Graphic Communication Art & Design A Level
Maplesden Noakes School, The
, Buckland Road, Great Buckland, MAIDSTONE, ME16 0TJ
Available start dates
Available start dates
Application Instructions
Applications open: 10 November 2025
Application deadline: 13th February 2026
Entry Requirements: - 5 x GCSEs Grade 4-9 including English. Maths desirable. Please see individual courses for subject entry requirements. Please visit our website for more information https://www.maplesden.kent.sch.uk/830/welcome
Subject Choices: - You will need to select a minimum of 3 subjects to study and these can be a mixture of A Levels and BTECs with SEFA and MWBA in addition to your full time studies.
How to Apply: - Please apply via KentChoices
Course Summary
Graphic Communication is a 2 year linear A level with two units of externally assessed work.
The course operates as a foundation first year, during which the concepts of graphic design are explored through a mixture of taught material and short projects.
The second year is devoted to the two externally assessed units. The first of these units is a personal investigation (project) in which the student explores an area of graphic design of interest to themselves. The second is an externally assessed set design brief that the student responds to.
The A level grade is determined by the second year work units.
Whilst students have a lot of freedom to investigate and discover through experimentation, the course emphasis is on commercial and viable graphic design. A variety of media and techniques are explored along with a significant digital content to realise professional quality outcomes.
Course Details
Foundation year includes project investigating;
Letterform & Typography, Visual Grammar, Colour & Pattern, Design for print, Branding & Identity.
The Second Year is comprised of:
A personal investigation of the student’s free choice in graphic design (60% of the total marks for the A level)
An externally set and assessed design brief that the student prepares a response to (40% of the total marks for the A level).
How will it be delivered and assessed?
60% personal investigation and 40% externally set assingment
Entry requirements
Grade 5-9 in GCSE Graphics or other Art based subject
Your next steps...
Design skills are useful in any walk of life.
A number of students from this course have gone on to study Graphic Design at University and a number are now practicing as Graphic Designers.
Others are pursuing careers in Marketing, Advertising, Digital Media, Product Design & Engineering
Additional information
For more courses like this, check our courses page.