Art Graphics and Visual Communications A Level

Applications Open - 20 November 2025 at 8am

Applications Close - 6 February 2026 at 15:00 (Except Beauty L2 which closes on the 22nd May).

General Entry Requirements:

Our level 3 Sixth Form entry requirements are five GCSEs at Grades 9-4 including Maths and English minimum Grade 4. However, please read the course information, which, provides specific details of course content and entry requirements.

For level 2 courses please read the course information.

Subjects: -

Level 3 - Enter your choices in order of preference for Level 3 courses. Students need to select the equivalent of 3 courses (Triple counts as 3), with 2 reserve options if selecting Level 3 courses. Year 12 are expected to study the equivalent of three subjects. Once we close to applicants on the 6 February the options selected will be reviewed and if required we will be in contact.

Level 2 - just add the course required, eg beauty, finance or fitness. However, please look up all entry requirements for individual subjects as some subjects require specific subjects and grades.

Timetable Blocks- Please read carefully: Level 3 Courses Please select 3 subjects and 2 reserve subjects by placing them in a ranked order/ or a Pathway. Once applications close we will review all subjects requested and may be in contact at this time to discuss your chosen subjects further.

Additional optional qualifications such as Arts Award (Gold),Core Maths, Further Maths and the EPQ are not applied for at the Kent Choice stage further information will be provided in the 6th Form induction if you would like to undertake this course in addition to your core qualifications.

How to Apply - Via Kent Choices or through link on our website https://www.hernebayhigh.org/sixth-form/how-to-apply

Further Information: We reserve the right to withdraw courses if insufficient numbers are attracted.

Any queries, please contact 6form@hernebayhigh.org

This is an exciting and challenging course, which will guide students through a number of graphic design skills and techniques. Once students have gained confidence and have acquired a skills base, original, innovative and sophisticated work will develop and become more directed by the student. Outcomes will be supported by development studies and contextualised by the work of other artists, graphic designers and design studios.

The A Level course will contain three units, the 3rd of which will be an examined unit.

Unit 1 will be a teacher led unit whereby students will need to ensure they are refining their skills and investigating their ideas in interesting ways. This unit will require a supporting study and a series of outcomes.

Unit 2 is titled the Personal investigation unit. This unit requires students to carry out a sustained investigation into a self written project brief. The unit of work carries the most marks out of unit 1 and 2. It needs to showcase the most developed and refined skills of each student within the discipline. This unit is created from an entire developed project and final pieces. This unit requires and essay submission based on contextual studies of 1000 – 3000 words.

Unit 3 is an externally set examination unit. Students will work on this totally independently.

2 Year Course - Normally 5 GCSE grades in the range of 9-4, including Maths, English and GCSE Art (Minimum Grade 5).

* only 2 art subjects may be studied

You could take this course to complement other advanced level courses such as History of Art or to prepare for the A2 part of an Advanced GCE in Art and Design, 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 Designer, Artist or fashion designer. You could also go straight into a job as the AS GCE is a recognised qualification that will 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. You could take this course with other advanced level courses such as History of Art to prepare for 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. You could take this course with other advanced level courses such as History of Art to prepare for 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.