Art and Design: Graphic Design 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

Students will be introduced to a the world of Graphic Design, which includes advertising, marketing, photography, packaging and working to client briefs. Graphic Design is the future and is an exciting way to explore a digital world and gain skills and understanding in how to work in the design industry.

Students will work with a range of different design briefs from packaging, fashion, comic books and publishing using Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, photography and the lighting studio.

Students will also explore the use of drawing materials such as graphic acrylic pens, airbrushes and digital pens to explore and sketch ideas before turning them into digital ideas. Students will also learn about typography, semiotics, colour theory, commercial and editorial photography.

Students will be aware of the four assessment objectives to be demonstrated in the context of the content and skills presented and the importance of process as well as product.

Students are required to work in one or more area(s) of graphic communication, such as

those listed below. They may explore overlapping areas and combinations of areas:

• advertising

• packaging design

• design for print

• illustration

• communication graphics

• branding

Students will be expected to demonstrate skills in the context of their chosen area(s) of graphic communication. Students will be required to demonstrate skills in all of the

following:

• understanding of meaning, function, style, scale, colour and content in relation to

the chosen area(s) of graphic communication.

• awareness of intended audience or purpose for their chosen area(s) of graphic communication.

• ability to respond to an issue, concept or idea, working to a brief or answering a need in the chosen area(s) of graphic communication.

• appreciation of the relationship of form and function and, where applicable, the constraints of working to a brief.

• appreciation of the appropriate use of typography (which could include hand lettering and calligraphy).

• understanding of a variety of materials and genres appropriate to their chosen area(s) of graphic communication.

Students must show knowledge and understanding of:

• relevant materials, processes, technologies and resources.

• how ideas, feelings and meanings can be conveyed and interpreted in images and artefacts created in the chosen area(s) of graphic communication.

• historical and contemporary developments and different styles and genres.

• how images and artefacts relate to social, environmental, cultural and/or ethical

contexts, and to the time and place in which they were created.

• continuity and change in different styles, genres and traditions relevant to graphic

communication.

• a working vocabulary and specialist terminology that is relevant to their chosen area(s) of graphic communication.

60% Coursework

40% practical exam

An Art and Design background to grade 5 is recommended for the creative elements of the course. However, a passion for design and a good working knowledge of computers would be acceptable as the course is computer based. Students should have at least grade 4 in maths and English.

On completion, students can apply to Universities to study courses with art and design

specialism or students can go on to work in a variety of areas for example:

Graphic Designer

Marketing

Web designer

Advertising

Branding

Events promotion

Animation

Magazine editor

App design

Illustration

Photographer

Publisher

Journalism

Textile designer

Fashion Design