Art and Design (Fine Art) A Level

Dartford Grammar School for Girls

Shepherds Lane, Dartford, Kent, DA1 2NT

GCE A/AS Level or Equivalent

Level 3

Available start dates

Tuesday, 01 September 2026

Dartford Grammar School for Girls

2 Year(s)

Full time

Daytime/working hours

Please contact the provider directly to apply for this course.

Application Instructions

Admission is based solely on actual GCSE results. No conditional offers will be made in advance of GCSE results day.

Applications to join Year 12 should be made on GCSE results day in August 2026 by 12pm.

Students applying after this deadline will be eligible to join the school if they meet the criteria and there are places still available in Year 12 on the courses they wish to follow.

Entry Requirements: - All students joining Year 12 will have achieved:

• A minimum of 52 points across 8 GCSE subjects;

• A minimum of grade 5 in Mathematics and English Language or English Literature;

• The subject requirements for the A Level subjects to be studied.

All A Level courses have specific requirements related to course content. Please refer to the detailed information for each course.

It is important to take time to read the individual course requirements and specifications.

How to Apply: - Please apply via our school website: www.dartfordgrammargirls.org.uk on GCSE results day in August 2026 by 12pm.

We are not accepting applications via KentChoices.

Please check our school website for more details.

Course Summary

Art and Design - Fine Art (AQA)

A Level Art and Design provides students with opportunities to develop personal responses to ideas, observations, experiences, environments and cultures in practical, critical and contextual forms.

Most teaching is on a one-to-one basis to develop personal themes, responses, interests and outcomes.

Course Details

Component 1: Personal Investigation - 60%

Students begin the course with an experimental approach where they explore creative ideas by using new techniques and processes as well as developing existing skills to a higher level. As the course continues, there is a practical unit with written elements in which candidates are expected to develop a personal investigation based on an idea, issue, concept or theme leading to a finished piece or pieces. The department will support students by teaching new skills and techniques as well as providing possible ideas for development.

Component 2: Externally Set Assignment - 40%

Students are expected to produce a body of work with a realised final outcome over the duration of this component. Exam papers are released on 1st February of the second year and students choose from a selection of titles to produce a body of work over the remainder of the course. The development of the project leads to a finished piece or pieces that are produced in exam conditions over a period of 15 hours.

How will it be delivered and assessed?

Component 1: Personal Investigation (worth 60% of the A Level)

Component 2: Externally set Assignment (worth 40% of the A Level)

Entry requirements

Grade 6 in GCSE Art and Design.

Your next steps...

Foundation Diploma, BTEC Diploma and Undergraduate Degree. Courses include Fine Art, Architecture, Textiles, Fashion Design, Interior Design, Product Design, Industrial Design, Theatre and Costume Design, Ceramics, Glass-making, Jewellery, Film, Multi Media and Animation.

For more courses like this, check our courses page.