Art and Design: Art A Level AQA

Applications Open – 3rd November 2025

Applications Close – 31st July 2026

Entry Requirements –We do have entry recommendations for some courses, especially A-levels, as we would not want you to start a course that would not be suitable for you. We want to give you the best chance of future success.

The course programmes are flexible: students can mix Level 3 courses with Level 2 courses, or A-levels with BTECs. We provide impartial advice and guidance and seek to put you on the courses you want and are likely to be successful in.

Students are expected to study up to 3 A level equivalent subjects (this can be from either A levels and/or Level 3 BTEC subjects) building their own personalised combination of Level 3 subjects OR a full time Level 2 course.

The sixth form runs on a flexible timetable with some courses running until 6.00pm. This flexibility means we can offer as much as possible, to as many as possible, as often as possible.

How to Apply – Please apply via Kent Choices.

View our courses here

At The Canterbury Academy A Level art and design provides students with opportunities to develop a personal responses to ideas, observations, experiences, environments and cultures in practical, critical and contextual forms. Students have the opportunity to express their passions and thoughts about society, their environment and surroundings and show what influences and drives them as an artist.

This four-unit specification requires students to develop their ability to show a range of skills. These include: independence of mind in developing their own ideas, an interest and enthusiasm for art and design and the experience of working with a range of media, including traditional and new media and technologies.

Students will also have opportunities to develop their knowledge further by going on out of school trips and activities, life drawing and attending workshops at our local university to gain experience in further education.

Units will include aspects of art, craft and design and fine art. You will be given a topic in your first year that you will use as a starting point to demonstrate your artistic abilities in a range of media. You will work using 2D and 3D media and use the work of other artists as sources of inspiration, analysing their work and their use of composition, light, and media. You will develop your own skills as an artist and explore new techniques and processes that may be unfamiliar to you.

You will complete a coursework unit and an exam each year: the coursework will be very self-driven and you will work independently showing your artistic skill and drawing abilities. You will be assessed on your research skills, observational drawing and paintings, use of media and ability to create a personal meaningful response.

We recommend that students looking to further and extend their knowledge and skills associated with art and design should have a GCSE grade 5/6 or BTEC Merit and above and portfolio of work prior to starting the course.

An English Language grade of 6 or above would be very beneficial. This is due to the nature of the amount of written work required on the course, which includes a 3000 word essay in the second year.

Vocation

This course will help you to extend your knowledge and skills in a variety of areas within art and design and will provide you with a good range of work to ensure that you can either get onto a course at university, or begin your creative career and employment in other areas in art and design. You could find employment in a design studio, a gallery or begin your own freelance practice.

Academic

This course could lead to study BA (Hons) in fine art, photography or graphic design, web design, advertising, textiles or a printmaking degree.