Art & Design A Level

Why study Art & Design?

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Although demanding in both time and commitment, we believe this course to be challenging and fulfilling. The course provides the ideal platform for any student wishing to pursue the extensive career opportunities in the design or the creative and visual arts field. It will also appeal to those students who have been successful at GCSE and wish to maintain a creative balance in their studies.

To see further evidence of the work produced by students, please visit our online gallery at: www.flickr.com/fortismereartdepartment/collections and audio visual work at: www.fortismere.blip.tv

What will I study?

The course is wide ranging covering many approaches to creating Art and Design with four broad aims to develop the students’:

• Intellectual, imaginative, creative and intuitive powers;
• Investigative, analytical, practical and expressive skills, aesthetic understanding and critical judgement;
• Understanding of contexts and inter-relationships between art, craft and design;
• Knowledge of art, craft and design in contemporary society and in other times and cultures.

Although practical work forms the majority of A level art curriculum, critical awareness and the appreciation of artists will also play an important part in the course and students should be prepared to analyse their own work and the work of others.

AS Art Units

AS Units

Unit 1 (Coursework 60%)

1.1: Foundation Skills Stage (including life drawing and sculpture)

1.2: Diversity

1.3 Personal Word Theme

Unit 2 (Examination 40%)

Externally Set Assignment

A2 Units

Unit 3 (Coursework 60%)

3.1: Personal Study: A written and illustrated study into an area of Art

3.2: Personal Portfolio: A portfolio of practical work based on a brief

Unit 4 (Examination 40%)

Externally set assignment

Students are assessed according to Edexcel’s assessment criteria, which measures the way a student develops, experiments, records and realises their ideas.

How will I study?

Much of the work will be studio-based. However, students will need to meet the demands of the subject through active research, gallery visits and a broad engagement in the whole area of Art and Design. We also offer a regular study visits abroad and locally, run life classes and involve students with visiting artists and lecturers.

What do I need to start the course?

Course entry requirement is B in Art at GCSE level.

What do I need to start the course?

Course entry requires grade B or above in Art at GCSE level.