A Level Art and Design: Fine Art

Applications Open: - 3rd November 2025

Applications Close: - 31st March 2026

Entry Requirements: - Our Sixth Form entry requirements are five GCSEs at Grade 4 and above for the 'A' Level Pathway (in addition to some individual subject entry requirements) and 4 GCSEs at Grade 4 and above for the Vocational (BTEC) Pathway. The course information gives specific details of course content and entry requirements. Please also refer to the Sixth Form Prospectus for the specific entry requirements for the chosen subjects.

Students need to select the equivalent of 3 A Levels or more. (Triple BTEC counts as 3, Double BTEC counts as 2). Subjects are grouped into option blocks, please be aware that not all combinations are possible.

In addition to academic requirements stated above a place will be dependent on the receipt of a satisfactory school reference.

How to Apply: - Please apply via Kent Choices if you area a student from another school.

Please visit our website www.stanselmscanterbury.org.uk for more information.

Course Overview

This specification is designed to encourage candidates to:

• Develop their interest and enjoyment in art and design, fostering its value in lifelong learning
• Develop personal responses to ideas, observations, experiences, environments and cultures
• Work from their own strengths and interests within the remit of the specification
• Students visit museums, galleries to gather research, inspiration and resources.
• Students take part in workshops, when possible, enter competitions and take advantage of local visiting artists.

Students will be expected to demonstrate skills in the context of their chosen area(s) of Fine Art and demonstrate skills in the following:

• Appreciation of different approaches to recording images, such as observation, analysis and expression.
• Understanding of space, composition, rhythm, scale and structure.
• Appreciation of colour, line, tone, texture, shape and form.

Areas of study

Students are required to work in one or more area(s) of Fine Art, such as those listed below. They may explore overlapping areas and combinations of areas:

• drawing and painting
• mixed media, including collage and assemblage
• sculpture
• ceramics
• installation
• printmaking (relief, intaglio, screen processes and lithography)
• moving image and photography

Component 1: Personal investigation - 60% of A Level

This is a practical investigation supported by written material. Students conduct a practical investigation into a theme, idea, or concept, supported by written material. The focus of the investigation must be identified independently by the student and leads to a finished outcome or a series of finished outcomes.

Component 2: Externally set assignment - 40% of A Level

Preparatory period – from 1st February

• The externally set assignment materials are released to learners from 1st February.
• The question paper will consist of a choice of eight questions to be used as starting points.

Supervised time- 15 hours

• Following the preparatory period, students complete 15 hours of unaided, supervised work.
• Preparatory work and the work produced during the 15 hours will be assessed together.
• Students will be assessed on their ability to work independently, working within the specified time constraints, and developing a personal and meaningful response.

Many students go on to study Art at degree level. Future careers vary from academic, teaching, working in museums and galleries to working in the media, game design, fashion, textiles, jewellery design, illustration, graphic design, web design, photography, architecture and many more creative jobs.