UAL Level 2 Diploma in Visual Communication

Applications Open - Monday 2nd 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 Canterbury College

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, except for A Levels at EKC Canterbury College, where up to 4 A Level courses can be added per application. At your interview, you and the tutors can discuss the best level and courses in order for you to progress.

If you enjoy being creative and if exploring how images, design and media can emote and communicate larger messaging sounds intriguing, this could be the course for you! Mix your artistic style and storytelling skills as you experiment with a wide range of materials, techniques and processes. You will explore how visuals can tell stories, share messages and capture attention. From drawing and design to photography and print, you’ll begin to understand how creative ideas take shape. Designed as an introduction to art and design, this course helps you build confidence, develop your skills and create a portfolio that prepares you to progress onto a Level 3 course and take your creativity further. This course is suitable for students who have achieved a 4/C grade in English and Maths. If you have not yet achieved this grade you will need to complete the course over two years. This provides you with additional time to achieve a Level 2 in English and/or Maths, with additional trips, activities, employer engagement opportunities.

Explore your creative potential as you experiment with different materials, techniques and ways of working. You’ll experiment with painting, printing, ceramics and more, building confidence as you develop your creative skills. Try out a range of approaches to visual communication, from drawing and design to photography and darkroom techniques, discovering how images can be used to share ideas and tell stories. You’ll learn how to take your work from concept through to a finished outcome, building your understanding of the creative process. Develop your ideas by exploring the work of artists and designers, learning how context, research and experimentation shape creative outcomes. Along the way, you’ll begin to find your own style and build the confidence to express your ideas visually. You will develop skills in: • Drawing and visual communication • Materials, processes and technical skills • Design and creative problem solving • Digital photography and image-making • Experimental darkroom techniques • Research and contextual studies • Developing and producing a personal project You’ll be supported by experienced, practising artists who will guide you as you grow your skills and confidence. Gain real insight into the industry through mentorship, hands-on experience and professional exposure. Throughout the course, you’ll build a portfolio that shows your progress, creativity and potential, helping you take the next step onto a Level 3 course.

You’ll build a portfolio of your work throughout the course, developing your skills across practical projects and creative assignments. Each project helps you experiment, improve and grow in confidence. At the end of the course, you’ll complete a Final Major Project. You’ll bring together everything you’ve learned to create a final piece that showcases the artistic style you’ve developed throughout the year. This is a highly supportive course, designed to guide your progress with clear, practical advice so you can continue building your skills and confidence.

This course is suitable for students who have achieved a 4/C grade in English and Maths. If you have not yet achieved this grade you will need to complete the course over two years. This provides you with additional time to achieve a Level 2 in English and/or Maths, with additional trips, activities, employer engagement opportunities. You will also be asked to show some examples of your work when you apply. This could include drawings, sketches, paintings or photography that demonstrates your creativity and potential.

This course is designed to prepare you for your next step. After completing Level 2, you can progress onto a Level 3 course in Art and Design or a specialist creative subject, where you’ll develop more advanced skills and begin shaping your career direction. You could also go on to explore specialisms in areas such as: • Visual Communication • Fine Art • Graphic Design • Illustration • Photography • 3D Design • Digital media You may also decide to step straight into an entry-level job or freelance in the creative sector. Entry-level roles could include studio assistant, photographer or junior designer.