Art and Design BTEC Extended Certificate

Applications Open: 3rd November 2025

Applications Close: 1st September 2026

Entry Requirements: Please see courses for more information

How to Apply: Via Kent Choices website

This course supports you to become occupationally ready to take up employment in the Art and Design sector at the appropriate level. By studying a BTEC National, learners develop knowledge, understanding and skills required, including essential employability skills, and apply them in real work contexts.

The course is primarily a technical level qualification, equivalent in size of one A Level, which has been designed to occupy 10 lessons a fortnight, enabling learners to develop a significant common core of knowledge, including visual recording, selection and control of art and design materials, idea development, and idea communication, providing opportunity to study in more depth a range of option areas of their choice.

Students can individually select their preferred chosen pathway from the following specialisms:

Fine Art

Textiles

Graphics

The course is primarily a technical level qualification, equivalent in size of one A Levels, which has been designed to occupy 10 lessons a fortnight, enabling learners to develop a significant common core of knowledge, including visual recording, selection and control of art and design materials, idea development, and idea communication, providing opportunity to study in more depth a range of option areas of their choice.

Students can individually select their preferred chosen pathway from the following specialisms:

Fine Art

Textiles

Graphics

The compulsory units:

1. Visual Recording and Communication

2. Critical and Contextual Studies in Art and Design

3. The Creative Process

Pathway units:

Fine Art - Fine Art Materials, Techniques and Processes

Textiles - Textiles Materials, Techniques and Processes

Graphics - Graphics Materials, Techniques and Processes

A portfolio of work demonstrating your skills and interest in Art and design.

If you are interested in art, craft or design and if you have an aptitude for the subject you can succeed and go onto develop a successful career. There are many different fields within Art that you can specialise, such as: Animation, Web Design, Architecture, Gaming, Set Designer, Fashion or Textiles Designer, Interior or Food Decorator, Photographer, Illustrator, Art Dealer, Make-up Artist, Jewellery Design, Video Editor, Theatre Director, Curator, Art Therapy, Floral or Furniture Design. By passing this qualification, you would be eligible to do a foundation degree or move on to higher education or apprenticeships in the creative industry.