Art and Design A Level

Applications Open: - 28th November 2025

Applications Close: - 30th January 2026

How to Apply: - via Kent Choices

Entry Requirements: - Students must meet the following academic criteria:

(a) Applicants must achieve at least an average GCSE grade of 5.7 from eight subjects (this must include at least one modern foreign language, at least one science and at least one humanity).

(b) Applicants must also have GCSE Mathematics and at least one English GCSE at a minimum of grade 5.

In addition to the above requirements, applicants wishing to be accepted on to a particular subject must achieve the requirements set down for that particular course in the Sixth Form Curriculum booklet

https://mgs.kent.sch.uk/admission/sixth-form-entry/

All students study 4 A Levels in Year 12 (Choose 5 subjects on the application form, with the 5th being a reserve). It is important that students refer to the 6th Form Curriculum booklet to ensure that they choose their courses appropriately. (There is the option to drop one of these subjects at the end of Year 12 and undertake an EPQ).

We do not require applicants to write a Personal Statement.

Extended Project Qualification (EPQ): Alongside our extensive A level offering, students are offered the opportunity to gain an Extended Project Qualification (Level 3). This research based qualification is an ideal way to prepare ahead of further academic studies and / or the working world. Students are able to research, plan and realise a 5000 word study on a topic of their choosing. Topics are wide ranging. Many students choose to explore topics that either complement their interests and academic studies or create a bridge to future career aspirations, for example in law or medicine. An EPQ provides ideal content for CVs, university applications and is worth up to 28 UCAS points. Importantly, many universities will lower their offer to students studying an EPQ because they recognise the skills and expertise students gain from studying an EPQ.

Art has expanded tremendously in the 21st Century, and Art and Design acknowledges and celebrates these changes in drawing, painting, mixed media, design, digital photography, ICT graphics, video, and installation. Our courses are augmented by trips and visits out to major museums. All Art students exhibit in the competitive juried Annual Student Summer Exhibition, and are given opportunities to exhibit in regional exhibitions such as the Downton Awards and NADFAS. MGS artists have an impressive record of prize winnings and university scholarships.

There are three titles available: Fine Art; Photography; and Graphic Communication.

Fine Art includes practical and critical work associated with one or more media, including painting and drawing, mixed media, sculpture, land art, installation, printmaking, video, and photography.

Photography may take the form of traditional darkroom and/or digital/video imagery, and may include the themes of portraiture, landscape, still life, documentary, experimental work, or installations.

Graphic Communication may include graphic design, illustration, advertising, packaging design, computer graphics, multimedia, web design, film, and video.

Art and Design is useful for a variety of career choices such as the Fine Arts, Product Design, Graphic Design, Illustration, Architecture, the Media, Cinema, Special Effects, Fashion, Urban Planning, Stagecraft, and Primary Education.

The one year AS programme of study includes:

Observational Imagery, culminating in a specially designed brief (approximately 20 weeks).

Externally Set Assignment (exam), prep and development beginning 1 February of Year 12 and concluding with a 10-hour long practical in late April.

The full A Level syllabus includes:

Observational Imagery, culminating in a specially designed brief (approximately 20 weeks).

A Self-Directed topic (10 months).

An essay.

Externally Set Assignment (exam), prep and development beginning 1 February of Year 13 and concluding with a 15-hour long practical in late April.

As above.

To study this course, you should have at least a Grade 6 in GCSE Art or its equivalent. Also, at least Grade 6 in GCSE Maths and English.

You could take this course to complement other Advanced Level courses such as History of Art, which could lead onto Higher Education in areas of Art and Design, Photography, Architecture, or more general Higher Education courses. With further training, you could go into a job related to Art and Design such as an Architect, Interior or Fashion Designer. The course will also encourage you to explore your creative mind and help you develop the basic skills, understanding and knowledge that many employers across lots of industries are looking for.