Art

AQA

WHY SHOULD I STUDY ART (FINE ART)?

This is a great qualification for developing your practical art skills. It is an open and welcoming course where, after a short time spent learning new printing, painting and 3D techniques, you can explore your own ideas.

Fine Art is a subject that can be helpful to any student who wants to apply to an Art related degree course. It also combines well with any other subject at college including any other Art and Design subject.

Our department provides a calm and stimulating place to work. It has excellent light in the classrooms and we have some of the best resources in the local area for Art. The Art and Design Department has a large open space that students can use in their own time at college.

Many Fine Art students will also take the opportunity to join our A Level Sculpture course in the second year. Developing your skills by looking at artists and designers is an important part of any artist or designer’s experience. On the A Level Fine Art course there are trips to London and in the second year one optional residential trip to a foreign city such as New York or Barcelona.

We have good links with the course leaders of the Foundation Diploma at Colchester Institute and we also have visiting speakers from universities to give you information about progression opportunities, applications and careers.

COURSE CONTENT

The first part of the course consists of an induction project where you learn new skills. This is followed by an independent and personal project where you get to understand the assessment criteria and standards required at A Level. This leads up to you starting your A Level coursework in the summer term. During the first year you will be learning new techniques, looking at the work of other artists and building up your skills and understanding of contemporary art.

PROGRESSION ONTO YEAR 2

Progression to the second year of the A Level depends on satisfactory progress in the first year, including achieving at least an E grade in the Year One formal assessment and maintaining good attendance and commitment.

FINAL ASSESSMENT AT END OF YEAR 2

The second year consists of two components – coursework and an exam project. There is a short-written element to the coursework. In the second year you will be further developing your skills and exploring your ideas to a high standard. You will produce a portfolio of high-quality artwork that can be used for Art and Design degree interviews.

ASSESSMENT

All A Level coursework is due in at the end of January in your second year. From the 1st February you will then start your exam project. In April/May, at the end of the exam preparation period, you will be completing a final piece during a 15-hour exam – spread over 3 days.

The coursework is worth 60% of your A Level mark and the exam project is 40%.

MINIMUM ENTRY CRITERIA

Standard College entry requirements (see pg 16 of the prospectus) and a minimum of:

For those who have not previously studied a GCSE in Art and Design or Textiles (Art Validated) or Graphics (Art Validated), or a Level 2 BTEC course, it is still possible to be considered for this A Level Art course. You will need to complete an exercise set by the Art and Design Department. You can request details by emailing the College Admissions Department, once you have had your college interview. The exercise will need to be emailed to the Admissions Department by 31^st May. It is not college policy to enrol on three Art & Design A levels except in very exceptional cases.

WHAT CAN I DO AFTER STUDYING A LEVEL FINE ART?

Art can lead to many careers in Art and Design. Possible careers include: graphic design, illustration, architecture, product design, web design, car design, fashion and textiles, industrial design, teaching, animation. Most universities offer courses in these subjects. If you are not sure about which art and design degree course to do at university you can do a foundation diploma after A Levels which will help you choose your art and design pathway at degree level. Many of our students progress on to either foundation diplomas or art and design degree courses across the country.

FURTHER INFORMATION

We will provide most of the materials needed in the first term, but students will need to buy an A3 coursework sketch book from us and to have pencils and paints available. Art material can be bought from us. Any student concerned about affordability should speak to the department to see what support is available.