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BTEC Art & Design

Skinners' Kent Academy, The

Sandown Park, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN2 4PY

National Award (BTEC)

Level 3

Available start dates

Tuesday, 01 September 2026

The Skinners' Kent Academy

2 Year(s)

Full time

Daytime/working hours

Application Instructions

Applications Open: Now

Applications Close: 27 February 2026

Entry Requirements: - 5 GCSE's 4 or above including English and Maths

How to Apply

Internal students - Please apply via Applicaa using this link - https://skinnerskentacademy.applicaa.com/year12

External students - Please apply via KentChoices using this link - https://www.kentprospectus.co.uk/login. Please note - after sending your application, you'll receive a welcome email from Applicaa asking for further information.

Course Summary

The BTEC Art and Design course (BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Art and Design) consists of three mandatory theoretical and practical components, namely: Visual Recording and Communication; Critical and Contextual Studies in Art and Design and the Creative Process. The fourth Unit, studied at the Academy, is the Fine Art option (Fine Art Materials, Techniques and Processes) which includes the study of 2D Art Forms (Painting, Drawing and Printmaking, etc.), 3D Art Forms (mod roc, wire and clay sculpture, paper and card construction etc.) and the exploration of digital media using current applications and programs.

Course Details

The course consists of four sections:

1. Unit 1: Visual Recording and Communication (Learners investigate, experiment, and explore a range of visual recording materials and methods to express and communicate ideas.)

2. Unit 2: Critical and Contextual Studies in Art and Design (Learners develop skills in contextual research and visual analysis to critically analyse the work of others and improve own practice.)

3. Unit 3: The Creative Process (Learners explore and experiment with the stages of the creative process to develop ideas and produce outcomes.)

4. Unit 12: Fine Art Materials, Techniques and Processes (Learners are introduced to materials, techniques and processes used in fine art.)

How will it be delivered and assessed?

Unit 12 and Unit 2 are completed in the first year of study. Unit 12 is internally assessed, and Unit 2 is externally assessed.

Unit 3 and Unit 1 are completed in the second year of study. Unit 3 is internally assessed, and Unit 1 is externally assessed.

Entry requirements

General Entry Requirement for The Skinners’ Kent Academy Sixth Form:

Minimum of GCSE grade 4 (G4) in English and Mathematics plus 3 other GCSEs at grades 9-4

Subject specific minimum entry requirements are:

Visual Arts: G5 or higher in English and G6 or higher in any Art & Design or Design Technology related subject.

Portfolios will also be considered.

Your next steps...

The qualification gives a coherent introduction to the study of art and design, where students develop art and design projects and gain an understanding of the creative process. The qualification is designed for post-16 learners who aim to progress to higher education and ultimately to employment, possibly in the creative industries.

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