Level 3 Diploma in Art and Design

Applications open - Monday 2 November 2026

Applications close - Open all year

How to apply - Please apply through KentChoices and use your KentChoices login which your school should provide.

PLEASE NOTE - Popular courses can fill up quickly so apply early to avoid disappointment

If you have any queries regarding the courses, please contact EKC Broadstairs College.

Application Limits - You can make up to 5 applications to Colleges within the EKC Group, that is:

• EKC Ashford College
• EKC Broadstairs College*
• EKC Canterbury College*
• EKC Dover College
• EKC Folkestone College*
• EKC Sheppey College

*Junior Colleges exist in these locations.

Please only add one course or T Level per application. At your interview, you and the tutors can discuss the best level and courses in order for you to progress.

Do you enjoy experimenting, making and bringing your ideas to life? Ready to take your creativity further and start shaping your future as an artist or designer? Step into the world of art and design and start building the skills to express yourself across a wide range of materials and techniques. From drawing and painting to sculpture and 3D design, you’ll explore how ideas develop into finished pieces while building your own creative style. With the creative industries continuing to grow across art, design and digital media, this two-year course gives you the freedom to explore, experiment and begin developing your path into a creative career.

Get hands-on from day one as you experiment, create and explore new ways of creating art. You’ll try out a wide range of materials and techniques, discovering what you enjoy and where your strengths lie. As you step into the studio you’ll be encouraged to take creative risks, develop your own voice and produce work that reflects your interests and ambitions. From drawing and painting to printmaking, sculpture and digital work, you’ll learn how to take an idea from initial concept through to final piece, building confidence as you develop your creative process. You will also push your ideas further by researching artists, exploring different styles and testing new approaches. You will develop skills in: • Drawing and illustration • Painting and print making • Mixed media • 3D design and sculpture • The creative process and idea development • Research and contextual studies You’ll also gain valuable insight into the creative industries through live briefs, employer engagement and work experience opportunities, helping you understand how your skills can translate into real careers.

You’ll build a strong and varied portfolio throughout the course, developing your work across practical projects, sketchbooks and creative assignments. Each project gives you the chance to experiment, refine your ideas and produce work that reflects professional standards. At the end of each year, you’ll complete a final project, giving you the opportunity to take creative control, develop your personal style and create a body of work that showcases your skills and prepares you for your next step.

To study at Level 3, you will need an average entry score of 5.0 from your best 6 GCSE subjects, ideally including English and Maths. You will also be required to show a portfolio of work when you apply. In instances where little or no portfolio and/or performance experience is shown, we will guide you towards the best course to help you build your portfolio and develop the skills and knowledge you need to succeed at higher levels. This study programme is designed to help you move quickly toward advanced jobs, higher education, or apprenticeship opportunities if you know what you want to do next and meet the entry requirements needed for success.

By the end of your course, you’ll be ready to take your next step into the creative industries or continue your studies. This course opens the door to a wide range of creative pathways, including: • Fine Art • Graphic Design • Illustration • Photography • Fashion and Textiles • 3D Design You can progress onto higher education, apprenticeships or specialist creative courses, using the portfolio you’ve built to stand out and secure your place in a competitive and exciting industry. -------------------------------------------- Many of our Level 3 learners have gone on to study or work within the creative sector, like Noah, who has gone on to study Visual Effects at the University of Creative Arts - Farnham (UCA). "I'd love to work for a big VFX company in either the UK or America, and being able to study at University will really help with that. I'd picked Visual Effects as it takes what I've enjoyed at College such as having that creative freedom, and combines it with new exciting areas. I was very reserved and very shy when I started, but the College environment helped me to flourish and now I'm following my dreams."