. In the final stage of the course you will choose your own art and design specialism, helping you prepare for the next stages and develop a portfolio.

You will showcase your work at exhibitions, participate in creative competitions, work on live briefs with real clients and build a professional body of work which will give you the confidence to study at university or step into employment.

Assessment

Throughout this qualification you will build skills, competencies and confidence in the creative process, understanding how to reflect on your practice and unlock your creative potential. We'll give you regular feedback, designed to help you be the best you can, be it in practical work, concept development and design or how you creatively problem solve.

You are graded at the end of each year. In year one this is the final major project, a body of work that shows your strengths and personal interests and is based around where you excel. Reflecting your research, contextual design, presentation and, of course, your practical skills.

Top-up onto the extended diploma in year two and you will advance your skill set and professional qualities building towards the extended final major project, your chance to show how far you have come. Assessed on your professional portfolio of work, you will be ready to progress to university or the other exciting next steps in your creative career.

The teaching team

As a team we are highly motivated and positive and believe that an open mind and a can do attitude is the best way for you to get the most out of your learning. We work closely with our students and often learn from each other to embrace creativity, share new ideas and celebrate at the end of year with an exhibition of the fantastic work produced.

Work Experience & Employer Partners

Live projects are an exciting and important part of the course. You'll work on live commissions or receive work placements with external companies. Our network of employer partnership includes BALTIC Centre of Contemporary Art, Northern Gas Network, North East Dyslexia, Newcastle Crown Court, Kurodragon, Surreal and Wild in Art. This is an amazing opportunity to show you can work to a live brief with your own style of work; perfect to add to your CV.

“We were amazed at the work the students produced.” Newcastle Crown Court

“It was great working with the college on this project to commemorate these iconic structures, which have been a familiar sight in Redheugh for more than a century.” Northern Gas Networks

Next Steps

Our team will support you throughout the year to help you to decide on your next steps, whether than is into work or onto university or furthwe study. After the course, you can progress onto an appropriate Level 3 or 4 foundation course or university programme. The college has award-winning careers advisors, offering one to one help with UCAS applications or advice on routes
into employment or starting your own freelance career.

The course attracts up to 168 UCAS points if fully completed.

Required Entry Qualifications

4 GCSE (or equivalent) grades at grade 4 (C’s) or above. An art related subject, maths and English is preferred, but not essential. Enthusiasm and passion is necessary. We would like to see a selection of your work, this could be in a sketchbook, digitally or in a portfolio. If you have been out of education for a while but have a portfolio you would like to show us, please bring it to one of our enrolment events to have a chat and show off your work.

Finance and funding

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 start@gateshead.ac.uk

What are people saying about this course?

“I am able to express myself on this course which is good.” Jamie

“The improvement in my personal work is amazing!! I love the course and all the new things I've learnt.” Melissa

“The facilities are fantastic and the staff are very supportive and encouraging. I would not hesitate to recommend it to others. I have learnt a great deal and it has given me confidence to apply to university. It has been a dream come true.” Linda

“A vibrant and positive environment to work in. Purposeful and enthusiastic creative minds to work with all year. I Love it!" Kafui Avornyo, Teacher.

“I work with a fantastic team our skills, knowledge and personal attributes contribute to ensuring our students are provided with exceptional teaching and exciting innovative projects. There is always a real buzz in the department.” Sharon Fenwick, Curriculum Leader.