Art and Design A Level

Applications Open: - 3rd November 2025

Applications Close: - To be confirmed

Entry Requirements: - 5 GCSEs Grade 9-4 - Some requirements vary slightly dependent on course.

How to Apply: - Please apply via Applica here

About the course

Board: AQA

The study of Art and Design will help you develop your intellectual, creative and practical skills. You will be given opportunities to record, investigate and experiment with a wide range of techniques, processes and materials and be expected to demonstrate your aesthetic and critical judgements. Crucially you will be expected to work independently, take creative risks and explore your ideas; working towards producing a personal outcome.

Drawing from observation is a fundamental requirement of the course and underpins everything at A-Level. Sketchbooks will allow you to record the development of artwork and to refine your skills

As you progress through the course you will find ways of developing your own interests and personal style informed by your understanding of other artists and designers’ work.

All students will produce practical and critical/contextual work in one or more areas, including drawing, painting, mixed media, sculpture, illustration, graphic design, installation, printmaking, digital art, moving image and photography.

In the second year of the course students will be given the option to specialise in a particular area in negotiation with subject staff.

The Art and Photography Department run a biennial overseas trip and have in the past visited Paris and Barcelona.

Students exhibit their final work in an end of year exhibition.

Units of Study

Component 1

Personal Investigation (60% of A level)

The personal investigation consists of coursework with no time limit and is worth 60% of the marks. Students develop work based on an idea, issue, concept or a series of related outcomes. It must be supported by a piece of in-depth personal written work of between 1,000 and 3,000 words. This should be informed by first hand experience of the work studied

Component 2

Externally Set Assignment (40% of A Level)

The question paper will consist of a choice of eight questions to be used as starting points. Students are required to select one. Students will be provided with examination papers on 1 February, or as soon as possible after that date.

Preparatory period – from 1 February

Following receipt of the paper students should consider the starting points and select one. Preparatory work should be presented in any suitable format, such as mounted sheets, design sheets, sketchbooks, workbooks, journals, models and maquettes.

Assessment: Following the preparatory period, students must complete 15 hours of unaided, supervised time, usually during late April / early May.

Five Grades 9 to 5 at GCSE. Students should have a Grade 5 or above in GCSE English Language and a Grade 6 or above in GCSE Art and Design. Students who have not previously studied Art may be accepted if they can demonstrate key skills in a comparable subject.

University degree courses

Careers such as: Illustration, Museum Education, Graphic Design, Theatre Design, Fashion, Architecture, Printmaking, Print and Design, Curation, Media, Journalism, Conservation, textiles, Wehicle Design, Art History